2023-05-18 15:00:00
Annecy is one of the major destinations in Haute-Savoie. The Venice of the Alps, very popular with tourists, is full of activities and surprises. So if you have decided to spend 4 days in the lakeside city, here is a small program of what you could do.
Day 1, visit of Annecy and its Old Town
On the first day of your stay in Annecy, we recommend that you take advantage of the place. Start with a tour of the pedestrian streets and head towards the Old Town. From the month of May, the crowd is present and if you do not appreciate this kind of atmosphere, prefer the early morning or the evening, once the night begins to fall.
On your way, take the time to discover the small streets and bridges crossing the Thiou, such as the Passage de l’Isle.
If you appreciate culture and discoveries, do not hesitate to visit the old prisons, also known as the Palais de l’Isle. We also recommend the Animation Film Museum. Although a little further from the Old Town, the detour is worth it.
And of course, the Old Town would be nothing without its restaurants, tea rooms and ice cream parlours. Let yourself be tempted by some sweets, no matter the time of day!
More info: when you arrive in Annecy and if you cannot take the keys to your hotel room right away, you will be able to leave your belongings in a luggage locker.
Day 2, visit the surroundings of Annecy
During the second day, we recommend that you visit the surroundings of Annecy. Contrary to what some might think, the shores of the lake are not the only point of interest, far from it.
Take the direction of the Gorges du Fier and the Château de Montrottier. These two places are located in Lovagny, less than 15 minutes by car from Annecy. Note that the gorges are even more impressive in the months of May and June, when the snowmelt is still in full swing. As for the castle, it is the ideal place to spend some time with the family.
You can then take the direction of Vaulx, in order to visit the Secret Gardens. Spread over 7,000 m², these gardens, galleries and other gazebos shelter lush vegetation whose influences come from all over the world, from Austria to India via Tunisia and Switzerland.
To end the day quietly, you can enjoy Albigny beach, located in the immediate vicinity of Annecy. And if you are a fan of sunsets, do not hesitate to extend to the Petit Port of Annecy-le-Vieux on foot. Feet in the water if the temperature of the lake allows it, you will enjoy the soft golden light and the falling night with a direct view of Annecy and the Visitation.
More info: if you are looking for a restaurant near Vaulx, we recommend Les Petits Plats. You will not be disappointed with the trip!
Day 3, cycling around the lake
For this third day in Annecy, we suggest that you cycle around the lake. 40 kilometers to enjoy the view and make stops in the different towns. Keep in mind that the only difficulty of the route is the Côte de Talloires, with a 6.5% gradient spread over 1.5 km. Suffice to say that the calves may heat up! But it is nevertheless possible to cheat and go down the coast rather than climbing it, if you go around the lake in the Annecy-le-Vieux direction towards Sévrier.
Along the way, several places deserve a stopover. Here are a few :
The Bay of Talloires – A place full of charm and with a few restaurants recognized by Annecy residents, namely the Abbaye de Talloires and the Auberge du Père Bise
The Bout du Lac Nature Reserve – Ideal for learning more about the local flora and fauna
The Paccard Museum – An institution of Haute-Savoie, this bell factory opened in 1796. A stop not to be missed to learn more about this know-how
- The beaches – They are numerous and distributed all around the lake
More info: for the more athletic, do not hesitate to make a detour via the Col de la Forclaz. The view of the lake will not make you regret the detour, we promise!
© Siam by bike
Day 4, what if we went to the mountains?
For the fourth and final day, why not head for the mountains? Several villages are worth a visit:
Thones – The Saturday market is particularly worth a visit
La Clusaz – Extend to Les Confins, where you can enjoy the lake
Le Grand Bornand – Climb up to Col de la Colombière, from where you can see Mont-Blanc
Take the time to visit these ski resorts and stroll the streets. You can also opt for a hike, such as that of Lac de Peyre. A great classic for the locals, but one that we never get tired of. The departure is from the Colombière pass and it takes 1h30 for the climb. Open your eyes, you will probably see marmots and a few ibexes.
More info: before you go hiking, make sure the trails are passable and the snow has melted. Also make sure you have good walking shoes and do not hesitate to use poles if necessary.
And housing in all this?
Accommodation is not lacking in Annecy. We have also referenced a large number of them, which may be useful to help you in your choice.
We also offer a small selection of hotels in Annecy, all located in the city center:
Allobroges Park Hotel
The Allobroges Park Hotel is located at 11 rue Sommeiller. This 3-star hotel accommodation will allow you to reach Le Pâquier in less than 10 minutes. You can park in the hotel car park.
From 88€ per night.
Bonlieu Hotel
This beautiful hotel located 300 meters from the Pâquier esplanade, at 5 rue de Bonlieu, offers comfortable and well-equipped rooms. You can easily walk from the hotel to discover the city center of Annecy. The Bonlieu theater is also nearby.
From €90 per night.
Centre-Gare bell tower
At 1 place de la Mandallaz, you can book a room at the Ibis Style Annecy Center Gare. At an additional cost, you can benefit from private parking.
From €74 per night.
The Pelican
Le Pélican is a 4-star hotel with a particularly good location. From 20 rue des Marquisats, you can reach Le Pâquier in 5 minutes. In season, an outdoor swimming pool is open. You can also take advantage of the hotel’s bar.
From €102 per night.
#Discover #enchantment #Annecy #days #ideal #circuit #extended #weekend