If you are looking for a short outing in the wild near Annecy, the Gorges du Fier are a lovely choice. They lie in the village of Lovagny, about 10 km from Annecy, in the French Alps. Over thousands of years, erosion has carved an impressive gorge into the rock. It is a natural spectacle like no other. People count it among the great natural curiosities of the Alps. The visit mixes geology, local legends and panoramic walking, all in about an hour.
The Gorges du Fier at a glance
- Where: in Lovagny, about 10 km from Annecy (15 to 20 minutes by car), at 30 rue du Pont des Liasses.
- The visit: a 252 m footbridge fixed into the rock, 25 m above the Fier, for about 1 hour (1.2 km there and back).
- Opening: every day from 15 March to 15 October, from 9.30 am, with no booking needed.
- Tickets: €6 from the age of 16, €3 from 7 to 15, and free for children under 7.
- Parking: free, at the entrance to the site.
- Not allowed: dogs, pushchairs and swimming.
All the details are further down, with an FAQ at the end for the practical questions.
Gorges du Fier near Annecy: a geological wonder
The Gorges du Fier, a stone’s throw from Annecy, are a natural site with real character. The Fier torrent has cut a narrow, deep gorge into the rock. It reveals a series of striking geological formations, such as giant’s kettles. These are cavities hollowed out by moving water over the ages (the technical word is potholes). The visit feels like a trip through time and shows the power of nature. A footbridge hangs 25 metres above the river, so you can walk safely and enjoy the views of the gorge.
This footbridge, installed in 1869, opens up a spectacular gorge. Here the Fier, one of the main torrents in Haute-Savoie, winds through a narrow and imposing passage in the rock. As you follow the path, you will also notice plays of light and surprising shapes in the stone, sometimes like faces. It is a place where nature seems to have picked up a paintbrush to shape short-lived works of art.
The Fier, the river that carved the gorges
The Fier is a mountain torrent. It rises at Mont Charvin and joins the Rhône after crossing the Albanais, the area west of Annecy. Over thousands of years, it carved the gorge by erosion. It is nothing like a quiet river: the current is strong. Hydroelectric dams nearby can also release water at any time (more on that below, in the swimming section).
How to get to the Gorges du Fier from Annecy
The Gorges du Fier are in Lovagny, about 10 km west of Annecy. Type this address into your satnav: 30 rue du Pont des Liasses, 74330 Lovagny. From the centre of Annecy, allow 15 to 20 minutes by car. Drive through Poisy, then follow the signs for “Lovagny, Les gorges du Fier”. You will also find the full route on the access page of the official website (in French).
By car and where to park
The car is the simplest option. Parking is free. The official site points to car park no. 1 for reaching the ticket office along an accessible path. Other car parks also exist around the gorges. One lies to the east (the coach park, which is also the start of the hike below). Another lies to the west, next to the restaurant.
By bus from Annecy (public transport)
You can do it without a car, but plan on some walking. The official site mentions two lines of the Sibra network, the bus network of the Annecy area. Line 12 serves the village of Lovagny. Line 3 stops at “Chavanod Fier”. In both cases, about 30 minutes on foot remain to reach the gorges. An Annecy City Tour excursion also links the centre of Annecy with the gorges and the Château de Montrottier, by reservation. Check the day’s timetable on the Sibra website before you leave.
Visiting the Gorges du Fier: what to know
When you plan your visit to the Gorges du Fier, allow about an hour. The walk along the footbridge takes you past the main points of interest. One of them is the Clairière des Curieux (the “Curious Clearing”), where panels share geological information about the gorges. You learn how water, trickling over the rock for ages, hollowed out these huge cavities. You also see how this process shaped the landscape over time.
Halfway along, a measuring scale shows the heights the Fier reached in its most violent floods. It is an impressive reminder of the river’s strength. If you love geology, you will enjoy spotting the different rocks and formations. Look out for tufa, bedding joints and the giant’s kettles.
