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

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

The earliest structures date to the 12th century: a defensive keep on the rocky hilltop overlooking the medieval town. The castle expanded progressively: 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.

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 served as a military barracks, until 1947.

1953: the city acquires it, the museum opens

In 1953, the city 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 listed as a Historic Monument and underwent restoration in successive phases through to the 2000s.

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

The collections: what you actually see

The museum itinerary unfolds across several levels and wings:

Underwater archaeology of Lake Annecy is one of the museum’s particular strengths. Excavations in the lake have uncovered remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling villages dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The lake’s pile-dwelling sites have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2011.

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

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

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

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

Practical information: opening hours, admission, duration

The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Seasonal hours:

In summer (June to September): 10.30 to 18.00, without interruption.

In winter (October to May): open mornings and afternoons, with a midday break.

Full admission is approximately €6, free for children under 12 and on the first Sunday of the month (October to May). A complete visit takes around 2 hours, longer if you spend considerable time on the underwater archaeology or temporary exhibitions.

The view: not to be missed

Regardless of the collections, the panorama from the castle terrace is one of the finest viewpoints over Annecy’s old town, its canals, the Palais de l’Île, and the lake extending southwards. It is a natural stopping point at the end of a tour through the old centre.

Access is via the Castle Ramp from the old town, approximately 10 minutes’ walk on a gentle slope.

How to combine with the rest of your visit to Annecy

The castle works well as a visit late in the morning, after a tour of the old town and before lunch. Or late in the 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 reduced rates.

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 properties. Current temporary exhibitions are announced on the museum’s official website.