The steep wooded and snow-capped mountains rising majestically above the stunning yet peaceful turquoise waters of Lake Annecy provide an unforgettable view. With the historic town of Annecy, famous lakeshore villages such as Talloires, and fairy-tale castles like Menthon and Duingt, Lake Annecy is one of France’s most spectacular settings. We’ve been lucky to make it our home base and, when we lived in the Tarentaise Valley, to drive along its banks very often. Each time, this lake amazed us. And I hope it will make the same impression on you!
🎦 Watch our short video of Annecy:
What is Lake Annecy – a little description
The lake is located at an altitude of 446 metres above sea level and is dominated by the Tournette mountain (2351 m) and the pointed needles of the Dents de Lanfon (1824m) to the east and the Semnoz Mountain (1699m) to the west.
Lake Annecy is one of France’s largest lakes, although smaller than the neighbouring Lake Geneva and Lake Bourget.
It is at its widest between Veyrier and Sévrier (3,350m) and at its narrowest between Duingt and the Roc de Chère (800m).
The lake’s dimensions
The lake is 15km long and has a perimeter of 38km.
Its area covers 27,59 km2, compared to
- 44,5 km2 for Lake Bourget, and
- 581,3 km2 for Lake Geneva.
The lake is fed by seven main streams and by a powerful underwater spring known as the Boubioz, bubbling up from a depth of 80 metres near the shores of Annecy. The main outlet is the Thiou, which flows through the historic old town of Annecy before reaching the Fier River in the town’s suburbs.
Lake Annecy’s two lakes!
The lake comprises two different basins:
- the Grand Lac (Great Lake), and
- the Petit Lac (small lake),
- Both are linked at the strait of Duingt between the peninsula of Ruphy Castle and the steep hill of Roc de Chère near Talloires.
The Petit Lac has a more austere look where steep, wooded mountains border its shores.
On the contrary, the shores of the Grand Lac are wide enough to support villages and cultivation.
One of Europe’s purest lakes
In the late 1950s, the lake suffered badly from pollution and faced the disappearance of its wildlife. The local authorities decided to take drastic steps to clean it up.
This mission was successful, and today, Lake Annecy is one of Europe’s purest lakes. Its birdlife and fish are back.
The next challenge is finding the right balance between preserving the lake’s natural environment and the high tourism and housing development level around its shores.
Where to stay in the region of Annecy?
This affiliate link will direct you to a list of accommodations in the Lake Annecy region.
You can also navigate through the following map – zoom in/zoom out/go left and right to make the accommodation appear.
Main Sights in the region of Lake Annecy
For the best lake experience, take a cruise from Annecy or drive around the lake, stopping at Veyrier, Menthon, Talloires, le Bout-du-Lac, Duingt, Saint-Jorioz, and Sévrier.
Annecy, the Venice of the Alps
Annecy is one of France’s most tourist cities, with its flower-decked canals crossing the medieval old town. Clustered at the foot of its imposing castle, the “Venice of the Alps” are historic buildings and churches such as the fortress of Palais de l’Île, Notre-Dame de Liesse and the St. Claire Gate.
The Jardins de l’Europe and the lawns of the Pâquier offer magnificent views over the crystal clear lake and the surrounding mountains.
The West Side of the Lake
The eastern shore of Lake Annecy enjoys a lot of sunshine and stretches from Veyrier-du-Lac to the commune of Verthier. There are three villages of importance: Veyrier-du-Lac, Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires, all situated at the foot of the towering mountains of the Prealps.
Veyrier-du-Lac
From a former wine-growing village, Veyrier-du-Lac has become a wealthy residential suburb of Annecy. Stretching for 5km along the D909 road, Veyrier-du-Lac is a popular tourist spot with gastronomic and accommodation facilities.
Menthon-Saint-Bernard
There are three sites to discover in the pretty village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard: the lakeshore with its harbour, beach and promenade, the old Savoyard village and the medieval castle of Menthon.
The 13th-century castle is still owned by the Menthon dynasty, who came from Burgundy in 1190.
Find out more about Menthon-Saint-Bernard.
Roc de Chère
Between Menthon and Talloires, the rocky hill of Roc de Chère is covered by 200 hectares of forest, offering fabulous views over the lake.
