A fairy-tale town Annecy is situated at the northern tip of the gorgeous Lake Annecy and overlooks the snow-capped mountains. This charming town is the capital of Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Annecy is a wonderful city to visit in France, above all because of its lake, the old town, the pastel colored houses and the flower boxes surrounding the town.
Annecy is also known as the ‘Venice of the Alps’ because of the network of canals that run through the old town. These canals are not particularly deep and are really utilized for boating. Therefore, the town retains its attractiveness. A walk through the cobbled streets of the old town decorated with flower boxes between medieval colorful buildings gives you a unique treat. You may sip hot coffee while taking in ravishing views of the mountains and the lake, savor a delectable meal at one of the sidewalk cafés and restaurants, or taste some gelato at an ice cream shop.
Mountains in Annecy
Annecy is home to Europa’s purest lake as well as to the mesmerizing French Alps. The best way to enjoy this beautiful region, whether for sightseeing or an adventure, is to climb the mountain peaks around Annecy. There are about 18 peaks and summits around Annecy and here we have mentioned some tops from the list for you.
La Tournette (2351 m, 7713 ft)
This mountain is in the Bornes Massif in French Haute-Savoie and this is the highest mountain peak overlooking Lake Annecy. Once you reach the summit you will enjoy all the peaks around Lake Annecy on one side and the Aravis mountain range and Mont Blanc on the other. The ascent trail takes about 3-6 hours to reach the peak and about 2-5 hours to descend. This time depends on the hiker. Both trails are quite hard due to steep roads as well as fog. But most people who are reasonably fit can do the hike without special hiking gear other than good hiking shoes.
Mont Veyrier (1291 m)
Located in the French Alps of Haute Savoie, this magnificent peak gives you an amazing view of Annecy and its lake as well as snow-capped Mont Blanc. This is a good choice for a hike with the family or as a warm-up for harder hiking.
Semnoz (1699 m)
This is another mountain in Haute-Savoie, France. Semnoz is one of Annecy’s icons as well as a protected natural area close to the western shore of Lake Annecy. The mountain is a small ski resort and the perfect place to enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains. You can reach Semnos by a 30-minute drive, a gondola lift or an easy hike.
Parmelan (1856 m)
This is one of the peaks you must visit in Haute-Savoie, France. Grand Montoir is a steep and narrow road and the ascent is quite challenging, but you are completely safe by ramps and chains. Once you reach the summit you will be amazed by its breathtaking limestone plateau and its lapiaz and the panoramic view of the lake and the Alps.
Winter in Annecy
Great choice! Winter in Annecy is amazing. It’s the perfect season to experience the holiday markets, savor the delicious and rich Alpine foods, as well as enjoy the many winter sports in the Annecy ski areas.
The first thing you should consider before visiting Annecy in winter is the weather. During the day, the city rarely dips to freezing temperatures, but still you should definitely pack your winter clothes.
In December, it gets -1ºC at night and 4ºC of temperature during the day. The sun rises in the morning around 8 am and sets in the afternoon between 4.50 and 5 o’clock. In January, the temperature drops to -2ºC at night and 3ºC during the day. As in December the sun rises around 8 am, and sets around 5.45 pm. In February, the night temperature is around -1ºC and rises to 6ºC during the day. Sunrise is between 7.15 – 8 am in the morning and sunset is between 5.40 pm to 6.20 pm.
Around 9 days of precipitation are to be expected in December and January, and 7 days in February. The average precipitation is around 8 cm and 7.4 cm respectively. Despite the fact that Annecy is located in a valley and that it may snow quite a bit in the mountains, on average, it rains more than it snows throughout the winter.
In Annecy, it snows for 32 days on average each year, totaling 177 cm (5.8 feet). The city experiences frequent snow. Outside of the city, especially the mountains around the lake, it also gets blanketed with snow. According to weather reports for the last 5 years, January has recorded the highest snowfall and November has the lowest snowfall.
Things to do in Winter in Annecy
Here are the best things to do in Annecy, from Christmas to skiing in the Alps!
