The Most Beautiful Beaches in Annecy: Complete Lake Tour in 2026

Annecy's beaches share an asset that few French seaside destinations can claim: water filtered by the limestone of the Bauges massif for decades. The result is transparency of 7 to 12 meters depending on the season, a temperature that rises to 24°C in mid-July, and bacteriological quality classified as "excellent" without interruption since 2010. This is not a Mediterranean beach you're looking for here, it's something rarer: an Alpine lake where the mountains are reflected just a few meters from you, in water you can drink. Before diving, start with the old town with the Ryo audio guide tour of Annecy, 20 audio stops to understand the medieval city before reaching the lakeshore.

This guide covers the 12 main beaches of the lake, plus a lesser-known beach in the north, cycling access on the lake tour of about 40 km, and everything you need to know about supervision and water quality. Among these beaches in Annecy and around the lake, one is hidden behind a cliff path 80 meters above the water, another displays the Blue Flag label for several years, a third stands facing an 11th-century medieval castle that reflects in the waters of the small lake. The atmospheres are radically different from one shore to another.

Albigny Beach

Albigny Beach (Avenue du Petit Port, 74600 Annecy, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 4,031 reviews) stretches for nearly 400 meters of lawn and fine pebbles between Petit Port and the eastern shore of the lake, it's the largest free public beach in the Annecy area, and probably the busiest on a July Sunday.

Access is on foot from Pâquier along the Vassé canal, or by bike on the cycle path that connects the city center to Annecy-le-Vieux. From the station, allow twenty minutes on foot or ten minutes by bike. The beach is supervised every summer from mid-June to late August, including a rescue station, with a swimming area marked by orange buoys. The bottom descends gradually: the first meters remain shallow, an obvious advantage with young children.

What distinguishes Albigny from all other Annecy beaches is the view. In front of you, the Bauges massif is reflected in the lake with a sharpness that surprises even regulars. In the late afternoon, the slanting light creates a picture that even seasoned photographers struggle to miss. If you come on a July weekend, arrive before 10am to lay down your towel without slaloming. The lawn also welcomes pétanque players, families with picnics and stand-up paddle enthusiasts. Showers and toilets on site. Paid parking nearby; bus line 1 (Albigny stop) remains the best plan.

Marquisats Beach

Marquisats Beach (Rue des Marquisats, 74000 Annecy, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 1,767 reviews) is the most central beach in Annecy: 10 minutes walk from Palais de l'Isle, it runs along the lakeside for about 200 meters of manicured lawn interspersed with pebble areas.

Access is free year-round. Lifeguards supervise swimming from early July to late August, from 11am to 7pm. Showers, toilets and a snack bar are available on site. The beach is also a model for accessibility: facilities allow people with disabilities to reach the lake independently, from the parking to the water.

The water is regularly tested and classified as "excellent". The depth increases rapidly from the shore, good swimmers appreciate it, but watch young children outside the marked area. For athletes, Marquisats is also the starting point for the lake cycling tour. Several restaurants and ice cream shops line Rue des Marquisats to extend the day after swimming.

Impérial Beach

Impérial Beach (Allée de l'Impérial, 74000 Annecy, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 1,752 reviews) plays in a different category. Backed by the Impérial Palace, a five-star hotel built in 1913 on the northwest shore of the lake, it alternates between a private section reserved for palace guests and a public area freely accessible.

The public part offers a maintained lawn with direct access to the lake, an unobstructed view of the Semnoz ridges and an atmosphere significantly calmer than downtown beaches. This is where locals come who want to avoid the crowds without driving to the villages on the east shore. The water is shallow for a good distance, making it a good choice for children and beginner swimmers. No official supervision on the public part. Allow 15 minutes by car from the center, or come by bike along the lakeside. Parking available at the Impérial, paid during high season.

Angon Beach

Angon Beach (Angon, 74290 Talloires-Montmin, rated 4.5/5 on Google for 2,369 reviews), in the municipality of Talloires-Montmin, is one of the most beautiful and most confidential of the lake. To access it, you must descend a steep path from the hamlet of Angon: 15 minutes walk on a cliff path that overlooks the lake at 80 meters height. The effort naturally filters the crowd.

The effort is amply rewarded. The beach consists of gray pebbles polished by the lake, nestled in a natural cove framed by limestone cliffs covered with pines. The water is particularly clear there, the bottom remains visible at several meters depth. The depth increases quickly from the edge, which reserves this spot for good swimmers. No supervision, no equipment, no refreshment bar: just the lake, the mountains and a few dozen swimmers who made the effort of the trail.

Practically: bring water and a picnic, as nothing is available on site. Hiking shoes are recommended for the trail, slippery after rain. The beach is accessible from May to October. Parking at Angon village, then descent on foot.

Menthon-Saint-Bernard Beach

The municipal beach of Menthon-Saint-Bernard (Route du Port, 74290 Menthon-Saint-Bernard, rated 4.4/5 on Google for 1,327 reviews) benefits from an exceptional setting: Menthon Castle, a medieval fortress whose first stones date back to the 11th century, stands 200 meters above the lake and is reflected in the waters of the small lake, hence one of the most copied photographs of Lake Annecy.

The beach is modest in size, with a grassy area and some pebbles, but it compensates with clear water and shallow depth on the first meters. Supervision during high season. A small marina borders the beach, with sailboats and boats that add to the atmosphere. The village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard, a few minutes' walk away, deserves a stroll: its streets are remarkably preserved. Limited parking, arrive early on weekends. The beach is accessible by bike from Annecy via the D909, about 8 km from the city center.

