Lake Annecy, named after the peaceful town of Annecy in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, is very popular with tourists because of all the leisure activities that can be enjoyed there. In fact, Lake Annecy is one of the main attractions of this alpine resort.
Water Sports at Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is well-known for the great number of water sports available on, and in, its waters. If you like fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, swimming, or diving, then Lake Annecy is the perfect place for your holiday.
Lake Annecy’s water temperature can get as warm as 24°C in the summer months, making it suitable for swimmers.
The beaches around Lake Annecy provide wonderful places for relaxation, as well as offering recreational facilities. Albigny Beach is one of the best. It is easy to find because it is past Le Pâquier, and the Imperial Palace, and in the direction of the little port of Annecy-le-Vieux. Albigny Beach has free toilets and showers, ice cream and snacks available, as well as free parking.
Marquisats Beach is another beach offering free waterside facilities. It is also supervised by lifeguards. In summer, the grassy lawns alongside this beach, are popular with sunbathers.
To use the Imperial Beach you have to pay, but your money is well-spent because this beach offers a very wide range of facilities. Here you will find water slides, a paddling pool, bouncy castles for the children, trampolines, a bar, and even a disco!
Lake Annecy’s shipwreck
Lake Annecy even has its own shipwreck that experienced divers can explore. The Le France paddle boat sank mysteriously on a night in March, 1971. It was once able to transport as many as 700 passengers.
Cycling and hiking around Lake Annecy
In addition to sporting activities on, or in, the waters of Lake Annecy, it is possible to go cycling or simply enjoy walking around the lake.
On a cycling route around Lake Annecy (Photo: Patrick Nouhailler)
There are cycling routes and hiking trails around Lake Annecy and up into the surrounding mountains and forests.
Wildlife spotting at Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy’s clean fresh waters attract many waterfowl and other wildlife, and naturalists find plenty to look out for, not only on the lake, but around it in the forests and mountains of the French Alps.
Learn French too
Besides all the attractions Annecy has to offer, it is a wonderful place to practice and learn French at our French Language School. You can try out the phrases you know when speaking to local people.