I have lived in Annecy since 2018, and every weekend here reminds me why I moved to the town. When friends ask what to do on their Annecy weekend, my answer almost always starts with “it depends”. It depends on the season, the weather, how sporty you feel and how much energy you have. So rather than a minute-by-minute schedule, I will tell you what I actually do in each season, with practical tips for getting here, finding a bed and getting around without a car.
Between the lakeshore and the old town, two days is enough to get a feel for Annecy. If you have longer, or want the detail on every place, I have written a guide to visiting Annecy in 1 to 5 days. Here, we stick to the essentials of a weekend in Annecy.
Annecy weekend at a glance
- Length: two days is enough for the old town, the lake and a walk or an activity.
- Getting here: a direct TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon takes about 4 hours, and Lyon is about 2 hours away.
- Getting around: the centre is walkable, and the station is a few minutes from the old town.
- Market: in the old town on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, from 7am to 1pm, all year round.
- Where to sleep: in the centre, so you can do everything on foot (my five picks are further down).
- If it rains: the castle museum, the Palais de l’Île, the animation film centre (Cité du cinéma d’animation) and brunch.
Places not to miss on your weekend in Annecy
The old town and the Palais de l’Île
Start with the old town, and go early in the morning, especially in fine weather. You get the canals, the quays of the Thiou and the rue Sainte-Claire with its arcades before the crowds arrive. It is easy to find your way around, so you can wander without a map. The pedestrian zone mixes designer boutiques with big chains, and it is the right place for an ice cream on the move.
The Palais de l’Île is a former prison standing on its own island in the middle of the Thiou. It looks completely different at night, when it is lit up. You will find it at 3 passage de l’Île.
Annecy castle and the Visitation basilica
On the other side of the old town, Annecy castle looks down over the rooftops. The first time I stood in front of it, I was struck by how imposing it is. You walk up by the castle ramp, from the rue Sainte-Claire, and the view is really nice. The castle museum is a good option when the weather turns. There are three castles near Annecy in all, if you want to see more.
A little higher up stands the Visitation basilica. Allow 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the old town, up a properly steep climb. Some people drive up and park at the top, but it is so close that you may as well walk. The view over Annecy and the lake is worth the effort.
The Pâquier, the Pont des Amours and the Jardins de l’Europe
Now head down to the lake. The Pâquier is the big lawn facing the water, opposite Bonlieu, a few minutes’ walk from the centre. Locals come here to jog, walk their dogs or picnic, and you can hire a pedalo. From there, carry on to the Jardins de l’Europe via the Pont des Amours, preferably early in the morning so you can enjoy it in peace.
The Parc de l’Impérial
It is a very pleasant walk along the lake to the Parc de l’Impérial. The park is free and dogs are welcome, so it is a good place to sit and relax. It is next to the Albigny beach, and you can even keep walking to the little harbour, at the foot of Mont Veyrier. I have detailed every beach on the lake in my Annecy beaches guide.
Talloires and Menthon
If you have half a day, head to Talloires. I find the village so pretty, and the lakeside walk there is lovely. I also really like Menthon. Without a car, there is a bus to Talloires.
The Gorges du Fier
A few kilometres from Annecy, in Lovagny, the Gorges du Fier make a very different outing from the lakeside walks. Check the opening dates before you go.
A 2-day Annecy weekend plan: the itinerary I would suggest
Saturday: the town
On Saturday, I suggest you take on the town. Start in the old town early in the morning, then stop for an ice cream or a brunch. Climb up to the castle (and to the Visitation if your legs are up for it), then come back down towards the Pâquier, the Pont des Amours and the Jardins de l’Europe in the late afternoon. Everything is within walking distance of the centre.
Sunday: the lake and the season
On Sunday, it is all about the lake and whatever the season allows. Start with the old town market (7am to 1pm), then walk to the Parc de l’Impérial and pick an activity to suit the time of year: hiking, paddleboarding or snowshoeing, which you will find below. If it rains, switch to plan B in the rain section.
Annecy weekend in spring: lake, walks and brunch
In spring, I do roughly the same as in summer, depending on the weather. That means a walk by the lake, a hike if the sky is clear, or simply sitting by the water before brunch. It is a calmer season than high summer, but the weather stays moody, so it is best to have a plan B (more on that below).
