The Lakes - Annecy

Annecy is often called the French Venice. Its beautiful medieval old town is intersected by small canals and flower decked quays. The 12 century Palais de l’Isle is an island fortress in the River Thiou which was once a prison has splendid views of the old town. The bustling streets, delightful street cafés where you can watch the world go by and interesting shops make it a superb place to relax. Annecys local market is held on Tuesday in Rue Ste-Claire.

Organised boat excursions in Annecy are a very relaxing way to discover the lake and see the alpine mountains from a different angle and take you all around the lake. For more active people pleasure boats, dinghies, windsurfers and pedalos can be hired. The nearby Semnoz mountains have a vast mountain nature reserve providing excellent opportunities for ramblers and hikers. A little further is the Bauges Natural Regional Parc and the Aravis mountain range where many more mountain itineraries are available for walkers and bikers.

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy 3 courses to suit all standards and enjoying fabulous views.

The water temperature of the lake in the summer reaches up to 24C. The main beaches of the lake are supervised during the summer.

Menthon-Saint-Bernard (altitude: 492m)

The village is located on the sunniest bank of the lake, 5 miles from the historic centre of Annecy. Shops in the village offer all facilities including pharmacy, cash point, mini-market (open till 8pm) 

The opportunities of mountain activities are numerous: from walking itineraries - le Roc de Chère, le col de la Forclaz, la Tournette (alt. 2 351m) - to paragliding, canyoning, via ferrata, etc.., or simply enjoying the popular cycling Tour du Lac.

One of France’s 10 most prestigious restaurant, the 3-star Michelin ‘La Maison de Marc Veyrat’ owned by famous chef Marc Veyrat is only 1 mile away in Veyrier du Lac (new mortgage required to afford the menu prices but a unique experience…)

See www.marcveyrat.fr

Places of interest in Annecy

·          The lovely lakeside village of Menthon with its fairytale castle

·          Benedictine Monastry at Talloires on the east shore of the lake

·          The impressive Alpine Garden at Semnoz

·          Many boat trips and excursions run from the esplanade and marinas to experience the best view of the lakes, surrounding mountains, and lakeside villages.

Museum at the Castle of Annecy – open 1st June – 30th September 2008 everyday from 10.30am - 6pm. €4.80 for adult, €2 (12-25’s).Under 12’s are free. Tel: 00 33 4 50 33 87 30

Citia Exposition (near castle) – exhibition dedicated to history, art and the techniques of film animation. From 1st June – 30th September 2008 every day from 10.30am – 6pm. Entrance free.

Butterfly and insect museum at the Castle of Faverges (20 mins from Annecy centre) – 15th June – 31st August 2008 Mon-Sat from 2.30-6.30pm

€3/adult, €2.50/child 4-12yrs

Secret gardens – 00 33 4 50 60 53 18. Between Annecy and Aix les Bains spread over 7000 sq.m. From 06/04 – 15/06 Sat, Sun, Public hols from 1.30-6pm. From 16/06 to 12/07 everyday from 1.30-6pm. From 13/07 to 24/08 everyday from 10.30-6pm (light snacks service). From 25/08 to 07/09 everyday from 1.30-6pm. From 08/09 to 12/10 Sunday from 1.30-5pm. €7.50 per adults, free under 6’s. 6-16yrs €4. €6.50 for students, disabled, unemployed, military).

Children

·          Several kids club

·          Animal parks

·          Miniature Golf

·          Leisure park

·          Skate park

Amenities in Annecy

A fabulous variety of restaurants and bars, nightclub, cinema, modern and traditional shops, museums, exhibitions, Alpine lakes observatory

Contacts for activities in Annecy

- Bureau des Guides et Accompagnateurs. Tel:+33 4 50 02 31 12

www.auberge-nordique.com

(walking, climbing, mountain biking)

- VTT Autour du Lac Annecy, Takamaka & Bureau des Guides

+33 4 50 45 60 61

www.takamaka.fr

(Mountain biking)

-Cruise on the Lake – guided tours, lunch or dinner, sightseeing…

Companie des Bateaux – 00 33 4 50 51 08 40, info@annecy-croisieres.com

http://www.annecy-croisieres.com

-Boat hire (dinghies, pedal boats, rowing boats, speed boats).

Tel: 00 33 4 50 45 77 85

-Bus excursions to surrounding areas incl. Chamonix. Whole day or half day trips. Autocars Crolard – 00 33 4 50 45 00 56.

Historic attractions

Palais de l’ile (The Old Prisons) – 00 33 4 50 33 87 30.

Open until 31st May 2008 10am-12, 2pm-5pm. From 1st June to 30th Sept 2008 open from 10.30am-6pm. Adult is €3.40, child €1.00 (12-25’s).

Markets in Annecy

Antiques Markets – 9am-7pm on last Sat of each month.

Open air markets – 8am-noon on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays

- Golf Club de Lac d’Annecy, Talloires. 

Tel: 00 33 4 50 60 12 89

18 holes, length 5008m, par 69.

Open: All year except Christmas holiday.

Green fees (daily) from 35€ to 45€. Weekend passes available.

Superb panoramic view in the immediate vicinity of Lake Annecy over a protected nature reserve.

- Golf de Giez, Lac d’Annecy. 

Tel: 00 33 4 50 44 48 41 (18 holes)

00 33 4 50 32 51 40 (9 holes)

18 holes, length 5820m, par 72.

9 holes, length 2250m, par 33. Open: All year

Green fees (daily) 18 holes from 38€ to 46€, 9 holes from 18€ to 22€, weekend passes available.

Two play site, with panoramic views over the upper part of Lake Annecy. Flat course landscaped with stretches of water.

Paragliding – 00 33 0 4 50 57 24 42, annecyvoldepente@tiscali.fr

Swimming pool – Les Marquisats (May-Sept) 00 33 4 50 33 65 40

Scuba diving – 00 33 4 50 45 40 97, contact@annecyplongee.com

Canoeing – 00 33 4 50 45 03 98 (www.kayak-annecy.com)

Wakeboarding – 00 33 4 50 23 78 29, info@pontonjacky.com

Plus many other water sports activities such as sailing, rafting, rowing…

Other activities include horse riding, roller skating, hot air ballooning, luge, fishing, tennis, crazy golf, cinema

All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website

Annecy Tourist Office       

74000 Annecy

Tel +33 4 50 45 00 33

www.lac-annecy.com

For regional information:

www.rhonealpes-tourisme.com

www.savoie-tourisme.com

Access to Annecy      

By Road: Driving distance from Calais to Annecy 817km (approx 7hrs30)

From Calais follow the A26/E15 in the direction of Lens/Arras and then Reims. Take the exit marked Reims-Tinqueux, Châlons-en-Champagne, Metz, Nancy, Strasbourg & Lyon. Follow the A4/E50, then the E17 towards Châlons-en-Champagne. Take the exit marked Saint-Gibrien, Châlons-en-Champagne, Troyes & Lyon. Continue on the E17 then the A26/E17 towards Troyes. Next take the A40 towards Bourg-en-Bresse/Annecy and take exit 11 to Annecy.

By Rail: TGV to Annecy

Airports: Geneva 50km

For further information on car parking, transfers, etc: www.gva.ch/en (then select Transportation in menu)

or Lyon Saint-Exupery 180 km

Airport Transfer

Pre-book your taxi transfer with Peak Retreats

From Geneva or Chambery Airport to Annecy (Duingt/Giez) – from £37-£48 per person return based on 4 people sharing. 

For all other transfer prices please click here

Access Plan

Annecy

Click on maps to enlarge

Resort Map

Annecy