the good plans of the premises
Culture, mountains and lakes, events, shows and parties, cycling, hiking and swimming… The unmissable good addresses and good tips of Annecy residents for a successful holiday with the children.
Hiking: five spot ideas
Where to hike in Annecy? Le Semnoz, the mountain of the lake, at Mont-Veyrier (more sporty), The nature reserve of Roc de Chère (between Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard) and Parmelan (long hike from Villaz), ideal for a first night in a family shelter.
For walks without elevation?The Bout du Lac d’Annecy nature reserve (entertainment throughout the summer) and the Angon waterfall for its magic and freshness. To find hiking routes in Annecy (with quiz, photos, etc.), a tip: download the application free ViAnnecy. Another option: a day of hiking in Les Aravis (Thônes, La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand), the birthplace of farmhouse Reblochon, just 30 minutes from Annecy. The opportunity to buy this Savoy cheese 100% local cream.
Read alsoHolidays in the mountains: the keys to making children love hiking
Family favorite beaches
In Annecy, it is easy to combine a cultural visit, a walk in the old town and swimming by walking. The lake is the number one attraction in summer.
Where to swim with children at Lake Annecy? The beaches free just a few steps from the town centre: Marquisats beach (towards Sevrier) and Albigny beach (Annecy-le-Vieux). With the little ones, Brune beach (Veyrier); Annecy residents also meet there for a picnic at “golden hour” and at sunset. Teenagers love the Imperial beach and Angon (Talloires) for their diving boards. Very appreciated by the locals too, the beach of Saint-Jorioz and its sand, sea atmosphere in the mountains. Good plan: go to the beach by bike, or by free bus in summer (Mobil’été).
By bicycle, in Annecy
Locals use it all year round. Cycling is the preferred mode of transport for getting around town (132 km of cycle paths in Greater Annecy) and by the lake on the greenway (40 km).
Where to rent a bike in Annecy? At the historic “Roul ma poule”, “Cyclable” for its cargo bikes and “Eco-triporteur” (practical with children), and the stations Velonecy (48 in Greater Annecy).
Which way to go around the lakefrom Annecy with the children ? Two options: with the little ones, direction left bank via Sevrier; on the way stopped advised toEcomuseum of Lake Annecy to understand the life of the Savoyards in the 19th century while having fun (fun trails), Paccard Museum (on Thursdays, the bells are cast there), at the riddle escape game and buzz game. In Saint-Jorioz, we spend the day The creek for two reasons: its beach and its “Criq Parc”, THE games/adventure park for Annecy residents. Second more sporty option, to be preferred with teenagers, the right bank via Veyrier-du-Lac: on the way, visit the castle of Menthon, swim at the Brune beach or at Angon, and have lunch at Cassines (Talloires).
Read alsoAround Lake Annecy, between castle, beaches and cycling
Picnic spots
Le Pâquier, the grassy esplanade located between the town centre, the old town and the lake; locals come here after school during the year. It comes alive in summer: giant picnic around the large 150m long table (in July) organized as part of The Great Crossing and the traditional Lake Festival (August 6). From Le Pâquier, stroll through the Jardins de l’Europe passing by the emblematic Pont des Amours and taste the artisanal ice creams of the Ice Farm and Cows (tricycle in place all summer on the Quai Napoléon).
And for a panoramic picnic? Climb to the Col de la Forclaz (by car), to enjoy the most beautiful view of Lake Annecy and the spectacle of the paragliders taking off as a bonus. The must ? At sunset.
Third picnic spot in Annecy: the beach. The swimming-picnic combo at the lake at the end of the day on the left bank of the lake, in the Annecy style.
Five trendy water activities
The paddle is legion. Where to paddle with the family on Lake Annecy? Three addresses suitable for childrento be chosen according to the bank chosen to go paddling: left bank, NCYSUP (Sevrier) for its family formula and its paddle Ride XL (6-8 people), V-boat in Albigny (near the beach of the same name), and right bank at Cool glide which also rents 100% local transparent kayaks: the great novelty of the summer that particularly appeals to teenagers, like the wakeboardingthe star aquatic activity of Lake Annecy, and canyoning (the specialist: Mount Medio); and why not learn about wing sheet exclusively with Luc du Veyrier Nautical Clubwe surfer on the artificial wave of Thiou with the association Freshwater Surfers ?
Read alsoAround Lake Annecy, between castle, beaches and cycling
On the cultural side, we have fun in Annecy
What are the heritage sites to visit with the family in Annecy? The beauty of Haute-Savoie, city of Art and History, is full of nuggets. The old town first of all, a playground for City Games with the mysteries of the lake and Studio Marshmallow. Playful visits are organized throughout the summer at the annecy castle (until August 26, from 8 years old); self-guided museum-castle, like the current exhibition, using media designed for children. The Palace of the Island, the former prison of Annecy can be explored with the help of an investigation notebook on its secrets. Blessed too are the little knights and princesses who visit the three other castles near Annecy: the castle of Clermont and its shows, the Menthon-Saint-Bernard castle and his theatrical visits at nightfall and the Montrottier Castle (Lovagny) which comes alive all summer long with an escape game, a treasure hunt and medieval equestrian shows.
“Landscapes of Annecy”, the open-air museum
Unique in France, Landscapes of Annecy is a journey of 35 installations and monumental works of art installed all summer (until September 25) on the emblematic sites of the city of Annecy: the Gardens of Europe, the Charles Bosson park, in the old town and even on the lake, facing the Pâquier. New for 2022: the four augmented reality works visible to view by downloading the app. A poetic stroll to do with the family, on foot in small sections, or by bike (allow 2 hours).
Indoor activities: five good addresses
Convenient when it’s too hot or it’s raining, but not only… The Turbine, THE cultural center that teaches children about science while having fun: digital workshops, robot programming, music and video creation (in all 16 types of workshops), and a very fun exhibition where manipulation is bet. Second place mentioned all year round by Annecy residents: Ereal, the first virtual reality center and its 60 gaming experiences to live wearing a VR mask. It’s fashionable: the escape game. Where to do a family escape game in Annecy?The Enigma Workshop (Cran-Gevrier), The Enigmus (Sevrier) and The Mysteries of the Lake (Annecy).
“A summer in Annecy”: the right plan of events
Annecy lives to the rhythm of its free and resolutely suitable for children in summer, including a new event, “Mondays on the Rails” around world music (workshops and concerts) at La Friche des rails, the spot for families. Cinema, readings and musical siestas in the open air are also on the program, concocted by the cultural structures and the City of Annecy. And the flagship event, the Lake Festival (August 6), is one of the biggest pyrotechnic shows in Europe.
Read the fileAnnecy: the travel guide for Figaro