Annecy is an alpine town in France’s Haute-Savoie, often called the Venice of the Alps for the canals that thread through its pastel-colored medieval old town. Its centerpiece is Lake Annecy, one of Europe’s cleanest lakes, with turquoise water ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and lakeside cycling against a backdrop of mountains.
Wander the cobbled Vieille Ville to find the boat-shaped Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century former prison rising from the Thiou River and one of France’s most photographed landmarks. The hilltop Chateau d’Annecy houses a museum with sweeping town views, and the Semnoz mountain and Gorges du Fier offer easy day trips.
Summer is best for lake activities but draws crowds and the famous animation film festival in June; spring and autumn bring mild weather and thinner crowds, while winter adds access to nearby ski resorts.
