Hotels in Annecy

Annecy: Alpine Lake Town in the Northern French Alps

Annecy sits at the northern tip of Lac d'Annecy in the Haute-Savoie department, 35 km south of Geneva. The medieval old town — Vieil Annecy — channels the Thiou river through painted arcades and canal-side markets, earning comparisons to Venice. The 12th-century Palais de l'Isle, marooned on a river islet, is the most photographed structure in the region. The surrounding peaks — including La Tournette at 2,351 m — draw hikers and trail runners from June through September.

Where to Stay in Annecy

Hotels concentrate along the Quai de l'Évêché facing the lake and within walking distance of the old town's rue Sainte-Claire. Guests seeking quieter options find smaller properties in the Annecy-le-Vieux neighbourhood, 2 km east along the lakeshore. Budget travellers target rooms near the Bonlieu shopping quarter, a 10-minute walk from the train station.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Direct trains from Lyon Part-Dieu take 1 hour 55 minutes; Geneva Airport is 45 km away.
• Best season: July and August bring peak crowds and warm lake water (around 22 °C); May and June offer lower rates.
• Lake access: Plage d'Albigny and Plage Impérial are the main public swimming beaches, both free to enter.
• Pack layers: Mountain evenings drop sharply even in summer — a jacket is necessary above 1,000 m.