Natural or urban, sandy or grassy, lively or peaceful — the shores of Lake Annecy have something for everyone. With water temperatures regularly exceeding 20°C in summer and water quality consistently rated as excellent (among the purest in Europe), this mountain lake is one of the finest swimming destinations in the French Alps. We cycled the full circuit of the lake to photograph and review all 15 beaches. Here is everything you need to know.
Key facts:
- Beaches for every taste — wild, urban, family-friendly or stylish: Albigny, Talloires and Saint-Jorioz are the most popular.
- Wide range of activities — paddleboarding, paragliding, cycling, wakeboarding and more around the lake.
- Access — all beaches are accessible by bike via the lakeside cycle path; cycling is strongly recommended as road traffic around the lake can be heavy in summer.
- Go early — morning swimming (before 11am) means cooler crowds, calmer water and no queues.
- Free or paid — beaches like Angon and Talloires are free; Saint-Jorioz and Menthon-Saint-Bernard charge an entry fee. Full details below.
Contents:
- Video — all the beaches of the lake
- Our top 3 beaches on Lake Annecy
- Our selection by beach style
- In pictures — all the beaches
- Summary table
- Practical information
Video — All the Beaches of Lake Annecy
Our Top 3 Beaches on Lake Annecy
Plage du Château de Duingt — a truly enchanting spot. At the foot of a beautiful private castle that juts out into the lake, this grassy beach has a superb unguarded swimming basin accessible by a metal ladder. Swimming here feels like being in a vast natural swimming pool. Our most characterful pick.
Plage de Talloires — Talloires is a beautiful upmarket village set around the most spectacular bay on the lake. Its beach is pretty and well equipped for swimmers and families alike, with a small paddling pool for children.
Plage de Saint-Jorioz — this large beach has fine pale sand, good shade, jetties and diving boards. Facing across the water to Annecy and the Mont Veyrier, the view is outstanding.
Our Selection by Beach Style
- Most lively/trendy: Plage de l’Impérial, with its bar, sun loungers and music.
- Best for food: Talloires, with its Michelin-starred restaurants nearby.
- Most urban: Albigny, Impérial and Les Marquisats — all virtually in the city centre.
- Best for families: La Brune at Veyrier-du-Lac and Saint-Jorioz (paid entry) — both have good shade, grass and children’s play areas.
- Sandy beaches: Veyrier-du-Lac, Saint-Jorioz, Sévrier and Duingt all have sandy sections.
- Most natural: the Bout du Lac beach at Doussard, bordering the nature reserve; also the small beaches at Plant and Les Choseaux.
- Naturist swimming: there are no naturist beaches on Lake Annecy. For that, head to Lake Geneva.
In Pictures — All the Beaches of Lake Annecy
Plage d’Albigny — Annecy’s Main Urban Beach
Annecy’s main urban beach, just a short walk from the Impérial Palace hotel and 15 minutes from the town centre. Fully south-facing, with expansive lawns — partly shaded, partly sunny — and a large, gently shelving swimming area. The beach is flanked by the lakeside cycle path. Showers, snacks, restaurants and marina nearby. Free entry; lifeguards on duty in July and August.
- Beach type: large grassy lawns with a sandy section.
- Entry: free all year.
- Parking: paid car parks nearby (Impérial, Sainte-Bernadette, avenue du Petit Port). Difficult to park in high season — cycling recommended.
- Access: by car, by cycle path, or on foot from the town centre. Google Maps
- Best for: families, couples, groups.
- Plus: urban beach with a gently shelving sandy bottom and good shade.
- Minus: very busy in summer.
Plage de l’Impérial
Annecy’s most lively and stylish beach. Large lawns, a water slide, various aquatic games, a paddling pool, beach volleyball and badminton courts — plus 700 m² of private beach with sun loungers and parasols for hire, all on fine sand. The vibe is unapologetically urban beach. Entry to the beach is free; some activities are paid.
- Beach type: trendy; lake access via jetty and ladders.
- Entry: free (beach); some paid activities.
- Parking: paid car parks nearby. Difficult in high season.
- Access: by car, cycle path or on foot. Google Maps
- Best for: groups of friends, couples.
- Plus: beach bar and music — the liveliest spot on the lake.
- Minus: not for those seeking peace and quiet.
Les Marquisats — Annecy’s Natural City Beach
Heading south from Annecy towards Sévrier, Les Marquisats is the third of Annecy’s city beaches — and the most natural of the three. Shaded in the mornings, with a gently shelving swimming area and long lawns running alongside the cycle path. Showers, toilets and light refreshments available in summer. Canoe, kayak and rowing boat hire nearby at the sailing club. Free entry; lifeguards in July and August.
