Hints for Annency, France

I stayed at that hotel after the RS Alpine My Way tour in early June. Out the window was the exact view in every iconic Annency photo, I literally couldn't believe my eyes! When you step outside you are right in the middle of the Old Town and the lake is one block away.
I walked from the bus/train station ( I had come from Chamonix by BlaBla bus) and it took about 10 minutes. On the weekend when I arrived it was very, very crowded, somewhat less so on the Monday of my last day.
Renting a bike was really fun. I rode to about the half-way point of the lake and stopped at a great cafe and a couple of beaches.
There are more gelato shops than you will believe! As a solo traveler with a lot of dietary restrictions I can't help with dining options but at the base of the fortress there was a delightful restaurant with buckwheat galettes :)
I followed the RS guided walk from his book early one morning.
Have a wonderful time!

I am in Annecy right now for a three day visit. This is my first visit here, arrived by train from Geneva. The place is so scenic and pretty. Great for roaming the streets of the Old Town, the canals and lakeside. It is very crowded with tourists, many more than I expected. Take a cruise on the lake. We did that yesterday morning. It was very pleasant and is very scenic. As we were on the cruise we spotted a beautiful castle ( Chateau de Menthon St. Bernard) on a mountainside majestically overlooking the lake. It looked so pretty that when we got back to town we went to the TI to inquire about it. We then went out there to tour it in the afternoon. It is only about ten miles from Annecy and you can get there by bus or taxi. Guided tours are provided in French or English. Very pretty and the views from there were gorgeous. Lots of water activities available on the lake if you like those.

Thank you so much.

Check to see what day or days the market is happening. We went on a Sunday morning, I believe, and the stalls were set up all over the streets and alongside the canals. So much beautiful fresh fruit, and the sizzling rotisserie chickens were awesome! We were able to get one of those chickens and the mouthwatering potatoes and veggies with it because we were staying in an apartment, and it was outstanding!

Le Péché Mignon cafe was a favorite of locals we met there. We joined them for breakfast, and then returned there again later that day for another cafe and pastry break! This was in Sept. 2022.

We loved Annecy, and at night, the reflections in the canals were especially beautiful.

Even though it was cool and raining one of our days, I couldn’t resist wading into the clear water of the lake, with my pants rolled up!

We had two easy and good meals at La Sapaudia. Casual dining and in some seats upstairs you can see down into the bustling kitchen.

Enjoy!

Thank you all for your awesome suggestions. As I write, we are waiting to board our flight. Happy travels to you all.
Sheila and Jeff

We loved Annency! It is such a magical place with the lake, mountains and canals. The Palais de l'Ile, which looks like a medieval castle in the shape of a ship in the middle of the canal has been a prison, and is now an art & history museum. It was fun to go thru it. Annency has one of the largest gelato shops with so many flavors. My husband said the rum raisin was his favorite flavor in all of Italy and France.

We also really liked Chamonix even though it was sleeting and so cold! While having dinner in a restaurant we picked by just walking by it, a Rick Steves’ tour group came in and ate there. Later that evening we ran into them in the same hotel we stayed at. We almost felt like we were part of their tour. :)