Explore the old town Annecy
This is one of the best things to do in Annecy. A walk along the Thiou river exploring the city will be interesting for everyone. Discover the museum Palais de L’ile, in the middle of the river. That medieval palace once served as a jail, a royal home and an administrative hub before becoming a museum. In summer, the narrow cobbled streets of the city center are completely packed with tourists, but in winter, a stroll around the old town is a delight with its deserted streets and peaceful atmosphere. In addition, Admire the gorgeous canals, Annecy Castle, the Pont des Amours and the stunning historic churches including Annecy cathedral.
Visit the old town markets
Unlike most farmer’s markets that are only open during the summer, this market in Old Town is open throughout the year. Stroll around the market finding the best seasonal fruits and vegetables, local cheeses and nougats, as well as textiles and other goods.
Christmas markets and Christmas light show
The two Christmas markets in Annecy open from late November to early January. One is in the Old town and the other is in the Village des Alpes. Wandering around Des Alpes village, Annecy’s largest market, will be a great experience with its cider bars, craft beer, delicious local food and live music. At the Old Town Christmas Market, you can find special Christmas gifts, a variety of drinks and food, and more Christmas decorations.
Moreover, you can enjoy the Christmas light show in the center of the city. The town hall gives a free fantastic light show for the whole family. Not only the town hall, but many places such as the bridges, facades and monuments of Annecy are illuminated during winter nights.
Stroll around lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is perfect for boating in summer and its beauty in winter is second to none, especially when you see the snow-covered mountains around the lake. Without the usual crowds like in hot summer days, the shore is often peaceful. You can walk on the car-free road from the beach to the Palais de Menton.
Taste the hearty French Alpine dishes
It is a must to taste the traditional alpine foods like fondue,crozets, tartiflette and raclette if you are in Annecy. It would be a great apres-ski treat or a wonderful way to warm up after being outside, with a glass of wine. Raclette is a typical Alpine dish in which a big wheel of cheese is melted by a heater and scraped over meat and potatoes. Tartiflette is made of potatoes, lardons, onions and reblochon cheese. Fondue is a bowl of melted cheese that you can dip bread, dried meat or potatoes into using a long pick. Crozets is a special type of pasta that is entirely square and flat, cooked with lots of cheese.
Take a Snowshoe Hike
Going snowshoeing is a great way to pump your adrenaline. Put on your snowshoes and take a trip on the snow on one of the best hikes in Annecy like Semnoz, Le Chateau de Menthon, Le plateau des Glières, Le Massive des Bauges. You can rent snowshoes in many of the ski gear shops in the city, for around 6€ per day. This will be a completely different experience for you, and you will be able to enjoy the absolutely stunning landscapes.
Outdoor ice skating
An outdoor ice rink is constructed each winter at the Place François de Menthon, a 10-minute walk from the lake Annecy. Entry is free and you will be able to rent skating equipment on the spot. A pair of ice skates will cost around 5€. In addition to this outdoor ice rink, there is also an indoor skating rink available such as Patinoire Jean-Régis.
Have a ski experience
Annecy is really close to several ski resorts, and it is very easy to go for a day trip of skiing from the city. Le Semnoz is the closest ski resort and located 25 minutes away from the city. You can reach there by bus or by a private taxi service from Annecy. The price of a ski pass for the entire day (10 hours) is about 16€ per person. The resorts of La Clusaz, La Sambuy and Le Grand Bornand are also close to the city and can be reached by bus or taxi. We’ve covered more about skiing below.
Popular Ski Resorts around Annecy
La Clusaz Ski Resort
This is a traditional market town located in Bornes Aravis and the altitude of the winter sports area is between 1,050 m and 2,485 m. La Clusaz’s ski history began in 1907, when the town welcomed visitors for the first time. The resort is based around a main town square and a 19th century church. There are traditional wooden buildings, sport gear shops, boutiques, restaurants, live bars and a few nightclubs around the resort town. The general ski season starts in mid-December and lasts until early March.
The resort consists of five mountains offering a good combination of runs. Beginners will enjoy La Clusaz since it has several nice nursery slopes and easily accessible green runs higher on the mountain. The resort offers some excellent slopes for intermediates with a good range of blue and red pistes benefiting from the five linked ski areas. There are not many official black runs in the area but still you can find perfect fast pistes to adventures. The resort is a hub for freestyle and has two areas where beginners to experts can practice.
