Best things to do in Lake Annecy

Lake Annecy's Must-See Treasures

Located in the French Alps, Lake Annecy is defined by glacial waters and medieval architecture. This selection features 12th-century fortifications like the Palais de l'Isle and the former residence of the Counts of Geneva at Château d'Annecy. The list includes religious landmarks such as the 20th-century Basilica of the Visitation and the Baroque Church of St. Francis, alongside natural sites like the Cascade d'Angon waterfall and the Jardins de l'Europe. These locations highlight the region's transition from a strategic medieval stronghold to a center for alpine heritage.

Lake Annecy's Must-See Treasures — Map

Flip de Bruyn / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Palais de l'Isle

A 12th-century fortified house and former prison situated on a rocky island in the Thiou canal. It historically served as a courthouse and a mint for the Counts of Geneva.

User:Semnoz / Public domain

B

Lover's Bridge

An early 20th-century iron footbridge designed by Claude Grandchamp. It spans the Vassé canal, connecting the Pâquier esplanade with the Jardins de l'Europe.

Tatiana Decrocq / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Château d'Annecy

The Château d'Annecy is a restored castle which dominates the old French town of Annecy in the Haute-Savoie département.

D

Glacier des Alpes

Artisanal ice cream parlor in the old town, known for traditional production methods and a wide variety of seasonal flavors.

Florian Pépellin / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Gardens of Europe

A 19th-century English-style park planted on former marshland. It features centuries-old trees and provides a direct view across the lake toward the surrounding peaks.

André PERRIN / Public domain

F

Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard

The Château de Menthon is a medieval castle located in the commune of Menthon-Saint-Bernard, 12 kilometres south of Annecy in the Haute…

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

G

Église Notre-Dame-de-Liesse

A mid-19th-century neoclassical church built on the site of a medieval sanctuary. It retains a 16th-century bell tower and a prominent front facade.

Samsamsam / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

Basilica of the Visitation

A 20th-century church built between 1922 and 1930. It houses the remains of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal and features a 72-meter bell tower.

Torsade de Pointes / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Château d'Annecy

The Château d'Annecy is a restored castle which dominates the old French town of Annecy in the Haute-Savoie département.

Torsade de Pointes / CC0

J

Church of St. Francis

A 17th-century Baroque church that originally served as the burial site for Saint Francis de Sales. It was part of a former monastery and is often called the 'Church of the Italians'.

K

Fontaine

A historic stone fountain located near the entrance to the Château d'Annecy, representing the traditional water infrastructure of the old town.

Semnoz / CC-BY-SA-3.0

L

Pont des Amours

Iron footbridge built in 1907 that crosses the entrance of the Vassé canal. It provides a vantage point where the canal meets the open lake.

M

Croix du Crêt

A mountain viewpoint marked by a large cross on the Semnoz massif, offering panoramic views of the lake, the Bauges mountains, and the city below.

N

Cascade d'Angon

A 60-meter waterfall accessible via a forest trail near Talloires. The path leads behind the falling water along a limestone cliff edge.

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