Annecy & the French Alps: The Complete Family Guide to Lakes, Mountains, and Activities

Wander Annecy's Old Town (Vieille Ville): The medieval canals, flower-draped bridges, and 12th-century Palais de l'Île make Annecy's old town one of the most beautiful in France. Go early morning—by 10am in summer the main streets are crowded, but at 8am it's almost entirely yours. As you stroll the cobblestone streets you really feel like you're in a fairy tale. Sit by the lake with a picnic and watch as people swim and old wooden Italian speedboats zip back and forth.

Take a Boat Tour on Lac d'Annecy: Widely considered the cleanest lake in Europe, Lac d'Annecy is best experienced from the water. Charter a private boat or join a guided tour to take in the châteaux, the emerald bays, and the Alps from an angle you simply can't get from shore. Bobbing on the turquoise lake, surrounded by the peaks of the French Alps with an apéritif in hand, you can't help but smile.

Paraglide from Col de la Forclaz: The ridge above Talloires is one of the most dramatic paragliding launch sites in the Alps, with an unobstructed view over the entire lake. Tandem flights start from age 3—making this a genuine whole-family activity. My 8 and 10 year olds both flew and it was, without question, the highlight of their trip. Annecy is world-famous for paragliding and it's easy to see why when you're soaring above the lake. My kids were allowed to take the helm and steer, do tricks like flips and spins, and found it exhilarating to run off the edge of a mountain and catch the air.

Swim at Plage d'Angon: Tucked at the base of limestone cliffs near Talloires, this secluded beach is far quieter than the main Annecy beaches and the water clarity is exceptional. It's almost criminal to tell people about this spot. The lake is pristine—perfect for little ones—there's a small café with a variety of dishes, and it's a wonderful place to try stand-up paddleboarding. Getting children out is the real challenge; mine would have stayed all day. The short walk down from the road keeps the crowds away, making every step worth it.

Explore Talloires & the Baie de Talloires: One of the most beautiful corners of the lake, Talloires is a tiny village on a sheltered bay with excellent restaurants, a medieval abbey, and a pace of life that feels entirely removed from the rest of the world. Plan for at least a half-day, arriving by boat if you can. There's also a larger beach here—Plage Municipale de Talloires—a great fit for older kids, with a diving board, a slide out in the middle of the lake, and two floating decks. For dining right on the beach, Restaurant La Savoyarde is a standout—the top floor is table service, and on weekend nights there's often a live band. A perfect way to end the day and watch the sunset.

Visit Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard: This 15th-century castle perched on a forested promontory above the lake is widely rumored to have inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty. The interior is well worth a guided tour, and the lake views from the grounds are extraordinary. As you drive around the region you'll catch the château peeking through the forest—a reminder that it's always there, watching over the lake.

Spend the Day at La Clusaz: La Clusaz runs two fantastic summer toboggan options on the mountain: the classic Luge des Prés and the brand-new, thrilling Luge des Bois—fast, safe, and completely addictive. Kids will do it over and over; adults will too, slightly embarrassed about how much they enjoy it. The day mountain pass includes a Beauregard gondola ride up, access to the immersive La Gare de Beau Regard space, one run each on both luges, and a wooden ball for the Parcours Débaroule. Beyond that: the Kart du Dahu (go-karts on the mountain), La Bascule, and mountain biking (VTT) trails for all levels. One of the best full family days in the French Alps.

Walk Les Gorges du Fier: A dramatic gorge carved through limestone near Lovagny, with a suspended walkway above the rushing river. Takes about an hour and is genuinely breathtaking in a way photos don't capture. One important note: strollers are not permitted and you cannot carry children in your arms on the walkway — little ones need to be old enough to walk it independently.

Cheese tour in Thônes: Thônes—20 minutes from Annecy—is the birthplace of Reblochon and the cheese capital of Haute-Savoie. Visit a working fromagerie, taste Tomme de Savoie and Abondance alongside local wines, and leave with a picnic that will ruin supermarket cheese for you permanently. The drive there is part of the experience: nestled between the grazing cows you'll find vibrant spires of purple lupines rising from deep green pastures—one of those unexpectedly beautiful landscapes that stops you in your tracks.

Bike the lake loop: The 32km cycling path around Lac d'Annecy offers breathtaking vistas that explain immediately why people travel specifically to ride here—the Alps rising on both sides, the lake glittering below, charming villages appearing around each bend. E-bikes are widely available and families can ride sections rather than the full loop. Dotted around the lake you can also enjoy free 30-minute rides with Véloné'cy—pick up a bike, ride from one town to the next, stop and take a dip, then grab another. It's the most relaxed way to work your way around the shoreline.

Stop at a roadside farm stand: The fresh fruit and produce in Haute-Savoie is extraordinary—the peaches, strawberries, and tomatoes from the valley farm stands are the kind of thing you'd read about in a food memoir and not quite believe. Stop on the drive back from La Clusaz or Thônes and load up for a picnic.

Yoann Conte at La Maison Bleue in Veyrier-du-Lac: Two Michelin stars, a dramatic position directly on the lake, and tasting menus built around the finest Savoyard ingredients. One of the great dining experiences in the French Alps. Book two to three months ahead.

L'Esquisse in Annecy Old Town: A Michelin-starred address in the heart of Annecy with creative seasonal menus at genuinely good value. More intimate and easier to book than the bigger names in the region, and consistently excellent.

Auberge du Père Bise in Talloires: A legendary lakeside institution with one of the finest terraces in France and a long history as one of the great Savoyard country inns. Service is impeccable, attentive, and discreet. Book the terrace and dine overlooking the lake and the mountains—the Sunday lunch is a local institution. Arrive by boat if you can.

La Table de l'Abbaye in Talloires: Lunch or dinner on the terrace of the 17th-century Abbaye de Talloires, looking out over the bay. The cuisine showcases the finest local, fresh produce and the setting is incomparable. One of those meals you'll talk about for years.

Le Freti in Annecy Old Town: Annecy's most beloved spot for traditional Savoyard raclette and fondue, tucked into the medieval streets. Zero pretense, enormous portions, exactly what you want after a day on the lake. Our kids loved it—after a long day outside, a hearty, warming meal was exactly right.

Fromagerie Boujon in Thônes: The essential stop on any cheese tour of Haute-Savoie. Ask for a tasting of the full range, load up for a picnic, and pair with a bottle of Chignin-Bergeron from a nearby wine shop.

Savoie wine tasting—cave à vins in Annecy: Savoie's whites—Apremont, Roussette de Savoie, Chignin-Bergeron—are some of the most interesting and underappreciated wines in France. Several wine shops in Annecy offer tastings; treat it as education as much as pleasure.

La Glace Room in Annecy: Don't leave Annecy without stopping here for a scoop. The ice cream is excellent and the seats are swings hung from the ceiling—one of those small, unexpected delights that children (and adults) talk about long after the trip is over.