The pretty town of Annecy is situated in the French Alps, on the shore of the large lake that shares its name. Home to some interesting historical buildings, along with breathtaking scenery, Annecy is popular with tourists all year round, thanks to the nearby ski resorts. In the summer months, when the weather is much warmer, locals and visitors alike flock to the lake beaches around the Lac d’Annecy; the further you venture from the town, the quieter these beaches are likely to be. Swimming in this cold, pure lake is a great way to cool down, while there are also centres offering water sports around the shore. More extreme activities, such as paragliding, are available in the surrounding hills.
Annecy is home to just one of the many castles which can be found around the lake, now housing a museum about the history of the town. The building itself is an impressive fortification, built between the 12th and 16th centuries. There are several historic churches in Annecy, many of which are located on the network of canals which make the town so picturesque. These canals are crossed by dozens of bridges which have been decorated with baskets of bright-coloured flowers in recent years, giving the town its distinctive new image.
One of the most intriguing of these canal-side churches is the Saint Francois de Sales church, which started life as a place of worship before being converted into a barracks during the French Revolution, a factory in the late 18th century, apartments and shops in the 1800s, before finally being restored as a church in 1923.
The oldest parts of Annecy are around the city gates, some of which are still standing today, such as Sainte-Claire, where you can still see some of the now destroyed ramparts and the Perriere Gate, once the main entrance into Annecy before being converted into a private home. The Palais de l’Ile is one of the oldest buildings in the town, situated on an island in the canals. Home to the lords of Annecy from the 12th century, it became a prison from the Middle Ages until the 19th century and now houses an architecture and heritage museum.
The best way to enjoy Annecy’s architecture is to take a boat trip around the network of canals. Most of the oldest buildings are on the water’s edge, and you see details from a boat that you would miss by walking. Many of these trips then take visitors out onto the lake itself.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Annecy? Then below is a selection of gites in Annecy and villas in Annecy that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
