Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy, or Lac d’Annecy in French, is a very beautiful place for a great vacation in France. Lake Annecy is the cleanest lake in Europe and is also considered one of the most beautiful lakes in France. On and around the lake there is plenty to do such as visiting castles, discovering the most beautiful villages & towns and enjoying the beautiful views. In fact, Lake Annecy is surrounded by high peaks of the French Alps. Of course, you can also enjoy the French sun from one of its many beaches or at your campsite.
Thanks to its super clear water, Lake Annecy is a picture to behold and invites you to swim or practice water sports. Thanks to a bike path around the lake, you can also bike beautifully and are guaranteed the most beautiful views. In addition, you can take the most beautiful walks there. We give you the best tips for campsites and attractions near Lake Annecy below.
Lake Annecy – places of interest
Visit the city of Annecy
The town of Annecy is a historic town located directly on Lake Annecy. You have panoramic views and is a fun sight to see during your Lake Annecy vacation. It is a typical old French town and very photogenic thanks to its colored houses, narrow streets, bright flower boxes and the little river that flows through the center. Because it is a tourist destination, it can be quite crowded. From the city, book a trip on a tour boat on the lake, you can visit the Annecy Castle or enjoy in the lakefront park.
Other quaint villages and towns include Talloires with its picturesque lakeside location and medieval architecture. Duingt is a cozy village with two castles, which you cannot visit but are very photogenic. Then you have Veyrier-du-Lac, this is a very nice village on the sunny side of Lake Annecy with a beautiful view of the mountains and the lake. Stroll through the center with pastel-colored houses and visit the old port.
Hiking at Lake Annecy
Because of the French Alps, you are in a mountainous environment. And because of that, you can make the most beautiful walks here. The most impressive hikes are in the Massif des Bauges natural park, just south of Lake Annecy. You can follow the hiking trail Tannes et Glacières where you will end up at the caves of Glacières so Margériaz. Or hike to the Cascade de Pscieux.
From Mont Veyrier you have beautiful views of Lake Annecy and the surrounding area. You can hike to the top or drive the car to the top and hike a bit more from there.
Castles near Lake Annecy
Around Lake Annecy you will find several castles, such as Annecy Castle, Chateau de Duingt and Montrottier Castle. The most beautiful castle, however, is the Chateau Menthon-Saint-Bernard. The castle is beautiful to see and also has a great location with a beautiful view of Lake Annecy. You can also admire the inside of the castle, and in the garden you can have a drink and eat.
Beaches at Lake Annecy
The clear waters of Lake Annecy invite you to take a dip. There are several public beaches where you can go to relax and take a refreshing dip. Keep in mind that you won’t find wide sandy beaches here, but they are mostly grassy areas. Most campsites have a private beach with direct access to the lake.
If you want to go to a public beach, Plage des Marquisats, Plage Municipale and Plage de la Brune are recommended. Plage Sain-Jorioz is recommended with children: there are diving boards, pontoons and a paddling pool. By the way, this beach has the only sandy beach on the lake.
Water activities on Lake Annecy
The great attraction of Lake Annecy, of course, is the water itself. It is crystal clear because of the glacial water flowing from the mountains into the lake. As soon as you see the lake, you want to get in the water! Or on, as there are also plenty of fun water sports to enjoy on Lake Annecy. Swimming is nice, but what about canoeing, jet skiing, rafting, kayaking, fishing or wakeboarding? Rent a paddleboat or go SUP’ing, it’s all equally fun. If you want to see Lake Annecy from above, paragliding is a cool activity. You can also take a boat trip on one of the tour boats that leave from the village of Annecy.
Lake Annecy – campsites
There is so much to do at Lake Annecy that you could spend an entire vacation here. But it’s also a nice stop along the way. We name the different campsites on Lake Annecy below.
Camping La Nublière
Camping La Nublière is a lovely 4-star Sandaya campsite with a private beach on Lake Annecy. A beach bar and restaurant are available. And on the lake you can do all kinds of water sports. Although there is no swimming pool at the campground, children can have a great time in the outdoor water playground at the campground or in the lake. If you’re ready to relax, schedule an appointment (for a fee) at the wellness center with an indoor pool and hot tub. On the contrary, if you are looking for more excitement, go paragliding or hang gliding! There is a dock available for your boat. The campground offers many types of safari tents, mobile homes and pitches. Look here for all providers.
Camping L’Ideal
Camping L’Ideal a beautiful campsite at the foot of the Massif des Bauges, by Lake Annecy. There are several fine swimming pools including one that is heated and can be covered in less nice weather. There are also several slides including a spectacular Pentagliss. Little ones swim in a separate paddling pool with slide. In high season there is an active animation team that organizes fun activities and entertaining evenings. You can rent beautiful mobile homes or lodge tents, click here for more information.
Camping La Ravoire
Camping La Ravoire is a small family campground and is within walking distance of Lake Annecy. If you are going on vacation with young children, then this is a suitable campsite for you! There are two, heated, swimming pools, one of which is covered so you can swim even in bad weather. There are also slides available and you can rest on the sunbeds that surround the pool. Children have fun on the inflatable slide, playing table tennis or on the sports field. In high season, there is also an entertainment program. At this campground you book beautiful mobile homes. Look here for providers.
