Less than a year after deciding Strasbourg was my new favourite French spot, I’ve already lost my heart to Annecy. It must be something about the canals as both places are set around a network of waterways. But as well as a perfectly preserved old town with gorgeous historic buildings and cafés, Annecy also throws in a turquoise lake and stunning mountain scenery.
It’s not somewhere with a lot of famous sights, but rather somewhere perfect for a bit of aimless wandering, eating and drinking. The town’s compact size means you can easily spend a few hours exploring then relax for the afternoon on the lakeside beach or in one of the waterside restaurants. So here are some of my favourite things to see and do in Annecy.
Read more: A mountain road trip from Annecy
Things to do in Annecy

Boats lined up on the lake shore at dusk
Meander around the canals
Annecy’s old town – the Vieille Ville – has more waterways than roads, surrounded by pretty, pastel-coloured buildings. The water comes from the River Thiou, which at only 3.5km long is one of Europe’s shortest rivers, connecting the River Fier to Lake Annecy. But what it lacks in length it makes up for in scenic surroundings. The river splits and rejoins around the old town, creating islands linked by arched bridges, draped in flowers during spring and summer.
A network of narrow streets and passages take you past turreted castles, quirky shops and a seemingly endless number of gelateria where you can get your ice cream fix. There are also plenty of cafés and restaurants, most of which have tables lined up along the riverbank to soak up the sunshine. It’s somewhere to go wandering, get lost and see what you discover.

Pathways along the water’s edge in the old town
Climb up to the castle
Built on a hilltop, the Château d’Annecy towers over the town, so you’ll burn off that gelato on the climb up to the top. The castle was built as a residence for the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours from the 13th to 16th centuries, but it was later damaged by fire and abandoned in the 17th century. Later it was turned into a barracks before being bought by the town after the Second World War and restored back to its former glory.
Now it’s used as a museum with a couple of different sections – one with local furniture, sculptures and art, and the other with exhibits about the people and wildlife living around the lake (entry €5.50 for adults, €3 for under 25s and free for under 12s). Don’t miss the castle’s terrace for a fantastic panoramic view down into the old town and across the lake.

Inside Annecy’s Castle
Set sail on the lake
France’s third largest lake, Lake Annecy is known as the blue lake, and you can definitely see why when the sun hits its clear water. It’s Europe’s cleanest lake (though I probably wouldn’t advise drinking it) with the water coming from snow melting in the Alps. There are walking and cycling paths along the edge of the lake, as well as sandy beaches in the summer.
One of the best ways to see the lake is to get out on the water. Between February and December, a one-hour boat trip takes you on a circuit around the lake, past pretty lakeside villages and an island castle, backed with snowy mountain peaks (€14.20 for adults and €9.60 for children aged 5–12). From spring to autumn there are also longer two-hour cruises and a shuttle between the lakeside villages, as well as lunch and dinner cruises onboard the MS Libellule.

A boat trip on Lake Annecy on board La Belle Etoile
Fill up at the market
There’s something special about French markets, with their huge piles of colourful vegetables and pungent smelling cheeses. And Annecy’s market has one of the best locations, stretching along the bridges and narrow streets of the old town. Markets are held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 7am–1pm, selling fresh local produce from fish to flowers.
You can check out the local specialities, and if you want to buy the stallholders will often let you have a taste first. Well worth trying are the tasty salami-style sausages which are made with flavours like mushroom, goats’ cheese and hazelnut. And the creamy reblochon cheese, which is used in mountain dishes like tartiflette. If you’re in town on the last Saturday of the month, there’s also a big arts, crafts and flea market which runs from around 8am–5pm.

Annecy market stall
Get sent to prison
Right at the heart of Annecy’s old city is the Palais de l’Île – the town’s most famous and photographed building. It was built back in the 12th century on a triangular island that lies between two forks of the river. It looks like a miniature fairytale castle but it has actually been used as a mint, a courthouse and a prison over the years.
Today the Palais is home to a small museum with exhibits about local history and architecture, but it’s best appreciated from the outside. Take a walk through the old town at night too when you can see it all lit up. Lights in the canals shine upwards and the turrets at the front of the Palais are lit from inside so the whole place glows in the dark.