- Beach type: sand and gravel with shaded lawns.
- Entry: free all year.
- Parking: large car park opposite, fills up quickly. Also possible at the stade nautique or Providence car parks nearby.
- Access: by car, cycle path or on foot from the town centre. Google Maps
- Best for: couples, families, those seeking morning calm.
- Plus: a natural feel, close to the town centre.
- Minus: beach is relatively small for the demand.
Plage Municipale de Sévrier — A Fine Family Beach on the Cycle Path
Near the village of Sévrier, with a fine view across the lake to the La Tournette massif, this well-appointed family beach has facilities including toilets, a children’s play area, a restaurant and jetties. The entry into the water is gradual and ideal for families. Lifeguards on duty in July and August. Free entry, but the car park is paid.
- Beach type: sand and gravel with shaded lawns.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: good car park on site, fills quickly in summer. Paid.
- Access: by car via the Sévrier road, or by cycle path. Google Maps
- Best for: couples and families. Small paddling pool for young children.
- Plus: a fine family beach, best in the morning.
- Minus: little shade in full afternoon sun.
Plage des Choseaux — A Quiet Cyclists’ Beach
A relatively little-known beach, a short pedal past Sévrier along the cycle path. Also known as Plage de Clos Berthier, it is a large grassy area with a small lake access for swimming. Free entry, unguarded swimming. Less crowded than the main beaches — ideal if you are exploring the lake by bike.
- Beach type: gravel and grass.
- Entry: free all year.
- Parking: no car park — bike racks available.
- Access: by cycle path only. Google Maps
- Best for: cyclists, couples, those seeking peace.
- Plus: a calm, low-key beach alongside the cycle path.
- Minus: no facilities, no car park.
Plage de Saint-Jorioz — Fine Sand and Full Facilities
A large and beautiful sandy beach, perfect for families. Two large swimming areas, jetties, a diving board (three heights, up to 5 metres) and children’s play equipment. Bike racks, a snack bar, a restaurant and good shade are all available. Paid entry in summer (around €2.60 per adult, €1 for ages 10–17). Lifeguards on duty July and August. Just to the north of the paid beach, two small free beaches allow swimming, paddleboarding and even dog bathing — same water quality, same scenery.
- Beach type: fine pale sand with shaded lawns.
- Entry: approx. €2.80 adults, €1 ages 10–17.
- Parking: large car park and bike racks nearby.
- Access: via Saint-Jorioz village centre, signed port-plage. Google Maps
- Best for: families, couples, groups.
- Plus: fine sandy beach facing Annecy — one of the best-equipped on the lake.
- Minus: paid entry; very popular in peak season.
Duingt — A Small Unguarded Beach
A small, fairly quiet, unguarded grassy beach with a restaurant and a small lake access. Pleasant swimming with a fine view towards the Aravis range. No lifeguard; dogs not permitted. Google Maps
Plage du Château de Duingt — The Lake’s Finest Natural Swimming Pool
For us, one of the most beautiful swimming spots on the entire lake. At the tip of the Duingt peninsula, a grassy bank gives access to the lake via a metal ladder. You swim in what feels like an enormous natural pool, with the privately owned but spectacular Château de Duingt as your backdrop. No lifeguard, no facilities — but an unforgettable setting.
- Beach type: lawn with metal ladder access, no sand.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: small car park by the church.
- Access: 12 km south of Annecy by car or bike. Google Maps
- Best for: couples, friends, confident swimmers.
- Plus: one of the most beautiful spots on the lake, with the château as a backdrop.
- Minus: ladder access not suitable for everyone; no facilities.
Plage du Bout du Lac — A Beach beside a Nature Reserve
Set between the marina and the Bout du Lac nature reserve at the southernmost end of the lake, this sandy beach has shade, a restaurant and children’s play equipment — and a particularly green, natural setting. It can be windy on days when the bise (northerly wind) is blowing. Free entry; lifeguards in July and August. Boat hire, campsites and mini-golf nearby.
- Beach type: sandy, natural.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: large car park on site.
- Access: at the very end of the lake, 45 minutes by road from Annecy (traffic-dependent); 45 min–1h30 by bike. Google Maps
- Best for: families, couples, groups seeking a natural setting.
- Minus: like all beaches on the lake, busy in summer — mornings are much better.
Plage de la Balmette — A Quick Roadside Dip
A small free beach alongside the road and cycle path — perfect for a refreshing stop. The water is beautiful in the morning and the swimming is pleasant.
- Beach type: gravel and grass.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: no car park; a few roadside spaces and easy bike access.
