You come to Annecy for an image: the blue of the lake between two mountains, the canals of the old town, white sails out on the water. You return for everything this image does not show. Around the lake with waters among the purest in Europe, summer unfolds 35km of greenway, Blue Flag beaches, a summit at 1699m that dominates all of Haute-Savoie and one of the continent’s most acclaimed paragliding spots. All within less than 45 minutes of Geneva. Few French destinations concentrate so much summer across so few kilometres.
Annecy in summer: practical information
- The lake: approximately 27km around, monitored beaches in high summer, two Blue Flag beaches including Plage de la Brune at Veyrier-du-Lac.
- By bicycle: lakeside greenway, approximately 35km on dedicated paths along the former railway line, complete lap of the lake possible (~40km).
- Key events: Lake Festival on Saturday 1 August 2026, pyrotechnic display in Albigny bay at 21:45.
- Access: Geneva airport approximately 45 minutes away, TGV station in town centre, Lyon approximately 1 hour 30 minutes away.
Lake Annecy: beaches and swimming
Everything starts with water. Lake Annecy owes its clarity to environmental protection policies implemented as far back as the 1960s, and its reputation for waters among the purest in Europe is verified with every swim. Beaches succeed one another on both shores: Plage de la Brune at Veyrier-du-Lac, a Blue Flag beach since 2009, remains our preference for its intimate scale and full south-facing views; those at Talloires, Menthon and Saint-Jorioz each have their devoted following. In summer, mornings or late afternoons are preferable: the water is calm, the light superb, the pontoons peaceful.
On the water, every pursuit coexists: paddleboarding at sunrise, sailing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, or simple wooden rowing boats hired by the hour. Cruises departing from the Thiou allow you to read the lake differently, with Belle Époque villas, reed beds and châteaux unfolding from the bridge. And for the more contemplative, a lap of the lake in the late afternoon, when mountains are silhouetted against the water, is worth any viewpoint.
AEC recommendation. Reserve your paddleboarding morning before 9am: the lake is a mirror, boats have not yet taken to the water, and the Tournette is reflected across the middle of the lake. Thermal wind typically rises in early afternoon.
The greenway: the Alps’ finest cycling route
Built on the former Ugine railway line, the lakeside greenway stretches approximately 35km on dedicated paths, not a car in sight, at water level on the west shore. You pick it up in Annecy and decide as you go: stop at a Sévrier beach, lunch at Duingt facing the château, or complete the full lap around the lake (~40km) via the east shore, which is more undulating. Road bikes, gravel bikes, tandems and electric bikes are available for hire throughout the town. This is an activity not to be missed, even with children who already cycle confidently.
Gaining altitude: Semnoz, Forclaz and Fier Gorges
Annecy in summer also plays out at altitude. Semnoz, the mountain of Annecy locals, peaks at Crêt de Châtillon at 1699m: summer luge, mountain biking, ridge trails and, on clear days, a panorama stretching from Mont-Blanc to the Écrins. Opposite, the Col de la Forclaz de Montmin (1147m) overlooks the east shore: it is one of Europe’s most acclaimed paragliding spots, where tandem flights launch above the blue of the lake. Even without flying, the terrace at the pass at sunset is a local ritual. More secluded, the Fier Gorges at Lovagny, 10km west: a metal walkway clinging to the cliff face since 1869 snakes for 252 metres, approximately 25 metres above the river.
What to do in Annecy this summer
Our selection of experiences worth the trip, from lake waters to the ridges that surround it.
EssentialSwimming in the lake
Waters among the purest in Europe, from Plage de la Brune to Saint-Jorioz.
CyclingThe lakeside greenway
The former railway at water level, all the way around the complete lap.
On the water
On the water
Airborne
Family-friendly
Excursion
LivingStroll along the Thiou
Canals, pastel façades and terraces of the Venice of the Alps.
QuietThe east shore bays
Talloires, Menthon: pontoons, coves and golden late afternoons.
EventLake Festival
The grand pyrotechnic spectacle in Albigny bay, from 21:45 onwards.
The old town, early morning
The “Venice of the Alps” deserves its epithet on one condition: visit at the right times. Before 10am, the quays of the Thiou still belong to locals, pastel façades are reflected in the canals and Annecy castle dominates almost empty streets. The old town market, converted mills along the water and the quays’ terraces compose the evening’s setting. In June, the International Animated Film Festival brings singular energy to the town, including open-air screenings on Le Pâquier.
With family
Annecy in summer is an almost perfect family destination: monitored beaches at the height of season, a flat and safe greenway for first cycling outings, Semnoz summer luge, rowing boats on the lake and the Fier Gorges walkway for playing at explorers. Children sleep well after such a day, and parents enjoy one of the Alps’ finest terrace scenes.
When to come, how to get there
June and September offer the lake in its softest light, with tranquil beaches and water already (or still) pleasant to swim in. July and August concentrate the activity, events and family swimming, with the Lake Festival on 1 August as the highlight: book well in advance for that weekend. The Annecy Lake tourist office publishes details of monitored beaches and activities each season.
| From | Distance | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva airport | ~40km | ~45 mins |
| Lyon | ~140km | ~1 hr 30 mins |
| Annecy station (TGV) | town centre | 10 mins walk to the lake |
| Paris | Direct TGV | ~3 hrs 50 mins |
Where to stay
The choice of shore shapes the stay. The east shore, from Veyrier-du-Lac to Talloires, is the most sought-after: full west exposure for sunsets, villas with their feet in the water, the Forclaz above. The west shore, from Sévrier to Duingt, plays the greenway and family beaches card. The town itself allows you to walk everywhere, from market to quays. A summer by the lake is best savoured from a villa with its own pontoon or terrace facing the water: our selection of villas and apartments in Annecy has been chosen with this in mind.
Frequently asked questions
What are the finest beaches on Lake Annecy?
Plage de la Brune at Veyrier-du-Lac, a Blue Flag beach since 2009, remains a reliable choice at intimate scale. Talloires and Menthon offer the finest settings on the east shore, Saint-Jorioz and Sévrier the large family beaches on the west shore, connected by the greenway.
Can you cycle around Lake Annecy?
Yes, the complete circuit is approximately 40km. The west shore follows the greenway on dedicated paths (~35km there and back possible without cars), the east shore uses the road, which is more undulating. Classical and electric bike hire available throughout the town.
When does Annecy Lake Festival take place in 2026?
Saturday 1 August 2026. The pyrotechnic display is launched in Albigny bay from 21:45 onwards. This is the most sought-after weekend of the summer: accommodation should be booked well in advance.
Where can you paraglide above the lake?
At Col de la Forclaz de Montmin (1147m), above the east shore. It is one of Europe’s most acclaimed spots, with many schools offering tandem flights above the lake.
What to do in Annecy when it’s too hot?
Head up to Semnoz (1699m) to find the alpine air, walk the shaded pathway of Fier Gorges at Lovagny, or go swimming early in the morning when the lake is calmest.
Annecy in summer: town or lake?
Both, but in that order: the old town early in the morning or in the evening, the lake and heights the rest of the day. Staying on the shores rather than in the town centre allows you to enjoy the lake at its most beautiful hours.
And when autumn gilds the shores, Annecy does not stop: the mountains that surround the lake become the finest balcony of the season, an hour from the Aravis’ first snows.
Annecy right now
The latest images shared by the tourist office.
