One day in Annecy, France: an itinerary for your day trip
Annecy is a fabulous place to visit. Known as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, it has an historic old town with canals winding through it and sits on Lake Annecy, the second largest lake in France.
It’s the perfect destination for a short break.
To start with, it’s quite small and is easy to get around. So if you don’t have much time and only have one day in Annecy, it’s ideal. It’s also a beautiful place in a perfect location – you will have a great day out!
I recently spent one day in Annecy as part of my trip to Geneva, and have outlined below an overview of the top things to do and see.
I’ve also provided some practical information for your visit, as well as an itinerary for your day out.
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Where is Annecy?
Annecy is located in central eastern France. It is the largest city in the Haute-Savoie region, close to the Swiss border: it is just over 40 kilometres to Geneva in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.
Although Annecy is the largest city in the region, the city centre is fairly small – especially the part you’ll want to explore as a visitor. This – and its proximity to Geneva – makes it an excellent option for a day trip from Switzerland’s second city.
This is what I did on my recent visit to Geneva. I spent a day in Geneva and then day tripped to Annecy. Along with other places such as Montreux and Lausanne, I’d say it’s one of the top places to day trip to from Geneva.
How to get to Annecy
The nearest airport to Annecy is Geneva airport (just over 40 kilometres away). France’s Lyon airport is around 125 kilometres away.
Organised tours to Annecy
If you’re starting from Geneva, you can book organised tours. These are particularly helpful if your time is tight.
By public transport
If you plan to take a train to Annecy, the journey from Geneva to Annecy train station takes around one hour and 30 minutes by direct train. Lyon is around two hours.
You can also catch the Flixbus from both cities. If you go from Lyon, the journey time is similar to the train or a little longer. However, if you’re coming from Geneva, the travel time is shorter than going by train – some coaches take less than an hour. For this reason, I caught the Flixbus for my one day in Annecy.
Annecy’s bus station and train station are next door to each other. It’s then just a short walk down Rue de la Gare into the city centre.
One day in Annecy
As the tourist centre of Annecy is small and much of the old town comprises a collection of small streets and squares connected by bridges that cross over canals, the best way to get around is on foot.
Below are some of the best things to put on your Annecy itinerary. At the end, you will find my itinerary for one day in this beautiful French town.
Alternatively, you can book walking tours of Annecy. These give you the benefit of exploring in the company of a tour guide who can give you more information on the city’s history.
Top things to do on one day in Annecy
Wander along the old canals and river
Much of Annecy’s charm lies in the picturesque area around the River Thiou and the canals that wind their way through the old town. So much so that the city has been dubbed the ‘Venice of the Alps’.
If you’ve arrived by public transport, I’d suggest walking along Rue de La Gare and then turning left onto Quai des Cordeliers. You can walk along the water’s edge and turn off to go down to the Quai de de l’Évêché.
At this point, you’ll reach a stunning section of the canals. A small pathway runs along the side of the canal, and there are coloured old buildings overlooking the water on both sides.
It’s a bustling area with tourists and locals sitting in the bars and restaurants that line the path and walking to and fro across the small bridges connecting the different parts of the old town.
Nearer the lakeside, you’ll find the Palais de I’Ile (a palace on an island) that sits in the middle of the water at one point.
The scene as you wander along the waterfront is really atmospheric. It’s a cliché, but on a fine sunny day, it’s a picture postcard place to be. If you have time and can afford the tourist prices, I suggest you grab some lunch around this spot and spend time looking out at your surroundings and enjoying the sights.
See the the Palais de I’Ile and learn about Annecy’s history
As you walk along the canals in the old town and towards the lake area, you’ll come across the Palais de I’Ile, or the Palace of the Island. This unique building sits on an island in the middle of the river.
The Palais de I’Ile is also known as ‘the old prison’ because of one of its previous functions (it also served as a courthouse and the mint for the Counts of Geneva). It is one of the most photographed sights in Annecy, so you may have already seen it in photos. You can get a good picture of it yourself from the Pont Perriere bridge.
Should you want to spend the time, you can pop inside the Palais de l’Ile. It now houses an architecture and history museum covering the local region.
The museum is open every day except Tuesday.
Explore La Vieille Ville, Annecy’s old town
The old town of Annecy is not just about the canals. As you cross between the canals and river, you can explore a charming old town with pretty little squares and cobblestone streets.
These are crammed with shops and small galleries to browse in and more restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine. On several days of the week, there’s a food market in the old town selling local produce. If you’re visiting over the weekend, and want to go to the market, go on a Sunday morning.
See the Château d’Annecy
You’ll also find a medieval castle in the old town. This sits in the Place du Chateau (from the Palais de I’Ile, head towards the Place des Eflecheres and then walk up the Rampe du Château).
The 12th century Chateau d’Annecy was once the home of the Dukes of Savoy and the Counts of Geneva, and more recently the military. It now contains a small museum showcasing temporary exhibitions that cover art, history, and heritage. It’s also a great spot from which to get views of Lake Annecy.
If you want to visit the museum, it is open every day except Tuesdays.
Visit Annecy’s cathedral and churches
Annecy has several churches with bell towers to see in the old town that are within easy distance of each other. There are five in fact which has led to the name ‘the 5 Bell Towers district’.
The St. Francois church, with its Italianate architecture, sits on the other side of the bridge near the Palais de I’Ile, not far from the Saint-Maurice church. The latter church is behind the grand neo-classical Town Hall (Hotel de Ville) and is the oldest church in the city. It is said to date back to the 12th century.
The gothic inspired Cathedral St. Pierre is further into the old town, and then across another small canal you’ll find the Notre Dame de Liesse church.
