Weekend Guide · France
Weekend in Annecy
Annecy — the 'Venice of the Alps', a fairytale medieval town of canals, flower-draped bridges, and pastel-colored houses set on the shore of one of Europe's purest and most beautiful alpine lakes..
Arrive & Explore Annecy
Lake Annecy (Lac d'Annecy)
One of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in Europe — surrounded by the Alps, offering swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling, and some of the most breathtaking scenery in France
Old Town & Canals
Annecy's medieval old town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, arched passageways, and flower-filled canals running between beautifully preserved 15th–17th century buildings — giving it its nickname 'Venice of the Alps'
Château d'Annecy
A medieval castle perched above the old town, once home to the Counts of Geneva — now a museum of local history and regional art with panoramic views over the lake and Alps
Hidden Gems & Local Flavours
Palais de l'Île
A 12th-century island prison in the middle of the Thiou canal — Annecy's most photographed landmark and one of the most distinctive medieval buildings in all of France
Gorges du Fier
A spectacular limestone canyon just outside Annecy with narrow walkways suspended above a rushing river — one of the most dramatic natural sites in the Haute-Savoie region
Local Tips
- 1France suits a range of budgets.
- 2France is very safe for tourists.