Where to stay in Annecy?

Accommodation in central Annecy

The center of Annecy is undoubtedly the best place to stay within the city itself. Located on the water's edge, this historic heart is also very dynamic. With its many restaurants, bars and clubs, it's Annecy's liveliest district. A wide choice of accommodation is also available, mainly apartments but also hotels. The whole area can be explored on foot.

In this area, you'll be able to see the following sites of interest:

• the Old Town, a series of narrow streets criss-crossed by several canals that have earned it the nickname "Venice of the Alps"
• the Palais de l'Île, a former prison dating from the 12th century
• the Château d'Annecy, a medieval castle housing a contemporary art museum
• jardins de l'Europe, a large waterside park
• the Pont des Amours, a must-see for lovers with a magnificent view of the lake

The central district is the ideal place to stay in Annecy. Its location allows you to visit the vast majority of the city's remarkable sites.

Staying close to Annecy center

Housing in the immediate vicinity of Annecy's central district is also an attractive alternative. Whether to the east or south, these two neighboring districts offer numerous advantages.

First and foremost, their proximity to the center and lakeside location make them an undeniable asset. Another advantage is the presence of beaches in each of these areas. Choosing to stay in one of these areas means you'll be able to take advantage of waterfront activities, as well as the city's ambience and main points of interest.

The first zone is just to the east. This area includes the Charles Bosson park, a vast green space offering beautiful views. Also in this zone are the Albigny and Impérial beaches, as well as the casino of the same name. This makes it possible to enjoy a swim while being only a few minutes from the heart of life.

The second zone is to the south, and includes the Marquisats beach. Staying in this part of Annecy means enjoying the lake while being just a 15-minute walk from the heart of the city.

Accommodation in Sévrier and Saint-Jorioz: villages around Annecy

Located just 5 km south of Annecy, Sévrier is one of the most interesting villages in the Annecy area. It lies on the left bank of the Massif des Bauges regional nature park. From here, you can enjoy the beach, stroll through nature and visit a number of sites of interest (such as an eco-museum that retraces life in the 19th century with exhibitions dedicated to that era).

Staying in Sévrier means being surrounded by greenery, on the shores of the lake and only a few kilometers from Annecy. Accommodation is mainly in apartments and a few hotels. The presence of a few restaurants and cafés in the area makes Sévrier a lively place, especially from May to October.

The village of Saint-Jorioz lies 4 km south of Sévrier, around 10 km from Annecy. Lodging in this area has the advantage of being about halfway between Annecy and the far south of the lake. Its tranquility and diversity make this village one of the most popular with locals and tourists alike. In addition to its beach, the village offers a wide range of other activities. Cycling and hiking, particularly on the "sentier des reselières", are very popular.

Most of Saint-Jorioz's accommodations are located on higher ground, offering beautiful views. These are mainly bed & breakfasts and hotels.

Staying in Veyrier and Menthon

Veyrier-du-Lac, also known as Veyrier, is the first village on the north shore of Lake Annecy, and enjoys a privileged geographical location thanks to its proximity to Annecy. Just 6 km south-east of Annecy, the village also benefits from being on the sunniest shore of Lake Annecy. As well as enjoying the Brune beach, you can try your hand at a variety of water sports (kayaking, windsurfing, etc.), as well as walking and cycling. A visit to the Cinémathèque des Pays de Savoie et de l'Ain, located at the site of the former cable car station, is also well worth the detour.

Accommodation in Veyrier offers a number of advantages. What's more, its relatively low tourist capacity makes it a relatively quiet place, far removed from mass tourism. The majority of accommodation is in apartments and hotels, either on the waterfront or up in the hills as far as Mont Veyrier.

Just 3 km further south lies Menthon-Saint-Bernard, also abbreviated to Menthon. Compared with the other villages in the area, it has the particularity of being situated in the heights, between 400m and 1200m above sea level. Several hikes are possible in this area. The village's main site of interest is its castle, which dates back to the 12th century. The castle, which is said to have inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, offers a magnificent view.

Menthon's accommodations are located in the hills, offering magnificent panoramic views. Apartments, B&Bs and hotels make up the majority of the village's accommodation offering. All these features make Menthon a very popular place to stay around Lake Annecy.

Accommodation in the south of Lake Annecy

Lying below Saint-Jorioz on the right bank and Menthon on the left, the southern part of the lake represents another alternative place to stay in Annecy.

This is the least well-known and wildest part of the area. The most important villages are Duingt on the right bank, Talloires-Montmin on the left, and Doussard in the extreme south.

The choice of housing in this part of the region is considerably smaller than in the northern part. Most are apartments. However, the area is also home to a large number of campsites, mainly due to the wilder nature of the area.

Staying in the southern part of the region is therefore particularly interesting if you want to take advantage of its wild natural spaces. What's more, its relative distance from Annecy, varying from 12 to 20 kilometers, means that it's not the place to be if you're mainly interested in visiting the town.