If there is a place that seems to have withstood the test of time, Annecy is it. Traditional in spirit yet brimming with contemporary comfort. Annecy truly has it all; flower-laced canals, delicious French comfort food, and luxury boutiques. Then theres the rest of what makes France so special; scenery, nature and incredible views. Sitting on the edge of Lac d’Annecy, this town is what French fairy tales are made of. Quite literally actually; Walt Disney used Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard – the majestic castle perched over Annecy’s breathtaking lake – as inspiration when creating the castle in Sleeping Beauty. Read along for the perfect ways to spend a day in Annecy.

Lac d’Annecy

Lac d’Annecy isn’t just known for its breathtaking beauty, this sparkling blue lake gets its great reputation because of its clean water. In fact, it is known as “Europe’s Cleanest Lake.” Fed by mountain springs, the jewel of the Haute-Savoie offers year-round activities for visitors and locals alike.

You’ll find your usually water activities – boating, paddle boarding, kayaking and so on! If you’d rather enjoy the water from afar, I recommend renting a bicycle and following the bike trail around the lake.

Of course, you can always soak in the sun at Jardins de l’Europe, complete with a carousel. This is the perfect setting to enjoy a quiet moment with a direct view of the lake and the mountains in the backdrop. Be sure to take a stroll through Pont des Amours, or Lover’s Bridge, that connects Jardins de l’Europe to Le Paquier. Le Paquier is a beautiful park where you’ll find local and tourists alike lounging and hanging out. It is the ideal setting for a picnic!

Beach

On warmer days, take a dip in the water! There are several beaches, or plages, around the lake and when the weather warms up you can be sure to spot many sweltering bodies looking to cool off (or at least sun bathe).  Plage la Brune à Veyrier-du-Lac and Plage Municipale in Saint-Jorioz, have earned a Blue Flag for the undeniable quality of the water, safety and the accessible facilities (i.e. restaurants, play areas and lifeguards).

Vielle Ville

Located a skip and a hop from the lake, this quaint town is as beautiful as it is charming. Although it is a tourist town, the jewel of the Savoie is elegantly serene. Known as the Venice of Alps because of its many canals, every corner has a surprise. Be sure to stroll the vieille ville  and meander around the canals.

Palais de L’isle is likely the emblem of this picturesque town. With history dating as far back as the 14th century, the building sits entirely on an islet and is surrounded by the Canal du Thiou. It has been everything from a jail, a courthouse and a coin minting workshop, though currently it is a museum.

Shop

Though the town is small, you can find every kind of shop your heart could desire; a hat workshop, chocolatiers, consignment shops and more! Galeries Lafayette, founded in Paris in 1920 is the modern-day shopping center, complete with luxury brands is also located in Annecy.

On the last Saturday of every month, Annecy hosts a large market throughout the old quarter. The wares range from vintage furniture, antiques, jewelry and more! And on Tuesdays and weekend, the farmers market features the likes of aromatic cheeses and farm fresh produce!

Visit Château d’Annecy

Built between the 12th and 16th centuries, this restored medieval castle originally served as the residence to Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours. Today, it is a museum and it dominates this old French town. Though this is not the same castle as the one from Sleeping Beauty; that one is Château de Menthon and is located about 7 miles south of Annecy.

Eat

There are countless eateries and the standards are pretty high so it’s tough to choose wrong. Many locals point to Le Fréti or L’Estaminet, while others boast about little-known, Le Cochon à l’Oreille.

Chalet La Pricaz offers magnificent mountain views and overlooks the water and features regional specialties. And the drive up is just as beautiful!

For a truly local experience, Clos des Sens is a fine dining restaurant that truly highlights French food at its best in the Annecy region.

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Annecy is surrounded my many neighboring villages that are absolutely worth a visit. Check out this post on Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, home to the very first Winter Olympics!