15 sites to discover around Annecy

Is it necessary to present Annecy and its lake with emerald waters in which the Alps are reflected? This tourist mecca in Savoie is surprisingly charming and beautiful if you like water and mountains! But what are the sites to see around Annecy beyond the picturesque district of the Venice of the Alps and the lake? This is the subject of this article where I propose you discover 15 sites less than 40 km from the centre of Annecy!

Around Annecy

What does Annecy mean to you?

The old town with the Venice of the Alps district?

The romantic Pont des Amours?

Lake Annecy, with its pure, sparkling waters?

The Venetian carnival?

Tartiflette and other Savoyard specialities?

Annecy is all this… and much more!

But for now, let’s go outside the city walls to explore its surroundings…

And to do so, I decided to avoid the lake!

How?

Yes, simply because I have already published an article about it… and that would be repeating myself!

If you want to discover Lake Annecy, it’s here!

Or you can watch my presentation video on Youtube (in French!):

Staying in the region of Annecy

To plan your accommodation around Annecy, click on this link to booking.com or browse the map below:

Booking.com

What to see around Annecy?

Let’s get to the heart of the matter with 15 ideas for discoveries around Annecy.

Annecy is located in a dense and touristic area… to avoid having to write an encyclopaedia on the subject (!!), I have voluntarily limited myself to a small selection of 15 destinations within a 40 km radius maximum.

► If you have any suggestions for visits around Annecy, please write them in the comments at the bottom of the article!

Here are the 15 sites we will discover around Annecy:

1. Montrottier Castle and the Fier Gorges
2. Alby-sur-Chéran
3. Aix-les-Bains and the Bourget lake
4. Clermont Castle
5. Chaumont Castle
6. The Caille bridges
7. The Salève
8. Geneva
9. Thorens-Glières Castle
10. Plateau des Glières
11. La Roche-sur-Foron
12. Thônes
13. Le Grand-Bornand
14. La Clusaz and the Col des Aravis
15. Faverges

And as a bonus, the three mountains around Annecy:

1. Parmelan
2. Mont Veyrier
3. Semnoz

To help you, I have included links to the corresponding tourist offices for most of the destinations around Annecy. Do not hesitate to go there to get personal information on natural or cultural sites to discover, hikes or the program of upcoming events.

Let’s start this little trip around Annecy with a site close to the city centre yet so out of the ordinary!

Castle of Montrottier

Castle 12 km south-west of Annecy

Standing on an isolated hill, the Castle of Montrottier is one of the most beautiful in Savoy. It dates back to the 13th and 16th centuries in a typical Savoyard military architectural style, restored in the 19th century. In the Middle Ages, the fortress guarded the road from Geneva to Chambéry.

From the top of the circular keep (36 m), the view extends over the surrounding hills of the Albanais and the Alps: the Parmelan, the Mont Veyrier (and behind it, a small part of the Mont-Blanc), the Dents de Lanfon and the Tournette.

The interior of the castle houses the vast collections bequeathed in 1916 by the collector Léon Marès to the Florimontane Academy: weapons, earthenware, porcelain, ceramics, tapestries, antique furniture and rare objects from Africa and the Far East.

The site of the Castle of Montrottier

The Fier gorges

Natural site 12 km south-west of Annecy

You will find the Gorges du Fier in the commune of Lovagny, below the castle of Montrottier.

For thousands of years, erosion has slowly carved out these famous gorges. In July 1869, footbridges were installed over the water.

The passageway is suspended at 20 to 30 metres and extends 252 metres above the river. It leads to the “Sea of Rocks”, a formation of huge boulders piled up in chaos.

The Gorges du Fier on the blog

The site of the Fier gorges

Alby-sur-Chéran

Historic town 15 km south of Annecy

The centre of this small town of Alby-sur-Chéran is the Place du Trophée. The houses of the picturesque square have arcades that used to house shoemakers.

Indeed, in 1880, Alby-sur-Chéran was the capital of shoemaking, with 300 shoemakers. The Cobbler’s museum perpetuates the memory of this ancient activity.