Annecy’s Palais de l’Île by night
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47 Comments
Wilbur's Travels
April 3, 2015 at 4:08 pmLooks wonderful Luce. I have put it on my list on the strength of your post. When you went to Strasbourg did you do the Alsace Wine Route? All fab, but Riquewir was our fave village. Wilbur
Lucy
April 3, 2015 at 4:12 pmThanks Wilbur, that’s great to hear – and sure you won’t be disappointed! I didn’t have chance to do the Alsace Wine Route last year in Strasbourg but am hoping to go and visit that area soon (next year if not this one), looks beautiful and I can’t resist a good drop of wine.
raastha
April 3, 2015 at 4:26 pmVery nice Luce. I am fond of the canals lined up with cafes. Your post also reminds me of the flee market in Luton. Now, I know know another place. Tnx.
Lucy
April 5, 2015 at 7:15 pmI love the canalside cafes too, so nice to sit and have a drink in the sunshine and listen to the water flowing by.
Rachel A Davis (@vagabondbaker)
April 3, 2015 at 9:00 pmGorgeous Lucy! Great photos, I’ve had friends rave about Annecy and this post supports everything I’ve heard! I love a good hike up a hill to a castle or fort and then a mooch around a market: yes, Annecy is the place for me!
Lucy
April 5, 2015 at 7:17 pmThanks Rachel, it definitely sounds like your sort of place then! I really loved that it had a few things to do but not so much that you felt like you had to be sightseeing all the time and could relax and be lazy too!
revoche
April 4, 2015 at 10:41 pmI was lucky to pass through Annecy once and always meant to go back. You have reminded me.
Lucy
April 5, 2015 at 7:18 pmHope you do get to make the return trip one day!
Vlad
April 5, 2015 at 8:02 amWell who could blame you, Lucy? Annecy looks gorgeous and your photos really make me want me to go, I love towns with canals 😀
Lucy
April 5, 2015 at 7:21 pmMe too, I think it’s partly as they usually have less cars and more outdoor space to sit in. Hope you get to visit one day!
Bama
April 5, 2015 at 1:35 pmThe lakes seems so magical, with the snow-covered Alps in the background. Oh and how pretty the pathway in Annecy’s old town looks — I really love that dead tree, strangling all the iron railing of those waterfront houses.
Lucy
April 5, 2015 at 7:20 pmFunnily enough there were guys up on ladders trimming that tree back the day before I took the photo! It is such a lovely setting having the lake and mountains all around you as well as the prettiness of the town.
aroundtheworldin80pairsofshoes
April 5, 2015 at 3:47 pmhaha I’m super fickle traveller as well…am truly hoping that I will get to Strasbourg and Annecy this year thanks to reading your blog posts as they both look super beautiful and I’m a sucker for a good castle!
Lucy
April 5, 2015 at 7:23 pmGlad it’s not just me! Did love both Strasbourg and Annecy though, such a nice relaxed feel to both of them and so pretty.
Laura
April 5, 2015 at 11:12 pmLove Annecy – such an adorable town! I didn’t make it up to the castle when I was there though; I guess it’s a good reason to return!
Lucy
April 7, 2015 at 12:49 pmDefinitely, the views from up there are great and the exhibition was actually pretty interesting (though a bit of a weird mixture!).
Rebeca Briceño
April 6, 2015 at 5:10 amBeautiful! I didn’t know about this town. Strasbourg is really pretty but now I have to check this out!
Lucy
April 7, 2015 at 12:53 pmIt’s not as well known as Strasbourg but just as beautiful, and really good in summer as you have the lake to cool off in!
bevchen
April 7, 2015 at 9:22 amAaaah, gorgeous! The canals and buildings remind me of Colmar, but there’s no lake in Colmar!
Lucy
April 7, 2015 at 12:51 pmColmar is one I must go and visit soon – sure I’m going to love it too!
Shikha (whywasteannualleave)
April 7, 2015 at 2:52 pmAnnecy looks SO pretty. I don’t go on nearly enough trips where the idea is just to wander around and eat and drink but it really does sound like a wonderful way to spend a few days! The views on that boat trip look so peaceful and serene 🙂
