Those who consider Paris the most beautiful city in France have never been to Annecy.
A bold claim, to be sure, but the mountain town is deserving of the accolade. Located in the Haute-Savoie region in southeastern France, Annecy sits on the edge of the lake of the same name. Laced with flower-lined canals crisscrossed by bridges, it has earned itself the moniker ‘Venice of the Alps’, while a slew of heritage landmarks, museums, galleries, bustling cafes, and Michelin-approved restaurants mean it’s not just a pretty face. Its abundant nature—think its eponymous aquamarine lake, rivers, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountain peaks—mean the town is also well-equipped to cater to those in pursuit of outdoor recreation, with hiking, water sports, climbing, boating, and mountain biking in the warmer months and snow sports as the mercury drops.
Our destination guide is here just in time to give you the best places to stay, dine, and visit in Annecy.
Where to stay
Auberge du Père Bise
A thirty minute drive from the city—although the property’s boat can take you there in half the time with double the pleasure—Auberge du Père Bise is nestled within a quiet cove of Lake Annecy within the quaint village of Taillores, providing a serene, secluded bolt hole. Its location provides the opportunity to enjoy Lake Annecy from a different vantage point, with several well-appointed rooms boasting either lake or mountain views.
Price: from $850AUD/night
Address: 303 Rte du Port, 74290 Talloires-Montmin, France
Explore and book via Auberge du Père Bise.
Le Pélican
Sitting on the banks of Lake Annecy, much of Le Pélican is oriented around the water. Well placed to explore the old town or simply relax by the lake, Le Pélican is best suited for those who wish to spend most of their time out and about. Rooms and suites are relatively staid in their design, but what they lack in aesthetics they make up for in comfort, with plush beds promoting a restful night’s sleep.
Price: from $460AUD/night
Address: 20 Rue des Marquisats, 74000 Annecy, France
Explore and book via Le Pélican.
La Maison Bleue by Yoann Conte
Does a resplendent 20th-century mansion on the banks of Lake Annecy take your fancy? The charming blue façade of La Maison Bleue by Yoann Conte is the ideal complement to the glistening aquamarine waters of the lake. Housing 11 rooms and suites, the hotel’s regal exterior belies the alpine chic decor within; with interiors evocative of a luxurious log cabin. The hotel is located 6km away from the old town, within the suburb of Veyrier-du-Lac.
Price: from $700AUD/night
Address: 13 Vieille Route des Pensières, 74290 Veyrier-du-Lac, France
Explore and book via Yoann Conte Collection.
Hébé Hotel
Located in the city centre, the elegant Hébé Hotel is ideally placed for recharging in between enjoying the multivarious attractions Annecy has to offer. Soothing tones, clean lines, and natural wooden floorboards set a sophisticated mood that caters to the contemporary traveller.
Price: from $380AUD/night
Address: 5 Av. d’Aléry, 74000 Annecy, France
Explore and book via Hébé Hotel.
What to do and see
While simply wandering the streets of Annecy is a pleasurable way to while away your days in the mountain town, there are a few must-see attractions.
Vieille Ville
Spread across both sides of the Thiou river, Vieille Ville is a compact, fairytale town that exudes mediaeval charm. Get lost wandering down cobblestone streets and across canals, admiring the pastel Italianate buildings and stopping to smell the flowers along the way — not a difficult feat, considering they’re dotted along bridges and handrails at every turn. There are several boulangeries, gelaterias, and cafes along the way, which make for the perfect place to people watch.
Palais de I’Île
Palais de I’Île has served many functions since it was first built in the 12th century. Built on a natural rocky island, it was originally designed as the residence of the Lord of Annecy and has had past lives as a prison, courthouse, minting workshop, administrative building, gymnasium, and stone carving school. Today, it’s one of the most photographed landmarks—gaining the status of a historic monument in 1900—in Annecy and houses a museum.
Château d’Annecy
Set into a hilltop above the town, the Château d’Annecy has watched over the city since the 13th century. Initially home to the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours, Château d’Annecy also acted as barracks during the Spanish occupation towards the end of the 17th century. Today, the castle serves as a museum that displays various temporary exhibitions on traditional and contemporary art, mediaeval sculptures, archeology, and regional heritage. Well worth a visit for the views over Annecy’s old town alone.
Jardins de l’Europe
Sitting on the foreshore of Lake Annecy, this verdant park was designed by Henri Porreaux in 1863. Flanked by mountains, the tree-lined park acts as a social hub, with tourists and locals alike converging to enjoy a picnic or stroll around the grounds.
Lake Annecy
Now you hardly need a guide to tell you to visit Lake Annecy, but we’re putting it in here anyway. One of the most impressive lakes in the country (and perhaps even Europe as a whole), Lake Annecy is fed by pure mountain springs and surrounded by mountains. Paddleboarding or wakeboarding by the bay is an ideal pastime in the summer months, but we’d also recommend circling the perimeter of the lake by boat or car, stopping over in the surrounding villages and beaches.
Where to dine
Rose des Neiges
A pretty pink tearoom, Rose des Neiges is a favourite for a mid-morning pâtisserie. Alternatively, pick up some pastries, macarons, and pâtisseries (try the fruit tarts) to go from the adjoining Philippe Rigollot Patisserie and take them down to the Jardins de l’Europe for a picnic.
Address: 2 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 74000 Annecy, France
Check out Rose des Neiges via Instagram.
Cozna
Cozna offers a fresh, contemporary take on French cuisine. The menu continually changes with the seasons and the wine list is invariably excellent.
Address: 22 faubourg Sainte-Claire, Annecy, 74000, France
Vincent Favre Félix
Michelin-starred restaurant Vincent Favre Félix excels in both the ambience and gustatory experience. Located in a contemporary villa adjoining a historical building, Vincent Favre Félix, helmed by its eponymous chef, plays with Savoyard cuisine yet isn’t afraid to step out of it. Each dish is boldly composed and flirts with the unconventional. Think marriages between cauliflower and white chocolate or a pairing of lobster and wild blueberries.
Address: 15 Chem. de l’Abbaye, 74940 Annecy, France
Check out and book Vincent Favre Félix.
Words by Henry Blake
Feature image courtesy of Dafna Maya
