The snow-capped and steep wooded mountains towering gallantly above the scenic, yet calm turquoise waters of Lake Annecy offers a spectacular view that is known to be the most famous feature of Annecy. The inviting town has all the charms of a fairy-tale setting, with white swans parasailing through gentle waterways and a wonderful backdrop.

Added to its allure, the Old Town is a twisting tangle of mostly cobblestone, pedestrian streets dotted with impressive buildings. Pastel-painted buildings bear ornamental wrought-iron balconies and flashy windowsills. Potted flowers also beautify the city’s canal footbridges and the majestic lakeside promenade. 

Visitors are bound to relish the strolling through the city to unravel its spell. Fondly called the ‘Venice of the Alps’ -given its elegant waterways- Annecy is a jewel of the Savoy area at the center of the northern Alps (French).

Close by are astonishing nature sites and world-class ski resorts. The breathtaking scenery inspires outdoor activities, while snuggly chalets and old-school restaurants welcome visitors in typical local alpine style.

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Here Is What Annecy Is Famous For:

Palais de l’Île

The 1100s Palais de l’Île is the city’s most photographed monument; it stands in the Canal du Thiou on an island. Visitors will discover the most ravishing views and the photo-ops of this monument on the Pont sur le Thiou (bridge). From this perfect point, the palace looks like a fortress with its stalwart quadrangular construction in the semblance of a ship’s bow.

The Palais de l’Île used to be a prison, but by mid-1300s, it was converted to a coin-minting workshop. The palace later became the residence of the Dukes of Savoy in the 1400s, and in the following century, it served as the Palace of Justice (Law Courts). Open to the public every year, this palace now houses a petit museum that highlights exhibits on regional architecture. There are also old prison cells to see here.

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Château d’Annecy

Sitting on a hill above the city is the Château d’Annecy that offers beautiful views of the lake and the encompassing mountains. The castle is built in parts from the medieval to the Renaissance period. In the 1200s and 1300s, the Counts of Geneva lived there.

Now, the château is a museum and a famous tourist attraction that tracks an impressive range of disciplines; including regional history, landscape painting, medieval sculpture, and contemporary art. You will find temporary exhibits here at any time of the year except for holidays and Tuesdays in the low season.

Lac d’Annecy

The Lac d’Annecy invites visitors with its pure alpine beauty and various recreational opportunities. This glistening sweep of clear waters is known to be the cleanest in the continent, and its scenery is remarkable. Snow-dusted mountain peaks offer a lovely backdrop for cycling, walking, swimming, sunbathing, and boating.

Lake Annecy’s main beach is the Plage d’Albigny (Avenue du Petit Port) that has an expanse of grassy area for sunbathing and a walking and cycling path. Clean and classy- Albigny Beach is flawlessly manicured with plants and flowers bordering the lawn. The beach has public showers and restrooms. Lakeside staircases make it easy to swim. 

Close to the Plage d’Albigny in the Parc Charles-Bosson is the Plage de l’Imperial (Avenue d’Albigny), which enchants lots of visitors for outdoor activities and relaxation. The shoreline is a blend of fine sand and grass. Well furnished with facilities, the Plage de l’Imperial has a picnic area, restaurant, badminton courts, beach volleyball courts, and Ping-Pong tables. Families with children will like the wading pool, mini-golf course, playground, and kids’ games. Lifeguards are always on duty in the high season.

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Dining and Shopping on Rue Sainte-Claire

Close to the Palais de l’Île, the Rue Sainte-Claire is the spot to visit in Annecy for dining and shopping. The brisk Rue Sainte-Claire is one of the major streets in the town. Arcaded townhouses from the 1500s to 1700s still have their historic charm for all to feel.

The street’s townhouses in the arcaded area are crammed with upscale retail stores, fancy ice-cream shops, modish cafes, and gourmet dining establishments. Visitors are sure to take delight in checking out the boutiques, grabbing an ice-cream, observing a coffee break, or stopping for a meal at one of the old-fashioned restaurants. 

