2 Days in Annecy – The Perfect Weekend in the French Alps
I have been to a lot of beautiful places in France, and Annecy is one that stopped me in my tracks. It’s the kind of destination where you turn a corner and you have to pause because what is in front of you does not quite feel real. A glacial lake so turquoise it looks digitally enhanced. The French Alps rising in every direction. Medieval canals running through a perfectly preserved old town. And enough to do that two days feels full without ever feeling rushed. Annecy is one of those rare destinations that delivers on every level, and this guide covers exactly how I would spend two days there.
Why Annecy?
I have traveled a lot of France at this point, and Annecy is one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful places I have been. The old town sits at the edge of a glacial lake so clear and so intensely turquoise that it looks like it has been digitally enhanced… and behind it, the French Alps rise in every direction. It is the kind of place that makes you stop walking and just stand there for a moment because the view in front of you does not quite feel real. Annecy has been called the “Venice of the Alps”, and I can confidently say that that comparison is not an exaggeration. The canals, the medieval architecture, the flower boxes on every window – it’s amazing. If you have been putting it off, stop. This one belongs at the top of your France bucket list.
How to Get to Annecy
Getting to Annecy is easier than most people expect, and the journey itself – particularly the final stretch through the Alps – is beautiful.
FROM PARIS
The most common route for most visitors is to travel to Annecy via Paris. You’ll take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Annecy, the total journey taking approximately 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the number of stops. You can book tickets online via Omio.
FROM LYON
If you are already in Lyon, Annecy is an easy 2-hour train ride southeast and it’s a natural pairing for anyone doing a multi-city itinerary through southeastern France. Another option would be to rent a car in Lyon and drive to Annecy. This is perfect for those looking to do some hiking or day trips from Annecy. However, for purposes of this itinerary – you do not need a car.
FROM GENEVA
Another way to easily get to Annecy (and one of the more underrated ways to arrive) is via Geneva. The Geneva Airport is just 45 minutes from Annecy by train, making it an excellent entry point for anyone flying into Switzerland rather than Paris. If your flight options into Geneva are better or cheaper, it is worth considering.
Day 1- Exploring Annecy Old Town
The best thing you can do when you arrive in Annecy is drop your bags at the hotel and walk straight to the old town. Do not plan anything when you arrive… just walk. The old town is small enough to cover on foot and beautiful enough that wandering with no agenda is one of the best ways to experience it. Follow the canals, cross the bridges, find the Palais de l’Isle – the 12th-century prison sitting in the middle of the Thiou canal.
MUSÉE-CHÂTEAU D’ANNECY
If museums are your thing, the Château d’Annecy is worth an hour of your afternoon. It sits above the old town on a hill overlooking the lake and houses a collection of local art, Alpine history, and rotating exhibitions across the original medieval rooms. The views from the château terrace over the old town and the lake are great and worth the climb even if you skip the museum itself. If museums are not your thing, skip this.
hygge et azul
If you like to shop, do not leave the old town without stopping into Hygge et Azul, my favorite boutique in Annecy. The store has a great mix of jewelry, homeware, and lifestyle pieces.
palais des glaces
Out of all of the ice cream shops in Annecy old town (and there are a LOT)… the ice cream at Palais des Glaces was my favorite. The gelato is made in house, is of exceptional quality, and it’s the perfect thing to eat while walking along the canal in the afternoon.
dinner – racines annecy
Eating at Racines was the best dinner we had in Annecy and the one I recommend to everyone planning a trip here. Racines is a modern French restaurant in the old town with a menu that changes seasonally. Make sure to book in advance!
Day 2 – Exploring Lake Annecy
The real draw of Annecy is the lake itself (and honestly I wouldn’t recommend coming for only a day trip because you won’t be able to experience the lake properly). Lake Annecy is one of the clearest lakes in Europe and has that kind of turquoise water that does not look real. Here are the two ways I would exploring Lake Annecy.
Option 1 – Rent a Private Boat
Renting a private boat and spending the day on the lake was my favorite thing that I did when visiting Annecy. We rented out boat via Click and Boat and chose a full-day private tour with a skipper. It was great because our skipper brought us drinks, dropped us off to swim at certain parts of the lake, and even took us to lunch at Flama les Cassines. Just make sure to book well in advance during summer when availability goes quickly.
