The essential guide to where to stay around Lake Annecy

The secret to enjoying a perfect visit to Lake Annecy is knowing where to stay. Choosing the right location will mean the activities and sights that excite you most will be on your doorstep. My guide will point you in the right direction – whether you’re planning a city break in Annecy’s old town or an outdoor adventure at the water’s edge.

Lake Annecy and the city of Annecy itself are picture-perfect. With breath-taking clear lake waters, craggy alpine peaks peppered with lush green woodland and a jewel-coloured old town, there are a million reasons to want to visit this less well-known region of France. I’ve been returning to this part of the Alps for most of my life, and I have a huge amount of love for this mountain wonderland.

If you’re planning a trip here – great news! I think you’ve made a fantastic choice.

I realise though, that planning a visit to this area can seem a little intimidating. With so much to see and do, where do you begin? Annecy isn’t a small city, and the lakeside towns and villages that twinkle in the distance on an evening pose a myriad of options for accommodation and exploration.

Knowing where to stay will make all the difference – as it’ll put you at the heart of the action you’re most keen to throw yourself into. It’s the perfect way to upgrade your holiday from good to pretty darn perfect.

So, to give you a helping hand I’ve put together a guide to help you navigate planning a trip to Lake Annecy. Shall we get started?

A caveat: If you’re looking for reviews of specific accommodation, this might not be the guide for you. With so much to choose from, it’s impossible for me to vet every option. But I urge you to read on. What I can do is help you to pinpoint your ideal location and type of accommodation, which will make it much easier to find the perfect fit.

There’s no AI here! Every post on Travels with a Saddle Bag is written by myself and based on my own travels. This post was last updated in November 2024 and based on dozens of visits to Lake Annecy, most recently in 2022.

Before you begin

Before booking your trip, it’s worth taking the time to decide on your priorities. With these in mind, it’s much easier to find accommodation that works for you. There are four key things I think it’s worth considering;

How do you plan to spend most of your time?

Are you hoping to hike or cycle to your heart’s content? Bask by the lake, paddle or sail? Indulge at some of the area’s most enticing restaurants? Choose the right location and you’ll have these on your doorstep. My posts Why you should visit Lake Annecy: France’s best-kept secret and 10 unmissable things to do around Lake Annecy should give you some ideas if you’re looking for more inspiration.

When are you visiting?

Whilst there are plenty of evergreen options, some, like camping and glamping, are best suited to summer and may only be open during certain of the year. Visiting during the cooler months might mean you want to prioritise generous indoor space or easy travel to a nearby ski resort.

What type of accommodation suits you best?

It’s helpful to decide whether you’ll be looking for home comforts, outdoor space, room for a crowd or somewhere a little out of the ordinary. Some options are best suited to families, others to couples or solo travellers.

What sort of transport do you plan to use?

If you’ll have a car you might enjoy the freedom of staying further from town, especially if waterside access is a priority. If you don’t, there’s a great public transport network you might want to prioritise access to. And if you have a bike with you, proximity to the Voie Verte cycle path around the lake can be a fantastic way to access a myriad of activities without needing to hop in the car.

Where to stay around Lake Annecy

There’s no perfect answer to ‘Where should I stay?’ near Lake Annecy. Which in many ways is excellent news, although it may feel a little overwhelming. There are three key locations to consider. Decide which suits you, and those you’re travelling with, best and you’ll be well on your way. They are;

• The city centre – Annecy old town and the residential districts close to lakeside.
• The Côte Ouest of the lake – the towns, villages and semi-rural areas along the west coast of the lake, including Sevrier, St. Jorioz and Doussard at the south.
• The Côte Est of the lake – the town and villages along the east coast of the lake, including Veyrier, Menthon St. Bernard, Talloires and Angon.

