Annecy is a small Alpine town that trades on one dazzling asset, its impossibly clear lake, framed by mountains and threaded by turquoise canals that have earned it the nickname the Venice of the Alps. The trick is to move at the town's own unhurried pace. Spend your mornings in the Vieille Ville, the medieval old town, where arcaded streets curl around the Thiou canal and the pointed Palais de l'Ile sits mid-water like a stone ship. Give afternoons to the lake itself, walking or cycling the flat shoreline path, swimming off the grassy Paquier, or taking a cruise to the villages at the southern end. Eat like a Savoyard, which means melted cheese in many forms, tartiflette, fondue and raclette, alongside delicate lake fish such as fera and omble chevalier. Book restaurants in the old town for summer evenings, because Annecy fills fast in July and August and again during the winter ski overflow. Climb Le Semnoz or drive up to the Col de la Forclaz for the postcard view, and let the mountains and water do the rest.
A full, walkable day in Annecy, free for everyone. Set your pace and start time.
Start early while the arcaded streets and canals are quiet; the flower-lined lanes around the market square are at their prettiest in the morning light.
The island prison opens mid-morning; even from outside, shoot it from the Pont Perriere for the classic ship-prow view.
A short steep walk up from the old town; the ramparts give rooftop views over the canals and the museum covers local lake history.
Walk through the Jardins de l'Europe first, then over the romantic iron bridge; carry on to the grassy Paquier for a stroll along the water.
The Champ de Mars lawn is free and ideal for a picnic or a dip; hire a pedalo nearby if you want to get out on the water.
Grab a scoop from Glacier des Alpes and eat it wandering the old town as the afternoon crowds thin out.
Book ahead for this refined old-town room; ask for the local lake fish and pair it with a Savoie white.
The 12th-century island fortress marooned in the Thiou canal, once a prison and courthouse and now the town's most photographed landmark; shoot it from the Pont Perriere for the classic ship-prow view.
The medieval old town of arcaded streets, pastel houses and flower-lined canals that gives Annecy its Venice of the Alps nickname; wander early before the day-trippers arrive.
The romantic iron footbridge over the Vasse canal linking the Jardins de l'Europe to the Paquier, framing the lake and mountains; come at first light for an empty span and soft reflections.
The hilltop castle of the Counts of Geneva looming over the old town, now a museum of regional history and Alpine lake life; climb the ramp for rooftop views across the canals.
One of Europe's cleanest lakes, ringed by mountains and a flat lakeside path, perfect for swimming, cycling or a boat cruise; hire a pedalo or take the shoreline greenway south.
The leafy lakeside gardens at the mouth of the canals, planted with sequoias and rare trees and edged by the water; a shady spot to sit before crossing the Pont des Amours.
An elegant, long-established restaurant in a quiet old-town courtyard where classic French technique meets local lake fish and Alpine produce; reserve for dinner.
An intimate Michelin-starred room near the old town where a husband-and-wife team plate precise, seasonal tasting menus; small, so book well in advance.
A homely canalside spot dishing up hearty mountain classics, diots sausages in white wine, tartiflette and generous fondue, in a warm rustic room.
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France