Due to a favourable climate, Mediterranean and mountain species of animals share the same home. This has led to creating a natural reserve where typical forest wildlife (wild boar, deer, squirrels, woodpeckers, reptiles and butterflies) live.
A marked path links Talloires to Menthon through the reserve.
Talloires
The small lakeside village of Talloires is situated in a charming setting at the foot of the sharp rocky ridges of the Dents de Lanfon. Its little marina faces the romantic silhouette of Ruphy castle in Duingt. The village houses many celebrated hotels and restaurants and is accessible by boat from Annecy.
The village is overtopped by the shrine of St. Germain (Ermitage Saint-Germain). The church terrace commands stunning views of the Bay of Talloires and the castle of Duingt.
Find out more about Talloires.
The East Side of the Lake
The eastern shore of Lake Annecy stretches from Sévrier to Le Bout-du-Lac (commune of Lathuile) and follows the slopes of the Semnoz Mountain and the Taillefer Ridge.
Sévrier
A residential suburb of Annecy, Sévrier, is crossed by the cycling path linking Annecy to Faverges.
Located on Place de l’église, the Ecomuseum of Lake Annecy reveals an extensive collection of objects and old local customs with entertainment and re-enactments of everyday life in the 19th century.
The Paccard Museum, situated outside the village towards Saint-Jorioz, is dedicated to the amazing story of the Paccard Bell Foundry.
Saint-Jorioz
The small town of Saint-Jorioz (pop. 5,800) is one of the roads that access the Regional Natural Park of the Bauges, which covers the Prealps massif between Annecy, Chambéry, and Albertville. The crescent-shaped harbour is the lake’s biggest marina, with 368 mooring rings.
Starting at the marina, the ‘Sentier des Roselières’ (Roselières footpath) follows the shore of the lake with spectacular views over the Dents de Lanfon and the Tournette. Extending over three kilometres, the path borders the lake’s largest reed beds, which offer protection and shelter to many species of water birds. Many instructive panels describing the lake’s natural environment are dotted along the way. The reeds play an important natural cleaning function in the lake, contributing to the water’s purity.
Duingt
The village of Duingt enjoys an idyllic setting tucked away between Lake Annecy and the last slopes of the Taillefer mountain.
Duingt is a small place but has retained a number of typical Savoyard houses from the 17th and 18th centuries along the old and narrow streets. The commune has two private castles, the Dhéré and Ruphy castles.
Le Bout-du-Lac
Situated at the southern end of Lake Annecy, the locality of “Bout-du-Lac” (end of the lake) belongs to the commune of Lathuile. You’ll find a camping site and a trendy beach in the summer months.
The marshlands are a protected natural reserve in Doussard. This is one of our favourite sites. You can explore this part of the lake by walking on marked paths all year round. From the top of an old watchtower, a magnificent view of the lake awaits.
Annecy Mountains, aka the Prealps of Annecy
Lake Annecy is surrounded by several iconic mountains, which offer spectacular views over the lake and the surrounding summits of the French Alps.
The Semnoz
The Semnoz (pronounced the ‘z’) is 16km long and rises to 1699 metres above sea level at Crêt de Chatillon. The summit is accessible by car and offers breathtaking views over the French northern Alps from Mont-Blanc to the Vanoise and Écrins massifs.
Only a tiny part of Lake Annecy is visible (Duingt). For a better view of the lake, it is recommended to walk to the Belvédère de Bénévent, accessible on the way down to Annecy through a ‘route forestière’.
Mounts Veyrier and Baron
The two mountains rising above the village of Veyrier-du-Lac are linked by a ridge known as the ‘sentier des crêtes’.
The Mount Baron Belvedere (1254m) offers a beautiful panoramic view over Annecy, the lake, the Bauges massif on one side and the Aravis and Mont-Blanc on the other. An orientation table shows the names of the surrounding mountains.
Col de la Forclaz
The Forclaz Pass or Col de la Forclaz (1150m) is situated between Talloires and Montmin on the D42 road. The view from the belvedere reveals the entire lake, the Arcalod, and the Bauges massif’s summits, the Dents de Lanfon, and the Tournette. Spectacular is the word!
