9 unmissable spots around Lake Annecy, between beaches, turquoise waters and villages

Located in Haute-Savoie, Annecy is world-famous for its old town with its narrow streets. The rue de l'île leads to the château, which is now a museum and offers a lovely view over the town and lake. Back down below, you can enjoy a stroll through the Jardins de l'Europe before crossing the Pont des Amours to reach the Paquier, a vast grassy esplanade beside the lake. You can continue your stroll as far as the Impérial gardens and their sailboat.

Annecy is also full of cafés, shops and restaurants, making it the ideal place to sample Savoyard specialities. Note, however, that some of the restaurants in the old town are real tourist traps. Every year at the beginning of August, Annecy hosts Europe's biggest fireworks display at the Fête du Lac. The fireworks are reflected in the water and the whole thing is accompanied by music. A magical show!

Our favourite hotel in Annecy

⭐ Hôtel du Palais de l'Isle 3*

Right in the heart of Annecy, a few steps from the castle and the lake, the 3* Hôtel du Palais de l'Isle offers very attractively decorated rooms for 2 to 4 people, some of which overlook the canals directly.

Not to be confused with the old town of Annecy, Annecy-le-Vieux is a small town just next door. After crossing the gardens of the Impérial, you'll find yourself on the Plage d'Albigny, a large, free grassy beach with a superb view over the lake. Often crowded in summer (like all the others...), June and September are the best months to enjoy it.

A little further on is Annecy-le-Vieux's most beautiful spot: the little port. This pleasant walk on stilts was laid out a few years ago and runs alongside the lake for a few hundred metres, the ideal place for a picnic at sunset. The lakeside is very lively in summer, and you'll find plenty of open-air restaurants along the avenue du petit port, including the tried and tested La Trinquette.

Where to stay in Annecy-le-Vieux?

⭐ 3-room flat with terrace

Tucked away in the grounds, this 3-room flat with terrace can accommodate up to 4 people for a stay in the green. Its terrace offers a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside and mountains.

As you'll soon discover, the east bank of the lake is more chic, more attractive and more expensive than the west bank. Veyrier-du-Lac, a small town just beyond Annecy-le-Vieux, is no exception: it has everything you could wish for! If you're a keen hiker, there are plenty of footpaths from Veyrier-du-Lac, including Mont Veyrier and Mont Baron.

La Brune public beach is the place to be if you want to perfect your tan. Awarded the Blue Flag in 2009, it's a really pleasant place to be. The water is clear and, a rare feature around Lake Annecy, there is a sandbank beside the water. Children can enjoy the paddling pool and diving, while sporty types can go wakesurfing, paddle boarding or windsurfing.

Our favourite hotel in Veyrier-du-Lac

⭐ Hotel Restaurant Acacias Bellevue

Just a 3-minute walk from the lakeside, Hotel Restaurant Acacias Bellevue offers affordable double and triple rooms. The restaurant's terrace offers panoramic views of the lake.

The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard needs no introduction. The village's main attraction and a real gem of Savoyard architecture, this building set in the heart of nature is well worth a visit! With its grandiose decor and exceptional rooms, you can experience life in a castle for just €11 per person. For enthusiasts, prestige tours can be organised on request. On the programme: a tour of the château in all its nooks and crannies, and a tasting of regional products.

The village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard itself is also very pleasant. Small but charming, it's a typical village. It also has a pretty beach. Don't miss the Philibert d'Orlye promenade, with its superb views over Lake Annecy and the mountains.

Our favourite hotel in Menthon-Saint-Bernard

⭐ Palace De Menthon 5*

Treat yourself to a comfortable stay at the 5* Palace De Menthon, where the lavishly decorated luxury rooms sometimes offer a view of the lake. The hotel has a restaurant, swimming pool, spa and private beach.

Talloires, its bay, its turquoise water and its narrow streets... it's hard to miss this little piece of paradise. So pretty that we even think it's the best spot on Lake Annecy. Here again, you can enjoy theturquoise waters of the lake from the village beach. There's also a great view of the Château de Duingt on the other side. With all this, it's hardly surprising that Paul Cézanne painted Le Lac Bleu when he was in Talloires.

