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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Has anyone been to Annecy and would recommend it for a holiday?

23 replies

Mydoghealsmyheart · 30/03/2026 21:15

I’ve seen some pictures of Annecy in France and it looks lovely. Has anyone been and can recommend it (before I suggest it to DH)?

OP posts:
VestPantsandSocks · 30/03/2026 21:24

Went there for a day trip several years back, it's very scenic.

cotedazur28 · 30/03/2026 21:25

DH and I have stopped there for the night in the summer holidays on our way to the SOF and it was extremely busy. It’s a very instagrammable place.
The lake is gorgeous and has things to do if you’re into being on the water.

Original poster
Mydoghealsmyheart · 30/03/2026 21:26

I wouldn’t want to be there if it’s unbearably busy. Maybe a spring or early autumn break could be best.

OP posts:
mayflowers9 · 30/03/2026 21:28

It’s lovely. We went in early December on a day trip and visited the Christmas market. It was recommended to us by friends who live a couple hours away. We are thinking about going back in the summer – apparently the lake is the cleanest in Europe.

InternetResearchedOut · 30/03/2026 21:36

It is absolutely gorgeous. We have spent our last three summer holidays there (drove down, static caravan on a campsite, but a nice one!) and would have been back there this summer had I not insisted on trying somewhere else. Our first trip was our first post-covid holiday which helped, but even last year, with DC aged 17, 15, 13 and 9, everyone enjoyed it. We manage something different every year; have combined with a couple of nights in chamonix and courmayeur and did a day trip to Geneva (last year). Lots of time outdoors, on the lake, tandem paragliding and cycling. Would wholeheartedly recommend. Annecy itself gets very busy though so I wouldn't stay there. We normally stay near Doussard although Talloires is gorgeous too. There is a finite supply of accommodation, though, so best to book early.

Still not sorted our summer hols yet, I can feel my resolve to go elsewhere weakening...

Neolara · 30/03/2026 21:37

It's gorgeous. We spent 2 or 3 days there last August..It wasn't insanely busy at all.

Endofthetunnel25 · 30/03/2026 21:38

If swimming in a warm lake surrounded by snow capped mountains is your thing, then go!
Oh and not to mention the food, the wine, the nature… etc!
We loved it. Great campsites too if that interests you. It is busy in the school holidays though.

Losingtheplot2016 · 30/03/2026 21:41

We have had a few camping holidays at Lake Annecy. We tend to stay at the opposite end of the lake to Annecy town as I think it’s prettier.
Annech town is lovely but very busy. The other end of the lake is more relaxed. It’s very beautiful

11811B · 30/03/2026 21:56

We went for a week last year. It was nice enough, lots of bike/skate hire etc. Beach wasn't packed despite being summer hols and felt safe. We stayed in an air b&b, would go back but not for more than a week, I suspect its like most of the lakes but a bit more touristy. We were there for fete du lac which was fabulous but we didn't really like the town itself, but we do prefer places off the beaten track so a very tourist focused town isn't our thing so don't let that put you off. There are loads of different areas to stay in and visit round the lake though so we avoided after one walk into town. Friends who are into cycling and water sports recommended it to us so I was dubious but despite not being sporty it was great, we just vegged on beaches and wandered round markets. Parking was really challenging so bear that in mind if you're driving and be prepared.

C152 · 30/03/2026 22:06

I loved it.

fussychica · 31/03/2026 16:51

We drove in for the day in June last year. We parked at the far end of the lake and walked back into the town. It was very busy but not unpleasantly so, it was also very, very hot. We thought it was lovely and there looked to be something to suit most tastes.

Original poster
Mydoghealsmyheart · 31/03/2026 17:54

mayflowers9 · 30/03/2026 21:28

It’s lovely. We went in early December on a day trip and visited the Christmas market. It was recommended to us by friends who live a couple hours away. We are thinking about going back in the summer – apparently the lake is the cleanest in Europe.

Can you get there and back in one day? That sounds ideal, I have an elderly dm who I can’t be away from for too long. Happy to do a short break and that would seem feasible if you can do it in one day.

OP posts:
clarabowlips · 31/03/2026 18:00

Can you get there and back in one day?