To be discovered in the vicinity:

• the Albanais countryside, with its gentle green hills
• its tiny capital, Rumilly, with its arcaded houses
• the Pont des abîmes (bridge of the abyss) near Cusy
• the Nature Museum in Gruffy in a 19th-century farmhouse.

The site of the Rumilly – Alby-sur-Chéran tourist office

Aix-les-Bains and Lake Bourget

Spa town and lake 35 km south of Annecy

The spa town of Aix-les-Bains lies on the eastern shore of Lake Bourget.

Its visitors enjoy the elegant animation of the streets of the thermal district whose relics date back to the Roman era (caladium in the basement of the old thermal baths, arch of Campanus, Temple of Diana…).

The banks of the lake offer charming walks with a view of the Dent du Chat. Boat cruises take you to the famous Hautecombe Abbey.

To see in the immediate surroundings: Le Revard, “THE” mountain of Aix-les-Bains. The departmental road D913 climbs to the top to give you an exceptional panorama: to the west, the town of Aix-les-Bains, the Lac du Bourget, the Mont du Chat and to the east, the Bauges massif and the Mont Blanc.

Aix-les-Bains on the blog

The Aix-les-Bains tourist office website

Castle of Clermont

Castle 29 km west of Annecy

The village of Clermont occupies a beautiful site south of Frangy. The small town has one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Savoy. Although it looks austere, the castle of Clermont hides a magnificent Renaissance-style inner courtyard. Three wings of double-storey galleries surround this main courtyard.

It took the Regard family four years to build the castle (1578-1582). It has been the property of the Haute-Savoie department since 1966.

Seyssel

At the end of your visit, you can also reach the village of Seyssel, 8 km east of Clermont.

The Clermont Castle website

Chaumont Castle

Castle 31 km northwest of Annecy

The old castle of Chaumont overlooks the small village of the same name on a rocky promontory of the Vuache mountain.

The fortress dates back to the 12th century and guarded the north-western part of Genevois County. In 1355, Chaumont passed into the hands of the House of Savoy. The troops of King François I took it in 1536, and then those of Louis XIII in 1630, when the castle was finally dismantled.

The beautiful ruins can be visited with stunning views of the village and the Alps.

On the road back to Annecy (D1508), there is a beautiful view of the castle of Sallenôves.

The bridges of the Caille

Monument 17 km north of Annecy

On the D1291 road, which links Annecy to Geneva, you cross the Usses Gorges by a spectacular bridge.

It is, in fact, two parallel bridges known as “Ponts de la Caille“. The bridge used by the departmental road is the Caquot Bridge dating back to 1925. The other bridge is the more interesting of the two – and the more historical.

The Charles Albert Bridge is now reserved for pedestrians. It was built by Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, in the neo-gothic style with its two pairs of crenellated towers that support the bridge cables. When it was inaugurated, it was the highest suspension bridge in Savoy. It crosses the valley at a height of 140 metres.

Belvederes have been built around the bridge, offering thrill-seekers a great sense of space!

Ponts de la Caille on the blog

The Salève

Natural site 40 km north of Annecy

The Salève is the “Mountain of the people of Geneva”. And rightly so, as it offers a breathtaking view of Geneva and its lake.

The road following the mountain’s crest offers panoramic views of the Lake Geneva basin and the Alps. Its highest point is the Grand Piton at 1,379 m.

Take the D41A road from Cruseilles to La Croisette to discover the mountain. Then continue down to Monnetier-Morhex.

The Salève on the blog…

Geneva (Switzerland)

City 40 km north of Annecy

The city’s emblem is the jet d’eau on Lake Geneva, whose water spouts out at a height of 140 m.

Geneva has long been a Protestant city. You can see the Reformers’ Wall in the city centre, the Flower Clock and St Peter’s Cathedral (12th-14th centuries).

Castle of Thorens-Glières

Castle 20 km north of Annecy

Thorens-Glières is located at the end of the Filière valley, which descends from the Plateau des Glières. The small village is the birthplace of François de Sales (21 August 1567), whose baptism occurred in the parish church.