With Rhéa, we often head to the Pâquier, and out of season we also go to the beaches. Brunch is part of the ritual: all my addresses are in my article on the best brunches in Annecy.
Weekend in Annecy in summer: hiking, paddleboarding and the lake
In summer, the lake is the centre of everything. There are two ways to spend your weekend, and we alternate depending on our mood.
If you feel like being active
For hiking, Mont Veyrier can be done on foot from the town, without a car. It is easier to reach than the big mountain outings, but it is still demanding. For a long day out, there is La Tournette, and you will find more ideas in my guide to hiking in Annecy.
On the water, paddleboarding is a classic, and I have listed my favourite paddleboarding spots in Annecy. If you want a different format, there is also the walk around the lake (currently in French only). For more adrenaline, I have written about paragliding and about canyoning (currently in French only). You will find a selection of other activities on Lake Annecy (in French).
If you would rather slow down
Some weekends we barely do anything: we sit by the lake, swim, then have brunch. The Impérial and Marquisats beaches are easy to reach on foot or by bike from the centre. With Rhéa, we swim where it is possible, for example at Angon or near the Impérial. For sunset, my favourite spot is still the Semnoz.
Annecy weekend in autumn: sea of clouds and walks
Autumn is the season when I plan least in advance, because everything depends on the weather. When it is clear, we go for a walk or a hike, and my guide to hiking in Annecy helps you choose. Sometimes, when conditions are right, a sea of clouds settles in at altitude, and that is a very good excuse to head up. Even when it stays grey, the lake and a brunch save the weekend.
Annecy weekend break in winter: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and the Christmas market
In winter, the lake is a little neglected in favour of the nearby resorts, but Annecy has plenty to fill a weekend. For me, winter mostly means cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
At the Semnoz
The Semnoz is 20 to 30 minutes from Annecy. The cross-country area has 35 km of trails spread over three sectors, and opening depends on snow cover. A day pass for cross-country skiing cost €8 last season (2025-2026), so check the price for this winter. For snowshoeing, you can hire on site at the chalet nordique de la Forêt, for €8 to €12 a day. My suggested circuit for beginners is the circuit des 3 lacs: around 5 km and easy. You will find all the details in my article on snowshoeing in Annecy (currently in French only).
Winter hikes, depending on the snow
Depending on the snow and the conditions, we also do a few hikes, such as Mont Veyrier or Taillefer. I always check the state of the terrain before setting off. A winter hike is nothing like the same route in summer.
In town: Christmas market and fondue
The Christmas market is honestly great fun (currently in French only). In 2026, it runs from 26 November to 3 January 2027, with nearly 200 chalets and a natural-ice rink (460 m²) just next to it. For the rest, we stroll by the lake and treat ourselves to a fondue in the centre, and my addresses are in my article on the best restaurants in Annecy. If you come in February, the Venice Carnival is announced for 19 to 21 February 2027.
Downhill skiing and ski touring: a few pointers, even if it is not really our thing
Downhill skiing and ski touring are not really our thing, so I will not give you a specialist’s briefing. I can still give you some solid pointers.
For downhill skiing, the Semnoz has a small alpine area very close to Annecy. Bigger areas are found in the Aravis, with Le Grand-Bornand (less than 50 minutes’ drive from Annecy) or La Clusaz.
If you try ski touring, never set off without reading the Météo-France avalanche risk bulletin for the massif you are heading to. It gives a risk level from 1 to 5, and it is updated every day at 4pm during the season. The safety trio is compulsory: an avalanche transceiver, a shovel and a probe. If you are a beginner, do a first outing with a mountain professional, who will also show you how to use this equipment. Le Grand-Bornand, for example, offers guided trips suited to your level.
What to do in Annecy this weekend when it rains
When it pours, we head indoors. Options include the castle museum and the Palais de l’Île, the animation film centre (Cité du cinéma d’animation), a brunch that stretches on, a spa, or indoor climbing if you have energy to burn. The details of each place are in my guide to visiting Annecy in 1 to 5 days (currently in French only).
Where to stay for a weekend in Annecy
For a weekend, I recommend sleeping in the centre. You do everything on foot, and you do not have to worry about parking in the morning. Here are five hotels in the centre that come out well rated on Google (ratings as of 10 November 2026). They change, so check recent reviews and prices.