A little further up, head to theErmitage Saint-Germain for one of the finest panoramic views of the lake. But the best views are even higher up, at the Col de la Forclaz. Less accessible on foot or by bike (but perfectly affordable for sports enthusiasts), it's best to get there by car. Many paragliders take off from the col from spring to autumn, and the views are sensational.

Our favourite hotel in Talloires

⭐ Abbaye de Talloires 4*

On the banks of the lake, the 4* Abbaye de Talloires is a true historic monument steeped in authentic cultural heritage. It boasts a spa, two restaurants, a wine cellar and magnificent rooms.

That's it, we've reached the end of the lake, and now we're in Doussard. The village itself is no match for Menthon-Saint-Bernard or Talloires, but the surrounding countryside promises some lovely walks. A stop at the "Réserve du bout du lac", a protected natural area with impressive flora and fauna, is a must. Keep your eyes peeled for beavers.

The Doussard beach, which is free all year round, is well laid out and has plenty of facilities for all the family. Equipment hire (including kayaks, paddleboards, pedalos and catamarans), a play area, bar and snack bar... so you can enjoy the beach from morning till night. Here too - as at any of the stops around the lake - the view is breathtaking.

Our favourite hotel in Doussard

⭐ Hôtel Restaurant Arcalod 3*

The 3* Hôtel Restaurant Arcalod offers modern rooms for 2 to 5 people. Its large outdoor swimming pool, set in a 5,000 m² park opposite the hotel, is very pleasant in the summer months.

Around the lake, Duingt has a rather unusual peninsula. And not just any peninsula! Nicknamed "the peninsula of the imaginary", the castle of Duingt, which dates back to the 11th century, stands proudly on the peninsula. The village of Duingt also marks the boundary between the small lake and the large lake. From Doussard, you come from the small lake to the large one.

Just past the Boulangerie du Lac on the road to Annecy, don't miss the esplanade beside the water. It's the umpteenth viewpoint to rival the others. We're not going to lie, Lake Annecy is sublime from every angle...

Our favourite hotel in Duingt

⭐ Le Clos Marcel 4*

Elegant and modern, the 4* Le Clos Marcel hotel is located on the shores of the lake and has beautiful rooms, some with lake views. Its restaurant serves delicious cuisine and the bar terrace offers a breathtaking view!

Saint-Jorioz is best known for the photos taken by tourists from its piers, as shown in the photo below. There are a number of green piers along the lakeshore where you can take some great photos as a souvenir. If you want to get likes on Instagram, the best shot is from the pier on the harbour road.

If there's one beach on Lake Annecy that's well worth a visit, it's the beach at Saint-Jorioz - or Saint-Jo if you want to talk like the locals. Redeveloped a few years ago, this sandy beach almost gives you the impression of being by the sea. Except that here, the water isfresh and the salt is not itchy: a real pleasure!

Our favourite hotel in Saint-Jorioz

⭐ Auberge Le Semnoz

Outdoor pool, restaurant serving great local produce, sunny terrace and pretty rooms... what more could you ask for? Head to the Auberge Le Semnoz to make the most of it!

Here again, a sublime beachwith views of La Tournette and the Dents de Lanfon. The Paccard bell foundry museum remains a must-see and has built the reputation of Sévrier. Whether visited on your own or as part of a guided tour, it's the perfect place to discover this ancestral know-how.

In fact, it's in Sévrier that you'll really appreciate cycling or walking around the lake. Just look at the endless line of cars at a standstill desperately waiting to get to Annecy... You'll be delighted to set off again in complete freedom on the cycle path!

Our favourite hotel in Sévrier

⭐ Black Bass Hotel 5*

After so many kilometres, bodies are tired and deserve some pampering. The Black Bass Hotel 5* has two swimming pools and a wellness centre. Its rooms are spacious and very comfortable.