Nature or culture? Contemplative or action-packed? Annecy sits at the gateway to the French Alps — less than two hours from Lyon, Geneva and Chambéry — and there is genuinely never a dull moment. Between the lake, the mountains, the Swiss border and the ski resorts, you are on holiday here all year round. We have compiled 50 ideas for excursions and activities around Annecy, organised by travel time and mood.
Summary:
- The 5 unmissables around Annecy ★★★: cycling around the lake, the Col de la Forclaz viewpoint, the Gorges du Fier, the hike to La Tournette, and Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard.
- When it rains: Annecy Château Museum, the Grottes de la Balme, the Paccard bell foundry, or a spa day in Chamonix or Saint-Gervais.
- Nature and outdoors: hike the Tournette or Mont Veyrier, paddleboard on Lake Annecy or Lac du Bourget, or explore the UNESCO Lavaux vineyards in Switzerland.
- Best day trips within 2 hours: Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi, the Beaufortain valley, the Grand Colombier, the medieval village of Yvoire on Lake Geneva, and the Aosta Valley in Italy.
Contents:
- The finest viewpoints over Lake Annecy
- Skiing around Annecy
- The best hikes
- Culture around Lake Annecy
- The best beaches on the lake
- On the lake — less than 20 min
- Within 1 hour — Aravis, Bauges, Lac du Bourget
- Within 2 hours — Switzerland, Italy, Lyon
- Summary table by weather and season
The Finest Viewpoints Over Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is dominated on all sides by mountains — the Bauges massif to the west and south, the Aravis range to the east and north. Viewpoints are plentiful.
By car or bike, head first to the Col de la Forclaz — the finest belvedere on the lake (see photo below). Restaurants, hiking trailheads and paragliding launch pads are all found here; the sight of dozens of colourful paragliders spiralling above the lake is unforgettable. Further fine views can be found from the road rising above Saint-Jorioz towards Leschaux and the Semnoz.
On foot, accessible family hikes with exceptional lake views include Mont Veyrier, the Roc du Chère and the Taillefer de Duingt ridge. Higher up, la Pointe de la Tournette (2,350 m), le Parmelan (1,832 m) and la Pointe de Banc Plat (1,907 m) offer some of the best panoramas of any summit accessible from the lake. La Sambuy also gives fine views, with noticeably fewer crowds than the Tournette.
Skiing Around Annecy
If you are visiting Annecy in winter, several ski areas are within easy reach:
- Le Semnoz — the city’s own ski area, right above Annecy, with both downhill and cross-country skiing. Accessible by bus.
- Les Glières — one of the main cross-country skiing plateaux in Haute-Savoie.
- La Clusaz, Manigod and Le Grand-Bornand — large village resorts with significant alpine and nordic domains, 30–45 minutes from Annecy.
- Megève, Chamonix and the Three Valleys (via Orelle) — all within less than 2 hours of the lake for bigger ski areas.
The Best Hikes Around Lake Annecy
For lakeside walking, the greenway around the lake allows flat walking near the water — though it is better used by bike for the full circuit. On the heights, several summits reward the effort with exceptional views.
La Tournette (2,350 m) is the iconic summit of the area — 1,000 metres of elevation gain to a panoramic top with views of the Alps, Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy. Approached via the Col de la Forclaz, it is very popular in summer; start early. Other rewarding hikes: la Pointe du Banc Plat, La Sambuy, la Roche Murraz and le Parmelan. The Semnoz is closest to the lake and ideal for gentle family walks at its summit, with exceptional sunsets.
Culture Around Lake Annecy
Annecy’s cultural offer is more discreet than Lyon or Grenoble, but by no means absent. The town has a national theatre, an internationally renowned animation film festival (the Annecy International Animated Film Festival is the largest in the world), and the summer Annecy Paysages festival of landscape art. The Fondation Claudine et Jean-Marc Salomon at the Abbaye d’Annecy-le-Vieux presents contemporary art exhibitions of quality. For major collections, Geneva (45 min), Lyon (2h) and Grenoble (1h15) are all within easy reach.