For children, the site also has the Îlot des Légendes (the Legends Islet), where stories inspired by the place are told. One of them is the legend of the little page and Diane de Montrottier. It tells of a young page in love with the beautiful Diane, in a story that ends tragically in the waters of the Fier.
The visit step by step
You visit without a guide, at your own pace. The official site splits the route into six stages, which you pass in this order:
- The footbridge. 252 m of walkway fixed into the rock, 25 m above the torrent. You move along the narrow passage between blocks of all shapes and giant’s kettles. Halfway along, a scale shows the heights reached by the Fier during major floods.
- The Clairière des Curieux. As you leave the canyon, panels show where the Fier flows, the geological curiosities and the water cycle.
- Imagi…Fier. A woodland path where photo panels take the shape of trees.
- The Îlot des Légendes. Local tales, including the legend of the Petit Page and Diane de Montrottier, and that of the Lapiaz dragon.
- The Mer des Rochers. A vast lapiaz (a limestone pavement), a maze of cracked blocks where the Fier flows quietly. After the narrow passage of the footbridge, the contrast is clear.
- The final room. It traces the region’s key events from 1860 to today, with photos of the great floods.
On the walls, you will see shapes that all have a name. There are giant’s kettles, convection niches and kamenitzas (small basins that water carves into the rock). You will also spot bedding joints, tufa and fallen blocks.
How long does it take to visit the Gorges du Fier?
Allow about 1 hour for the visit, which covers 1.2 km there and back. If you like to stop at the panels in the Clairière des Curieux or take photos, allow a little more. Above all, remember that the last entry is one hour before closing. That means 5.15 pm in spring and autumn, and 6.15 pm in high summer.
Gorges du Fier tickets and opening times
The Gorges du Fier welcome visitors every day, public holidays included, from 15 March to 15 October. No booking is needed, except for groups. Outside those dates, the site is closed. I checked the opening times on the official site in November 2026:
| Period | Opening | Closing | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 March to 14 June | 9.30 am | 6.15 pm | 5.15 pm |
| 15 June to 31 August | 9.30 am | 7.15 pm | 6.15 pm |
| 1 September to 15 October | 9.30 am | 6.15 pm | 5.15 pm |
As for prices, the entrance fee stays affordable:
| Visitor | Individual ticket |
|---|---|
| Adult (from 16) | €6 |
| Child aged 7 to 15 | €3 |
| Child under 7 | Free |
For groups (booking required), the official site lists €5 per adult and €2.70 per child under 16. On site, you can pay by card, preferably contactless. The card terminal can fail when the connection is poor, so bring some cash. Note that the nearest cash machine is more than 5 minutes away by car. The site does not accept cheques, meal vouchers or holiday vouchers (chèques-repas and chèques-vacances, which are French payment vouchers). Prices and times can change from one season to the next, so check the practical information page of the official site (in French) before you come.
Can you swim at the Gorges du Fier?
No, you cannot swim. A prefectural order and municipal orders ban access to the banks of the Fier, both upstream and downstream of the gorges.
This is not just a formality. The Fier is a mountain river with a strong current, deep water and slippery, uneven banks. Nearby hydroelectric dams can also release water at any time. In the end, if you want a swim around Annecy, aim for the lake.
Gorges du Fier with children, a dog or a pushchair
Children are welcome, but the rules are strict. They must hold an adult’s hand and stay under supervision. The rules ban running on the walkways, climbing on the railings, and carrying a child in your arms or on your shoulders. The site also refuses pushchairs. Until your child can walk the 1.2 km there and back alone, you need a baby carrier suited to their age. If you do not have one, the site lends them in exchange for an ID document, subject to availability and without booking.
The site also refuses dogs and all other animals, even on a lead or carried in a bag. So if your dog is coming along, do the hike described below. It follows the paths around the gorges and skips the paid visit (have a look at the signs on site anyway).
