Why Honeymoon in Annecy
The lake itself is the reason. In summer it warms to a temperature that's comfortable for long swims. The setting is far more dramatic than most lakes with beaches. You can float on your back and look up at limestone peaks.
The old town gives you something to do when you want a break from the water. The Palais de l'Isle, a medieval island prison in the middle of the Thiou canal, is one of the most photographed buildings in France. Arcaded streets are lined with cafés, cheese shops and gelato stands.
It's also an active destination without being demanding. You can paraglide, kayak, cycle, hike to viewpoints or simply rent an electric boat and drift across the lake.
And it's easy. No long drives between sights, no packed itinerary required. Two people, a lake and a good hotel are enough for several days.
When to Go
June and September are the best months. The lake is warm enough for swimming, the weather is generally sunny and crowds are moderate.
July and August are warm, lively and busy. French vacationers fill the beaches and the old town. Traffic around the lake can be slow. The big Fête du Lac fireworks show has traditionally been held in early August and draws huge crowds, so check whether it's on for your dates and book well ahead if you want to see it.
May and October are pleasant for walking and cycling but cool for swimming. Some lakeside restaurants and beach clubs run reduced hours.
Winter is quiet and often gray, though Annecy has a Christmas market and nearby ski resorts like La Clusaz are about 45 minutes away. Many lakeside hotels close for part of the winter, so check before booking.
Where to Stay
- Talloires: the most romantic spot on the lake, on the eastern shore facing the sunset. Auberge du Père Bise is a famous family-run hotel and restaurant right on the water. The Abbaye de Talloires occupies a former Benedictine abbey with gardens down to the lake.
- Annecy town: stay near the old town or along the shore. The Impérial Palace is a grand hotel by the lake with views across the water. Les Trésoms sits on the hillside above the lake with a spa and pool.
- Western shore villages: Sévrier and Duingt are quieter, with easy access to the bike path.
For a honeymoon, a lake-view room is worth paying extra. Ask whether rooms face east toward the mountains or west toward the sunset.
Romantic Things to Do
Walk the old town in the early morning before day-trippers arrive, past the Palais de l'Isle and along the canals. Cross the Pont des Amours, the Lovers' Bridge, at the edge of the Jardins de l'Europe. Local legend says couples who kiss there stay together.
Rent an electric boat or a pedal boat for a few hours and anchor in a quiet cove for a swim. Lake cruises also circle the water, stopping at villages.
Cycle the paved path along the western shore. It's mostly flat and has beaches for swimming along the way.
Take a tandem paragliding flight from Col de la Forclaz, high above the lake. It's one of the most popular paragliding sites in Europe.
Visit the fairy-tale Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard on the eastern shore, still owned by the same family after many centuries.
Getting There and Around
Geneva Airport is about 45 minutes away by car, making it the most convenient gateway. You can also take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Annecy, which takes under four hours, sometimes with a change.
In Annecy town, walk. The old town and lakefront are compact. Buses connect the surrounding villages. A car is useful for reaching Talloires, the mountain passes and day trips, though parking in the old town is limited.
In summer, a regular boat service links several lakeside villages, which is a pleasant way to visit Talloires or Duingt without driving.
Bikes and e-bikes are easy to rent in town. The western shore bike path is the main route, while the eastern shore road is busier and hillier.
Chamonix is about 1.5 hours by car, so combining the two is simple.
Food and Drink
Annecy shares the Savoyard love of melted cheese. Expect fondue, raclette and tartiflette, the last made with reblochon from the nearby Aravis valleys. In summer, lighter dishes dominate: lake perch fillets with lemon butter, féra (a local whitefish) and salads with local charcuterie.
The old town market fills the streets several mornings a week with cheese, sausages, honey and produce from surrounding farms. It's a great source of picnic supplies.
Savoie wines, such as crisp white Apremont or Chignin-Bergeron, pair well with lake fish. The herbal liqueur génépi is a common after-dinner drink.
For a celebration dinner, Talloires and the hillsides above the lake have several highly rated restaurants with terraces facing the water. Book ahead in summer and ask for a table at sunset.
Honeymoon Tips
Book lakeside hotels early for summer. The best rooms in Talloires fill months in advance.
Visit the old town early or late in the day. Midday in July and August can feel packed.
Bring water shoes. Some beaches are pebbly and some docks have ladders over rocks.
Carry a light jacket in the evening. Even in summer, temperatures drop after sunset by the water.
Plan your paragliding for the morning, when winds are usually calmer. Book it a day or two ahead.
Spend at least one afternoon doing nothing at all on a lakeside dock. That's what Annecy does best.