The castle of Thorens-Glières, mainly from the 15th century, occupies the site of an older building (11th century). Its circular keep dates from the 13th century. Inside is a fine collection of paintings (Van Dyck, Rubens…) and 15th-century Brussels tapestries. There is also the table on which the treaty annexing Savoy to France was signed.

The Plateau des Glières

Natural site 34 km north-east of Annecy

The Plateau des Glières is a popular place in winter for cross-country skiing and in summer for beautiful hikes in the mountains.

The Maison du Plateau provides information on activities in the area.

The Plateau des Glières is a place of memory where the Resistance confronted the German occupiers with courage and heroism. Nearly 500 maquisards fought the enemy in 1944 under difficult conditions.

A monument is dedicated to them: the National Monument of the Resistance, inaugurated by André Malraux. It symbolises a broken wing and a sun of hope.

The main access to the site is via Thorens-Glières (D55).

The plateau des Glières on the blog…

The site of the Glières mixed syndicate

La Roche-sur-Foron

Historic town and castle 30 km north of Annecy

The small town of La Roche-sur-Foron is a road and rail crossroads between Annecy, Geneva and the Arve Valley (Bonneville, Cluses…). The city is now a member of the Most Beautiful Detours of France.

The old centre is very picturesque with its arcades and old Savoyard houses.

With its bulbous bell tower, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church contains some treasures, including a precious Lombard-Piedmontese organ. The construction of the church began in the 13th century.

On the rocky spur (“la roche”) stands the keep of the mighty castle, the Tower of the Counts of Geneva.

The remains border the park of the Château de l’Echelle, a four-hectare public garden with a magnificent view of the Arve Valley and the snow-capped mountains.

At the end of the park is another castle: the 14th-century Château de l’Echelle.

La Roche-sur-Foron Tourist Office website

Thônes

Historic town 20 km east of Annecy

On the road from Annecy to the Aravis, the small town of Thônes is worth a stop. We are here in the heart of the Reblochon region, the famous cheese from Savoie!

Head towards the central square to stroll under the arcades of the old houses.

Then admire the church (1697) and its beautiful bell tower with an onion-shaped dome topped by a sharp spire. Inside, the decoration is typically Savoyard Baroque. The monumental altarpiece of the high altar dates from 1721. The altar to the left of the choir has beautiful 17th-century sculpted figures.

Nearby is the Nécropole Nationale des Glières, a place of remembrance which contains the graves of 105 resistance fighters who fought on the Glières plateau during the Second World War.

You can also venture into the Serraval Valley via the Col du Marais (D12) or discover the mountain pastures of Manigod up to the Col de la Croix-Fry.

The website of the tourist office of Thônes – Cœur des Vallées

Le Grand-Bornand

Resort 31 km east of Annecy

Le Grand-Bornand is a pleasant place to stay, occupying one of the most open and sunny sites in the Aravis. Nearly 400 old chalets are scattered throughout the commune. The church has magnificently carved walnut stalls.

In a farmhouse dating from 1830 is the small museum of the Maison du Patrimoine. It promises a pleasant visit if you are interested in the life of Grand-Bornand in the past.

Finally, the Mont Lachat chairlift is one of the few lifts around Annecy that operates during summer. It takes you to the top of Mont Lachat de Chatillon at an altitude of 2050 m—an unbeatable view of the Aravis mountain range.

The Grand-Bornand tourist office website

La Clusaz

Resort 31 km east of Annecy

La Clusaz is one of the major winter sports resorts of the Aravis. It is in a charming setting of pine forests and gently rolling mountain pastures.

The old village is centred around its church with its beautiful bulbous bell tower.

Col des Aravis

Natural site 39 km east of Annecy

The Aravis pass is, at 1498 m, one of the great passes of the French Alps, linking Thônes to Flumet.

It marks the boundary between the departments of Haute-Savoie (to the west) and Savoie (to the east).

An excursion to be made, especially in the afternoon, to admire the sunlight illuminating the Mont Blanc glaciers!