There are no areas I would particularly highlight as spots to avoid in this part of the world as Annecy, and the department of Haute Savoie as a whole, really is a particularly nice part of France. But if you’re heading here to enjoy the lake, I would add a note of caution about staying north of Annecy. It’s a lovely semi-rural area, but to reach the lake you’ll have to negotiate motorways and ring roads. This means spending lots of time in the car – rather than on the water or two feet.

Where to stay in Annecy city centre

With a large and unendingly charming old town there are plenty of good reasons to stay in Annecy’s old town. It’s worth also considering the smart residential districts that run along the Avenue d’Albigny between the old town and Annecy-le-Vieux (counterintuitively not the old town).

What sort of accommodation can you find in Annecy city centre?

You’ll find a good choice of hotels here, from your large international chains through to delightful boutique chambres d’hôtes (or guesthouses). Smart city apartments in both the old town and beyond are increasingly easy to find on sites like Airbnb. It’s just worth being aware that on-street parking is not easy to come by in the city so if this is a priority, look for accommodation with private parking or consider the long-term car park options (there is a large, underground long stay car park near the station).

Why should I stay in Annecy city centre?

It’s perfect for short stays. If your time here is limited, staying right in the thick of things is ideal. With the streets of the old town at your door, you can be enjoying this charming city in seconds.

Transport connections are excellent. If you’re arriving by public transport, you’ll inevitably arrive in the city centre. So why travel further? You’ll also have great access to bus and boat connections to allow you to explore the rest of the region.

Culture on your doorstep. If the idea of exploring the city’s historic sites, enjoying the theatre or live music, or visiting one of the many big events hosted here sounds like your cup of tea, a city centre location may suit you.

It’s lively year round. Which is not to say there is nothing going on at the lakeside during the cooler months. But beachside bars and restaurants close during the off-season and you might be less interested in outdoor exploring. The city centre is vibrant, lived-in and full of life throughout the year.

Any downsides to staying in Annecy city centre?

If you’re looking for easy access to outdoor activities or a beach break, there are better options. Although it’s worth calling out that cycle paths and footpaths can be accessed from town, and Plage d’Albigny is a popular and attractive beachfront just a stone’s throw away.

You’ll also find few accommodation options with outdoor space – around here it’s the Pâquier, a large park by the lakeside, and pavement cafes that locals treat as an extension of their home.

My recommendation?

Book a self-catered studio in the old town. I’ve done this for a few nights and found it a perfect way to enjoy the best of the old town. Think breakfast fresh from the local boulangerie, candlelit dinner by the river Thiou. It puts you right at the heart of things, and I’d highly recommend it for food and drink lovers who can enjoy the best of the city without the hassle of a taxi home each night.

Where to stay on the Côte Ouest of Lake Annecy

The west coast of Lake Annecy offers a great variety of family-friendly accommodation and easy access to laid-back lakeside living.

What sort of accommodation can you find on Lake Annecy’s west coast?

Here there’s an abundance of self-catered options. From large chalets and villas to small studios, there’s heaps of options to explore on Airbnb or through more traditional booking platforms like Gites de France. You’ll also find big campsites, several with swimming pools and pre-erected tents or chalet accommodation.

Why should I stay on Lake Annecy’s west coast?

You’ve got fantastic views. Here you’re facing towards the highest lakeside peaks, offering unenviable views. And early birds will love seeing the sun rise behind these, and enjoy receiving the early morning sun here.

It’s family friendly. From the accommodation options to the beaches, this area welcomes people of all ages with open arms. There’s great play spaces (check out the brilliant Cric’Parc with smaller kids), watersports tuition and hire and relaxed lakeside parks. Easy access to the Voie Verte cycle path offers a safe way to explore this side of the lake on foot or two wheels, well away from the road.

It’s more budget friendly. This is a more affordable area of Lake Annecy. With a wider range of accommodation and more shopping options than the east coast, it’s easier to plan a stay that fits your budget. And all, without compromising on a lakeside location.

Any downsides to staying on Lake Annecy’s west coast?

