AnnecyStory N° 120
Annecy Lakeside Slow Days
Breathe slowly beside Europe's cleanest lake, where Annecy's pastel canals meet still alpine water and mountain calm.
The itinerary.
3 days · 8 stops
Friday
Day One
Arrive in the 'Venice of the Alps' and let the pace drop along its canals and the still southern shore of the lake.
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Vieille Ville d'Annecy
Drift through the pastel old town along the Thiou canal, past the Palais de l'Ile islet that has anchored the city for nine centuries.
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Jardins de l'Europe
A quiet lakeside garden of mature sequoias and the Pont des Amours, where the canal meets the open water.
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Le Freti
An unhurried Savoyard table for fondue and raclette in a cosy upstairs dining room of the old town.
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Hotel
Le Pre du Lac booking.com
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Getting around
- Arrive by train from Geneva or Lyon (about 1h45 to 2h); the centre is fully walkable
Saturday
Day Two
A full day on and beside the water: a flat cycle along the old greenway, a swim in the cleanest lake in Europe, and a lakeside spa evening.
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Voie Verte du Lac d'Annecy
A flat, car-free greenway along the western shore on a former railway line, perfect for an easy lakeside cycle to Sevrier and Saint-Jorioz.
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Plage d'Albigny
A calm lawned beach for a slow swim in glass-clear alpine water with the Tournette massif as a backdrop.
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L'Esquisse
A serene, low-key Michelin-starred dinner of precise market cooking just off the canals.
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Hotel
Le Pre du Lac booking.com
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Getting around
- Rent bikes in town for the greenway; everything else is walkable or a short lakeshore stroll
Sunday
Day Three
Cross the lake to the peaceful east bank at Talloires for a final mountain-and-water morning.
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Talloires
A tranquil lakeside village in a sheltered bay, framed by cliffs and the Abbaye de Talloires, ideal for a slow waterside lunch.
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Roc de Chere Nature Reserve
A gentle forested trail above Talloires with quiet belvederes over the turquoise lake.
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Hotel
Le Pre du Lac booking.com
→
Getting around
- Take the lake ferry (Compagnie des Bateaux) across to Talloires, then return for your onward train
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Annecy Lakeside Slow Days?
3 days. The itinerary runs from Friday to Sunday and covers 8 curated stops across 3 days.
How much does Annecy Lakeside Slow Days cost?
Premium — €300–600 per day per person, premium lodging included.
Where do you stay during Annecy Lakeside Slow Days?
Le Pre du Lac is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Annecy Lakeside Slow Days itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 8 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Annecy.
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