- Splendid Hotel (4.5/5), quai Eustache-Chappuis, facing the lake.
- Hôtel du Château (4.5/5), rue du Château, in the old town: it is a bit of a climb to get there.
- Atipik Hôtel (4.5/5), rue Vaugelas, near the station and the canals.
- Allobroges Park Hôtel (4.5/5), rue Sommeiller, a few minutes’ walk from the station.
- Hôtel Le Pélican (4.6/5), rue des Marquisats, along the lake, a little quieter.
Getting to Annecy and getting around
By train
The simplest way from Paris is the direct TGV from Gare de Lyon, which takes about 4 hours. From Lyon, allow about 2 hours. Annecy station is a few minutes’ walk from the old town. If you arrive via Geneva airport, a coach runs to Annecy bus station, right next to the railway station.
By car and parking
The handiest option is a covered car park in the centre: Bonlieu, Hôtel de Ville, Courier or Sainte-Claire. Some offer a multi-day rate, so ask at the entrance or at your hotel.
Once you are there
The centre is walkable. To go further, you can opt for bike hire, which suits a weekend well, or take the bus to Talloires. A weekend bike hire in Annecy is a simple way to reach the Impérial and Marquisats beaches, which you can also walk to from the centre.
Where to eat during your Annecy weekend
On Sunday morning, the old town market is a good habit. It also runs on Tuesday and Friday, from 7am to 1pm. For the rest, I have two articles: my favourite brunches for the morning, and my restaurants for the evening, including fondue in winter.
Your Annecy weekend in short
If I had to sum up a weekend in Annecy, I would say this. Sleep in the centre, spend Saturday in the old town and around the castle, and give Sunday to the lake with an activity that suits the season. Add the market on Sunday morning, from 7am to 1pm, and keep a plan B for the rain. If you can, take the train: the centre is walkable, and the station is a few minutes from the old town. I walk Rhéa almost everywhere here, so dogs are easy to include (always check the signs on site).
FAQ: weekend in Annecy
How many days do you need to visit Annecy?
Two days is enough for a first weekend: the old town, the lake and a walk or an activity. If you want more, my guide to visiting Annecy in 1 to 5 days (currently in French only) has itineraries for each length of stay.
Can you do a weekend in Annecy without a car?
Yes. You arrive by train, the centre is walkable, and you can hire a bike or take the bus to Talloires.
What is the best season for an Annecy weekend?
It depends on what you are after: hiking, paddleboarding and swimming in summer, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and the Christmas market in winter. Spring and autumn are calmer, with more changeable weather.
What is there to do in Annecy when it rains?
The castle museum, the Palais de l’Île, the animation film centre, brunch, a spa or indoor climbing. It is all covered in the rain section above.
Which days is the old town market on?
Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, from 7am to 1pm, all year round.
How do you get to Annecy by train?
From Paris, the direct TGV leaves from Gare de Lyon and takes about 4 hours. From Lyon, allow about 2 hours. Annecy station is a few minutes’ walk from the old town, and a coach links Geneva airport to the bus station right next to it.
Where should you park for a weekend in Annecy?
The handiest option is a covered car park in the centre: Bonlieu, Hôtel de Ville, Courier or Sainte-Claire. Some offer a multi-day rate, so ask at the entrance or at your hotel.
Can you swim in Lake Annecy?
Yes. Several beaches are within reach of the centre, for example Marquisats, Impérial and Albigny, as well as Angon.
Where can you see the sunset in Annecy?
My favourite spot is still the Semnoz.
What is there to do in Annecy in winter?
For me, it is cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Semnoz, a few hikes depending on the snow, the Christmas market (currently in French only) and a fondue in the centre. For downhill skiing and ski touring, see the dedicated section above.
Is a bike hire worth it for an Annecy weekend break?
It is optional, because the centre is walkable. A bike helps you go a little further: the Impérial and Marquisats beaches can be reached on foot or by bike from the centre.
Can you bring a dog?
I walk Rhéa almost everywhere: at the Pâquier, near the Impérial, on hikes. For swimming, we go where it is possible, for example at Angon or near the Impérial. Always check the signs on site.