You’ll benefit from having a car when staying here to make it easy to get out and about. It’s a little busier on this side of the lake too, but I hasten to add that this is in large part due to a lot of locals living here – something I only see as a good thing. And if it’s important to you, there are fewer traditional buildings here. If historic chalets are more your thing, you may prefer the east coast.

Where to stay on the Côte Est of Lake Annecy

The east coast of Lake Annecy lies as the foot of the taller peaks around here, with challenging hiking and biking right on your doorstep. There’s charming villages at the water’s edge as well as the Roc de Chere natural reserve.

What sort of accommodation can you find on Lake Annecy’s east coast?

Like the west coast, there is an abundance of self-catered accommodation here as well as smaller and more traditional campsites. There is a smattering of very chic waterfront hotels, including the jaw droppingly beautiful Palace de Menthon.

Why should I stay on Lake Annecy’s east coast?

You’re spoiled for choice with lakeside beaches. Talloires and Angon are amongst the very best in a region where there are endless options for getting in the water. Watersports enthusiasts will be impressed with the number of beautiful spots where you can hire or launch paddleboards, kayaks and more.

Easy access to high alpine walking and cycling. With the steepest peaks behind you, this is a great base for ambitious explorers who can enjoy plenty without getting in the car. And equally…

Great access to the high peaks and ski resorts of Haute Savoie. The nearby resorts of La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand are 40 minutes from here, Megeve only a little more. Plus there’s plenty in between. If you’re keen to discover hidden alpine valleys, high alpages and scramble to peaks, you’ll have good access to the highest mountains around here via the D909.

Delightful villages. A little quieter than the west coast, Talloires and Menthon St. Bernard are charming villages packed with traditional shops and cafes at their core, plenty of pedestrianised streets and unrivalled waterside areas. The bay of Talloires is particularly spell-binding.

There’s plenty of heritage to explore. From picture-perfect alpine chapels like St. Germain to the Chateau de Menthon, there’s a little more history on show here. Whilst they’ve ballooned into the swoon-worthy small towns you see today, the villages here started life as ancient farming communities. And it’s not hard to find the beautiful old chalets, barns and fountains that have stood since long before tourists ever arrived.

This side is for sundowners. Unlike the west coast, you don’t get the sun early in the morning here, but you do in the evening. It’s one of the reasons why there has been a (quite brilliant) blossoming of laid-back waterside spots to eat and drink here in recent years. The sunset views are spectacular.

Any downsides to staying on Lake Annecy’s east coast?

This is the most prestigious area around the lake, and prices reflect this. The most affordable way to stay here is in one of the modest and perfectly appointed campsites in Talloires or Angon. If you don’t have the budget for a lake-view villa I urge you to consider some of the excellent studio apartments you can find here. With easy access to the outdoors you may not miss a terrace of your own.

My recommendations?

Self-catering in Talloires or Menthon St. Bernard is an outstanding choice, and one I’ve been lucky enough to return to many times over the years. It feels like you have everything you could possibly want on your doorstep as well as Annecy’s old town just a half hour speedy cycle or fifteen minute drive/bus ride away.

I have it on good authority that there are great camping spots here. Camping l’Horizon has remained delightfully unchanged for decades and has spectacular views from its best pitches. Camping Le Lanfonnet and Camping la Chapelle Saint Claude at Angon offer unrivalled beach access and are just a few minutes walk from a handful of great waterfront restaurants and bars. They’re uncomplicated sites with the basics done well and no need for onsite entertainment or leisure facilities thanks to their enviable locations.

Finding the best Lake Annecy accommodation

Isn’t as tricky as it sounds. Honestly.

It’s a case of choosing which area is the right fit for you, and then narrowing it down by your preferred type of accommodation. And you can’t go too wrong. Lake Annecy is glorious. Even if you don’t have the perfect lake view, or have a little drive to reach the old town or waterfront you’ll find it hard not to fall in love with this magical spot.

Happy holiday planning!