From where? I used to live in Geneva and went there on a day trip once. It's cute and scenic but a tourist honeypot. so avoid peak season and weekends maybe.

WinterNightStars · 31/03/2026 18:04

It’s beautiful. We spent a few days there last June as part of a longer trip around France.

MissSophiaGrace · 31/03/2026 18:06

I love it there and have been a few times. Beautiful scenery, food, swimming, sunshine plus you can enjoy it all year round in my opinion.

CatherinedeBourgh · 31/03/2026 18:06

It's pretty but very touristy in peak season. I wouldn't spend days and days there, but it's a nice day trip when visiting the area. There's lots that's nice to see nearby too.

mayflowers9 · 31/03/2026 20:34

Mydoghealsmyheart · 31/03/2026 17:54

Can you get there and back in one day? That sounds ideal, I have an elderly dm who I can’t be away from for too long. Happy to do a short break and that would seem feasible if you can do it in one day.

Show quote history

Where are you travelling from? We were in Morzine, just a couple hours away.

Onelittledog · 31/03/2026 20:50

InternetResearchedOut · 30/03/2026 21:36

It is absolutely gorgeous. We have spent our last three summer holidays there (drove down, static caravan on a campsite, but a nice one!) and would have been back there this summer had I not insisted on trying somewhere else. Our first trip was our first post-covid holiday which helped, but even last year, with DC aged 17, 15, 13 and 9, everyone enjoyed it. We manage something different every year; have combined with a couple of nights in chamonix and courmayeur and did a day trip to Geneva (last year). Lots of time outdoors, on the lake, tandem paragliding and cycling. Would wholeheartedly recommend. Annecy itself gets very busy though so I wouldn't stay there. We normally stay near Doussard although Talloires is gorgeous too. There is a finite supply of accommodation, though, so best to book early.

Still not sorted our summer hols yet, I can feel my resolve to go elsewhere weakening...

We stay near Doussard too and have been 4 times and are going again in July. It's one not my favourite places on Earth. There is so much to do, even a drive round the lake is gorgeous and you can stop off in all the little villages dotted around it. We have done Mont Blanc from there and Chamonix and also drove up to Lake Geneva and went into Aix Les Bains. We are flying to Geneva this year but in previous years have always driven from Amsterdam right down through Belgium, Switzerland and France.

CoolShoeshine · 31/03/2026 22:06

It is certainly well worth a visit. I would recommend 3-4 nights, although could be combined with a stay in Chamonix if you wanted a week's holiday.
Beautiful place.

Landlubber2019 · 31/03/2026 22:12

We visited a few years ago, flew to Geneva and hired a car. It was extremely hot that year and we stayed in an apartment centrally so escaped to visit local attractions. It was lovely, beautiful area and well worth a visit.

zeebra · 31/03/2026 22:19

It is gorgeous. It is one of my favourite places to visit ever. I have since been to the Italian lakes and was very underwhelmed- Annecy is far nicer and so blue and clean looking. I dont know where you are referring to when you say can you visit in a day but it is probably a 5 to 6 hour drive down from the top of France. Highly recommend.

Silverbirchleaf · 31/03/2026 22:31

We’ve been twice in the last five years and loved it. We didn’t stay in Annecy itself, but in the villages surrounding the lake. We swam in the lake, went to lots of nice restaurants, explored the mountains, had day trips to Chamonix and Geneva, cycling, parascending, hired a boat etc.and drank some nice wine.

Has anyone been to Annecy and would recommend it for a holiday?
cluecu · 01/04/2026 09:15

It is a lovely place! We stayed there for 3 nights as part of a 2 week holiday in various parts of France. We flew to Geneva and stayed a night there before getting a coach to Annecy. It's well connected for coaches and trains (we didn't have a car). We found 3 nights was plenty for us but it would be a good base for longer too, depending on what you want to do.

We did a fancy boat lunch one day which was lovely. We also cycled around the lake (I found it scary as half the route was away from the road but the other half was a normal cycle lane and I'm not a hugely confident road cyclist but that's a weird thing for me).

I preferred Lake Garda but mainly as I liked getting the various boats to other places around the lake and that's not as much of a thing with lake Annecy.

There was a fabulous market on the days we were there too. There are prob other activities we didn't do due to time restraints :)

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