Capital of the Haute-Savoie region, Annecy is both a mountain town and a seaside resort. It is a jewel of a small town located on the north side of a lake with pure waters where the Alps are reflected. A chic and delightful destination. Stamped as a City of Art and History, Annecy offers a picturesque medieval center with its canals and bridges. As a jewel, the Palais de l'Île, a former fortified house from the 12th century, appears like a prow on an islet of the Thiou, a short river that waters the city in two charming arms: the Port and the Vassé canal. Hence the nickname of Venice of the Alps given to Annecy. The banks of the Thiou are lined with adorable boutiques that make the old pedestrian center a distinguished shopping spot. Annecy, which lies at the foot of the Bornes and Bauges mountains, is both lake and alpine and displays the same pluralism in its culture. Known to film buffs for hosting the International Animation Film Festival, it also hosts the spectacular Lake Festival. On the heights of the city, the historic symbol of Annecy, the castle built between the 12th and 16th centuries was inhabited by the Counts of Geneva, then those of Savoie. Now a communal building, it houses a museum and the Regional Observatory of the Alpine Lakes. In the country of Marc Veyrat, the starred chef with the black hat, good restaurants and pleasant terraces also attract visitors. So, would you rather have a fish fry or a Savoyard fondue? Pedal boat on the water or diving in the lake. Visit a museum or discover a nature reserve? The city of Annecy never ceases to seduce you.
There is no off season in Annecy. The city is alive all year round and each season has its own charm. Small budgets should avoid the summer when accommodation and restaurant prices soar. It is difficult to find a place to stay during the weekend of the lake festival, at the beginning of August, unless you book well in advance. The International Animation Film Festival in June is also very busy, but to a lesser extent. Fall and spring are the low season with the most affordable rates. Fewer tourists, but still cultural events and all the tables and stores open. In summer, Annecy is a seaside resort inviting to nautical pleasures and hiking along the banks. In winter, the reflection in the lake of a snow-covered mountain setting creates a very special magic. You can visit the city in a down jacket and furry shoes before sitting down to a Savoyard fondue. This is also the season when Annecy is a chic and remote base camp to test several ski resorts in Haute-Savoie.
Between two alpine massifs, Annecy is subject to a mountain climate softened by the presence of the lake. With this microclimate, winters are cold but not harsh, summers hot but not hot. At an altitude of about 450 m (lake level), the city records an average of 26 days of snow per year, 1,900 hours of sunshine, 900 mm of rain, 30 days of storms (late summer), 25 days of fog (winter). Temperatures range from 0°C in January-February to 27°C in July-August.