Local heritage worth visiting: the Paccard bell foundry, the Palais de l’Île (the town’s most photographed building, a medieval prison in the middle of the canal), the Château d’Annecy Museum, and the châteaux of Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Montrottier. Nearby historic towns: Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains, Évian-les-Bains and Yvoire.
The Best Beaches on Lake Annecy
With clear, warm water (up to 22–25°C in summer) and a Riviera-like atmosphere, Lake Annecy is genuinely extraordinary for swimming. Around ten beaches are distributed around its shores:
- Annecy has three public beaches: Plage d’Albigny (south-facing), Plage de l’Impérial (urban and lively) and Plage des Marquisats (morning sun, more natural).
- Each commune around the lake has its own beach — some paid (including Saint-Jorioz), others free and more natural.
- Our favourites are the small beaches at Talloires and the Château de Duingt — the most beautiful swimming spots on the lake. Boat and paddleboard hire is available at several beaches.
Discover all the beaches on Lake Annecy in our dedicated guide
On and Around the Lake — Less than 20 Minutes
Hike to the Summit of Mont Veyrier ★★
4h walk from the lakeshore (Petit Port de Chavoires), 20 min from the centre by bus — all year
Why not leave the car behind? From the small port near Annecy (accessible by bus), a 2-hour climb of 750 metres takes you to the summit of Mont Veyrier (1,291 m). The view of the Alps, the town and the lake is outstanding. Continue to Mont Baron and descend back into town for a full circular walk — arguably the finest car-free hike from Annecy.
Cascade d’Angon Walk ★★
45 min by bus (line 60), 2h circular walk — summer and winter
More accessible and family-friendly than Mont Veyrier, this walk (reachable by bus or bike) visits fine panoramas and several beautiful waterfalls. The Cascade d’Angon gorge also lends itself to canyoning in summer — a more adventurous option with a guide.
Canyoning at Angon ★★
Accessible by bus (line 60) or car (30 min) — summer
Abseiling down a mountain torrent, sliding through natural rock chutes, jumping into deep pools — canyoning is more accessible than it sounds and genuinely exhilarating. Available at Angon, Montmin or in the Bauges. Full equipment and guides provided; no prior experience needed.
Tandem Paragliding Over Lake Annecy ★★★
Launch at Col de la Forclaz, 30 min from Annecy — April to October
One of the finest tandem paragliding flights in the Alps — launching from the Col de la Forclaz, you descend 700 metres over the turquoise lake to land at Doussard. Available April to October; book well in advance.
Cycle Around Lake Annecy ★★★
Start from the town centre — summer
A cycle path almost entirely encircles the lake in an exceptional setting. The full circuit is 37 km — manageable for all levels, especially with an e-bike. The western shore follows a former railway on a traffic-free greenway; the eastern shore is hillier but passes through charming villages including Talloires. Allow 2–3 hours at a comfortable pace.
Swimming in Lake Annecy ★★★
Beaches in the town itself, others around the lake — June to September
Lake Annecy is one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, and from June to September the water temperature reaches 22–25°C. Swimming here — with mountains all around and perfectly clear blue-green water — is one of the finest experiences the French Alps offer.
Sailing on Lake Annecy ★★
Annecy, Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz — summer
The size and consistent winds of Lake Annecy make it a fine sailing lake: windsurfing, catamarans, dinghies and larger boats. Equipment hire and lessons are available by the day, week or term at Annecy (Marquisats), Sévrier and Saint-Jorioz.
Paddleboarding in the Bay of Talloires ★★★
45 min by bike or bus (line 60), 30 min by car — summer
At the foot of the Roc du Chère cliff and surrounded by elegant villas, the bay of Talloires is the most beautiful spot on the lake for stand-up paddleboarding. Kayaks, pedalos and SUPs can be hired directly from the port.
