Annecy-le-vieux

The discovery of Lake Annecy is a passport for health and vitality as well as serenity and relaxation.

It's first of all admiring an exceptional landscape made of blue, green and white, clear water, forests and snow.

The panorama of the lake and the surrounding mountains is soft, not sharp, but nevertheless full of alpine character : the lake is located at 447 metres high, but it is overlooked at the highest point by the Tournette Mountain, a stunning summit shaped like an armchair at 2351 metres high.

Here you are in union with the reigning nature because for over 40 years the main focus has been "respect and protection".
But these protected spaces are also accessible for discovery and wonder, to reach a reasonable harmony between the landscape, the inhabitants and the visitors.

From the nineteenth century tourists from many countries have come to this universe that is now known all over the world.
They are attracted by the unique beauty of the site and by the quality of the efforts made to save the lake and its surroundings from any irreversible pollution.

Today, this long term work allows everyone to live real moments of relaxation and art of living.

Despite the influences linked to the various occupations of the territory throughout the centuries, the Alpine and mountain character is still very present in every day life : the respect and love for nature and mountains, the discretion in human relationships, the love for work well done.

Marked by this history, the local gastronomy has taken advantage of both the mountain traditions and the developments of tourism since 150 years : here the traditional mountain dishes get along with great gastronomic cuisine, illustrated by 5 chefs having received stars from the famous Guide Michelin.

The most famous local products are cheeses, the closest to Annecy are Reblochon and Tome des Bauges.
The lake itself offers fine fishes such as Féra or Omble Chevalier.

There is another important speciality : the chocolate factories are famous, in particular with the "Roseau" filled with mountain liqueur!

And just like almost everywhere in France, our 2 departments have an old wine making tradition, in particular renowned white wines like Apremont and Roussette.

Today, Annecy and the lake kept many traces of this long and complex evolution like the Palate of the Island, built at the 12th century, the castles of the Road of the Dukes of Savoy: Annecy, Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Montrottier, Thorens and Clermont.

Today, many places of exposures allow you to take note of our history, our built inheritance and our local and regional “culture”: the Palate of the Island and its center of interpretation (architecture and inheritance), the Museum-Castle with its temporary exhibitions and its Regional Observatory of the Alpine Lakes, the Museum and the foundry of the Paccard bells, ecomuseum of the Annecy Lake, the center of scientific culture the Turbine, the permanent exposure on the cinema of animation…

People here say that sports are the best way to be integrated!

You can practise sports a little, a lot, passionately, with the feet in the water or on the ground, in the snow or… in the air!

First of all : the most simple, but the most vivifying : you can swim thanks to the numerous beaches watched during the summer season and enjoy a 24°C water!

But you can even reach the beaches by bicycle just by following the cycle path, one of the most used in France, that follows the eastern bank of the lake over 30 km with a direct access to the beaches.

And it is also a good occasion to admire the landscape without any car because it is a former railway.
And not to mention the restaurants and picnic areas along the cycle path!

Everything is possible and organized if you wish, with professionals for all activities : water, air or ground sports and all the "Urban sliding" sports with exceptional installations!

And you can slide very fast, in less than an hour, from the city and the lake to the close mountains offering plenty of activities with 5 winter and summer resorts!

The beach Albigny is one of most famous of the lake of Annecy.

Very roomy, bordered of flowers and plants, it offers to the bathers and to the walkers a harmonious framework and the free access.

During August and July, a monitoring is ensured by Swimming teacher monitors rescuers.