Our good addresses for spending a weekend in Annecy
Located about 1h30 by train from Geneva, it would be a shame to deprive yourself of the proximity of Annecy. In addition to its endless possibilities of enjoying its nature in the city, as in the mountains, we recommend that you, as a family, take a walk in the Roc de Chère nature reserve or the Bout du Lac nature reserve. But the towns bordering Annecy will also appeal to romantic souls. Between its many castles, including that of Menthon-Saint-Bernard which would have inspired Walt Disney in The Sleeping Beauty, and its waterfront restaurants like the Petit Paradis in Talloires, Annecy capsizes hearts.
To sleep
Auberge du père bise and Auberge spa
Churchill, Brigitte Bardot and even the Queen of England have stayed in this Annecy gem that is the Auberge du Père Bise. On the banks of Talloires, facing the Semnoz, the Château de Duingt and the rocks of the Taillefer, the 5-star establishment has rooms reminiscent of the comfort of a country house. Bright, these little cocoons have views overlooking the lake, the hotel grounds, the mountains or the village of Talloires.
Apart from the cuisine of its chef Jean Sulpice, who has two stars in the Michelin Guide, Père Bise’s indisputable asset is undoubtedly the Auberge’s spa. In this wooded area with a turquoise horizon, there is, among other things, a 40 m2 indoor swimming pool (photo below), an outdoor jacuzzi, a hammam dressed in concrete, but also a large menu of treatments signed Menard, Exertier or manuscript. For non-resident customers, the spa offers offers such as the gourmet break (access to the wellness area and lunch served at the hotel bar) at approx. 80fr. or the relaxing morning (breakfast served at the hotel bar and access to the wellness area) at approx. 70fr. Full details on the validity of these offers can be found online. Are you ready for a journey to wholeness?
Palace of Menthon
After a day lazing on the Ile aux Cygnes (Annecy’s only island) or paragliding over the lake, we recommend a dream night at the Palace de Menthon. Between lake and mountains, this 5-star hotel, built in 1906, is a real institution. Its signature Art Deco entrance – the establishment’s logo is directly inspired by it -, its bistronomic restaurant with a glass roof or even its boudoir cocktail bar transport us to another time. Regarding its 65 rooms (including 5 suites with a view of the lake), we can mention the rooms decorated with Douanier Rousseau-style wallpapers, or the bucolic Lili’s House, a charming waterfront residence! For more accessible prices, consider the idea of booking off weekends. As for the spa, you will have to wait until May 14, 2022: the wellness area is getting a makeover.
Hebe Hotel
Located in the heart of Annecy, this 4-star establishment with ultra-modern decor (hello, the oyster-style suspensions and rattan cane seats), offers rooms from 140 fr. (business room, without breakfast). Helped by its various places of life – bar, lounge, terrace – the hotel invites you to serenity and embellishes trips alone, as a couple, with family or friends. Old town, canals where the Thiou flows, shops, restaurants, pedestrian streets, Pâquier and its pedal boats, the Amours bridge… Hébé is only a few steps from all these tourist attractions. Cherry on the cake ? His breakfast is organic, local and very beautiful!
The Boutique Hotel
With its beautiful view of the lake and the mountains, as well as its discreet garden, this concept store hotel, located in the old town of Annecy, has more than one trick up its sleeve. In addition to being open to any tailor-made festive organization (brunches, aperitifs, birthdays, etc.), the originality of this private mansion, installed in a house from the last century, is undoubtedly the multitude of styles of its bedrooms. Scandinavian minimalism (with a pretty little swing), French flea markets, retro vintage, Dutch design… each room has its own decoration. But that’s not all, the Boutik Hotel offers yet another surprise: it features decorative objects that can be purchased. Remember to save space in your suitcase!
Eat
Vincent Favre Felix
A romantic date in sight? Invite your better half to chef Vincent Favre Félix, a gastronomic restaurant distinguished with one star in the Michelin guide and deployed in the garden of La Cour de l’Abbaye d’Annecy le Vieux. Local lovers will fall for the gift boxes (menu from 160 fr. for two people).
Café Brunet (Clos des Sens bistro)
If you follow the lake and plant creations of Laurent Petit, co-founder of the Culinary College of France (with Alain Ducasse and Joël Robuchon) and chef of the restaurant Clos des Sens (three Michelin stars), then book a table at its little brother, Café Brunet. Under the leadership of the chef and the hotel restaurant, this culinary café, housed in a house dating from the 14th century, offers rabble cuisine combining féra, roasted vegetable casserole or pâté en croute. For an epicurean meal!
The Little Paradise
The date of the 2022 summer opening is to be watched on their Facebook page. But we must warn you: this establishment with the air of a cabin in Cap Ferret (France) is a real little paradise. With its feet in the water, on the beach of Argon, in Talloires, the restaurant turns out to be a beautiful spot to celebrate your birthdays, engagement or whatever you want! We fell in love with the table on the private pontoon (remember to book), simply magical at sunset.
And even
For an atypical outing in nature, at Col de la Forclaz: The Montmin Inn
To test the know-how of producers and breeders in the region in an inn: The Inn in the Woods
To eat pizza, “the best in town”, promise the locals: The Voglia
Pour an ice cream (arm yourself with patience in case of large attendance): The Glacier of the Alps
For a picnic: Aristide Bakery, The Source Bakery
To drink
Company
With some 180 references of cocktails (with and without alcohol), beers, wines and spirits, the Society bar and its subdued atmosphere knows how to soothe for an intimate drink. In the kitchen, you can eat mezes to share, such as focaccia pesto rosso with goat cheese or mussels in organic escabèche. The address will also please for its proximity to the lake which is a few steps away.
And even
For a coffee in a café “without computers”: Cafe Mists
For a gourmet break (vegan and gluten-free) in a healthy tea room: Mylk Tea Cafe
For a wine tasting in a cellar and wine bar: Dwarf
For a first or last drink: The Cock’s Tail
Agenda and bike rentals
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Maxi GreenWeez race: from May 27 to 29, 2022, this event is an unmissable event for trail fans. The goal? Go around the lake by the peaks.
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The Great Walk: on July 19, 2022, Annecy signs its major cultural event, echoing Annecy Paysage (permanent artistic installations in the city). Crossing in slackline from the Imperial Palace to the gardens of Europe by Nathan Paolin, entertainment on the Pâquier, artistic performances… the party promises to be beautiful.
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Lake Annecy Festival: on Saturday August 6, 2022 – after two years of absence – the world-famous pyrotechnic show returns with a more eco-responsible version.
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To ride a bike: the city has many cycle paths: Annecy Tourist Office recommends two “bicycle cafe” addresses, where to rent a small queen: Good Wagon in Duingt and Base camp in Talloires.
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