Annecy in the summer versus the winter
When is the best time of the year to visit Annecy and what is there to do depending on the season? Keep on reading to find out!
Annecy is one of France’s most popular destinations, especially during the summer months. Swimming in the glittering blue lake, days spent by the beach, lounging lakeside in the sun – it's no wonder that Annecy is a French favourite summertime spot! However, Annecy during the wintertime is also a whimsical destination not to be missed out on!
If you are planning to visit Annecy but are not sure which season to visit during, or simply aren’t sure what there is to do around Annecy, keep on reading for our comparison of what to see and do in Annecy during the summer versus the winter.
To begin our side by side comparison of Annecy during the summer and winter, we’ll first begin with the things that make Annecy a wonderful place to visit all year round!
Non-seasonal activities
Annecy is a beautiful city full of charming mediaeval architecture and sights, and wandering around the old town centre is sure to be a highlight of your trip no matter what the season! The museum castle of Annecy and the Palais de l’ile are Annecy’s most popular museums and a great option for escaping the crowds and heat of summer, or getting cosy and avoiding the rain during winter!
In addition to its history and architecture, Annecy is also well known for its food scene! Farmers markets are a great way to check out Annecy’s local produce, and there are many markets in the area that are open all year long. In particular, the famous old town farmers market is open on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings, and wandering around the local market is sure to put you in vacation mode no matter the season! Annecy’s local delicacies are influenced by its Alpine surroundings, and though the fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables will be delicious all year around, it could be said that melting cheese over roasted potatoes might taste even better during the cooler months!
Since Annecy sits right on the border of the iconic Lake Annecy, no matter when you come to visit, experiencing the lake is a must! While you may not be able to swim in the glacier fed lake all year, you can absolutely enjoy boat tours in summer and in winter! Whether the water is glittering blue or shining silver, book a tour with Compagnie des Bateaux Annecy to discover the lake from end to end.
During the boat tour, you will be able to see that all around Lake Annecy there are quaint villages that are a treat to visit! While the variety of public transport around Annecy may vary throughout the year, the local bus lines will be able to take you around the lake so that you can spend time exploring Annecy’s unique surroundings. Walking along the lakeshore is always a treat – this article outlines a few hiking and walking trails around Lake Annecy, most of which you will be able to do during all seasons.
Besides lakeside walks and alpine hikes, Annecy offers access to many kinds of outdoor activities, and while certain activities are certainly seasonal, there are some great options available throughout the year. Annecy is well known for having one of the oldest and most beautiful bike paths in France, the greenway around the lake, and biking is a great way to discover the lake no matter the time of year. Check out these Annecy bike rentals for all your biking needs!
For a more unique way to experience Annecy, you can also try a hot air balloon ride or a microlight flight over the lake – sure to thrill no matter the season! Paragliding is another adrenaline pumping way to discover Annecy! Spots like La Clusaz offer paragliding year around, whereas the nearby towns of Meribel and Courchevel specialise in winter paragliding tours over the Alps.
Summer Activities
As one of France’s most popular summer destinations, Annecy can be crowded during the summer! Though it might be tempting to avoid the crowds, there are many great reasons why people like to visit Annecy during the summer.
Of course, the main draw of Annecy during the summer is the chance to cool off in Europe’s cleanest lake! Not only can you lounge on the many public beaches around Lake Annecy, but there are so many great water-based activities, such as stand up paddle boarding, wakeboarding, wingfoil, and snorkelling! For a more relaxing experience, you can even rent your own pedalo or rent a boat to explore the lake at your leisure!
The best part is, if you are staying at the main hub of Annecy town but want to visit the other charming towns around the lake to explore more beaches and activities, there are many easy modes of transport available during the height of summer. The Lake Annecy Express boat runs all summer long between Annecy and Veyrier-du-lac, with multiple round trips everyday. The Navibus, Lake Annecy’s boat bus service, also tends to service all ports during the summer, every day during peak season, and 4 times a week in May, June, and September, making it simple to get from one end of the lake to the other! Of course, there is also Annecy’s local bus line, the SIBRA bus, which is free to use during the months of July and August!
If you want to get away from the water for a bit during the summer, besides the many year-round activities mentioned above, you can also try something totally different, like mountain biking! From Annecy, you can meet your guides and head up Semnoz mountain to explore a different side and view of Lake Annecy at a thrilling pace!
Whether you want to relax on a beach or a boat, or try something new and exciting like wakeboarding or mountain biking, Annecy in the summertime has so much to offer!
Winter activities
Annecy in the winter presents its guests with an entirely different experience than it does in the summer! The emerald mountains around the lake transform into snowy giants, the rooftops in town wear jaunty caps of white, and the city glitters from morning to night – first from ice-crystals winking in the sun, and later, from the myriad of fairy lights that begin to glow after sun-down.
While watersports may be out of the question, it is time for snow sports to take centre stage! With its prime location in the French Alps, Annecy not only offers skiing and snowsports at its local mountain station of Le Semnoz, only 20 minutes from the centre of Annecy, but nearby you also have the ski stations of Les Glières 45 minutes away, La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand 40 minutes away, Talloires-Montmin a mere 30 minutes away, and quite a few more other options among the Aravis range of the Alps! The aforementioned ski resorts are easily accessible by local bus lines from Annecy.
At La Clusaz, if you are looking for something slightly different than your run-of-the-mill skiing and snowboarding, learn how to go backcountry skiing, or try ski touring and snowshoeing instead! For an even more whacky adventure, try out the sled/ski mix that is called Yooner, for a totally unique experience in Annecy!
As mentioned above, Annecy is known for its farmers markets, and in winter, starting from the end of November until the beginning of January, there are Christmas markets! There is the Old Annecy Christmas Market (Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy), the Alps Village Market (Village des Alpes), with its open air ice-skating rink, and the Craft Market (Village des Artisans). With a festive atmosphere coupled with snow covered cobblestones, Annecy is all charm during the winter!
As you can see, Annecy in the summer and Annecy during the winter are two worlds apart, with so much to experience during either season! From beachside fun in the sun to winter wonderland festivity, Annecy is a must visit during both summer and winter, which is really the only solution when it comes to choosing which season to visit during! At least you now know that no matter when you visit Annecy, there will always be much to do and see!
For more information about things to do in Annecy, check out this article on family friendly activities, and this article all about water based activities in Annecy.