Sevrier Beach

Sevrier Beach (Route d'Annecy, 74320 Sevrier, rated 4.4/5 on Google for 1,202 reviews) is one of the most convenient on the west shore: only 4 km from Annecy city center, it's the ideal spot for an impromptu swim at the end of the day without crossing the lake.

Well-maintained grassy area, showers, toilets and supervision during high season. The bottom is gradual, perfect with young children. Nearby, the Bell Museum (paid admission) traces five centuries of bell making in Haute-Savoie, an original curiosity to combine with swimming if you come with family. Free roadside parking outside high season.

La Brune Beach (Veyrier-du-Lac)

La Brune Beach (Route de la Brune, 74290 Veyrier-du-Lac, rated 4.5/5 on Google for 325 reviews) is one of the two beaches on the lake labeled Blue Flag, a European label that it has been earning every year for a long time. This label simultaneously certifies water quality, facility cleanliness and environmental management of the site.

Located in Veyrier-du-Lac, just after Annecy-le-Vieux, it is one of the most accessible from the city center by bike, less than 6 km via the cycle path on the east shore. You'll find a large lawn, a paddling pool dedicated to children, a snack bar, showers and toilets. A floating deck chair is provided for people with reduced mobility to facilitate access to the water. Supervision provided in July and August from 11am to 7pm. Swimming lessons are offered some mornings for those who want to improve in the exceptional setting of the lake.

Bout du Lac Beach (Doussard)

Bout du Lac Beach (Route du Bout du Lac, 74210 Doussard, rated 4.4/5 on Google for 2,075 reviews), or Douss'Plage, marks the southern end of the lake, where the Fier flows into the waters before heading back north. It's the wildest beach of all, integrated into the Bout du Lac national nature reserve.

The shores are largely covered with reeds and lacustrine vegetation. Swimming is possible in the cleared areas, with fresh and shallow water. The site is particularly popular with ornithologists: more than 200 bird species have been recorded in the reserve. A discovery trail runs along the shores and explains lacustrine ecosystems, ideal if you come with curious children. Parking is paid during high season. Allow 25 km from Annecy via the D1508.

Plant Beach

Plant Beach (Chemin du Plant, 74000 Annecy, rated 4.6/5 on Google for 44 reviews) (Cran-Gevrier, 74000 Annecy) is the least known of the metropolitan area beaches, on the northwest shore of the lake, in the Cran-Gevrier district. Small grassy area without supervision equipment, it is frequented mainly by neighborhood residents. Accessible on foot from the Vignières bus stop. Water identical to other beaches of the lake, no reason to avoid it if you're looking for calm close to the city.

Tour the Beaches by Bike

The complete lake tour is about 40 km, doable in a day: most of the route uses secure bike paths, only a few kilometers around Veyrier-du-Lac and Menthon share the road with cars. The east shore path (towards Menthon, Talloires, Angon) remains narrower and more hilly than the west shore (towards Sevrier, Saint-Jorioz, Duingt), but both are practicable for average cyclists.

Starting from Marquisats in the morning, you can chain Albigny, La Brune, Menthon, Talloires, then go down to Doussard and come back up via Saint-Jorioz, Sevrier, to loop before dinner. Bikes are available for rent in town (several Véloton stations available). Sibra buses also serve the main stops along the lake for returns if legs give out. And if you cut your loop through the city center, the Ryo audio guide to Annecy makes an ideal cultural stop between two beaches. For cars, the D909 runs along the east shore and the D1508 the west shore; paid and often saturated parking during high season from 10am, leave early or opt for soft transport.

FAQ

What is the Best Beach in Annecy for Families with Children?

The Albigny Beach and La Brune Beach in Veyrier-du-Lac are the best options for families: gradual bottom, shallow water on the first meters, supervision during high season and complete sanitary facilities. La Brune also has a dedicated paddling pool and access facilities for people with reduced mobility.

Are the Beaches of Lake Annecy Free?

Yes, the vast majority of beaches in Annecy and around the lake are free, including supervised beaches like Albigny, Marquisats and Saint-Jorioz. Only some parking areas are paid during high season. The public section of the Impérial beach is also free.

What is the Temperature of Lake Annecy in Summer?

In July and August, the surface temperature reaches 22 to 24°C, among the highest in France for an Alpine lake. In June and September, expect 17 to 20°C. The lake remains too cold for swimming from November to April.

Are There Supervised Beaches Around Lake Annecy?

Several beaches are supervised each summer by lifeguards: Marquisats, Albigny, Saint-Jorioz, Sevrier, Menthon-Saint-Bernard and La Brune. Supervision is generally provided from early July to late August, from 11am to 7pm.

What is the Wildest Beach on Lake Annecy?

The Angon Beach (Talloires-Montmin) and Bout du Lac Beach (Doussard) are the two most preserved spots. Angon is reached after 15 minutes of cliff trail; Bout du Lac is integrated into a national nature reserve. No supervision, no facilities, just the lake in its natural state.

Conclusion

From the giant lawn of Albigny to the wild pebbles of Angon, the beaches of Lake Annecy form an ensemble that few French lacustrine destinations can equal. Water quality is exceptional throughout the perimeter, supervision covers family spots during high season, and the lake tour of about 40 km allows you to connect them all without a car.

If you're looking for a starting point for your day, start with the old town before reaching the lake: Ryocity Annecy Venice of the Alps offers 20 audio stops to discover the Palais de l'Isle, the flowered quays of Thiou and the medieval canals, ten minutes walk from Marquisats.