Updated 2016
A medieval town in the Alps, nestled along the picturesque banks of Lac d’Annecy, Annecy is a paragliders haven with cobblestones streets, amazing recreational opportunities and plenty of mountain activities.
WHAT TO DO
Because of Annecy’s location on both the water and in the mountains, outdoor and recreational activities are clearly aplenty. Whether you want to take a paddle boat out on the lake or go for a dip (clearly only in the summertime) the large lake offers plenty to do for visitors. There is also a lovely lakeside boardwalk where you will find people going fro an afternoon stroll, rollerblading or canoodling with a loved one.
Annecy is also known as one of the premier paragliding spots in the entire world. There is something about the perfect trajectory of the cliffs and the updrafts and wind circulation that make it a great spot for parachuters. Newbies to the sport can even pay to jump tandem.
Annecy is also situated in Haute-Savoie in the Alps of France, making it an ideal place for a plethora of mountain inspired activities. Great hiking and climbing are abound. Annecy has has close proximity to several of France’s famous ski resorts, making in the perfect winter destination as well.
The cobblestoned streets and narrow passageways of the original Medieval village also hold plenty of great shops and restaurants, making sure Annecy strikes the perfect balance between the city and outdoors.
GETTING THERE
There is no major airport in Annecy, but the city is just an hour from neighboring Lyon. You can get a flight into Lyon (airport code LYS) or you can also fly into Paris and take a TGV (high speed train) from there to Lyon is just a couple quick hours.
Read: Visiting Provence Without A Vehicle
WHERE TO STAY
There a wide variety of accommodation options for those looking for a place to stay in Annecy. You can chose to either stay in the main part of the city in the Medieval section of town or you can stay in one of the smaller neighboring towns that flank the side of the lake like Menthon St. Bernard. But for travelers of any budget, it is easy to find everything from high-end to mid-range hotels. There are also some hostels in Annecy for those on a tighter budget and even some bed and breakfasts.