Etale Mountain offers a difficult red and few steep blacks, among which Tetras, becomes quite challenging. La Balme is perfect for advanced skiers and it has some speedy red runs with very difficult descents. La Clusaz’s highest point, the large sheltered bowl, reaches to a height of 2600 m and offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. Due to its height and aspect, it receives the finest snowfall in the ski area.
Elevation : 1050 m – 2485 m
Total ski slopes : 125 km
Number of slopes : Green – 18, Blue – 30, Red – 29, Black – 7, Free rides – 23
Ski lifts : 1 tramway, 4 gondola, 6 cable cars, 2 gondola + chair lifts, 14 chair lifts, 27 drag lifts, 1 rope lift
Top lift : 2400 m
Distance from Annecy : 31 km
Duration : 44 minutes (* Please note that time may vary significantly due to weather or road conditions)
Here are some top rated accommodations in the La Clusaz ski resort,
Hotel Beauregard
A traditional Savoyard chalet-style 4 star hotel located at the base of the ski slopes close to the village La Clusaz with easy access to many ski runs. It offers a heated indoor pool, a spa & well-being services, and a large dining area serving delicious food & beverages with a friendly staff.
Address – Sentier du Bossonet, 74220 La Clusaz, France
Hotel La Montagne
A budget friendly chalet-style hotel, situated in La Clusaz, 150 meters from the ski slopes with a panoramic view of the Aravis mountains. Hotel La Montagne offers buffet breakfast with regional cuisine and comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi.
Address – 9, Route De La Piscine., 74220 La Clusaz, France
Hotel Alpen Roc
A 3 star hotel situated in La Clusaz, about 150 meters away from the nearest ski lifts. It offers a heated swimming pool, a steam room, a sauna and a fantastic second-floor bar with open fire as well as ski and bike storage facilities. Each room has a private bathroom, a satellite TV and free Wi-Fi.
Address – 388, route des Grandes Alpes, 74220 La Clusaz, France
Le Grand Bornand ski resort
This is a traditional mountain village in the middle of the Aravis Mountain range in the Haute Savoie between Lake Annecy, Month Blanc and Switzerland. Le Grand Bornand is the perfect destination for you if you want an intermediate skiing experience with true Savoyard mountain surroundings and beautiful backdrops. It’s a favorite place for people looking for great skiing and more thoughtful activities. Le Grand Bornand is a popular ski resort among generations of French families because of its Accessibility, charm, and Authenticity. Many of the British skiers who are aware of it learnt to ski on this excellent, safe, and comforting terrain.
The resort is divided into two villages. The Grand-Bornand village at 1000 m of altitude, is a typical Savoyard village with a central square, church and shops. The other village, The Grand-Bornand Chinaillon is situated at 1300 m above sea level. It is the main departure gate for the ski slopes. This ski resort offers something for everyone: young or old, small or big, beginner or experienced professional. The general ski season starts in mid-December and runs through mid-April.
Elevation : 1000 m – 2100 m
Total ski slopes : 86 km
Number of slopes : Green – 16, Blue – 13, Red – 16, Black – 4, Free rides – 12
Ski lifts : 2 gondola, 10 chair lifts, 11 drag lifts, 1 rope lift, 2 carpet lifts
Top lift : 2100 m
Distance from Annecy : 24 km
Duration : 36 minutes (* Please note that time may vary significantly due to weather or road conditions)
Here are some top rated accommodations in the Le Grand Bornand ski resort,
Le Rookie Mountain
Located 27 km from Rochexpo, this 2-star hotel features mountain views and some units have city views. Guests of Le Rookie Mountain can enjoy activities in and around Le Grand-Bornand like skiing, hiking and cycling. The hotel offers free private parking, a shared lounge & a terrace and rooms with private bathroom & a flat-screen tv.
Address – 108 Chemin des Télécabines, 74450 Le Grand-Bornand, France
Best Western Chalet les Saytels
Situated 350 m from the ski slopes in Le Grand-Bornand, this hotel offers a lounge with a fireplace, a bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a spa with hot tub and sauna as well as an indoor pool which is open all year. Each room with timber walls and a mountain-themed décor, has an LCD TV, a telephone connection and free Wi-Fi.