Gorges du Fier ★★★
35 min by bike, 20 min by car, 45 min by bus (line 32) — summer
One of the must-see natural sites in Haute-Savoie — particularly welcome on a hot day. Metal walkways thread through spectacular narrow gorges carved by the Fier torrent: rock walls, waterfalls and cool air. An easy 45-minute visit accessible to non-hikers.
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard ★★
55 min by road — year-round
Overlooking Lake Annecy with the fairytale silhouette of a Disney castle, the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard has been inhabited by the same family for over 1,000 years. The guided tour brings this extraordinarily romantic place to life. The château is said to have inspired Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty, and its permaculture garden and lake views are exceptional.
Paccard Bell Foundry ★★
25 min by bus (line 50) or bike — year-round
A genuine local pride: the Paccard foundry has been casting bells since 1796 across seven generations. Today just three bell foundries remain in France — and Paccard is the world number one for church bells and carillons, with bells ringing in cathedrals from Notre-Dame de Paris to Reims and beyond. The museum reveals the secrets of bell-casting, and on Thursdays you can watch a live casting.
Sunset at the Semnoz Summit ★★
45 min by car — year-round
The Semnoz rises directly above Annecy, facing the Alps. In any season, the sunsets from its summit are spectacular — and in autumn and winter, sea-of-cloud effects create extraordinary dream landscapes. Views of Mont Blanc, the Bauges, the Aravis and the Jura. In winter (December–April), a small family ski area operates here for downhill and cross-country skiing.
Gastronomic Dining with a Lake View ★★★
15–30 min by car, accessible by bike or boat — year-round
Annecy and its lakeside villages have become one of the most gastronomically dense areas of the French Alps. Eating freshly caught lake perch or fera with a view of crystal-clear water and mountain peaks is one of the great luxuries of the region. Among the finest addresses: Le Clos des Sens (3 Michelin stars, in Annecy itself), Jean Sulpice (2 stars, at Talloires, on the lake), and the Auberge de Montmin (1 star, on the heights of the Col de la Forclaz).
Within 1 Hour — Aravis, Bauges, Lac du Bourget
La Tournette Summit Hike ★★★
50 min by car, then 2h on foot — summer
The iconic summit of the Annecy area. From its 2,351 metres, La Tournette dominates the lake and offers a sweeping panorama of the Alps. Popular in summer (ibex are often seen at the top) — start early to avoid crowds. Allow a full day for the return trip.
Yvoire — A Medieval Village on Lake Geneva ★★★
1h by car — summer
A perfectly preserved 14th-century village on the French shore of Lake Geneva, classified among the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. Flower-filled lanes, a medieval château, remarkable gardens and a lakeside setting. One of the most visited villages in France — arrive early in the morning for the best experience.
Ski by Bus from Annecy ★★★
1h by bus from the town centre — winter
Annecy has the luxury of being within one hour by bus of multiple ski areas. Le Semnoz and Les Glières are served directly from the town. It is a genuinely green and economical option — the price of a bus ticket in place of parking and petrol. Les Glières is a fine nordic ski domain; le Semnoz offers downhill and cross-country with reliable snow and good sunshine.
Abbaye d’Hautecombe ★★
1h by car — year-round
On the wild western shore of Lac du Bourget, the Abbaye d’Hautecombe is a remarkable neo-Gothic abbey — the burial place of the House of Savoy, whose dukes ruled this region for centuries and whose descendants sit on the Italian throne. The main church is open to visitors; the monastery itself opens only during Heritage Days. The adjacent grange batelière hosts temporary exhibitions. Reach it by road or, in summer, by boat from Aix-les-Bains.
