Hiking: five spot ideas
Where to hike in Annecy?
Le Semnoz, the mountain of the lake, at Mont-Veyrier (more sporty), The nature reserve of Roc de Chère (between Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard) and Parmelan (long hike from Villaz), ideal for a first night in a family shelter.
To discover
Stays in France: weekends, hotels and tailor-made stays from our partners
For walks without elevation?
The Bout du Lac d'Annecy nature reserve (entertainment throughout the summer) and the Angon waterfall for its magic and freshness.
To find hiking routes in Annecy (with quizzes, photos, etc.), a tip: download the
free ViAnnecy app.
Another option: a day of hiking in Les Aravis (Thônes, La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand), the cradle of farmhouse Reblochon, just 30 minutes from Annecy.
The opportunity to buy this 100% local creamy Savoie cheese.
Read alsoHolidays in the mountains: the keys to making children love hiking
Family favorite beaches
Swimming: the number one activity for families on holiday in Annecy.
C.Baudot/e-com-photos
In Annecy, it is easy to combine a cultural visit, a walk in the old town and swimming by walking.
The lake is the number one attraction in summer.
Where to swim with children at Lake Annecy?
The free beaches just a few steps from the town centre: Marquisats beach (towards Sevrier) and Albigny beach (Annecy-le-Vieux).
With the little ones, Brune beach (Veyrier);
Annecy residents also meet there for a picnic at “golden hour” and at sunset.
Teenagers love the Imperial beach and Angon (Talloires) for their diving boards.
Very appreciated by the locals too, the beach of Saint-Jorioz and its sand, sea atmosphere in the mountains.
Good plan: go to the beach by bike, or by free bus in summer (Mobil'été).
By bicycle, in Annecy
Cycling is the preferred mode of transport for getting around town by the lake.
Semaphore/P.Leroy
Locals use it all year round.
Cycling is the preferred mode of transport for getting around town (132 km of cycle paths in Greater Annecy) and by the lake on the greenway (40 km).
Where to rent a bike in Annecy?
At the historic "Roul ma poule", "Cyclable" for its cargo bikes and "Eco-triporteur" (practical with children), and the Vélonecy stations (48 in Greater Annecy).
Which way to go around Lake
Annecy with the children
?
Two options: with the little ones, direction left bank via Sevrier;
on the way stop recommended at the Ecomuseum of Lake Annecy to understand the life of the Savoyards in the 19th century while having fun (fun trails), at the Paccard Museum (on Thursdays, the bells are cast there), at the Enigmus escape game and buzz game.
In Saint-Jorioz, you spend the day at La Crique for two reasons: its beach and its "Criq Parc", THE games/adventure park for Annecy residents.
Second more sporty option, to be preferred with teenagers, the right bank via Veyrier-du-Lac: on the way, visit the castle of Menthon, swim at the Brune beach or at Angon, and have lunch at Cassines (Talloires).
Read alsoAround Lake Annecy, between castle, beaches and cycling
Picnic spots
Le Pâquier: place for all meetings, picnics and major events in Annecy.
Adobe Stock
Le Pâquier, the grassy esplanade located between the town centre, the old town and the lake;
locals come here after school during the year.
It comes alive in summer: giant picnic around the large 150m long table (in July) organized as part of La Grande Traversée and the traditional Fête du Lac (August 6).
From Le Pâquier, stroll through the Jardins de l'Europe, passing by the emblematic Pont des Amours and go and taste the homemade ice creams of the Ferme Glace and Cows (three-wheeled scooter in place all summer on the Quai Napoléon).
And for a panoramic picnic?
Climb to the Col de la Forclaz (by car), to enjoy the most beautiful view of Lake Annecy and the spectacle of the paragliders taking off as a bonus.
The must ?
At sunset.
Third picnic spot in Annecy: the beach
.
The swimming-picnic combo at the lake at the end of the day on the left bank of the lake, in the Annecy style.
Five trendy water activities
The paddle is legion.
Where to paddle with the family on Lake Annecy?
Three
kids friendly
addresses , to choose from depending on the bank chosen to go paddling: left bank, NCYSUP (Sevrier) for its family formula and its Ride XL paddle (6-8 people), V-boat in Albigny (near the beach of the same name), and right bank at Gliss Cool which also rents 100% local transparent kayaks: the great novelty of the summer which particularly appeals to teenagers, such as
wakeboarding
, the star aquatic activity of Lake Annecy, and canyoning (the specialist: Monte Medio);
and why not learn
Wing foil
exclusively with Luc du Veyrier Club Nautique, or
surf
on the artificial wave of Thiou with the Surfeurs d'Eau Douce association?
Read alsoAround Lake Annecy, between castle, beaches and cycling
On the cultural side, we have fun in Annecy
Visiting the Château d'Annecy: the essential activity to plan during a family holiday in Annecy.
Gilles Piel
What are the heritage sites to visit with the family in Annecy?
The beauty of Haute-Savoie, city of Art and History, is full of nuggets.
First of all, the old town, a playground for City Games with the Mysteries of the Lake and Studio Guimauve.
Fun visits are organized throughout the summer at the Château d'Annecy (until August 26, from 8 years old);
museum-château to explore independently, like the exhibition of the moment, using media designed for children.
The Palais de L'Île, the former prison of Annecy can be explored with the help of an investigation notebook on its secrets.
Blessed too are the little knights and princesses who visit the three other castles near Annecy: the castle of Clermont and its shows,
“Annecy Paysages”, the open-air museum
Unique in France, Annecy Paysages is a journey of 35 installations and monumental works of art installed throughout the summer (until September 25) on the emblematic sites of the city of Annecy: the Gardens of Europe, the park Charles Bosson, in the old town and even on the lake, facing the Pâquier.
New for 2022: the four augmented reality works visible to view by downloading the app.
A poetic stroll to do with the family, on foot in small sections, or by bike (allow 2 hours).
Indoor activities: five good addresses
La Turbine is the cultural and scientific center of Annecy;
a place of reference to discover while having fun, through fun exhibitions and scientific and digital workshops offered all year round.
F. Jellaoui
Handy when it's too hot or it's raining, but not only... Head to La Turbine, THE cultural center that teaches children about science while having fun: digital workshops, robot programming, music and video creation ( in all 16 types of workshops), and a very playful exhibition where manipulation is required.
Second place frequented all year round by Annecy residents: Eréel, the first virtual reality center and its 60 gaming experiences to be enjoyed wearing a VR mask.
It's fashionable: the escape game.
Where to do a family escape game in Annecy?
The Enigma Workshop (Cran-Gevrier), The Enigmus (Sevrier) and The Mysteries of the Lake (Annecy).
"A summer in Annecy": the right plan of events
Among the many events scheduled in Annecy during the summer, the Fête du Lac is not to be missed.
Simon Garnier
Annecy lives to the rhythm of its free and resolutely
kids friendly
events in summer, including a new meeting, “Les Mondays des Rails” around world music (workshops and concerts) at La Friche des rails, the family spot.
Cinema, readings and musical siestas in the open air are also on the program, concocted by cultural structures and the City of Annecy.
And the flagship event, the Fête du Lac (August 6), is one of the biggest pyrotechnic shows in Europe.
Read the fileAnnecy: the
Figaro travel guide
