Annecy Castle Museum: the fortress of the Counts of Geneva and the archaeology of the lake

From the 12th to the 17th century: the residence of the counts

The earliest structures date from the 12th century: a defensive keep on the rocky hill that overlooked the medieval town. The castle was progressively enlarged: the Queen’s Tower (12th century), Saint-Paul Tower (14th century), Old Lodge (15th century), New Lodge and Nemours Lodge (16th century). The architecture blends medieval defence with Renaissance refinement, certain elements inspired by châteaux of the Île-de-France.

The castle became the residence of the Counts of Geneva in the 13th and 14th centuries, then passed into the hands of the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours, a cadet branch of the House of Savoy. It was abandoned as a residence in the 17th century, when the dukes relocated. This was followed by a long period in which the building was used as a military barracks, until 1947.

1953: the town acquires it, the State designates it, the museum opens

In 1953, the town of Annecy purchased the castle from the Ministry of Defence. Three years later, in 1956, the museum inaugurated its first permanent exhibition. The building was designated a Historic Monument and underwent restoration in successive stages until the 2000s.

Today, the museum is municipal, managed by the town of Annecy, and houses both permanent collections and a programme of temporary exhibitions renewed each year.

The collections: what to see

The museum display unfolds across several levels and wings:

Underwater archaeology from Lake Annecy is one of the museum’s distinctive features. Excavations in the lake have uncovered remains of pile-dwelling villages dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Age. It is one of France’s most comprehensive collections of lacustrine archaeology.

Medieval sculpture from the region, particularly from the House of Savoy.

19th-century landscape painting, focused on the Alps and Lake Annecy by regional artists.

The Regional Observatory of Alpine Lakes (ORLA), part of the museum dedicated to the lake ecosystem, its fauna and flora.

A section on contemporary art and animation films, in keeping with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Practical information: hours, admission, duration

The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Opening hours vary by season:

Summer (June to September): 10.30 to 18.00, without break.

Winter (October to May): 10.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 17.00, with a midday break.

Standard admission is around €6, free for under-26s (EU residents) and the first Sunday of the month (October to March). A complete visit takes approximately 2 hours, longer if you spend considerable time on the underwater archaeology or temporary exhibitions.

The panorama: not to be missed

Regardless of the collections, the view from the castle terrace is one of the finest vantage points over the old town of Annecy, its canals, the Palais de l’Île, and the lake stretching towards the south. It is a natural conclusion to a tour through the old centre.

Access is via the Castle Ramp from the old town, about a 10-minute walk at moderate ascent. The path is marked and well-maintained.

How to fit it into the rest of a visit to Annecy

The castle works well for a late morning visit, after a tour of the old town and before lunch. Or late afternoon, to benefit from soft light on the lake from the terrace. The Palais de l’Île, another municipal museum in Annecy, can be combined with the castle for a combined ticket at a reduced price.

Planning a stay in Annecy

AEC Collection selects and represents premium chalets and apartments in Annecy and on the shores of the lake. Annecy Castle is in the heart of the old town, within walking distance of all central lodgings. Current temporary exhibitions are announced on the museum’s official website.