- Access: at the end of the lake, on the road between Talloires and Doussard. Google Maps
- Best for: a quick swim during a lake circuit by bike.
- Minus: small, limited shade.
Plage d’Angon — Jetties, Diving Board and Shade
A lovely natural beach with south-facing lawns, good shade, floating jetties and a restaurant. Two large car parks allow easy access by car. Free entry; guarded swimming; the water shelves gradually — suitable for families.
- Beach type: gravel and south-facing lawn.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: two car parks on either side of the Angon road. Good bike access too.
- Access: between Talloires and Doussard. Google Maps
- Best for: families and couples.
- Plus: superb beach, quickly deep — great for swimmers.
- Minus: no paddling pool for very young children.
Plage des Cassines — The Insiders’ Beach
Close to Plage d’Angon, this lesser-known beach is a pleasant spot with a large car park. Lake access is via a metal ladder. Guarded swimming in July and August. Google Maps
Plage Municipale de Talloires — The Most Charming Beach on the Lake
One of our favourite beaches on the lake. In an exceptional setting of deep blue water, the Talloires beach has a large supervised swimming area, a children’s paddling pool, a diving board and slide, sunny and shaded lawns, beach volleyball and pétanque courts, and catering on site. Sailing dinghies, paddleboards, kayaks and catamarans available to hire nearby. Free entry.
- Beach type: grassy with jetties and shade.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: limited parking nearby; cycling strongly recommended (10 km from Annecy).
- Access: in Talloires village, near the Auberge du Père Bise. Google Maps
- Best for: everyone — exceptional views of the mountains.
- Plus: beautiful jetties, children’s pool, one of the finest settings on the lake.
- Minus: limited parking.
Plage de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
A well-appointed beach with a gentle slope, large sunny or shaded lawns, a restaurant, jetties and a supervised swimming area in summer. Lake access via metal ladders. Children also have a paddling pool and a small shallow area. Paid entry in summer (around €4.50 adults, €2.50 under-16s). The Menthon château — which reportedly inspired Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty — is visible on the hillside above.
- Beach type: grassy with jetties and shade.
- Entry: approx. €4.50 adults, €2.50 under-16s.
- Parking: two adjacent car parks. Annecy is 6 km north (15 minutes by bike).
- Access: below Menthon village, in the residential area below the château. Google Maps
- Best for: families with young children — gently shelving entry.
- Plus: beautiful green setting.
- Minus: paid entry; popular in season.
Plage de la Brune — A Fine Family Beach at Veyrier-du-Lac
A pleasant grassy beach at Veyrier-du-Lac, with two small swimming areas, gentle lake entry, jetties, shaded zones, a play area, toilets and a snack bar. Guarded swimming in summer; free entry.
- Beach type: sand and grass.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: two small car parks nearby.
- Access: a slightly hidden beach (but signed) in the residential streets of Veyrier-du-Lac. Google Maps
- Plus: excellent beach for families, with two swimming areas and shaded lawns.
- Minus: busy in peak season.
Plage du Plant — A Small, Shaded Swimming Spot
Also in Veyrier-du-Lac, heading back towards Annecy, this small beach is located below the old cable car roundabout (now the cinema). A simple sloping lawn with some shade and lake access via a metal ladder — calm, low-key swimming in a pleasant open stretch of water.
- Beach type: lawn with lake access.
- Entry: free.
- Parking: two car parks nearby.
- Access: below the old cable car roundabout at Veyrier-du-Lac. Google Maps
- Best for: a peaceful swim and a quiet read.
- Plus: close to Annecy and calm.
- Minus: lake access less straightforward than some beaches.