Gorges du Fier restaurant: where to eat after the visit
After a full walk in the gorges, nothing beats a good meal. Near the gorges, several restaurants offer a pleasant atmosphere and simple but tasty cooking.
One of the most popular is the Bon Refuge, a small restaurant next to the west car park of the Gorges du Fier. You can sit on a shaded terrace and enjoy typical Savoyard dishes made with fresh produce.
The menu is often homemade dishes, from Savoyard chicken fillet to indulgent desserts. Reviews are unanimous: the atmosphere is friendly, the service is quick and the welcome is warm. For lunch after a hike, or simply a break with the family, this place will suit you. It also lets you stretch out your time in the countryside.
On site, you will also find a bar with a terrace (drinks and sandwiches), a souvenir shop and a picnic area with tables and benches. The toilets are free, eco-friendly dry toilets. There is no running water on site, only hand sanitiser, but the bar staff can fill your water bottle.
For other addresses in Annecy itself, I have gathered my selection of restaurants in Annecy in a separate article.
Gorges du Fier hike: a natural route to discover
If you enjoy hiking, the Gorges du Fier are more than a visit to the canyon. Trails around the gorges let you explore the surroundings. A classic 6.7 km route is waiting for you. It is an easy walk that takes about 2.5 hours.
The start is at the car park east of the gorges. You cross varied landscapes, including forests and small country lanes, before following the gorges themselves. It is a good chance to see the area from a different angle, with open views of the Fier and the Savoyard countryside. On the way, you can also make a detour to the Château de Montrottier, a medieval castle that overlooks the valley. It rounds off the day nicely.
The loop in detail from the coach car park
This loop matches the Visorando sheet “Au-dessus des gorges du Fier 1” (Visorando is a French hiking route website). It starts and ends at the coach car park, east of the gorges (to reach it, go through Chavanod or Poisy). The loop follows a forest track along the gorges as far as the west car park. Then steps take you back down to the site entrance, where the picnic area is. You return to your starting point along the chemin du Pont des Liasses. For the step-by-step route and the GPS track, follow the sheet.
The entrance to the visit is around km 6.2 of the loop, very close to the finish. So you can end with the footbridge. The sheet even suggests a full day, adding the gorges visit and the Château de Montrottier. It also describes a slightly longer walk, “Au-dessus des gorges du Fier 2”. For other outings in the area, have a look at my selection of hikes around Annecy.
My take: paid visit or a walk around it
Personally, I find the (paid) visit to the gorges just as enjoyable as walking around them. I did the hike with Rhéa, all the way to the château. Dogs are not allowed on the footbridge, so it is a good solution. The path also lets you follow part of the gorges and admire them.
A few practical tips
When you visit the Gorges du Fier, a few rules matter for your safety. Pets, and dogs in particular, are not allowed on the site. If you have young children, you will need a baby carrier. Pushchairs are not allowed, and children cannot be carried in your arms for safety reasons.
The site is open from mid-March to mid-October, and you can visit without booking. Groups, however, must reserve. As for prices, they stay affordable: €6 for adults and €3 for children aged 7 to 15. Children under 7 get in free.
Finally, the Gorges du Fier are naturally cool in summer. Even so, it is always wise to wear suitable shoes and bring water, so that your visit stays comfortable.
Vertigo, shoes and accessibility
If you suffer from vertigo, the footbridge is safe, but you walk 25 m above the torrent, with a view straight down to the water. A Haute-Savoie tourism site advises against it for people prone to vertigo.
The site asks for no special equipment, but it recommends closed shoes, even low ones. The visit is not tiring if you take your time, and benches line the route.
People in wheelchairs cannot do the visit, because of the narrow walkways and the steps. They can, however, reach the ticket office, the terrace and the shop by an accessible path from car park no. 1.
