Annecy old town in brief
The old town, the Vieille Ville, lies along the Thiou. This short river drains the Lac d'Annecy and flows through the center. Its water once drove workshops and industry. Today it gives the old town its canals and the paths beside them.
The sights are close together. The Palais de l'Isle stands on an island in the river, and the Musée-Château is the castle museum. A market fills Rue Sainte-Claire three mornings a week. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the city or by the museums.
The Palais de l'Isle
The Palais de l'Isle was a prison. It now hosts a center for architecture and heritage. You walk through former prison rooms and see models and exhibitions about the history of the town. There is no lift. The interior is not accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, but you can still see the building from outside.
Children under 12 and holders of the Pass'Région enter free. The museum materials word the age limit slightly differently, so ask at the desk if your child has just turned 12.
Our picks: old town tours
Two guided walks and a food tour through the old town.
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.
Old town walk with a scenic lake cruise
An English-speaking guide for the old town walk, plus a lake cruise ticket.
Check availability →Food tour with tastings in Annecy
Two hours with a guide and several tastings.
Check availability →
Old town, canals and lake walking tour
A local guide with historical background and tips along the way. Entries are not included.
Check availability →Old town tours and experiences in Annecy
Guided walks, food tours, lake cruises and day trips from Geneva, with live prices and availability.
Museum prices and hours
From the museums' program for the first half of 2026. Prices can change, so confirm them for autumn dates.
| Ticket | September to June | July and August | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musée-Château, full | €6.50 | €7 | Under 12 and Pass'Région free |
| Musée-Château, reduced | €3.50 | €4 | – |
| Palais de l'Isle, full | €4 | €5 | Under 12 and Pass'Région free |
| Palais de l'Isle, reduced | €2 | €2.50 | – |
| Combined ticket, full | €8 | €9 | Reduced €5 |
Hours
Both museums are open from 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 5:30 pm from October to May. From June to September they are open from 10:30 am to 6 pm.
Closing days
Closed on Tuesdays, and on Mondays after the free Sundays. Also closed on 1 January, Easter Monday, 1 May, 8 May, Ascension Day, 1 November, 11 November, 24 December and 25 December.
Free entry
The first Sunday of the month from October to May is free. Children under 12 and Pass'Région holders are free for the Palais de l'Isle and the Musée-Château.
The Thiou and the canals
The Thiou is the outflow of the lake, and the old town canals belong to it. A path along the river measures about 3.5 km from the center to Cran-Gevrier. It costs nothing, and you can stop wherever you like. You do not need to walk all of it. The first part runs through the old town.
The path runs beside the water, so keep an eye on children and on cyclists. In the old town the Palais de l'Isle, the canals and the Musée-Château are all within a short walk of each other.
The old town market
The market is held on Rue Sainte-Claire every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 7 am to 1 pm, all year round. On Tuesday it is mainly a food market. On Friday and Sunday there are also textiles and other goods. Walking through is free.
It is not a daily market. There is no market on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
A half day in the old town
One way to link the sights.
Morning
On a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday, start at the market on Rue Sainte-Claire. On other days, start with a walk along the canals.
Midday
Visit the Palais de l'Isle. Add the Musée-Château if you want the castle too. The combined ticket saves a little.
Afternoon
Walk along the Thiou, or continue to the lake and the beaches. The Lake Annecy page and the things to do page cover the next steps.
Parking
Since 1 July 2026 the first 30 minutes are free in the paid surface zones. The red zone is recommended for up to 3 hours at €9. From 1 July to 31 August the charges run daily from 9 am to 7 pm. The rest of the year they apply from Monday to Saturday, and Sundays and public holidays are free. Some payment apps still show older limits, so read the sign on the street.
Geneva to Annecy →Annecy old town: frequently asked questions
On which days is the Annecy market open?
On Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, from 7 am to 1 pm. Tuesday is food only. Friday and Sunday add textiles and other goods. There is no market on the other days.
How much is the Palais de l'Isle?
Adults pay €4 from September to June and €5 in July and August. The reduced price is €2 or €2.50. Children under 12 are free.
Are the museums open on Tuesdays?
No. Both the Palais de l'Isle and the Musée-Château are closed on Tuesdays. They are also closed on the Mondays that follow free Sundays and on the public holidays listed above.
Can wheelchair users visit the Palais de l'Isle?
The interior is not accessible. There is no lift, and the information leaflet says the interior is not accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. You can still see it from outside.
Is the old town walk free?
Yes. The canals, the market lanes and the Thiou path cost nothing. Only the museums charge entry.