The beauty of the Alps. The everyday luxury of the French lifestyle. The intoxicating splendor of Venice, Italy. It would be wonderful if you combine all of that into one destination. And in Annecy, France, that is exactly what you will find.
On the tip of Lake Annecy and only few kilometers away from Geneva, Switzerland, is Annecy. It has been nicknamed the Venice of the French Alps because of the canals running through the city. And it has some of the same charms of the legendary Italian city.
Surrounded by the Alps, Annecy is a mixture of French and Swiss influences, which can be seen throughout the city of almost 200,000 people. Despite the number of people, Annecy has not lost any of the quaint accents that makes this a must visit destination.
The Annecy experience
What you do in Annecy depends on when you're there. A huge attraction there is, not surprisingly, great skiing. This is the French Alps. There are several resorts in the vicinity, giving you a lot of options to choose from. But that's not all Annecy has to offer.
During the warmer months, the beaches around the lake are more than worth exploring. Plus, it is home to historical castles and homes. There are also several museums, including one devoted to animation that recently closed but will likely reopen in a new location.
The major reason to head to Annecy is the city itself. Three canals are part of the layout as well as the Thiou River which runs through Annecy. A large portion of the appeal to visitors from other parts of France and beyond is the stunning nature of this canal system.
How to get there
Annecy is a mere 32 kilometers away from Geneva, putting it virtually on the border with Switzerland. Being that Geneva has an international airport, it's a logical place to start. From there, you can drive, take the bus, bike, or even hike to Annecy.
Lyon, France and Turin, Italy are also great cities within reasonable distance of Annecy with airports. One of the most compelling parts about Annecy is getting there. You can plan trips through some of the most interesting cities in this part of Europe.
While the Venice of the French Alps is an intriguing nickname, it's also kind of reductive in a way. Annecy is more than a clone of Venice in the mountains of France. It is a unique and special place with it's own charms and experiences for visitors to have.