Lake Annecy is among the most beautiful panoramas of Haute-Savoie, this place is full of activities of all kinds whether you come accompanied or not. Discovery of the region's history, its magnificent landscapes, hiking, cycling, paragliding, cruises, via ferrata, water sports, hot air ballooning, beaches... There is really something for everyone!

Cultural activities Lake Annecy

1 – Visit the old town of Annecy

Deliciously colorful, the pastel-colored facades of the medieval old town give it undeniable charm, as do its cobblestone streets. The "Venice of the Alps" owes its nickname to its canals spanned by arched bridges.

2 – The Palais de l'Isle

The house, shaped like a galley, was once a prison, then a courthouse, and finally, an administrative center. Today, this monument with its very original shape houses exhibitions on the architecture and heritage of the Annecy territory.

3 – Mint wing

Former monetary workshop from the 13th century to the 14th century.

4 – The Château d'Annecy

A style that is both defensive medieval to which was later added that of the particularly elegant castles of the Île de France, gives it unique charm. Very varied exhibitions are presented there, as well as medieval, regional, archaeological, and contemporary collections.

Like a sentinel, it watches over the castle from the 13th century with its 4-meter thick walls and its arrow slits.

Testimony to the daily life of the counts of Geneva, this lodge still has many elements from the period: a vaulted kitchen, the column room, a great hall, the coffered ceiling.

Built by the son of Charlotte d'Orléans, it would later house the guards before becoming a barracks.

5 – The Conservatory of Art and History

It brings together various departmental, archaeological, World War II collections, an exhibition on animation cinema...

Sports activities on Lake Annecy

1 – First flight experience

What better way to discover the striking beauty of these landscapes than from the air? Flying over Lake Annecy by paraglider, hang glider, ultralight, or helicopter is simply magical! The topaz blue of the waters, the green of the alpine mountains, the remarkable sites... It seems that everything is more beautiful seen from above!

2 – Boat rental on Lake Annecy

From the small fishing boat for 2/3 passengers, to renting a private boat for 10 people, everything is possible. Whether you want to fish, swim, find a little unfrequented beach, or try water sports, you'll be spoiled for choice.

3 – Available water activities

• Wakeboard, you are pulled by a boat,
• Wakesurf, you surf on an artificial wave,
• Wingfoil, you gain speed using an inflatable wing that you hold in your hands, the board is equipped with a large fin,
• Water skiing,
• Stand up paddle.

4 – Mountain bike trail

The Semnoz descent is a downhill course that is very popular and adapts to all levels.

5 – Bike rental

Mountain bikes, light bikes with baskets, classic or electric, rental allows you to discover the bike path that goes around the lake at your own pace and visit the city of Annecy and the surroundings.

6 – Snowshoe hiking

Half-day or full-day hike, to breathe the good fresh air of the Alps fully, follow snowy and magical paths, appreciate the calm and the plunging view over Lake Annecy.

7 – Gyropod or segway ride

Once you get the hang of it, visiting the old town or going around the lake is very pleasant on this electric single-space vehicle.

8 – Other sports activities on Lake Annecy and surroundings

• Climbing, many clubs are present and adapt to all levels,
• Via-Ferrata (Thônes site),
• Canyoning,
• Canoe-kayak,
• Diving,
• Sailing,
• Pedal boats,
• Skiing,
• Hot air ballooning...

Religious sites

Many religious buildings are to visit around Lake Annecy.

1 – The Basilique de la Visitation

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, in neo-Roman style, the work is made of reinforced concrete. Inside, the blue Savoie marble columns and the mosaic in Venetian and Briare enamels contrast with the sober appearance of the exterior.

2 – The Église Notre-Dame-de-Liesse

Built in the 14th century to accommodate the sepulchres of the counts of Geneva, the magnificent choir that was in front of the building was destroyed during the revolution, a neoclassical style was adopted during its reconstruction in the 19th century.

3 – The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

This former chapel of the Franciscan convent built in the 16th century mixes two types of architecture: Gothic and Renaissance. To see: the 2 carved wooden altars, the rose window, the organ and its 2,000 pipes, both imposing and majestic.

4 – The Église Saint-François-de-Sales

By the Thiou, this 17th century church is in baroque style. The interior is simple, but bathed in light, the sepulchres of Sainte Jeanne de Chantal and Saint-François-de-Sales rest in this church, 2 eminent religious personalities in Savoie.

Regional specialties

They are numerous and succulent: reblochon and Tome de Savoie for cheeses, well-dried and fragrant charcuterie, crozets au Beaufort, and how to make a stay in Savoie without tasting a tartiflette or fondue accompanied by a good Savoie wine: Apremont, Roussette... And to digest all this well, nothing beats a small glass of génépi! Restaurants also offer dishes based on fish caught directly from the lake, difficult to make fresher.

Events on Lake Annecy

1 – The Venetian carnival of Annecy

It's not just the canals that make Annecy the Venice of the Alps. Its carnival, in March, also contributes to this, and for good reason: hundreds of people dressed in their finest attire, costumed and wearing colorful masks, stroll on the podium of the Europe garden, along the canals, near the lake... A mysterious and refined spectacle to see at least once, and which is moreover, free!

2 – The International Animation Film Festival

A festival well known to animation film enthusiasts: cartoons or films conceived with characters in modeling clay, cut paper... It's the ideal place to discover new talents, new techniques, to attend a world premiere in June.

3 – The Landscape Festival

Discover artistic and plant works created by young students each year in July. Annecy then becomes an open-air museum.

4- The Lake Festival

The first Saturday of August, the Albigny bay offers a sumptuous pyrotechnic show on Lake Annecy, the largest in Europe.