Summary Table — All Beaches on Lake Annecy
| Beach | Village | Type | Entry | Parking | Best for | Our view |
| Plage d’Albigny | Annecy | Grass / Sand | Free | Paid (difficult) | Everyone | The main urban beach — very popular. |
| Plage de l’Impérial | Annecy | Sand / Lawn | Free (mostly) | Paid (difficult) | Young / Lively | Bar, music, the liveliest spot. |
| Les Marquisats | Annecy | Gravel / Lawn | Free | Paid (fairly large) | Families / Calm | More natural; shaded in the morning. |
| Plage de Sévrier | Sévrier | Sand / Gravel | Free | Paid | Families | Fine beach with views of La Tournette. |
| Plage des Choseaux | Sévrier | Grass / Gravel | Free | No (bike only) | Cyclists / Quiet | Small and low-key; on the cycle path. |
| Plage de Saint-Jorioz | Saint-Jorioz | Fine sand | Paid | Paid | Families | Best-equipped beach; diving board. |
| Plage de Duingt | Duingt | Grass | Free | Yes (small) | Quiet / Views | Calm; great views of the Aravis range. |
| Plage du Château | Duingt | Grass / Rocks | Free | Yes (small) | Couples / Views | Enchanting; a natural swimming pool with a château. |
| Bout du Lac | Doussard | Sand / Grass | Free | Yes (large) | Nature / Families | Beside the nature reserve; very green. |
| La Balmette | Talloires-Montmin | Gravel / Grass | Free | A few spaces | Quick stop | Small roadside beach. |
| Plage d’Angon | Talloires-Montmin | Gravel / Lawn | Free | Yes | Families / Divers | Fine beach with jetties and a restaurant. |
| Les Cassines | Talloires-Montmin | Grass / Rocks | Free | Yes | Insiders / Quiet | Ladder access; quieter and more discreet. |
| Plage de Talloires | Talloires-Montmin | Grass / Jetties | Free | Paid (limited) | Everyone | Magnificent setting; our favourite. |
| Plage de Menthon | Menthon-Saint-Bernard | Grass / Jetties | Paid | Yes (paid) | Families | Beautiful green setting; well equipped. |
| Plage de la Brune | Veyrier-du-Lac | Sand / Lawn | Free | Yes (small) | Families | Excellent with children. |
Practical Information — Swimming on Lake Annecy
- Go early — for clean, calm water and fewer crowds, swim before 11am. You will also avoid traffic jams getting to the lake, and the water is less disturbed by boats and wind.
- Duck itch — a mild skin irritation caused by parasites released by ducks and other waterfowl is occasionally reported on the lake. To minimise the risk, always rinse off thoroughly with fresh water and towel dry vigorously when leaving the lake. Showers are available on all main beaches.
- West shore vs east shore — the western shore has gently shelving, sandier beaches that catch the morning sun. The eastern shore beaches are steeper but the water is often deeper and clearer — you access it by ladder from jetties. Both sides have family options.
- Free vs paid beaches — free beaches: Albigny, Marquisats, Impérial, Sévrier, Les Choseaux, Doussard, Duingt, Angon, Talloires. Paid: Saint-Jorioz (approx. €2.80 adults), Menthon-Saint-Bernard (approx. €4.50 adults) and part of Plage de l’Impérial.
- Eating and drinking — most beaches have a snack bar or restaurant nearby. A good option for an ice cream or to extend a morning swim into lunch.
- Water quality — Lake Annecy is consistently rated as having some of the purest water in Europe. The lake underwent a major clean-up from the 1960s onwards and is now a model of freshwater management. Water quality at all swimming beaches is monitored regularly throughout the season and is almost always rated excellent. Official water quality reports.
- Sandy beaches — for sandy-bottomed swimming, head to Albigny, Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz or Bout du Lac (Doussard).
- Diving boards — boards can be found at Saint-Jorioz (up to 5 metres), Plage de l’Impérial and Talloires.
- Avoiding the crowds — if you prefer not to swim shoulder to shoulder with other visitors, hire a pedalo or a stand-up paddleboard and swim a little further from the shore.
It is a matter of taste, but three spots stand out. Plage de Talloires is most often cited for its majestic mountain setting. Plage d’Albigny in Annecy-le-Vieux appeals with its vast lawns and closeness to the town, while Plage de Saint-Jorioz offers outstanding views of the surrounding summits.
Several beaches are entirely free: Les Marquisats and Plage d’Albigny in Annecy itself, plus Sévrier, Les Choseaux, Duingt, Angon, Talloires and Doussard (Bout du Lac) around the lake.
The two closest options are Les Marquisats (west shore) and Plage d’Albigny (east shore). Both are a few minutes on foot, by bike via the cycle path, or by bus — making them the favourite spots for locals seeking a quick swim.
Most beaches on Lake Annecy are gravel or grass, but several have sandy sections. The most famous is Plage de Saint-Jorioz, which has a particularly well-regarded sandy swimming area. Albigny, Sévrier and Doussard (Bout du Lac) also have sandy spots.
For families with young children, look for beaches with a gentle slope and dedicated facilities. Plage de Saint-Jorioz, Plage d’Angon and Plage de Menthon-Saint-Bernard are the best options, all with paddling areas and supervised swimming.
Yes — Lake Annecy is one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, with water quality consistently rated excellent. The lake underwent a major environmental clean-up from the 1960s onwards. For maximum safety, swim at guarded beaches (lifeguards are on duty at most main beaches in July and August) and respect the designated swimming zones to avoid boats.
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