It looks as though we will be in Annecy at the same time as an International Animation Festival (June 13-17). As a result, most hotels are fully booked. I am looking at some airbnb places in other small villages around the lake. I know there is a car-less bike path along the western shore of the lake. How big a deal is it to be a few miles away from the old town. We plan to explore the old town, check out a market day, take a boat ride on the lake, visit Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, do a day trip to Chamonix, and I guess see some animation! Just wondering if it will be disappointing to stay away from the center, or if it provides some respite from the tourist crowds. Traveling with two teens. Also, if there's a specific town or place to stay around the lake that you recommend, that would be great. Thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC
27047 posts
I assume you will be traveling by car--correct?
My major concern would be the possible (probable?) need for air conditioning in Annecy at that time of year. It is near the mountains but not in the mountains. It was seriously hot (verging on "miserable" territory) during my 2017 visit. Conventional wisdom has it that not a lot of apartments in France are air conditioned. I don't know whether that's an accurate statement of the situation in Annecy.
Posted by
OP
California
18 posts
Yes, by car. And excellent point! I’ll keep AC in mind as I look. Also, I’m hooong to do some swimming in the lake and maybe even stay somewhere with a pool. Just might have to be in Talloires, Sevrier, or Menthon Saint Bernard.
Posted by
Paris
9546 posts
I think the places around the lake are more gorgeous — I once stayed a long weekend in Talloires and absolutely loved it. There's a bus that goes from Annecy to Talloires but I remember it wasn’t very frequent on Sunday. You could probably do one of the boat trips from Talloires .
Posted by
Washington DC
27047 posts
It really was awfully hot while I was in Annecy, and that definitely affected my appreciation for Talloires, which seriously underwhelmed me. Perhaps there's stuff there I missed. Packed though it was, I thought Annecy was visually much more interesting. The lake is lovely from just about any vantage point, and I certainly liked the shortish boat trip I took.
I don't know what I'd have done in Talloires for more than an hour or two. I was really puzzled about why it was mentioned so positively in the guidebooks. I suspect the weather kept others indoors or in some body of water nearby, because I don't remember seeing much of anyone out on the street in Talloires.