Address – 33, route de la vallée du Bouchet, 74450 Le Grand-Bornand, France
L’Alpage
This hotel is situated 10 minutes drive from the Le Grand Bornand city center, in the Le Chinaillon ski resort village. Each Alpage Hotel room features a private balcony, a private bathroom, a telephone, a TV and a free Wi-Fi connection. Guests can sit on the hotel’s south-facing terrace and enjoy traditional French cuisine or can relax with a drink in the lounge. L’Alpage also provides a games room and storage facilities for bikes and motor bicycles.
Address – 7151 Rue de Chinaillon, 74450 Le Grand-Bornand, France
Top cities along the way to Annecy from Paris
Beaune
This is a walled town at the heart of Burgundy’s famous vineyards in France. Beaune is famous for the annual wine auction held at the Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune). This 15-century former hospital, recognized by its colorful, geometric patterned tile roof, is now the Hôtel-Dieu Museum. If you visit this cobbled town, you will be able to taste wine, attend wine auctions and enjoy a delicious meal. There are many restaurants, hotels, bed & breakfasts open for online booking too.
Dijon
This is one of the main wine making areas of France and it is the capital of the historic Burgundy region of eastern France. It is famous for its traditional mustard, vineyard tours, gastronomic fair in autumn and eye-catching building styles ranging from Gothic to art decor. This town is 16 minutes away from the main route.
Fontainebleau
This is another town, 11 minutes off the main route and located southeast of Paris. This town is famous for the opulent Fontainebleau palace built by French royalty.
Some top stops along the way to Annecy from Paris
Théâtre Romain
Take a free entry to visit this second largest theater in the Roman world, built around 70 AD. It is located east of the old city and is designed for dramatic performances. Its diameter is 148 meters and can accommodate 20,000 spectators. The theater is in the classical style and leans on the ground’s natural slope.
(Location : 2 Rue de la Maladière, 71400 Autun, France)
Saint-Lazare Cathedral
This cathedral is located in an area with charming traditional French houses and sidewalk cafés. It is a national monument of France and commonly known as Autun Cathedral. Saint-Lazare Cathedral is a medieval church known for its decorations by the famous French sculptor Gislebertus.
(Location : Pl. du Terreau, 71400 Autun, France)
The Owl of Dijon
On the north outer wall of Notre-Dame Church, there is an owl carved stone. According to tradition, if one makes a wish by touching it with the left hand, those wishes will come true.
(Location : 11 Rue de la Chouette, 21000 Dijon, France)
Museum of Fine Arts, Dijon
One of France’s greatest and oldest museums which is located in the heart of Dijon’s historic old town. The museum also houses the tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy, as well as some 130,000 works spanning from the Renaissance to the contemporary era.
(Location : 1 Rue Rameau, 21000 Dijon, France)
Abbaye de Cluny
In Cluny, Saône-et-Loire, France, there formerly stood a Benedictine monastery known as Cluny Abbey. It was dedicated to St Peter. On its walls are several sculptured components from the old monastery and town.
(Location : Rue du 11 Août 1944, 71250 Cluny, France)
Royal Monastery of Brou
The Flemish architect Loys Van Boghem created this extravagant Gothic-styled religious complex (a sort of dynasty burial site). It now houses an art gallery with works by several French, Italian, Belgian, and Dutch painters, from from the 17th century to the present, as well as a sizable library with more than 12,000 books on the history of art.
(Location : 63 Bd de Brou, 01000 Bourg-en-Bresse, France)
Touroparc Zoo
A zoo around 12 hectares area where more than 700 animals live. There are also other more attractions nearby, including a water park, carousel, railroad, and museums.
(Location : 400 Rue du Parc, 71570 Romanèche-Thorins, France)
Abbaye Saint Philibert
The Abbey of St. Philibert, a former Benedictine abbey, is now simply the medieval church in Tournus, Saône-et-Loire, France. It contains masonry murals, blind arcades, and bands with patterns. As an example of Romanesque architecture, it has national significance.
(Location : Pl. de l’Abbaye, 71700 Tournus, France)
Lac du Bourget
The deepest and largest lake in France, is this natural year-round body of water. To take in the breathtaking views, you may ascend to the viewpoints situated surrounding the lake.