The Angon Waterfalls
In the heights of Talloires, the lofty 60 m tall waterfalls of Angon are a hidden gem. You must park your car at the hamlet of Verel (between Talloires and Col de la Forclaz). A word of caution, though: children must be observed closely when walking near the waterfall as it is slippery.
The mysterious Pont des Fées (Fairies Bridge) is just above the waterfalls.
The Tournette
The Tournette Mountain (2351m) is the highest summit of the mountains encircling Lake Annecy. Its shape resembling an armchair is visible from Annecy and the western shore.
Its summit is accessible by a steep and sometimes awkward path, with metal stairs and a chain to hold on to at the very top. From the top, the spectacular view extends from the Semnoz to the Lake on one side and to the Aravis and Mont-Blanc on the other. This is one of the rare mountains I haven’t climbed (yet), as I suffer from vertigo!
Activities in Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is the base for many sporting activities and cruises across the lake.
Here’s a selection of activities and sightseeing by our partner Get Your Guide:
Water Sports
Water sports such as bathing, sailing, water skiing and diving are popular in summer. The average water temperature is 6 °C in January and 22 °C in July. There are many public beaches around the lake. The most popular are in Annecy (Plage des Marquisats and Plage de l’Impérial).
Cycling
Throughout the year, cycling is an activity enjoyed by the locals. A dedicated cycling path linking the old town of Annecy to Faverges runs alongside the lake’s western shore. 40 km long, it follows the old railway line which used to link Annecy to Albertville.
Find out more about cycling around the lake.
Mountain Sports
In summer, hiking, mountain biking, via-ferrata and canyoning occur in the mountains around the lake.
Lake Annecy is reputed for its paragliding activity, where winds are generally gentle, and air conditions are perfect.
You can reach Col de la Forclaz to see the fantastic launch of paragliders. And maybe you’ll be tempted to try it too!
Lake Cruises
Several boat companies run cruises across the lake, from a one-hour tour to a full-day excursion.
The main embankment is located opposite Quai Napoléon III (Jardins de l’Europe) in Annecy.
English-French Vocabulary
(f) for féminin, (m) for masculin, (adj) for adjective and (v) for verbs
- Alps = Alpes (f,p)
- bathing = baignade (f)
- beach = plage (f)
- boat = bateau (m)
- castle = château (m)
- cruise = croisière (f)
- cycling path = piste cyclable (f)
- diving = plongée (f)
- embarkment = embarcadère (m)
- hiking = randonnée (f)
- lake = lac (m)
- Lake Annecy = Lac d’Annecy (m)
- marina = port de plaisance (m)
- mooring = amarrage (m)
- mountain = montagne (f)
- needle = aiguille (f)
- reed = roseau (m)
- sailing = voile (f)
- shore = berge, côte (f)
- village = village (m)
- water skiing = ski nautique (m)
- water sport = sport aquatique (m)
Annecy and Haute-Savoie on the blog
Here’s a little list of articles on Annecy + Region to find out more about places to see:
- The département of Haute-Savoie
- The historic province of Savoie
- The old town of Annecy
- The castle and village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard
- The village of Talloires
- The village and castle of Duingt
- The Semnoz Mountain
- The Paccard Bell Foundry Museum (Sévrier)
- Cycling around Lake Annecy
Finally, visit the Annecy Tourist Office website for more practical information about Lake Annecy.
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Merci, Pierre! J’aimerais bien y aller… mais… he’las! De l’Ame’erique, personne ne nous veut pas. C’est un vrai cadeau de voir vos photos… Bon se’jour. Bisous!
Un jour viendra ! 🙂
Thank you for your message!
Pierre, your photos are stunning; what a beautiful area! This and your other articles have made me eager to visit Annecy. I’m so sad that I have to cancel a planned visit to France at the end of this year, but I hope to be able to visit next year and Annecy will be on my itinerary! Merci!
Merci beaucoup Ellen ! J’espère que je serai à Annecy en même temps pour vous guider dans la vieille-ville comme promis !
Annecy is one of my favorite places in Europe. It’s fairy tale charming. We took the boat ride around the lake—it was stunning—and had a fantastic lunch outdoors at a restaurant in Talloires. I want to return to discover more of the villages around the lake. Thank you for another in-depth article!
Thank you very much, Janis! Annecy is really a beautiful place 🙂