Bed and breakfast in Annecy

A city in bloom and a tasty gastronomy

The town nicknamed the Venice of the Alps is located in the north of the French Alps, on the shores of the lake that bears its name. It is the prefecture of the Haute-Savoie département and has a population of around 52,000. Sévrier and Seynod are two of its neighbouring communes, to the south and south-west of Annecy respectively. You're sure to appreciate its environmental heritage, with almost 100 hectares of green space! The south-east of the commune is covered by the Semnoz forests. The relief is flatter in the rest of the area, and this is certainly where you'll find your bed and breakfast in Annecy, as this is where you'll find plenty of accommodation and most of the facilities. Gourmets generally flock to one of the restaurants run by Marc Veyrat, a great chef and native of the area. You can also prepare some of the region's traditional recipes yourself, such as polenta. It can be cooked in water or stock, or eaten plain, and is a favourite with children. It's also sacrilege to stay in Annecy without sharing a Savoyard raclette, characterised by its beautiful orange crust! The people of Annecy are in the habit of finishing their meal with a little Aravis liqueur. Don't hesitate to try this drink distilled at the foot of the massif whose name it bears.

The historic heart and activities at Lake Annecy

The first must-see visit is the old town. What a delight to stroll along the canals and discover the local produce on display at the markets! The various buildings bear witness to the medieval past of the Pearl of the Alps. Among Annecy's most photographed sights are the Pont Perrière and the Palais de l'Isle, a monument that was once a prison and then a courthouse. More romantic visitors can stop off at the Pont des Amours, a lakeside footbridge. You're sure to enjoy this idyllic setting and discover some extraordinary views! This vast expanse of water attracts huge numbers of visitors every year. They take advantage of the various water sports on offer. In summer, it's the traditional swimming that is a big hit with the public. But there are other ways to enjoy this paradise, such as paragliding or via ferrata. The Semnoz mountain, meanwhile, has a number of walking routes that are accessible to beginners.

Must-see sites around Annecy

A wild and bucolic setting: that's what the superb Plateau des Glières to the north-east of Annecy has to offer. In summer, you can take a stroll among the coniferous trees, or explore every nook and cranny on a snowshoe hike. There are other exceptional landscapes to discover during your holiday. We invite you to visit the heart of the Bout-du-Lac nature reserve, a marsh covering more than 80 hectares. It is made up of meadows, undergrowth and is home to the Beauvivier tower, the remains of a medieval trading port.