Eglise Sainte-Maurice

Recognized as a historical monument, this 1600s sanctuary is the oldest church in the city. It used to be a chapel for the Dominican convent, but by the 1800s, the building was converted to the town’s parish church. The church has since perpetuated the tradition of hosting religious services and is open to the public for visits at any time of the year.

The church’s façade displays unique, expressive Savoyard architectural elements, while the interior reveals a more melancholic ambiance. The distinctively massive nave was designed in the usual style of Dominican sanctuaries to accommodate a large congregation. Significant works of art include the well-carved pulpit from the 1700s and a ‘Virgin in Glory’ painting.

Cathedrale Saint-Pierre

You can access the Cathedrale Saint-Pierre from a narrow side street. The sanctuary is somehow hidden in plain sights, but it deserves to be discovered. Built between 1535 and 1538, the church assumed the cathedral of the Bishops of Geneva, who sought refuge in the city in the Protestant Reformation. 

The compatible parts of Italian Renaissance architecture set the building’s exterior apart, especially the Tuscan pilasters. Gothic style outweighs the sanctuary’s interior except for the Neoclassical choir that dates to the 1700s. Three other stained-glass and an elegant rose window shine in the sanctuary. The church has been the cathedral of the Diocese of Annecy since 1822. Cathedrale Saint-Pierre is located at Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Annecy.       

Pont des Amours

In a pleasant setting under canopy of leafy trees, the aptly named “Lovers’ Bridge” courses from the Canal du Vasse that flows from the Lac d’Annecy. Today, the arched ironwork bridge continues to inspire romance with its stately lakeside scenery. It is also a famous spot for photo-ops, especially for wedding and engagement portraits. Nearby is the Jardins de l’Europe park.

Champs de Mars

The seven-hectare Champs de Mars adjoins the Jardins de l’Europe and the Lac d’Annecy, so the views are extraordinary. This place is also known as “le Paquier” (‘Pasturage’), given its grazing opportunities that invite domestic animals.

Today, this massive green space is a top spot for locals to have picnics and enjoy recreational activities on sunny days. Many paved cycling paths cross the Champs de Mars. Families with children will love it at the Champs de Mars. The park’s mini horses and the petit train will keep them busy. Adults can look forward to parasailing around Lake Annecy’s turquoise waters. And on the park’s lakeside, visitors can rent pedal boats and rowboats. 

During summer, the Champs de Mars hosts cultural events like the Fête du Lac (Festival of the Lake) held yearly on the first Saturday of August and the Fête de la Musique (Festival of Music) on the 21st of June. Fête du Lac is the continent’s largest fireworks show. There are fireworks shows too that are organized for the Fête Nationale du 14 Juillet (Bastille Day).

Jardins de l’Europe

This is another impressive leafy park close to the lake. Jardins de l’Europe’s lush flower-filled green space can be seen beside the Pont des Amours and provide views of the Chateau d’Annecy. For those who will be visiting Annecy on Bastille Day, one of the most interesting things to do is watch the fireworks from the Jardins de l’Europe. This fireworks display is as much as show as the one held at the Champs du Mars on the 14th of July. 

Basilique de la Visitation

Standing above the Old Town is the neo-Romanesque sanctuary that holds Mass and Vespers every day. The Basilique de la Visitation is also open to the public for visits outside of religious services. Reaching here requires a steep and a sort of tiring hike from the Old Town. However, magical views of the Annecy landscape are payback for the effort.   

The basilica’s plain exterior is the opposite of the more ornate interior that has blue Savoy marble columns in the nave, vibrant stained-glass windows, and Venetian-enameled mosaics in the apse. The basilica is located at 20 Avenue de la Visitation, Annecy.

What is Annecy Famous For? – Summary

Annecy has several attractions with a fairy-tale ambiance that has come to distinguish the city from its counterparts in the French Alpine area. It is a refined base for exploring the adorable hamlets and natural wonders of the French Alps. From its charming Old Town to the much trendy city center, Annecy is significantly dotted with landmarks and tourist attractions- a testament to its cultural affluence and welcoming spirit. Annecy is a town definitely worth visiting.

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