Advice on a calm family short break near Lake Annecy

[fruitfly3]

Thinking of a short break to Annecy in July. We’d be 5 - 2 older adults, two children and me (mid 40s). We have one DC with LD and autism, so insane crowds and busy restaurants not her thing. We love nature, short scenic walks, swimming, paddle boarding and playgrounds. I’m doing this to fill up my tank with some beautiful scenery after a tricky year. We’re flying from Manchester and will probably get a taxi from the airport. Not totally intent on staying in a annecy but need easy connections around the lake (bus / boat) and want to be somewhere with restaurants / shop / bakery etc. We like clean and modern accommodation (sadly not campers), and ideally cooking facilities. We’d be there 5 days. Would love recommendations of where to stay, things to do and how to get around (we wouldn’t have a car) xx

Annecy is beautiful but in July is extremely busy. There is an excellent park for younger ones near the centre along the canal and a lovey walk through the park but in the town itself the streets are narrow and it’s definitely pretty overwhelming. I think you’ll really struggle in that area without a car. I would look at staying somewhere more remote around the alps so you can dip in and out, if needed. Or look at somewhere less busy. We love rural France and there are a lot of absolutely beautiful places to visit around The Lot, Dordogne and Perigord area for example that aren’t as crowded and hectic.

@beansontoast85 thank you - appreciate that. It’s tricky as we’re very limited to a few days in July and to flying to Geneva. We also want a transfer of less than an hour so pickings are a little slim and I don’t know the area at all.

What about the Alps? Morzine or Chamonix are busy little towns but the streets are much bigger than the likes of Annecy and the scenery is beautiful. Chamonix has lots to do without leaving the village. We had a fantastic holiday in July there with our little ones and teens a couple of years ago. You can get a train up through the mountains to an ice cave, theres a small amusement park, cable cars, crystal museum and lots of restaurants and shops. We stayed in a hotel with a pool too so we spent a couple of hours a day there. I do think you’re going to struggle in that area without a car though to be honest.

We stayed in St Jorioz which had a bakery, supermarket, little market and some nice restaurants (pricy area though). There is a fairly frequent bus service round this half of the lake into Annecy town itself - the bus was free in July and August. Stay nearer to the main road if you have no transport as it’s a hilly area. There are lots of walks and things to do round the lake.

We stayed in an 2 bed apt via Air b n b with a shared pool. Annecy is a beautiful but busy town - St Jorioz was calmer, but we loved the whole area - we had a car so could explore further afield but you can get about without one. There are sites that hire out self catering lodges and apartments/houses to rent.

https://maps.apple.com/place?address=22%20Chemin%20des%20Bernets,%2074320%20Sevrier,%20France&coordinate=45.842973,6.141425&name=Camping%20Le%20Panoramic&place-id=I6F3BFB0963D2524C&map=explore

This place looked good - think it had lodges/chalets and it had a nice pool. It’s a bit of a walk uphill though from the main road.

If you're flying to Geneva then I believe it's a pretty easy transfer to Morzine. Just 10 minutes up of the valley from Morzine is Lac de Montriond which has the calm vibe that you're looking for (apart from on French bank holidays!). There's a bus from Morzine up to the lake, and plently of accomodation/shops/restaurants in the area. The area is stunning - we were lucky enough to visit last year and came straight home and rebooked (I totally understand your comment about needing to fill your tank up - the mountain is healing).

en.valleedaulps.com/montriond-lake-1.html

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/12463629?unique_share_id=f62b1412-3ab6-4c9b-a2f6-498d0274d8ce&viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

These are all brilliant ideas thank you! I will look at alternatives. Morzine sounds like a possibility. Excited, thank you

Morzine is great but I think Samoens is more charming. Beautiful setting, lots of summer activities, and great day trips within reach including Annecy and Chamonix. 45 mins from Geneva. Have a look at a company called Alps Accommodation.

Thought I’d pop back and update - we’ve booked 6 days in Morzine! I’m buzzing for it - hopefully fulfills the beautiful landscape that I want, plus all the activities for the children. Tips welcome and thank you so much for your help!

That's exciting! We've had a car with us on our visit so I'm not too sure about the public transport options in the area - but there's some information about the different timetables here - https://www.seemorzine.com/buses

The lake is amazing - open space for picnics and sunbathing, a couple of bars and restaurants, along with paddleboards and kayak to hire. It has a lovely path around which is about a 2km walk.

The swimming pool in Morzine is fab - two indoor pools, two outdoor pools, a slide and lots of space for kids (all for about 6 euros per person). The Super Morzine ski lift goes over the top of it which is fascinating. https://www.mairie-morzine-avoriaz.com/espace-aquatique/

There's lots a reasonable sized supermarket in the middle of Morzine, and a traditional market on a Wednesday (I think?) plus lots of other options for eating and drinking too.