Bonjour tout le monde,
I'm going to be heading to Annecy over the Christmas holiday for 5 nights and staying at Le Splendid (gotta get those Accor points). Anyone have any suggestions for restaurants and must-see sights?
I've dreamt about going to Annecy since I was a 14-year old in French class when our very outdated textbook follow along video took us to Annecy. Somehow despite all of my traveling in France, it took me a while to get there.
I went to Annecy last summer.. We did a boat ride around the lake and while on the boat ride we could see a beautiful castle/chateau on a hillside overlooking the lake with spectacular Alpine scenery all around. Upon returning to Annecy we went right over to the tourist information office to find out how to get there. We took a taxi ( but a bus also goes that way) to visit. It was about 9 km outside of town if I remember correctly. Prior to my trip I had not heard of Chateau de Menton Saint Bernard, (the place where St. Bernard was born). You can tour the castle and grounds, admire the scenery, and there is a small snack stand and souvenir shop in the gardens. The views of the lake below surrounded by the mountains and vineyards was so picturesque. We were there on a gorgeous bright sunny day but I imagine it is equally beautiful covered in snow and decorated for Christmas. We very much enjoyed our visit there and if it is open at Christmastime, I recommend you visit. Here are two websites to help you, one from the tourist board in Annecy and the other from the chateau itself. Chateau de Menton Saint Bernard and Lac Annecy tourist board
Annecy has caught my wife's interest and mine. However, it does not seem as easy to get to as other places in France. I am curious -- are you taking a train from Paris, Lyon, or Geneva? What are other ways to get there?
Have a great time on your trip!
Best regards
Easiest is to fly to Geneva and take a bus - the public bus actually runs to Annecy but Swisstours, etc., also run there.
@Steve--I'll be based in Paris before-hand, so we are going to drive.
@Pat---thank you so very much for these thoughtful suggestions, I will add them to my list!
Thank you skunklet1771 and Alexander
Best regards
hey hey Alexander
we stayed in annecy 6 nights about 5 years ago and loved it. here's things we did, will be long. everyone has their own opinions with liking or not liking.
we took train paris to geneva for 2 nights (didn't care for it), 30-40 minute taxi to annecy, see you'll have a car.
creperie ti mad 21 rue royale (savory & sweet crepes)
rotisserie du thou 17 passage de i eveche (fondue)
small family owned hole in the wall down alley near canal. prix fixed lunch of fondue, other goodies & wine. sat outside table to enjoy
market days are tuesday, friday, saturdays. busy walking the canals, just go with the flow, stopped at small art shop for a framed picture of annecy to take home
les palais des glaces 6 rue perriere (gelato)
brassierie saint charles 46 rue de parmelan
small bar/pub next to apt we stayed. the best beef stroganoff for lunch, sat outside. call when they heve it
annecycitytour.fr
tourist van meeting city center doing different tours around the town and beyond. offers a bus/cruise on lake also
hotel--imperial-palace.com
take a walk thru gorgeous hotel on the lake, have a cocktail at the casino bar & put your coins in the slot machine, have fun
noel des alpes annecy
christmas of the alps nov 22, 2025 to jan 10, 2026. scroll down to check dates/times for christmas market
restaurant-a-la-ferme.fr (annecy ferme-de-la-charbonniere) near menthon st bernard
did a private taxi tour that included this place, i picked it. grew up on a working ranch on the big island of hawaii (mom was a cowgirl) had to go was so different, not what i expected. restaurant above where cows can be seen in their hay filled stalls thru glass floors. had fixed meal with cheese made on farm. so so enjoyed this.
chateau de menthon bernard (@pat - check website she posted)
we passed by, walt disney visited and was inspired planning sleeping beauty castle. check calendar for santa claus castle program
on our way along the lake and small villages with pretty "swiss houses", open green spaces. stopped at another favorite place col de la forclaz (annecy-ville.fr col de la forclaz)
views of the lake, papragliders soaring above you and the lake (winter?) stopped at gift shop/cafe, bought 2 small cowbells as remembrance of my mom, we were there while cows with cowbells on roaming the pastures before they are bought down to their farms for winter time and animal parade "retour des alpages"
kevmre.com/ 20 best things to do in annecy
never traveled during wintertime so things will be different with the cold and snow, dress warm. hope this gives you some ideas to help you out with decisions what excites you. after annecy took train back to paris for 8 nights and fly back to states. my friend i traveled with is french basque so this was something different for her but was another good trip we did. good luck have fun
aloha
I liked Les Chineurs de la Cuisine in rue Sainte-Claire. Very nice local-ish cuisine. Don't know what their Christmas opening dates will be.
Thank you both so very much for your additions!