La Clusaz tourist office website

Faverges

Town and castle 25 km south-east of Annecy

Faverges is a pleasant little town on the route from Annecy to Albertville. The small town centre is dominated by the old 13th-century castle (remodelled in the 15th century). It stands proudly on a hillock once located on the border of the counties of Geneva and Savoy.

Its circular keep is among the highest in Savoy (32 metres). It has recently been restored with hoarding and a wooden viewing gallery.

South of Faverges, the Sambuy chairlift takes you to the heart of the Combe de la Sambuy with a view of Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc.

The Sources du Lac d’Annecy tourist office website

The three iconic mountains of Annecy

You can discover Annecy from above. To do this, you must reach the summits of three mountains in the immediate vicinity: Parmelan, Mont Veyrier and Semnoz. Here is a brief overview of the breathtaking panoramas!

The Parmelan

North of Annecy – altitude: 1,856 m / 6,089 ft

The Parmelan can be seen from many places in Annecy, particularly from the quays of the lake. Its summit looks like a formidable wall of cliffs about 200 metres high.

The Parmelan culminates at 1,856 meters of altitude, and one can start the ascent from a car park on the heights of the village of Villaz (or from the side of Dingy-Saint-Clair, which is longer).

From the top is a beautiful view of the town and its agglomeration, but the Mont Veyrier partly hides the lake.

On the western side, the panorama extends over the Bauges plateau below, the Salève and the Jura mountains opposite. On the east side, Mont Blanc dominates the Alpine landscape above the sharp peaks of the Aravis.

Mount Veyrier

East of Annecy – altitude: 1,291 m / 4,235 ft

Mont Veyrier and its sidekick, Mont Baron (1,299 m), dominate the eastern shore of Lake Annecy with its prodigious cliffs.

The climb from Annecy is tough, but the effort can be reduced by driving up to the Col des Contrebandiers.

The balcony path along the mountain ridge offers an almost uninterrupted view of Lake Annecy, the Semnoz and the Bauges massif.

With binoculars, it is easy to see the old town of Annecy with its “Venice of the Alps” district.

Sometimes, glimpses to the east allow you to see Mont Blanc and the Aravis.

The Semnoz

South of Annecy – altitude: 1,702 m / 5584 ft

The Semnoz is a 16 km long mountain and is part of the Bauges massif. For many people in Annecy, it is the town’s green lung thanks to its magnificent forests (including the Crêt de Maure forest).

Its highest point is at the Crêt de Châtillon at 1,702 metres. This is high enough to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in the northern Alps.

An orientation table allows you to spot the prominent peaks and massifs of the Alps, the Jura and the Massif Central. However, it is impossible to see the city of Annecy; only the western extremities of the town are visible.

Moreover, it is the only mountain near Annecy whose summit is accessible by car.

The Semnoz on the blog…

Practical information

Some practical advice for discovering the sites around Annecy:

The massive traffic jams to get out of / back to Annecy can be avoided by driving outside of rush hour, mainly if you use the western ring road. Unfortunately, in summer, you can expect traffic jams at any time of the day on the shores of Lake Annecy.

These 15 sites inspire you to discover the region around Annecy (less than 40 km by road). Let yourself be surprised by other discoveries during your escapades, and stay curious! There is so much to discover, especially if you love small heritage.

Don’t hesitate to enter the offices of the tourist offices. The receptionists I met during my travels in Lorraine know the area and will happily help you discover their beautiful region.

Organise your accommodation in the region around Annecy here.

Visiting the region around Annecy? Think of the following hashtags: #ilakeannecy – #savoiemontblanc – #enfranceaussi – #frenchmoments

Other blog posts that might interest you

• Visit Annecy: the Venice of the Alps
• A discovery guide to Lake Annecy: Place to See and Things to Do
• The historical and cultural region of Savoie
• The website of the Tourist Office of Lake Annecy
• The Annecy Mountains website
• Accommodation ideas in the area around Annecy
• More about Savoie and Haute-Savoie on the Savoie-Mont-Blanc website