Visiting Lac d’Annecy, France

About Lake Annecy

Lake Annecy is located in the east of France very near the border of Switzerland making it surprisingly accessible for tourism. However, I have a slight feeling the locals are tying to keep this hidden gem…. hidden. You’ll see why.

Lake Annecy welcomes around 3 million visitors a year, of which a huge 73% are French. To give some context, other French holiday destinations such as Marseille and Nice are welcoming around 5 million tourists a year (each) and of course the likes of Paris, which sees over 30 million tourists each year.

Annecy, and Lake Annecy are located in the alps. The water which occupies the lake is made up of the water from 7 mountain streams and rivers and 1 underground spring. When these combine and mix, we get to appreciate the stunning green and blue tones of the clear lake.

Getting to Lake Annecy

I traveled with easyJet from Edinburgh (EDI) to Geneva (GVA) in May. If the trip is well planned and booked a few months in advance you can grab these flights for £30.

From Geneva there are direct trains straight to Annecy for as little as £20 which you can book ahead or buy at the train station. The train takes around 1.5 hours but has the most fantastic views going through remote villages in the French Alps.

Another way to travel is by a shuttle bus service like FlixBus which takes you from the airport in Geneva to the train station in Annecy in around an hour for less than £10 when you book ahead. Make sure you book these bus tickets when you’re booking your flights as they sell out quickly during peak times.

From the train/bus station in Annecy there is a mere 10 minute walk until you reach the scenic old town and the lake itself.

Keep in mind, Geneva is directly on the border of France and Switzerland so you will need Swiss Franks as well as Euros for when you cross the border. Of course, Monzo is a personal favourite as you do not have to exchange any cash and the exchange rates are very fair.

Accommodation in Lake Annecy

There are plenty of average-priced hotels to choose from but of course I stayed in an Airbnb. Airbnb is a brilliant way to save money, support locals and get a space that is completely yours for the stay. There are many small Airbnb stays in the area at affordable prices. Many very close to the main attractions in the centre of Annecy. I stayed in a lovely studio apartment less than a 5 minute walk from the lake which had a full kitchen, balcony, a beautiful view over the rooftops of Annecy, even had 2 bikes available for guests and cost just £57 per night plus fees.

Food

The food in Annecy is affordable and hearty. As expected, you can find many cheesy dishes but there are also many other world foods along the popular main roads such as sushi or burgers etc. I have to however recommend you try an authentic French savoury (cheese) crepe or my personal favourite, a Nicoise salad.

Activities

In terms of activities there are plenty of things to do around Annecy if the scenic walks and lazing by the Lake is not what you’re after.

There are boat tours available hourly (in spring and summer at least) and these cost around 15-20 Euro per person and take an hour around the entire lake. The guide speaks French and English.

If you’re in the mood for touring the lake by yourself there are pedal boats with or without waterslides attached as well as the more comfortable option of motorboats to rent. There are boat hires all around the lake in Annecy and the prices are all pretty similar, you can see these here.

Of course, there are many more actives you can partake in. I use Airbnb not only for hotels but also as a way of gauging which activities are available. In and around Annecy there are walking tours, private driven tours, parasailing and even hot air balloon opportunities.

One thing is for sure. The people are welcoming, the scenery is breathtaking and the experience should not be missed. I recommend you visit in spring or summer, and take a dip in the crystal clear waters!