Option 2 – Rent an Electric Bike
If you would rather stay on land, renting an electric bike and riding the lake path is another great way to experience Lake Annecy. I did this and thought that the bike path was easy, straightforward, and there were tons of places to stop along the way. (I’d even recommend packing a swimsuit in case you want to jump in the lake!)
You’ll want to allow a few hours for a relaxed loop and stop whenever something catches your eye. I stopped for lunch at Le 1903, the restaurant at the 5* Auberge Du Père Bise hotel. It was incredible and absolutely worth the stop, but it is quite fancy so you’ll need to dress appropriately for visiting.
Electric bikes are available to rent near the old town (I used Mobilboard) and I’d recommend booking in advance in the summer months.
Where to Stay in Annecy
Surprisingly, I don’t think you need to stay in the town of Annecy (I did and loved it) to enjoy your trip. In my opinion, the most incredible, luxury hotels are scattered around the lake in small villages… not in Annecy old town. These are my top recommendations.
hôtel la maison bleue (in veyrier-du-lac)
Hôtel la Maison Bleue, part of the Yoann Conte collection, is one of most extraordinary place to stay in Annecy. You’ll find a glamorous restaurant and rooms right on the shores of the lake in Veyrier-du-Lac, a 10-minute drive from Annecy old town. There are only 11 individually designed rooms with wood panelling and lake views, and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant under chef-owner Yoann Conte that is one of the great dining experiences in the French Alps. If you are going to splurge anywhere in Annecy, this is the place.
auberge du père bise – jean sulpice (in talloires)
Auberge du Père Bise is a legendary address on the shores of Lake Annecy – directly on the water, just steps from the lake, with a swimming pool, spa, and a restaurant under chef Jean Sulpice that holds two Michelin stars. The setting of the hotel is incredible with gardens running down to the lake, mountain views in every direction, and an overall atmosphere that feels completely removed from the rest of the world.
le palace de menthon (in menthon-saint-bernard)
Built between 1906 and 1911 directly above the turquoise waters of Lake Annecy, Le Palace de Menthon is one of the most visually striking properties on the entire lake. The Italian palace-style façade rises from six hectares of manicured gardens that step down directly to the water and it’s the only hotel on Lake Annecy with its own private marina and direct beach access. The 60 rooms and suites each feel like stepping into a different era, with Art Deco details, sweeping lake and mountain views, and an atmosphere that has barely changed in over a century. There is a lakeside restaurant with panoramic bay windows, a full spa with indoor pool, hammam, and sauna.
Practical Tips for Visiting Annecy
A few things worth knowing before you go that will make your two days significantly smoother…
- Book restaurants in advance – Annecy is extremely popular between May and September and the best restaurants fill up fast.
- Book your boat or bike rental in advance – The private boat rentals on the lake are limited and sell out quickly in summer, and same goes with your electric bike rental. Make sure to book both in advance.
- Visit Annecy old town early – The old town is at its most beautiful and most manageable before 10am when the streets are quieter, and the canals reflect the morning sky. If you don’t have time in the morning, evening is equally as great when the day trippers have gone home.
- Wear comfortable shoes – The old town is entirely cobblestone… save the nice shoes for dinner and wear something you can walk in for the rest of the day.
- The lake is cold – Even in summer the water temperature in Lake Annecy stays cool as it’s a glacial lake fed by mountain streams. If you are planning to swim from the boat or the beach bring a layer for after.
- Best time to visit – Late May through early July is the sweet spot – the weather is warm, the lake is at its most vivid, and the summer crowds have not yet peaked. August is beautiful but busy. September is excellent and significantly calmer than the height of summer.
Annecy is really, truly incredible… and I do not say that about many places. The combination of the old town, the lake, the Alps backdrop, and the sheer number of ways to spend your time there makes it one of the most complete destinations in France. Two days is enough to fall completely in love with it. It is not enough to see everything – but that is exactly why you’ll need to come back.
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