This lake was created when the Alpine Glaciers melted some 18,000 years ago. The lake water is crystal clear and is considered the cleanest in Europe. The scenery is mountain peaks and you have to get on the water to appreciate it. There are many opportunities to hire a boat or join a tour and most can be organised on the shores of Les Jardins de l'Europe. Here you can book the massive restaurant boat for lunch or evening dinner at the ticket office at the Quay Napoleon, where the boat berths( closed Monday). Or simply hire a 2 or 4 man electric motor boat for an hour to just buzz around the lake, easy to hire on the shores of the lake in the Jardines. The lake is some 14 km long and only 3 km wide. Train station or bus station is a 15 minute walk away. Many places to park. This is a gem.
Annecy was ideal as it combined swimming in the clear lake and rambling in the nearby forests and hills without needing a car and the lovely old town was full of life and picturesque sights. The two weeks passed so quickly I didn't have time to do half of what was there .
go for it in june when the city hosts the number 1 animation festival in th eworld. (free outdoor screenings...)
you will be impressed in th eold town how clean and transparent th emountain water is.
Annecy is chocolate-box beautiful bordered by a huge lake - crystal clear water & featuring a flock of white swans. You can swim, paddle boat & take a boat tour. Surrounded by the Swiss and French Alps. It was worth the visit even on a cloudy & cooler day.
A simply gorgeous place to spend part of a day. With mountains ringing this lake of crystal clear water, you can drive, bicycle or walk around many parts of this long lake. Near the small city of Annecy, parking is limited if you choose not to drive. We found a car park on the west side of the lake at the very southern end of Annecy, allowing us to walk across the highway and have a picnic just south of the marina. It really is a lovely lake and worth spending some time at if visiting Annecy. Cheers!
