📍 Destination Overview
Annecy, a jewel at the foot of the French Alps on the clear shores of Lake Annecy, is criss-crossed by flower-filled canals and nicknamed the 'Venice of the Alps'. The old town is crowned by the 12th-century Palais de l'ile and medieval lanes over the water. An ideal base for the Savoy mountains and Mont Blanc, it offers winter skiing and spring-summer cycling and boating.
📍 Location
Haute-Savoie, south-east France, in the Alps
🗓️ Best season
May-Sep for the lake and outdoors
🕐 Time difference
7 hours behind Beijing (6 in summer)
💰 Currency / Language
Euro (EUR) / French
✈️ Transport
45 km from Geneva; TGV and buses connect Lyon and Geneva
🗓️ Suggested stay
2-3 days
☀️ Best Time to Visit & Climate
🌸 Spring (Apr–Jun)
Blossoms and snowmelt make the lakeside fresh.
☀️ Summer (Jun–Sep)
Longest days for swimming, sailing and cycling.
January
❄️
4°/-3°
February
❄️
6°/-2°
March
🌤️
11°/1°
April
🌤️
15°/4°
Good
May
🌤️
19°/8°
Best
June
☀️
23°/12°
Best
July
☀️
26°/14°
Good
August
☀️
25°/14°
Good
September
🌤️
21°/11°
Best
October
🍂
16°/7°
November
🌧️
10°/2°
December
❄️
5°/-1°
Annecy Tours
View All →![11 days [full stay in high-quality selected hotels | Southern France deep · lavender limited] Paris + Lyon + Cannes + Annecy | Lavender season limited boutique comfortable small group](https://qiniu.usitour.com/images/picture/2018-06/detail_28_1529191743.jpg?imageView2=2&w=1920&q=70&format=webp)
🎯 Annecy Experiences
Watersports
Try water-skiing or windsurfing on the calm lake in summer.
Paragliding
Tandem flights over the lake and peaks from the nearby take-off.
Lake cuisine
Taste local ham, char fish and a French sweet.
Annecy is best in April–June and September for the loveliest lake and outdoor days, with winter for skiing.
🚌 Transport & Stays
City Transport
Train & coach
TGV serves French cities and links reach Geneva airport.
Car
Reach via the A40 or Geneva; a car aids touring and the Alps.
Fly via Geneva
Fly to Geneva and connect by shuttle or taxi.
Recommended Stay Areas
Old town
Atmospheric stays right on the canals.
Lakeside / heights
Quiet, bright options facing the lake or alps.
Free Consultation
Plan your Annecy escape
Roam the canals and castle, cycle the lake, then watch the alps glow over the water as evening falls.