Lac du Bourget and the Canal de Savières ★★
35–45 min by car, 45 min by train — summer
France’s largest natural lake is darker, deeper and wilder than Lake Annecy — carved by the Rhône glacier and connected to the Rhône via the Canal de Savières at the village of Chanaz. The northern shore is rural and peaceful; the western shore drops straight into the water from a steep forested cliff. Explore by canoe or paddleboard — best in the morning or late afternoon. The canal village of Chanaz (sometimes called the “little Venice of Savoie”) is an excellent stop.
Within 2 Hours — Switzerland, Italy, Lyon and Beyond
Rafting on the Giffre River ★★
1h by car — April to September
The Giffre river between the beautiful villages of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and Samoëns is one of the best introductory white-water rivers in the French Alps. A great family adventure — no experience needed, full equipment and certified guides provided. Combine with a visit to the Cirque du Fer à Cheval, just 15 minutes further up the valley.
Geneva — Switzerland at Arm’s Length ★★
45 min by car, 1h15 by train — year-round
Geneva is the city most UK visitors fly into for Annecy — and it is well worth spending a day there. Beyond luxury watches and chocolate, it is a culturally active lakeside city with outstanding museums (the International Red Cross Museum and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire are exceptional), the Jet d’Eau — one of the world’s largest water fountains — and a fine medieval old town. Easy by train from Annecy station.
Grande Chartreuse Monastery ★★
1h10 by car — year-round
In the heart of a silent forested valley in the Chartreuse massif, the Grande Chartreuse is the mother house of the Carthusian order — founded in 1084 and still inhabited by silent monks. Visitors cannot enter the monastery itself, but a fine museum explains the Carthusian life, and the valley itself is one of the most beautifully contemplative landscapes in the French Alps. Combine with a walk to the Col de la Ruchère above.
Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi ★★★
1h15 by car, 2h30 by train — year-round
The Alps’ most iconic resort is only 1h15 from Annecy. The cable car to the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m) and its “Step into the Void” glass cage is the unmissable experience. Add a spa morning at the QC Terme in Chamonix, a walk in the Art Nouveau old town, and a detour via Saint-Gervais and Megève on the way back. A perfect full-day excursion.
Ski in the Three Valleys ★★★
1h30 by road via Orelle — November to May
The world’s largest linked ski area — 600 km of connected pistes across Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Méribel and Courchevel — is only 1h30 from Annecy by motorway (excluding peak Saturday changeovers). Enter via Orelle at the southern tip of the domain for the quickest access to altitude. The Three Valleys is the pinnacle of French Alpine skiing.
Grand Colombier — Jura Panorama ★★
1h20 by car — year-round
A famous Tour de France climb (its multiple ascents in a single day are a challenge known as the “Confrérie des Félés du Colombier”) — but also a magnificent viewpoint at 1,531 m overlooking the Rhône, Lac du Bourget and the full arc of the Alps. Between the Jura and the Alps, the sunset panoramas here are extraordinary. Set up your tent or picnic and enjoy the silence.
A Day in the Aosta Valley, Italy ★★
2h by car via the Mont Blanc Tunnel — year-round
Italy is closer to Annecy than most people realise. Through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, Courmayeur — the Italian mirror of Chamonix, with exceptional mountain restaurants — is around 1h30 from Annecy. Further down the valley, Aosta itself has remarkably well-preserved Roman remains: a triumphal arch, amphitheatre and city walls. Combine with the Pré-Saint-Didier thermal baths for a full Italian day.
Cirque du Fer à Cheval ★★★
1h20 by car — summer
One of the most beautiful natural sites in Haute-Savoie — and entirely free. In this vast horseshoe-shaped glacial cirque at Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (car-free inside), dozens of waterfalls cascade from dramatic cliff walls above green meadows. A primordial grandeur. Combine with the nearby Cascade du Rouget (roadside viewpoint) and rafting on the Giffre.
