Lake Annecy
One of the cleanest lakes in Europe, ringed by Alps - a turquoise lake and a canal-laced old town, the Venice of the Alps.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Lake Annecy, cradled by Alpine peaks, is one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, its turquoise water so pure you can see the bottom. At its head sits the charming old town of Annecy, laced with flower-lined canals and dominated by a castle, earning it the name the Venice of the Alps, a place for swimming, cycling and boating with a mountain backdrop.
What you actually see
- The turquoise lake - the clear Alpine lake for swimming and boating.
- Annecy old town - the canal-laced medieval town with its Palais de l'Isle.
- The lakeside cycle path - the flat path around the water.
- The mountain backdrop - the Alps rising around the lake.
When to go
Late spring to early autumn for swimming, cycling and the warm old town; the lake is busiest in summer. A clear day flatters the mountain reflections.
Honest expectations
It is very popular in summer, so the old town and lakeside are busy and parking difficult. The old town is small, a stroll rather than a day of sights. The water, though clean, is Alpine-cool.
Nearby
Chamonix and Mont Blanc are to the east; Geneva and the Swiss border are close.
What to pack for Lake Annecy
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
