Annecy, France: the short version
Annecy lies on the Lac d'Annecy in the French Alps. The old town grows around the Thiou, the short river that drains the lake. The Palais de l'Isle stands on an island in that river. It used to be a prison. Today it shows exhibitions on architecture and local heritage.
Most visitors combine three things: a walk through the old town, a swim or a boat ride on the lake, and one trip to the villages on the shore. This guide covers all three. It is an independent site and has no link to the tourist office, the city or any tour operator. Prices and dates are the ones published in 2026.
What costs money and what does not
A day in Annecy can be almost free, or it can add up quickly.
Free
The Thiou walk, the old town market, the Marquisats beach and the Albigny beach. The first Sunday of the month from October to May is free in the city museums.
Small tickets
Palais de l'Isle from €4 and Musée-Château from €6.50 for adults (September to June, program of the first half of 2026). A Sibra bus ride costs €2 when paid digitally.
Larger outings
A lake cruise from €19, a tandem paragliding flight from €95 in the example published for Doussard, or a boat you rent yourself. The tours page compares them.
Our picks: Annecy tours
An old town walk with a lake cruise, a day to Talloires and Menthon, and a tandem flight.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tandem paragliding flight over the lake
A tandem flight with a state-certified instructor, harness and helmet. GoPro photos and video and the minibus transfer to the launch site are included.
Check availability →
Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard castle trip
Air-conditioned minibus from and to Annecy, a guided visit of Talloires and free time by the lake. The castle costs €12 per adult on site.
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Old town walk with a scenic lake cruise
An English-speaking guide for the old town walk, plus a lake cruise ticket.
Check availability →Annecy tours and day trips
Lake cruises, walking tours, paragliding flights and day trips from Geneva, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
The main pages of this guide.
Things to do in Annecy
Twelve experiences from the Palais de l'Isle to the Semnoz, with prices and opening times.
Annecy old town
The Thiou, the Palais de l'Isle, the museums and the market days.
Lake Annecy
Cruises, swimming, boat rental and what the autumn roadworks change.
Lake Annecy beaches
Where to swim, what each beach costs and when lifeguards are on duty.
Talloires
The lakeside village on the east shore, its boats and its walks.
Château de Menthon
Guided visits, ticket prices and autumn hours.
More guides for your trip
Excursions, transport, weather and where to sleep.
Gorges du Fier
A walkway through the rock, with ticket prices and the season dates.
Paragliding at Col de la Forclaz
Tandem flights with a licensed instructor, prices and what to wear.
Geneva to Annecy
Bus line 272, fares, a sample timetable and parking rules.
Weather and best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, and which months suit which plans.
Where to stay in Annecy
Old town, lakeshore, villages and campsites, with the tourist tax for 2026.
Annecy tours compared
Cruises, paragliding, rental boats and day trips from Geneva.
What to know in autumn 2026
Status as of 20 October 2026. Several things differ from older guides.
No full lake loop
The road and cycle path on the east shore between Talloires and Doussard are closed from 14 September to 18 December 2026, for walkers and cyclists too. On the west shore, works have interrupted the Voie verte since 12 October. The ride around the lake is not possible for now.
Lake Annecy →Cruises leave from Sevrier
Because of low water, the lake cruises have departed from Sevrier instead of Annecy since 23 September 2026. No return date has been announced. Check the departure port when you book.
Annecy tours →Gorges du Fier is closed for the season
The 2026 season ran from 15 March to 15 October. Plan a visit for the next season and check the dates before you go.
Gorges du Fier →Beach supervision has ended
The fees and lifeguard hours at the Impérial beach applied from 4 July to 31 August 2026. Outside those dates, do not count on supervision.
Beaches →Getting to and around Annecy
From Geneva, bus line 272 runs between the airport and Annecy. In the current timetable a weekday trip leaving the airport at 9:10 arrives at 10:32, so plan on about 80 minutes. From Paris, the fastest train takes 3 hours 43 minutes, with fares from €33 for some departures.
In town, a single Sibra bus ticket costs €2 digitally and €2.50 on board, valid for one hour. Parking changed on 1 July 2026: the first 30 minutes are free in the paid surface zones, and the red zone is recommended for up to 3 hours at €9. Some payment apps still show older limits. The Geneva to Annecy page has the details.
Annecy: frequently asked questions
Is Annecy worth a day trip from Geneva?
Yes, if you like old towns and lakes. Bus line 272 takes about 80 minutes each way. A coach day tour published for 2026 lasts 5 hours and starts from CHF 49, with an old town walk and free time. Both leave little time for the lake, so stay overnight if you want to swim or take a boat.
Which days is the market open?
The old town market runs on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 7 am to 1 pm, all year. Tuesday is mostly food. On Friday and Sunday you also find textiles and other goods. There is no daily market.
Can I swim in Lake Annecy for free?
Some beaches are free, for example the Marquisats and Albigny. Others charge in summer. The Impérial costs €4 for adults from 4 July to 31 August 2026, and the Saint-Jorioz beach charges between €2.60 and €2.80 in July and August. The beaches page lists each one.
Can I cycle around the lake now?
No. The east shore road and cycle path are closed from 14 September to 18 December 2026, and the west shore has works too. The closure applies to everyone, so do not try to pass the closed section.
When is the weather best?
July and August are the warmest months: the average daily high is about 26 °C. They are not dry, with around 100 mm of rain per month on average. The weather page has all twelve months.
Is this the official tourist office website?
No. Visit-Annecy.com is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the tourist office, the city of Annecy or the Grand Annecy, and it has no link to boat companies, museums or tour operators.