Annecy – Venice of the Alps
Annecy is often called both the Pearl of the Alps and the Venice of the Alps. The town sits in a picture-perfect setting by the emerald-green Lake Annecy, whose color is strikingly similar to the turquoise rivers flowing from Norwegian glaciers.
The Thiou River runs through the town and creates a small “island” right in the center. On this island stands the iconic building that almost everyone associates with Annecy.
There aren’t quite as many canals as in the Italian city it’s often compared to, but the river branches out and forms charming little waterways that create cozy “streets.” Here, cafés, restaurants, and small boutiques line narrow sidewalks and tiny bridges. During the high season it can feel a bit crowded, but Annecy is a wonderful place to welcome spring or stretch the feeling of summer just a little longer.
The most photographed spot
There’s plenty to see in Annecy, but the landmark most people recognize is the small castle-like building in the river. Without a doubt, it’s the most photographed place in town.
The little “palace,” Le Palais de l’Île, sits right in the middle of the river, surrounded by water on all sides.
The building is almost iconic and has served many different purposes over the centuries – including a prison, courthouse, asylum for the elderly, and administrative center. The oldest parts date all the way back to the 12th century.
In the late 1800s the city actually planned to demolish it in order to build public baths. Luckily, those plans were stopped. On February 16, 1900, the palace was officially listed as a historic monument by the French state, and restoration work began almost immediately. Another major restoration took place in the early 1980s. A visit to the small museum inside takes about an hour.
The rest of Annecy’s old town is just as atmospheric, with narrow pedestrian streets often filled with market stalls selling tempting cheeses, sausages, and fresh vegetables.
A taste of Savoie
Annecy is close to Switzerland, and just 35 kilometers from Geneva. The surrounding Savoie region shares many traditions with its Swiss neighbor especially when it comes to food.
Several restaurants serve huge cheese-based meals typical for the Alps. The most famous dishes are fondue, tartiflette, and raclette. They might feel like winter food, but you should definitely try one of them no matter what time of year you visit.
An outdoor playground
In the 19th century, Annecy and the surrounding area started gaining popularity as a sports destination. The lake is perfect for boating, and the nearby mountains make the town an ideal base for outdoor lovers.
From Annecy it’s a short drive to the French Alps and well-known ski resorts like Chamonix, Megève, and Les Saisies, where we went skiing a few years ago. The Alps are surprisingly easy to reach from here, and Norwegian ski enthusiasts might also recognize the name Le Grand-Bornand, which will host some of the Olympic events when the French Alps host the Winter Olympics in 2030.
The castle above the town
High above Annecy sits the town’s castle, which is open to visitors. The Queen’s Tower is the oldest part of the fortress, with walls more than four meters thick. It has been dated back to the 12th century.
Today the castle belongs to the city of Annecy and has functioned as a museum since the 1950s. Inside you’ll find exhibitions featuring local Alpine culture, including furniture, photography, and models of traditional mountain chalets.
Where to stay
We stayed in Annecy for a couple of nights some years ago and were very happy with Hotel du Nord. It’s a simple two-star hotel, but clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced. It also offers free parking for your rental car and is less than a ten-minute walk from the old town.
The last time I visited Annecy for work, we stayed just outside the city at Hôtel Les Trésoms, a four-star hotel with fantastic views of the lake. You can walk into town in about half an hour, or borrow a bike from the hotel if you’d rather not drive.
Other good hotel options closer to the center include Hôtel Le Pélican and the iconic Impérial Palace.
We flew into Geneva and picked up a rental car there. After Annecy we continued to Vonnas for a truly luxurious gourmet experience at the legendary restaurant of Georges Blanc.
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