Lucy
April 8, 2015 at 9:35 amIt was gorgeous. I’m a big fan of the half lazing/half exploring trip, though you’ve got to pick a pretty small destination so you don’t feel like you’re missing out!
http://theenglishprofessoratlarge.com
April 7, 2015 at 4:11 pmThank you for this gorgeous tour. Annecy looks and sounds like a slice of Paradise.
Lucy
April 8, 2015 at 9:36 amThanks, I think the time of year really helped too – it was so pretty in spring and not too many crowds yet!
skates1418
April 7, 2015 at 10:56 pmWow it’s beautiful! It’s on my bucket list for sure! Thanks for the post
Lucy
April 8, 2015 at 9:36 amYou’re welcome, hope you get to make the trip there one day!
madventures1
April 8, 2015 at 12:46 amI love Annecy, this is so wonderful to see! Love the photos!
Lucy
April 8, 2015 at 9:37 amThanks, it’s such a photogenic spot, I went totally mad with the camera!
Suzanne Jones
April 8, 2015 at 7:23 pmSuch a pretty town – I’ve not been for 26 years so this post was perfect for reminding me how lovely it is. Must re-visit soon 🙂
Lucy
April 9, 2015 at 7:16 pmI don’t imagine it’s changed too much in 26 years! Still so pretty, and definitely doable for a weekend from the UK.
Packing my Suitcase
April 9, 2015 at 5:00 pmBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! I can totally understand why you lost your heart to Annecy <3
I want to visit it soon, looks the exact kind of town I love to explore!
Stunning photos as always!
Lucy
April 9, 2015 at 7:15 pmThank you – yes it definitely captured my heart! Would love to see it in winter, covered in snow sometime too.
Packing my Suitcase
April 13, 2015 at 8:27 amYou’re welcome!
It must certainly be beautiful during the winter! I can’t believe I lived so close to Annecy and never went there!
Diana
April 9, 2015 at 5:06 pmLove this!!!!! Annecy is one of my favorite towns…..beautiful photos!
Lucy
April 9, 2015 at 7:14 pmI can definitely see why, I loved it out there and will be back for sure!
leallou
July 9, 2015 at 8:55 amI discovered Annecy last year and I love this city. The lake and the landscape are so peacefull !
Lucy
July 9, 2015 at 11:03 amSuch a beautiful place isn’t it!
Wendy
March 29, 2016 at 10:19 amI’m new to your blog and loving it. Photos are beautiful too. As an Aussi travel tragic I envy you having such diversity on your doorstep that is so accessible.
Lucy
March 29, 2016 at 12:21 pmThanks so much. Yes we are so lucky to have such a range of places so close to the UK – though I spent a year in Australia and you have some stunning spots too!
Ella
July 1, 2016 at 8:38 pmDefinitely one of the best posts about Annecy that I’ve come across. I’m considering going there in the near future and I’ve been looking for helpful information. Thank you very much for sharing this! 🙂
Lucy
July 3, 2016 at 12:27 amThanks so much, really glad you found it useful and hope you enjoy Annecy, it’s still one of my favourite places in France!
travelmoreorless
December 15, 2016 at 10:26 amAnnecy is one of my favorite places to visit! I will also add parasailing to the list, it’s beautiful sailing above the shimmering waters of the lake !
Lucy
December 17, 2016 at 9:25 pmSounds amazing – one to try next time!
Pete
September 8, 2017 at 9:12 pmVisiting annecy for 3 days coming up shortly, from what I’ve read and the pictures I’ve seen it looks fabulous..
Lucy
September 11, 2017 at 4:43 pmSuch a lovely place – hope you have a great trip!
Kat
August 26, 2018 at 7:15 amLove it! I went here several times during my semester abroad in Grenoble back in 2012, and now photos of this gorgeous place are all over Instagram! I’m glad it’s getting the appreciation it deserves but I loved that it was France’s best kept secret too. Totally agree with all of these things to do! The scenery of this Alpine town is perfect!
Lucy
August 28, 2018 at 11:41 amIt’s so lovely isn’t it! Definitely getting popular now though so I hope it doesn’t spoil the charm.