This beautiful religious building stands in a small square with a fountain in front of it. The old streets beside the church are full of character with their portico archways.
The fifth church is the Basilica of the Visitation, which is a little further outside the old town.
Stroll along the lakeside
Just a five-minute walk from the Palais de I’Ile is the Lac d’Annecy (Lake Annecy). Seeing this, with its crystal clear water and backdrop of mountains, is another must on one day in Annecy.
It’s also a fantastic way to get some fresh air. If it’s a fine day, grab an ice cream (there’s a large shop just across from the Palais de I’Ile) and start your walk.
Although you will only have time to walk around a small part of the lake during your one day in Annecy (in total, it has a circumference of over 40 kilometres), there are some really pleasant sections with fabulous views.
You can walk along the Quai Napoleon III, which skirts around Les Jardins de L’Europe and round to Quai J. Philippe. En route, you’ll see many places where you can catch boats out onto the lake.
If you cross the Pont des Amours, you’ll then come to the Champ de Mars and Le Pâquier, a large area of parkland with fantastic views of the lake and mountains behind.
If you take a walk along the lakeside, I’d suggest giving yourself plenty of time –you’ll want to stop at various spots, look out at your surroundings, and take a few pictures.
Get out on the lake
If you have time on your one day in Annecy, then I’d recommend you also get out on the water.
There are plenty of boat trips on offer, as you’ll see when you walk down to the lakeshore. However, my top tip would be to pre-plan your boat ride, so you know the times and how long they last.
On my last trip, I jumped on a boat trip that was going out imminently. It was a 90-minute trip, but arrived back about 15 minutes late, which meant a very rushed walk back to the bus station for my bus back to Geneva!
If you fancy taking the trip I went on, you can buy tickets from the gift shop at Place aux Boix or a booth by the boat on Quai Bayreuth.
My boat trip
The 90-minute trip I took goes out into the Grand and Petit Lac (the large and small lake) that make up Lake Annecy. En route there are some stunning sights and mountain views to gaze out at.
The first view to look out for is as you depart from the harbour. You can look back on the old town and see the castle sitting up high. On one side, there is the Champs de Mars and Le Pâquier park, and on another, a promenade on the edge of the lake with pedaloes moored up for hire.
As you go further out into this pristine lake, you’ll start to see the hills and rocky outcrops on either side and small villages dotted around. And as you sail even further out, you’ll get glimpses of snowy mountain tops in the French Alps in the distance.
You’ll no doubt be taking loads of photos as you ride along. But make sure you leave enough battery to capture the small castle you’ll go past at one point (on your right on the way out). This small, picturesque castle – Château de Duingt – sits on a peninsular where the Grand and Petit Lac meet.
The boat trip was an ideal way to see a bit more of the incredible scenery that Annecy is famed for.
Other boat trips
If you’d prefer to go on a slightly shorter trip, there are others that the same company offers.
You can also walk along the lake by Les Jardins de L’Europe and choose from the different boat trips advertising their services. There are options to go out in a motorboat or a pedal boat for durations of 30, 45 and 60 minutes.
Chill out in Les Jardins de L’Europe
After wandering around the old town of Annecy and along the lakeside, you might want to spend some time chilling out. If so, the Jardins de L’Europe is a perfect spot for this.
It’s not far from the harbour area and the old town, so is easy to find.
There are wide open grassy areas inside, with benches and an old fountain surrounded by pretty flower beds. There are also shady areas if you need to get out of the sun in the summer months.
On the warm sunny day I visited, it was busy with people picnicking on the grass. So, if you want to take the weight off your feet and prefer to do this in a beautiful park with views out to a pristine alpine lake, then head here.
Snap the Pont des Amours
The Pont des Amours – or the Bridge of Lovers – is apparently one of the most popular spots for photos in Annecy. So, pop along as part of your Annecy day trip and see what all the fuss is about!
If you’ve walked through the Jardins de L’Europe, you will come across this pedestrian bridge. Walk up onto it, and you’ll get views of the lake and mountains on one side. On the other side, you can look down the Canal du Vassé and see the pretty rowing boats moored up.
Visit in winter and go to the Christmas market
Although many people would probably say that the best time to spend one day in Annecy is during the warmer months when you can make the most of the outdoor activities, you can also have a good time if you visit during the winter months.
We visited at this time of year on our first trip and loved it. The cold dark winter nights mean the old city is lit up, and there are lots of cosy restaurants to snuggle up in.
And should you visit Annecy during the festive time of year, you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas market. This runs from the end of November to the first week in January.
It’s a great time to be in the city and is so popular that apparently almost half a million people visit every year!
There are many festive activities that take place in the old town and around the lakeshore. You can really get into the swing of things by trying some of the local food and mulled wine, buying souvenirs and Christmas presents, and even meeting Father Christmas! And with the small, winding streets lit up in the dark, it’s a wonderfully atmospheric time to visit.
An itinerary for one day in Annecy
If you only have one day in Annecy, I would suggest you try to cover the following.
One day in Annecy
– Wander along the river and canals and see the Palais de I’Ile
– Explore the old town and visit some of the churches and cathedral in the 5 Bell Towers district
– Wander up to the Chateau d’Annecy and look out over the lake
– Stop off for lunch in the old town
– Stroll along the lakeside
– Hop on a boat and sail across the lake
– Chill out Les Jardins de L’Europe and snap a photo on the Pont des Amours
Other ideas for places to visit in nearby France and Switzerland
I hope you enjoy your one day in Annecy, especially if this is your first time here. If you’re looking for more ideas for short breaks and day trips nearby in France and Switzerland, some of my other posts may interest you:
