Annecy, France

While France is full of charming places, my favorite has to be the mountain town of Annecy. From lake cruising to farmer’s markets — here are the best things to do in Annecy, France!

Annecy is a beautiful lake town in the Haute-Savoie region of France surrounded by mountains on the edge of the Swiss border. The lake, Lac d’Annecy, boasts some of the freshest water in Europe, replenished each year from the snow melt.

The town isn’t too big — or too small either. With a very walk-able and bike friendly atmosphere, you can spend many lazy afternoons exploring local shops, snacking at fresh food markets, or take a picnic in one of the many parks.

We spent 2-months living in Annecy as digital nomads with our two kids and cat, and absolutely loved it! So here are some of our best tips for activities and great things to do in Annecy, France.

My Annecy itinerary is completely free! I’ve worked hard putting it together for you. If you find it useful, please use my affiliate links when you book hotels, rental cars or activities. I’ll get paid a small commission, at no extra cost to you! Thanks.

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Annecy France Travel Guide

1: Explore Annecy’s Old Town

One of the reasons Annecy is so picturesque is the network of canals that make their way through the old town. It’s sometimes called the “Venice of France”. Annecy’s canals are shallow, and not really used for boating, but it still gives the town a charming feel.

Combined with the colorful old buildings, cobblestone streets, and flower boxes, a walk through the Old Town neighborhood of Annecy is always a treat.

You’ll catch glimpses of the mountains and lake in the distance, while enjoying the town’s many street-side restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops.

2: Boating On Lake Annecy

Arguably Annecy’s top highlight is Lac d’Annecy, a stunning large blue lake located right on the edge of town. Lake Annecy is France’s 3rd largest lake and regularly receives accolades for being the freshest lake in Europe (due to snow melt from the Alps).

The lake is surrounded by mountains, and while cold, is a perfect place to cool off in the summer heat. There are biking paths around it, plenty of beaches, and many opportunities to go boating!

• Rent A Pedal Boat – You’ll find all kinds of pedal boats available to rent along the lake’s edge at Jacquet Promenade. The boats cost about €15 EURO for 30 minutes, depending on size. Some even have slides or diving boards attached!
• Rent A Motor Boat – Small 4-5 person motor boats can be rented, and you don’t need a boat license either. Some have sunshades, and rentals cost about €65 EURO for an hour.
• Join A Lake Tour – There are some large tour boats that will take you around the lake while describing key points of interest. You can even book a table for dinner on the boat!
• Go Waterskiing – Waterskiing is a popular pastime on Lake Annecy, and it’s possible to book a trip with one of the local water-skiing companies.
• Take A Sailing Lesson – You can rent a small sail boat to cruise around the lake, or take a beginner sailing lesson too!

3: Walk Across Lover’s Bridge

Pont des Amours is an extra pretty and famous bridge on the edge of Lac d’Annecy that spans the Vassé canal and connects the Jardins de l’Europe with the Jacquet Promenade.

Local legend says that lovers who kiss on the bridge will stay together for life.

The bridge has two great views. One looking at the lake itself with mountains in the background, and if you turn around, you’ll enjoy a tree-lined canal with wooden boats moored on each side.

4: Picnic At Jardins de l’Europe

When the weather is nice, walking or biking down to Jardins de l’Europe is a wonderful family friendly activity. This massive park sits on the edge of the lake, with large green fields, boardwalks, and playgrounds.

There’s even an old wooden Carousel, originally built in 1871, for kids to ride.

The park is popular for late afternoon picnics — just bring down some wine, cheese, and bread from the markets and a blanket to enjoy the mountain views. A French experience you just can’t miss!

5: Explore Annecy Castle

Château d’Annecy is a castle in the heart of Annecy, located on a hill above the town. Originally built as a residence for the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours from the 13th to 16th centuries.

These days the Chateau houses a museum (Musée-Château d’Annecy), featuring local sculpture, art, and a nature exhibit of animals and fish that are found around the lake. The castle also has some good views of the lake and town from the edge of its walls.

Entry tickets cost about €5 EURO for adults, and are free for kids under 12.

6: Walk The Promenade du Thiou

The Promenade du Thiou is a nice easy walk through the old town of Annecy along the crystal blue Thiou River, that progressively gets more wooded and secluded as you move out of town. There are paths on both sides of the river.

The trail is bike and stroller friendly too. It’s a wonderful way to spend an hour or two, enjoying nature (and getting away from the busy tourist-filled city center). There are some playgrounds, sitting areas, and bridges spread out along the tree-shaded trail.

Promenade du Thiou starts around the Quai des Cordeliers (just past the famous Le Palais de I’Île), in the center of Old Annecy and you simply walk up river from there.

7: Visit Annecy le Vieux

Annecy le Vieux is a different part of town, a residential area raised up on a hill overlooking the rest of the lake. It features a nice park, old buildings and churches, some restaurants & bars, and is generally a more relaxed place compared to the busy old city down below.

Some highlights here include the Clocher Roman Church, Parc Gabriel Fauré, and Les Quatre Gourmets Restaurant.

8: Shop At The Farmer’s Markets

One of my favorite parts of living in Annecy was the many fresh food markets that line the streets of the old town. You’ll find a variety of produce, cheese, sausage, wine, olives, bread, flowers, crafts, and more.

The Annecy street markets happen every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 7am–1pm. Make sure to try some of the local reblochon cheese, used in many local dishes.

9: Chateau de Menthon-Saint Bernard

Chateau de Menthon is an impressive medieval castle just outside of Annecy. Home to the same family for over 100 years, it’s open to visitors from April to October on weekends.

The castle towers over Lake Annecy, the Roc de Chère National Nature Reserve, and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with wonderful views of each.

Guided tours of the castle (in French only) are in the afternoons, and last about an hour. There’s also a small garden along with sheep, pigs, and peacocks.

10: Bike Around The Lake

Annecy is very bicycle friendly, with many dedicated bike paths and trails that will take you all around the town. There is wonderful bike path that encircles the lake too, and it’s a great way to kill a few hours while enjoying the mountain scenery.

This 35 km paved greenway follows the old route of a railroad that connected Annecy with Albertville, and stops in smaller villages along the way like Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz, Duingt, Lathuile and Doussard.

You can rent a bike from many shops in Annecy, and even get a trailer for kids (like we did).

11: Palais de l’Île

Palais de l’Isle is probably the most postcard-famous spot in Annecy. A unique castle-like building that sits in the middle of the Thiou River, surrounded by restaurants and shops in Annecy’s old town.

Often described as a “house in the shape of a ship” — the building has been a prison, a courthouse and an administrative center. The original structure was constructed in the 12th century.

These days it is a museum (about €4 to enter), featuring an old courtroom, dungeon, prison cells and chapel that you can visit. The most famous photos are taken from the bridge out in front.

12: Go For A Hike

Annecy is located at the base of the French Alps, and a great place to base yourself for visiting the mountains. There are many local hikes nearby, as well as day trips to excellent skiing and trekking opportunities.

From easy walks, to extreme mountaineering, there’s something for everyone. Hikes around Annecy can include waterfalls, mountain lakes, and wildlife sightings of ibex mountain goats.

Here are some popular hiking trails around Annecy:

• La Tournette – The highest peak near the lake, La Tournette is a very difficult hike. But the views are amazing. About 6-hours round-trip. Experienced hikers only.
• Mont Baron & Veyrier – A moderate 2-hour loop hike that visits two mountain peaks, with wonderful views.
• Gorges du Fier – An easy walk for the whole family, this hike takes you across suspension bridges in the middle of a gorge.
• Cascade d’Angon – Beautiful shaded waterfall hike that’s not too difficult, and gives you nice views of the lake. About 2-hours round trip.

Best Time To Visit Annecy

March – May

We visited Annecy in the Spring, primarily in April and May. The weather in this part of France can be unpredictable, and it snowed on us a couple times. In between sunny days filled with wildflowers. The mountains will still have snow on them, but the weather isn’t too hot yet in town.

June – August

This is Annecy’s high season, and while beautiful, it can get very crowded. Many tourists visit Annecy as a day trip while traveling through Switzerland, because it’s so close to the border. It’s difficult to find accommodation in the summer, unless you book months in advance.

September – November

This is probably the best time to visit Annecy. Most of the high-season tourists are gone, the weather is cool, but the snow hasn’t come yet. There’s also a great festival in October called the Return Of The Alpine Pastures Festival.

Where Is Annecy (Getting There)

Annecy, France is located 44 km West of Geneva (Switzerland) about a 40-minute drive away. Most people get to Annecy after flying into Geneva International Airport, and then driving over the border.

However it’s also possible to fly into Paris and take a train. Search for the cheapest flights to Geneva on Skyscanner.com.

Where To Stay In Annecy

Accommodation in Annecy can range from backpacker friendly to luxurious. As we were staying there long-term, we rented a wonderful holiday apartment from My Sweet Home Annecy that was close to everything.

The best areas to stay in Annecy are near the old town for easy access to the markets and the lake.

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BEST ACCOMMODATION IN ANNECY

Luxury

Imperial Palace

Midrange

Le Pelican

Budget

Allobroges Park Hotel

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Cayenne Mountain Village

Reunion Island, France

Steep green cliffs rose high on both sides of the trail. Thick white clouds moved in as we trudged into the wilderness of Reunion Island.

Cirque de Mafate is a volcanic caldera, formed long ago when part of volcano Piton des Neiges collapsed. It’s one of 3 cirques on Reunion Island, a remote French territory located in the Indian Ocean.

Today we were hiking to the center of the island. But first six of us climbed on the back of a 4×4 pickup truck, plus a few more inside, for an off-road drive through the River des Galets in a makeshift taxi.

From there it’s a 2-3 hour hike into the mountains to reach the remote villages of Mafate, originally built when the interior of the island was colonized by escaped slaves during the 19th century.

Off Road Taxi Ride

Riviere des Galets

Cirque De Mafate

There are no roads in Mafate, yet 800 people live in a handful of communities built inside the caldera. The only way to reach the area is on hiking trails or by helicopter.

Our guide Ludo led the way, and immediately we were forced to wade across the river several times hiking into the valley. The path became steeper with switchbacks and a few high bridges spanning long drops to the rocks below.

A small mangy dog joined the group and hiked with us for a while. Low-flying helicopters buzzed overhead every 30 minutes or so, shuttling food & supplies to the villagers.

Hiking Cirque de Mafate

Houses in Cayenne Village

More Cats Than People

Our destination was Cayenne village, where a local family was hosting us for lunch. Cayenne is completely cut off from the grid. They use solar panels and a few diesel generators for power.

If residents want to visit the supermarket, they must hike out of the mountains for 2 hours, then jump in a 4×4 taxi. The local school teacher makes this journey every Monday, staying overnight during the week before heading back to her home on the weekends.

It takes a special kind of person to live so far out in the wilderness!

We arrived to find the village completely overrun by cats. Big cats, little cats, dirty cats, funny cats. It was my kind of place.

Homes here are small, colorful, and simple. They even have a little church.

Mountain Cats of Mafate

Dirty Little Kitten

Local Creol Lunch

Our hosts Jeff & Cathy were already preparing a traditional Creole meal cooked over an open fire. We wandered around the town taking photos or playing soccer with kids on a grass-covered helipad.

When lunch was ready we sat down to a peaceful and relaxing meal surrounded by the tall green cliffs, banana trees, and colorful flowers. Shoveling delicious steamed rice and Rougail Saucisse (sausages with tomatoes, green mango, and ginger) into our faces while simultaneously fending off an onslaught of hungry cats.

Washing it all down with local Dodo beer, shots of Orchid flower infused Charrette Rum, and strong coffee.

Cooking Lunch on an Open Fire

Spicy Creol Sausages

Crazy Kitty Invasion

Flying Out Of The Mountains

Instead of hiking back the way we arrived, we were treated to a scenic flight out of the village and over the island with Helilagon Helicopters.

Because there are no roads up here, helicopters are an important form of transportation. The chopper flew in from the valley below, touching down on the edge of a cliff. Suddenly a 2nd helicopter showed up attempting to drop off supplies — creating a sky traffic jam!

We quickly walked under the spinning blades and climbed in to take off so the other one could land.

Our expert pilot weaved through Mafate’s narrow canyons in the rain to the coast in about 15 minutes. Passing over waterfalls and other villages on the flight. This was actually my very first helicopter ride, and I loved it.

Helicopter Mountain Taxi

Goodbye Cayenne

Hiking Reunion Island

You could spend days hiking the network of beautiful trails covering Reunion island — experiencing rainforests, volcanoes, and waterfalls while camping out or staying with local villagers in mountain gites (small cabins).

But there are plenty of short day hikes for families too. The island is a hiker’s paradise.

Reunion is also host to the annual Grand Raid, an extreme ultramarathon in the mountains that attracts hundreds of runners from all over the world.

They run 100 miles over rough mountain trails non-stop for 1 or 2 days. ★

[su_box title=”Travel Planning Resources For Reunion Island” style=”noise” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=”resource-box”]
Accommodation: Cases Couleurs
Company: Tours Reunion & Ludo Marconnot

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.
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What is your favorite hike? Have you ever heard of Reunion Island? Share with us in the comments below!

#GoToReunion is made possible in partnership with iAmbassador and Reunion Island Tourism. As always, the content & opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Volcano Piton de La Fournaise

Reunion Island, France

Sweat drenched my shirt as I stumbled through pitch black darkness, groping at jagged glass-like walls for support while trying not to hit my head on the shrinking ceiling.

We were deep inside Piton de la Fournaise, an active shield volcano on Reunion Island. It’s part of Réunion National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Earlier our group explored the desolate red landscape on top of the volcano at La Plaine des Sables, which looks very similar to NASA pictures I’ve seen of Mars. Bizarre rock formations in many hues of red laid out across rolling hills and craters in all directions.

The sudden change of scenery from lush green forests to red apocalyptic wasteland is quite shocking.

La Plaine des Sables Volcanic Highway

Red Martian Landscape

Piton De La Fournaise

Reunion is a tiny French island off the East coast of Africa. The tip of a giant underwater volcano that rises 4000 meters from the bottom of the Indian Ocean. It’s one of the most active volcanic hot-spots in the world with over 150 recorded eruptions since the 17th century.

In fact the “peak of the furnace” erupted just a few days before we arrived.

However these particular lava tubes we were exploring are left over from an eruption in 2010. The lava cooled off and stopped flowing through them years ago, we weren’t in any danger.

The June 2014 eruption occurred on a different side of the volcano.

Entrance Into the Underworld

Inside The Earth

Kneepads and helmets are strapped on before following our Laventure guides over a hardened black lava field dotted with green plants. Volcanic soil is incredibly fertile due to the large amounts of iron, magnesium, potassium, and other minerals that it contains.

The entrance to the caves is through a small hole in the crust.

It looks a bit like a gaping mouth. We switch our headlamps on and climb down into the darkness.

Lava tubes are formed when ribbons of red hot lava drain from a volcano, the edges cool down and thicken into an insulating crust, creating a roof over the still-flowing lava.

Eventually the flow gets diverted or stops altogether, leaving tunnels.

Exploring Volcanic Lava Tubes

Exploring Lava Tubes

Lava tube walls are very shiny, almost glass-like, reflecting the light of our headlamps. Frozen stalactites of lava drip from the ceiling to create “lavacicles” of different shapes and sizes.

The passageway is 8-10 feet wide, and 5-6 feet tall for much of the hour-long hike. However some sections are much smaller — making it necessary to crawl on your hands and knees.

Portions of the ceiling frequently erode and fall in, hence the importance of wearing a helmet while exploring these veins of the Earth. Brightly colored mineral deposits of iron & sulfur line the crumbled basalt in hues of red, orange, and yellow.

Occasionally you’ll find small holes leading up to the surface, the death-mask of a tree burned away by the lava leaving behind a hollow tube.

Tight Squeeze

Reunion Volcano Adventure

At one point we all turn off our headlamps and hold on to each other, attempting to move forward in total darkness. It’s clumsy and difficult, a few of us hit our heads on the ceiling.

It’s amazing to think about the ribbons of hot lava that flowed through these tubes only a few years ago. Volcanoes are much more than death & destruction, they also bring rebirth.

Coughing up minerals from the center of the Earth and creating new land mass on which plants & animals will eventually thrive.

Hiking deep through the volcanic lava tubes inside Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island was a fun learning experience. I have a deeper appreciation for what Mother Nature is capable of. ★

[su_box title=”Travel Planning Resources For Reunion Island” style=”noise” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=”resource-box”]
Location: Reunion Island, France
Accommodation: Cases Couleurs
Company: Tours Reunion

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.
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Are you as fascinated with volcanoes as I am? Ever seen one before? Share with us in the comments below!

#GoToReunion is made possible in partnership with iAmbassador and Reunion Island Tourism. As always, the content & opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Indian Ocean Sailing Adventure

Reunion Island, France

A unique team of researchers is freediving with dolphins & whales to study their complex communication system in new ways never seen before. We joined them on the water.

Fabrice Schnoller is a man on a mission. He’s attempting to gather amazing new data for dolphin and whale research. But he’s not a scientist, he’s an engineer.

His team has built an underwater 3-D camera with high-end microphones to capture complex communication between these incredible marine mammals from all directions. They’re able to distinguish which animal is creating which sound using sophisticated software.

By sending freedivers into the ocean without noisy scuba gear or remote submarines, they can record intimate moments with detail not possible before. With help from researchers from the University of Paris, the team hopes to prove these intelligent creatures are actually talking to each other in their own language.

In time, maybe even decode a bit of what they’re saying!

Based on Reunion Island, Fabrice took us out looking for whales and dolphins in the Indian Ocean.

Arrrrgh! Blogger Pirates

Sailing The Hnoss

Our adventure started on board the beautiful Hnoss, an 80 year old Norwegian whaling boat restored to its former glory — now used for watching whales rather than harpooning them.

The sails were dropped and we took to the sea keeping an eye out for pods of dolphins or humpback whales that might be arriving, as whale season was starting. If conditions were just right, we might even be able to jump in the water with them!

After a few hours of searching and laying around on the deck in the sun, we finally spied a pod of dolphins swimming around a few boats in the distance. We changed course to take a look.

Success! Spinner Dolphins Swim Alongside Us

Dolphins Off The Port Bow

It was a family of spinner dolphins, maybe about 20 of them. They happened to love the large profile of our wooden sailing ship more than others, and swam right up as we approached.

I was in the perfect position, hanging low from a net in front of the bow.

One group split off and swam back and forth right below me, where I managed to get a great photo. Because there were other boats around us though, we couldn’t get into the water with them.

Swimming with dolphins or whales in the open ocean isn’t easy. There are rules. You can’t chase them down and expect them to stick around. They must approach you, and be curious (and comfortable) enough to let you hang out.

French Mermaid Research Crew

Freediving With Whales?

While I was excited to see the dolphins up close, I really wanted to swim with them. Or even better, swim with a whale. But these things take time and lots of patience.

Typical trips can last 3 or 4 days, the time it takes for a particular group of animals to get used to the boat and not swim away. Remember, not too long ago we were hunting whales. Some people still are. They’re wary of humans.

After changing my travel plans, I had extra time on the island, and asked Fabrice if I could join him to try again. He agreed to take me out on the research boat with his team.

His “team” turned out to be 4 beautiful French mermaids, three of them freediving experts. That alone made my day.

Fabrice Schnoller Prepares To Dive

Whale Watching Reunion

We motored out deep into choppy seas looking for the spout or splash of a whale. Fabrice whipped out an underwater microphone to listen for the tell-tale clicks or singing that can be heard from miles away.

Not only are whales the largest animals on Earth, they’re also the loudest.

We didn’t hear any whale sounds, but it didn’t take long before we eventually spied a gigantic tail rise out of the water and make a splash in the distance.

Now comes the tricky part. Attempting to show this magnificent creature that we mean it no harm.

Marion Freediving the Indian Ocean

You Can’t Always Win

Unfortunately this particular whale didn’t want to hang out. We just got close enough for it to see us, hoping it was curious enough to swim over on its own.

It was early in the season though, and whales are still shy around boats.

After flashing a few glimpses of tail, our whale took a deep breath and dove into the depths for an underwater nap. The waves began picking up and clouds were moving in, so we decided to head back towards calmer waters and freedive for fun before calling it a day.

Until next time, my underwater friends. ★

THINK! Whale Documentary

Fabrice and his team are trying to crowd-fund a new research expedition and documentary movie like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Imagine a 3D virtual reality experience, turning your head to watch sperm whales communicate and interact with you from all directions, in the comfort of your home.

There are only a few days left, and they have some great incentives to donate. Like a copy of the completed movie, or even a chance to join them on the expedition!

Learn more about this project or donate yourself on the Indie GoGo Page.

[su_box title=”Travel Planning Resources For Reunion Island” style=”noise” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=”resource-box”]
Location: Reunion Island, France
Company: Escursia Voyager Curieux
Accommodation: Cases Couleurs

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.
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Do you have a favorite animal encounter from your travels? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!

#GoToReunion is made possible in partnership with iAmbassador and Reunion Island Tourism. As always, the content & opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.