Grenoble Museum of Art ★★★
1h15 by car, 2h by train — year-round
The Musée de Grenoble has one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary art of any regional museum in France — rivalling many Parisian institutions. Its permanent collection includes works by Matisse, Picasso, Miró, Warhol and Basquiat; twice-yearly temporary exhibitions feature internationally renowned artists. The building itself is a contemporary architectural landmark with views over the mountains.
The Beaufortain Valley ★★
1h20 by car or train — year-round
A beautiful preserved Alpine valley between Savoie and Haute-Savoie, where cows grazing below the Mont Blanc massif produce the milk for Beaufort cheese — one of the great mountain AOC cheeses of France, sometimes called the “prince of Gruyères”. Visit Hauteluce or Beaufort for authentic village life, the dramatic Roselend reservoir lake, and open Alpine landscapes. In winter, ski at Hauteluce-Les Contamines, Arêches or Les Saisies.
A Weekend in Lyon ★★★
2h by car or train — year-round
France’s second city — and arguably its most interesting for food and urban culture — is just 2 hours from Annecy. Lyon’s traboules (secret passages through Renaissance buildings), its world-renowned restaurant scene, its trompe-l’œil murals and its outstanding museums (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée d’Art Contemporain, Institut Lumière, Musée des Confluences) make it an excellent city-break destination. In December, the Fête des Lumières — Lyon’s famous Festival of Lights — is one of the most spectacular free events in Europe.
Lavaux Vineyards, Switzerland ★★★
1h30 by car via Geneva and Lausanne — spring to autumn
Not many people think of Switzerland as wine country — but the UNESCO-listed Lavaux terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva are one of the most beautiful wine landscapes in the world. Steep terraced vines cascade down to the lake shore between Lausanne and Montreux, producing Chasselas whites and a range of other varieties. The walking trail through the vineyards (easily accessible by train from Geneva) combines exceptional scenery with wine tasting along the way.
Modern Art at the Plateau d’Assy ★★★
1h10 by car — year-round, free access
An astonishing and almost completely unknown cultural site, facing Mont Blanc above Passy. In the 1930s–50s, a mountain sanatorium town became the focus of an extraordinary artistic project: works by Léger, Braque, Chagall, Calder, Lurçat and Matisse were commissioned for the modernist church of Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grâce. The result is freely accessible and rivals many major museums — with the added bonus of a Mont Blanc panorama from the terrace.
Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Martigny ★
2h by car via Chamonix — year-round
One of the finest private art foundations in Europe, in the beautiful Swiss Valais. Major retrospectives each year — past shows have featured Debussy, Cartier-Bresson, Cézanne, Matisse and Renoir. The permanent collection includes Gallo-Roman archaeology and an exceptional automobile museum. Combine with a drive through the Valais wine country.
Excenevex Sandy Beach, Lake Geneva ★
1h by car — summer
Just next to Yvoire, the beach at Excenevex is the only natural sandy beach on the French shore of Lake Geneva — complete with sun lounger hire, beach volleyball, boats at anchor and a seaside resort atmosphere. Combine with a visit to Yvoire for a full day on the lakeshore.
Summary Table — What to Do Around Annecy by Weather and Season
| Mood / Weather | Fine and sunny | Rain or cloud | Winter |
| Culture and heritage | Château de Menthon, Yvoire, Pérouges | Annecy Château Museum, Paccard Foundry, Monastère de Brou | Fondation Gianadda, Geneva museums |
| Nature and landscapes | Lake circuit by bike, Tournette hike, Col de la Forclaz | Gorges du Fier, Grottes de la Balme | Snowshoeing at Semnoz, Plateau des Glières |
| Water and wellness | Swimming (Talloires, Albigny), paddleboarding | Vitam Parc (water park), spas in Saint-Gervais or Chamonix | Nordic spa, Brides-les-Bains thermal baths |
| Families | Summer luge (Semnoz/Sambuy), Bird Park at Villars | La Turbine science centre, Père Noël hamlet | Skiing at La Clusaz or Le Grand-Bornand |