Lake Annecy

Lake Annecy is an Alpine lake in southeastern France in the Haute-Savoie department, immediately south of the city of Annecy. The lake covers roughly 27.5 square kilometres, stretches about 14 kilometres in length and reaches maximum depths in the order of 80 metres.

The town of Annecy at the lake’s northern end features canals, historic streets and a lakeside promenade used as primary visitor access. Around the lake a paved cycling and walking route of roughly 40 kilometres gives continuous access to beaches, picnic areas and small harbours; the lake is a major local centre for swimming, sailing and non-motorised boating.

Water quality has been a focus of local management for decades and the lake is notable for its clarity compared with many urban and lowland lakes. Mountain views from the shore and from nearby elevated viewpoints frame the lake within the surrounding Prealps and massif slopes.

Lake Annecy sits at the foot of the French Alps in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with the city of Annecy immediately to its north and a ring of small towns and villages around its shores.

• Size and depth: Surface area about 27.5 km², length roughly 14 kilometres and a maximum depth near 82 metres, making it one of the larger and deeper alpine lakes in the region.
• Water quality and activities: Known for high water quality due to long-established pollution-control measures; swimming, sailing and stand-up paddleboarding are popular in summer.

What to See #

• Town of Annecy (old town): Annecy old town lies at the lake's northern tip with canals, historic streets and lakeside promenades that link into the lakeshore circuit.
• Lakeside cycle path and beaches: The near-circumference cycle path and lakeside beaches provide continuous recreational access; the paved lakeside route is roughly 40 kilometres long and is popular for cycling and walking.