Find and book the perfect holiday apartment among the French Alps in Annecy
Nestled among these world-famous mountains, Annecy also boasts a magnificent lake and canals that run through the Old Town, giving it the nickname the "Venice of the Alps". The quaint little streets of the Old Town allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this French Alpine town and take pictures along the canals of the little Thiou river.
When to visit Annecy
The best months to visit in terms of weather are the summer months of July and August, when it is the warmest and sunniest as well as there being festivals at this time such as the Festival Animation Week from the 9th-17th of July and the Fête du Lac from the 4th-7th of August. This will therefore also be peak tourist season so if you are looking for a more tranquil getaway, it is recommended to visit in September, when the weather is still lovely and warm but it is less crowded.
How to get to Annecy
Annecy is easily reachable both by plane and rail. The closest public airports are the International Airport of Geneva in Switzerland and that of Lyon Saint-Exupery both from which you can find connections by coach and rail. Annecy's close proximity to Switzerland similarly makes it the perfect day trip from your holiday apartment in Geneva, as it is only a 40 minute drive from the heart of the city, to this tranquil mountain haven.
For those who prefer travelling internationally by rail, there are direct high speed trains from the capital if you are already enjoying a holiday rental in Paris or if you have taken the Eurostar from London to then change at Paris Gare de Lyon. Alternatively, if you are already holidaying in France and would like to visit beautiful Annecy in one day, then consider a holiday apartment in Lyon where you can reach this pastel paradise in less than two hours.
Where to book a holiday rental in Annecy
Old Town
To be right in the heart of everything, there is a range of different accommodation available in the Old Town. From luxury cottages, apartments, bed and breakfasts to houses, there is something to suit every traveller and budget in the centre of Annecy. In this area you will be on the doorstep of the most beautiful little streets, the infamous canals, Palais de l'Île and the Chateau d'Annecy.
Jardins de l'Europe
To stay among the greenery and close to the lake, you can find a couple of holiday apartments located right next to the Jardins de l'Europe, placing you close to the centre as well as large open spaces and the lake. This is perfect for families that want to remain close to everything yet also in a traquil green area for the children to have plenty of space to run.
What to do in Annecy
Palais de l'Île
Located right in the heart of the Old Town, this is the building you have probably seen on many pictures of Annecy. An ancient prison, it dates back to the 12th century and is set on a little island in the middle of the river Thiou that runs through Annecy from the lake. Today you can visit this beautiful building as it has become a museum of local history. The bridges on either side of it are also great spots to get a picture of the building.
Lake Annecy
This lake is absolutely stunning, its waters are clear and turquoise, with the majestic Alps making for the perfect background. The Lake has something for everyone: sunbathers can relax on one of the beaches such as la Plage de l'Impérial or Plage Des Marquisats and cyclists can enjoy the 42km of trails available around the lake. Groups of friends and families can also hire a pedalo or two and pedal right into the middle of lake. Swimming in the lake, particularly when the weather is nice, is refreshing and makes for a really fun and relaxing afternoon enjoying the surrounding landscape. This activity is extremely good value for the time you get on the lake, especially when you split the cost with the group.
Chateau d'Annecy
This castle offers fantastic views over Annecy and the Lake. It used to be the home of the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours to later become barracks during the Second World War. Today it is listed as a historic monument and has become a museum with several exhibitions of various types.
Gorges du Fier
Once you have seen everything this marvellous town has to offer, why not explore the surrounding natural landscapes? Just 12km from the centre you can immerse yourself in nature by going to the Gorges du Fier, beautiful vertical gorges that are open to visitors between the 15th of March and the 15th of October.