Annecy

Dreamy Annecy is France’s answer to Venice, folded around the northern end of Lac d’Annecy and littered with twisting canals, dainty bridges and arcaded shopping streets. The lanes of the medieval Vieille Ville all seem to lead to the triangular, 12th-century Palais de l'Isle, encircled by the River Thiou; its many incarnations include courthouse and local mint while today the turreted landmark hosts exhibitions on local history and architecture. The Musée Château d'Annecy perches over the town south of the river and its restored apartments house of displays traditional Savoyard crafts.
Annecy’s tree-shaded waterfront promenade wanders through the flower-filled Jardins de l’Europe. These link to the jogging and picnicking haven of the Champ de Mars across the romantic iron-built Pont des Amours, from where there are fabulous views across Lac d’Annecy towards the Alps. By night the quayside at Canal du Thiou twinkles with the lights of numerous restaurants serving up Haut Savoie specialities of raclette, tartiflette – a hefty cheese dish flavored with spicy sausage – and steak tartare.
Lac d’Annecy is also the ideal summer center for family vacations, with lake cruises departing from Quai Thiou and stopping off at evocative Savoyard villages including Veyrier-du-Lac, Sevrier and Talloires. There’s a sandy beach at Plage Impérial and opportunities for paragliding, water ski-ing, kayaking and cycling up the precipitous Col des Contrebandiers; in winter there is ski-ing at nearby La Clusaz or Chamonix-Mont Blanc.

Practical Info

Annecy lies at the northern tip of Lac d’Annecy in the French Haute-Savoie, but just 35 km (22 miles) south of Geneva in Switzerland; it’s easy to reach by car via the A41; it is also about 1.45 hours from Lyon using the A41 and A43. The town get can very crowded in summer as tourists pour in to explore the medieval streets, so late spring and fall are the ideal times to plan a visit.