10 Breathtaking Places to Discover Around Lake Annecy

Annecy Like You’ve Never Seen It: 10 Jaw-Dropping Destinations

I’ve always loved Lake Annecy.

My first memories of it go back to childhood when it was a regular stop for my family on our way to the summer holidays in Pralognan-la-Vanoise.

Each year, as we drove through, I’d press my face against the car window, mesmerised by the lake’s surreal shades of blue and green.

Even back then, it felt special—like a glimpse of paradise before heading deeper into the mountains.

But it wasn’t until I truly spent time in Annecy that I understood just how remarkable the place is.

We lived in the region for a while, which gave me the chance to explore every corner of the lake—its hidden beaches, its scenic trails, and the quiet villages that don’t always make it into the guidebooks.

Seeing it in every season, from the warm glow of summer to the crisp air of winter, only deepened my appreciation for this extraordinary place.

The town, the villages, the landscapes—it’s not just beautiful, it’s alive, changing with the seasons, revealing new faces with each visit.

That lake? Unbelievable. The colour alone—somewhere between emerald, turquoise, and the kind of blue you get in a dream—felt like a trick of the light.

And the mountains? They cradle the water like it’s something precious, something alive.

Which, honestly, it is.

But here’s the thing. As stunning as Annecy is, the real charm is in the places around it.

The villages, the trails, the viewpoints—some famous, some quiet, all worth seeing.

If you’ve got time (and I strongly suggest making time), these ten spots will take your Annecy experience from "lovely trip" to "I can’t stop talking about this place."

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The Lake Itself—Because, Well, Look at It

Lake Annecy is the kind of place that makes you want to drop everything, grab a bike, and just ride.

It’s a rare mix of postcard-perfect and actually lived-in, meaning you’ll find both sunbathers on the grass, paddleboarders gliding across the water, and locals cycling home with baguettes under their arms.

The lake itself is stunningly clear, fed by mountain springs, and its colour shifts with the light—from deep blue in the morning to a soft, almost glowing turquoise in the afternoon.

It’s also known as one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, thanks to strict environmental regulations that have been in place for decades.

In terms of size, Lake Annecy stretches over 14.6 km (9 miles) in length and 3.2 km (2 miles) at its widest point.

It covers an area of 27.6 square km (10.7 square miles), with an average depth of 41 metres (135 feet) and a maximum depth of 82 metres (269 feet).

The circumference of the lake is approximately 38 km (24 miles), making it a perfect loop for cycling enthusiasts.

The famous Voie Verte, a scenic cycling path, follows much of this route, offering spectacular lake and mountain views.

The two sides of the lake feel almost like different worlds—the western side is where Annecy itself sits, along with more developed areas like Saint-Jorioz and Sévrier, where you’ll find sandy beaches, rental shops for kayaks and paddleboards, and lively cafés.

The eastern side? That’s where things get a little wilder, with charming villages like Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, where dramatic cliffs plunge straight into the water.

This is also where you’ll find some of the best hiking trails, like the steep but rewarding ascent to the Roc de Chère.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s talk specifics.

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1. Duingt—The Castle on the Water