What to do near the Gorges du Fier
The visit takes about 1 hour, which leaves room for the rest of the day. A Haute-Savoie tourism site suggests planning half a day to explore the area. Add the 2.5-hour loop described above, and you have a full and easy outing.
The Château de Montrottier
The Château de Montrottier (60 allée du Château, in Lovagny) overlooks the Fier valley. It was built between the 13th and 15th centuries, with a round keep, ramparts and towers. It also holds a cabinet of curiosities. In 2026, it opens from 1 April to 31 October. Tickets cost €10 for adults and €6 for ages 6 to 15, and it is free under 6. A path also links the two sites, and many visitors combine them in one day. In my 5-day itinerary, it is the final stop (that article is my guide to visiting Annecy in 1 to 5 days).
The Chemin des Châteaux
In Lovagny, this family walk takes you past five castles that once formed a feudal defensive group. Allow about 1 hour 15 minutes. Access is free.
Annecy and the lake
Annecy is only 15 to 20 minutes away. To build the rest of your day, I have written about a weekend in Annecy, walking around the lake and canyoning near Annecy. If castles interest you, there is also my article on the castles near Annecy. The guides on the lake walk, canyoning and castles are currently in French only. For something on the water, see my paddle board guide to Lake Annecy.
A simple plan for your day
Here is one way to build the day, using only what is described above. Park at the east coach car park and walk the 6.7 km loop, which takes about 2.5 hours. The entrance to the visit comes near the end, around km 6.2, so you can finish with the footbridge (about 1 hour). Remember that the last entry is one hour before closing, so check the time before you set off. If you still have energy, the Château de Montrottier is linked to the gorges by a path. With a dog, keep the loop and the château, and skip the footbridge.
Frequently asked questions about the Gorges du Fier
Where are the Gorges du Fier?
In Lovagny, in Haute-Savoie, about 10 km west of Annecy, at 30 rue du Pont des Liasses.
How long does the visit take?
Allow about 1 hour, for 1.2 km there and back.
How much are tickets for the Gorges du Fier?
An adult (from 16) pays €6, a child aged 7 to 15 pays €3, and children under 7 get in free.
What are the opening times?
The gorges open every day from 15 March to 15 October, from 9.30 am. They close at 6.15 pm, or at 7.15 pm from 15 June to 31 August. The last entry is one hour before closing.
Do I need to book?
No, you can visit without booking. Only groups need to reserve.
Where can I park?
Parking is free, at the entrance to the site.
Can you swim in the Fier?
No. A prefectural order and municipal orders ban access to the banks, upstream and downstream of the gorges.
Are dogs allowed?
No, the site refuses dogs and other animals, even on a lead or in a bag.
Can I bring a pushchair or a baby?
The site refuses pushchairs. Children who cannot walk on their own travel in a baby carrier, and the site lends some, subject to availability.
Are the Gorges du Fier wheelchair accessible?
The visit is not possible in a wheelchair, because of the narrow walkways and the steps. However, an accessible path leads to the ticket office, the terrace and the shop.
Are there toilets and food on site?
The site has free dry toilets, a bar with a terrace (drinks and sandwiches) and a souvenir shop.
How do I get there by bus from Annecy?
Take Sibra line 12 (Lovagny) or line 3 (stop “Chavanod Fier”), then allow about 30 minutes on foot.
Are the gorges open in winter?
No, they close outside the season, from 15 October to 15 March.
Is there a hike at the Gorges du Fier?
Yes. A 6.7 km loop of about 2.5 hours starts at the east coach car park and follows the gorges. It is an easy walk, and it is a good option if you have a dog.
Can I visit the gorges and the château on the same day?
Yes. A path links the two sites, and many visitors combine them in one day. In 2026, the Château de Montrottier opens from 1 April to 31 October.
Is the visit worth the ticket price?
Personally, I find the paid visit just as enjoyable as walking around the gorges. If you have a dog, the walk to the château is a good alternative, since dogs cannot go on the footbridge.