(Location : France)
Walibi Rhône-Alpes
A French theme park Walibi situated in the Isère department’s Les Avenières commune. This is the largest theme park of the Rhône-Alpes region covering an area of 35 hectares. It contains more than 33 rides. Walibi Rhône-Alpes has so many attractions such as airboats, hurricanes, carousels, and monorails.
(Location : 1380 Rte de la Corneille, 38630 Les Avenières Veyrins-Thuellin, France)
Transform from Paris to Annecy
Thanks to its location, Annecy is easily accessible by air and land. Whether you come from Paris or anywhere else in France, getting to Annecy will not be a problem. There are several modes of transport you can follow to reach this charming rural town. The straight line distance between Paris and Annecy is 435 km (270.2 miles) and the road distance is about 555 km.
By Air,
The air distance between Paris and Annecy is 433 km (268 miles) but there are no direct flights between Paris and Annecy. So there are several ways to get to Annecy by air. One option is to fly from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) or from Paris Orly airport (ORY) to Geneva airport (GVA) and then take a bus to Annecy for 45 minutes. The second option is to fly to Lyon (LYS) from Paris CDG airport and take a bus. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Annecy from Lyon.
So there is a downside to choosing a flight, as there are no direct flights between Paris and Annecy and the trip can be more expensive.
By Bus,
Most buses to Annecy leave from Paris Bercy Seine bus station, while some also come from stations like CDG airport. There is only one direct bus per day and the journey will take less than 8 hours. So book your tickets as early as possible to avoid paying much more. If you don’t get a chance to catch this direct bus, you will have to change in Lyon. This can extend the journey time to about 11 hours. The cheapest bus ticket can be found between €17 – €20.
By Train,
When you travel from Paris to Annecy by train, it covers a distance of about 434 km (270 miles) and takes an average of 5 hours and 40 minutes. There are about 21 trains a day and a direct train leaves Paris every four hours. And this direct journey takes approximately 3 hours 46 minutes. Ticket prices start from €25 if you book the train seat in advance, otherwise it costs between €170 – €310.
By Taxi,
The road distance between Paris and Annecy is about 559 kilometers (347.6 miles) and the drive time in normal traffic and fair road conditions is approximately 4 hours 47 minutes. Many private taxi services around Paris offer their services to Annecy. So, it is easy for you to find the best taxi service according to your travel plan. The journey may be a bit longer than by train or bus, but you’ll be able to stop at picturesque towns, scenic views and popular restaurants along the way. Among the many types of vehicles offered by taxi companies, you are free to choose a suitable vehicle depending on the number of members in your group and the amount of luggage. And you can make your journey more comfortable.
What is the best mode of transportation?
Among the many modes of transportation to get from Paris to Annecy, the best one in terms of time is to take the train. It takes 3 hours and 46 minutes and costs around €170 – €310. In terms of cost, the best option is to travel by bus, which takes about 7 hours and costs €17 – €21.
Both modes are perfect if you are a solo traveler or your group size is small. But if your group size is big, going by public transport will be more expensive. And if there are any transfers in your mode of transportation, handling your luggage will be more difficult. As private taxi services calculate fares on a per-taxi basis, you don’t have to pay for each person in your group separately. And this will save your money to ski more.
The other advantage of going by taxi is that you can plan the journey midway. You are free to ask the driver to stop at a scenic spot mid-way to take some snaps. or else you can ask for a detour to a picturesque town or a famous restaurant. Another thing to consider is that traveling to high altitudes is not comfortable for all passengers. Therefore, you can ask the driver to stop the taxi to adjust the seat or the temperature, or ask to stop at a restaurant to get something hot.
So, considering these kinds of things, I suggest that the best method to get from Paris to Annecy is by taxi.
What is the best private taxi service in Paris?
Among the many private taxi services in Paris, the Paris Private Shuttle Taxi service is known for its flexibility and affordable prices. Our drivers are more friendly, helpful and punctual. So you can get fair service for what you pay.
So, don’t delay to enjoy this ski season with your loved ones in the enchanting mountains of Annecy. We promise to get you there safely from Paris.
