Autumn in France marks the end of the long summer break and the beginning of a season of transition to winter. It is a wonderful time to explore our beautiful country, from its historic cities to its beautiful countryside, to the remote valleys of the Alps. This Autumn in Annecy article is part of a series in which I wanted to show you my favourite places in the eastern side of France. I promise you lots of bright colours, from red to yellow to orange! 🍁 🍂🍃
My articles on autumn in France
Discover my series of articles "Autumn colours" on my French blogs:
- L’Alsace en automne
- La Lorraine en automne
- Nancy en automne
- Metz en automne
- Annecy en automne
- La Haute-Savoie en automne
- La vallée de la Tarentaise en automne
- L’Angleterre en automne
Have a nice autumn / Bel automne à tous! 🍁🍃🍂
Discovering autumn in Annecy
From the start, let's describe Annecy as a tourist town that is particularly busy in the summer and during the sunny weekends in spring.
From mid-September onwards, most of the tourists will have left, leaving the town and its lake in a quieter atmosphere.
The residents will then have plenty of time to rediscover their territory - an incredible playground between lake and mountain, in one of the most beautiful sites in France!
If an Indian summer sets in during the month of October, the whole landscape takes on flamboyant colours.
Camera in hand, it's time to take some unforgettable shots! 📸

Autumn in Annecy © French Moments
The historic centre of Old Annecy
The old town is built around the canals of the Venice of the Alps.

Annecy, the Venice of the Alps © French Moments

Autumn in Annecy: la Venise des Alpes © French Moments

The Venice of the Alps - Annecy © French Moments

The Venice of the Alps - Annecy © French Moments

Porte Sainte-Claire © French Moments

Autumn in Annecy: the banks of the Thiou still in bloom © French Moments
One of the most photogenic places is certainly the Vassé canal with the Pont des Amours in the background. A very romantic setting.

Autumn in Annecy: the Canal de Vassé © French Moments

The Vassé Canal - Autumn in Annecy © French Moments
Stroll through the Jardins de l'Europe. In October and early November, they are still in bloom.

The Jardins de l'Europe in autumn © French Moments

Lake Annecy on a beautiful day in October © French Moments
The shore of Lake Annecy in autumn
It is on the shores of Lake Annecy that the autumn colours are at their most beautiful. They offer the amateur photographer absolutely superb shots.

Autumn in Lake Annecy © French Moments
Walk along the lakefront to the Jardins de l'Impérial. You will have beautiful autumn views of Annecy: the Hôtel Impérial Palace, the castle and the lake.

On the shore of Lake Annecy in autumn © French Moments

Autumn in Annecy: a walk near the Imperial © French Moments

Indian summer in Annecy in the gardens of the Imperial© French Moments

Romantic atmosphere in Annecy © French Moments

On the shores of Lake Annecy © French Moments

Castle of Annecy © French Moments

The flamboyant colours of autumn in Annecy! © French Moments
Autumn events in Annecy
A short diversions to the Sunday morning market is a must. It covers a large part of the old town.

Market stalls during autumn in Annecy © French Moments

Saucissons de Savoie © French Moments

Maraîcher © French Moments
The delicious cheeses from the Savoie province invite you to taste them:

Fromages de Savoie © French Moments
Then, at the beginning of October, it is the great event of the Retour des Alpages (return from the alpine pastures) with its procession of animals and traditional farmers in the streets of Old Annecy.

The sheep transhumance in Annecy © French Moments

The beautiful costumes of the parade participants © French Moments

The Queen of the parade! © French Moments

The autumn harvest in Annecy © French Moments
Around Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is the backdrop to the magnificent landscapes of Haute-Savoie. A little snow often sprinkles the highest peaks of the Annecy mountains, adding to the character of the grandiose setting.

Cruise on Lake Annecy in autumn © French Moments
On the lake's waters
A good tip: if this is your first visit to the area, take a cruise. You will enjoy views of the beautiful villages on the lake: Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz, Duingt, Talloires, Menthon and Veyrier.

An autumn cruise on Lake Annecy © French Moments

The Imperial Palace seen from the lake © French Moments

The village of Sevrier in autumn © French Moments

The village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard and its castle © French Moments

Autumn in Annecy - lake cruise © French Moments

The village of Talloires from the lake © French Moments

The church of Duingt © French Moments
Autumn paints a superb picture of the Château de Duingt, which Cézanne also painted.

The castle of Duingt in autumn © French Moments

View of the castle of Duingt from the boat © French Moments

Close-up of the castle of Duingt© French Moments
If you take the car, I advise you to drive around the lake to explore the six villages and their hamlets.

View around Lake Annecy from the Belvedere © French Moments
The castle of Menthon
In Menthon-Saint-Bernard, stop at the famous Château de Menthon, which is said to have welcomed Walt Disney...

The castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard in autumn © French Moments
If you want to see the castle from a distance, you have to go to Bluffy.

Autumn walk around the castle of Menthon © French Moments
Roc de Chère
Between Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires, take the time to go for a walk on the Roc de Chère. This nature reserve offers a magnificent view of the "Petit Lac" and the bay of Talloires.

The Roc de Chère lookout © French Moments
In the forest, you will meet some nice people, especially if you like mushrooms (be careful, this one is poisonous!):

(Poisonous!) mushroom at the Chère rock © French Moments
The castle of Menthon can again be seen emerging above the forest:

The view from the castle of Menthon from the Roc de Chère © French Moments

Approaching the golf course© French Moments
Talloires
Talloires is an essential stop on the way to the lake. With its Michelin-starred restaurants and its romantic view of the lake and the Duingt promontory, the village can be discovered along the small sun-drenched streets.

The village of Talloires in autumn © French Moments
Bout-du-Lac
Le Bout-du-Lac is a locality belonging to the commune of Doussard which, as its name suggests, is situated at the end of Lake Annecy. It is a nature reserve criss-crossed by paths, some of which lead to beautiful views of the lake.

Le Bout du Lac © French Moments

Crossing the reed beds at Bout du Lac © French Moments
Duingt
Duingt is best known for its romantic lakeside castle. However, you should discover the old Savoyard village and climb to the belvedere of Notre-Dame-du-Lac, with a breathtaking view over Lake Annecy.

Château de Ruphy in Duingt © French Moments

An other view of the château de Ruphy in Duingt © French Moments

The village centre of Duingt © French Moments

The view to the castle from the belvedere of Notre-Dame-du-Lac © French Moments
Stay during the autumn in Annecy
Looking for accommodation for an autumn break in Annecy? Click here for a list of hotels or browse the map below:
Find out more about Annecy
- Discover the old town of Annecy on the blog
- 15 sites to discover aroundAnnecy on the blog
- The Return from the alpine pastures in Annecy on the blog
- The discovery-guide of the Annecy Christmas market sur le blog
- The website of the tourist board of Lac d'Annecy
- Find accommodation in the Lake Annecy region

The forest of Crêt du Maure © French Moments
Colours of autumn in Annecy on Pinterest
Pin it on Pinterest so you don't forget the autumn colours in Annecy!
