Annecy Travel Guide 2026: A Perfect Day by Lake Annecy

We've moved on from Verdon to Annecy.

Our plan is to spend one night in Annecy before heading to Chamonix.

It's a shame we only have one day in this beautiful city,

but we're determined to make the most of every moment!

We'll explore Annecy's city center

and enjoy a lovely picnic by the lake. 🕊️

Today's weather? Perfectly sunny!

Annecy is surrounded by majestic mountains like La Tournette and Mont Veyrier,

meaning you can admire stunning peaks from almost anywhere in the city.

The accommodation we chose in Annecy was

Aparthotel Adagio Annecy Centre

It had a kitchen, which was perfect for preparing simple meals,

and the room was clean with a lovely terrace, so we were really happy with it.

Now, it's time to hit the streets and truly explore Annecy!

Annecy is actually considered by the French

to be the #1 city they'd love to live in after retirement,

and I think I'm starting to understand why.

It has such a peaceful atmosphere—

never too dull, never too crowded.

Just perfect!

You'll find vibrant flowers blooming everywhere throughout the town.

Finally, we found the bridge I'd only ever seen in photos!

With the clear weather, it looked even more stunning.

Had to capture this beautiful scenery with my film camera too!

📍

Feeling hot and thirsty from all the walking,

I popped into a cafe.

This place, located downtown,

whose name I can't even remember,

It wasn't on the menu,

but I saw another customer carrying it,

so I blindly ordered what turned out to be a Matcha Mango Latte.

It was pretty, but honestly, the taste...

Haha.

Picture-perfect scenery continues to unfold.

When you go to Annecy city center,

most people are carrying a cup of gelato,

so I felt like I had to have one too!

There are so many gelato shops,

and I came to the one with the most people.

📍

Throughout my trip, I've consistently tried new flavors,

but today, I was craving a classic, so I went for chocolate.

It's not extraordinary, but a classic is a classic.

Narrow alleys,

bustling crowds,

it truly felt like a place with Annecy's unique charm.

With every step I took,

I just couldn't stop clicking the shutter.

Then, I headed back to the city center,

and bought some flat peaches from a fruit shop I'd spotted earlier.

There aren't many fruit shops in Annecy,

so it's hard to find flat peaches — you really have to grab them when you see them!

📍

They weren't quite as sweet and delicious as the flat peaches I had in Nice,

but still pretty good!

Honestly, flat peaches in summer Europe

seem to be a no-fail choice no matter where you go.

And then, I found a fantastic sandwich spot in Nice.

A real gem with a 4.8-star rating on Google Maps!

📍

It kind of has a Yeonnam-dong vibe, don't you think?

It's such a casual and simple space,

perfect for eating in, too.

Here's a look at the menu!

They have options like egg, pastrami, cheese, tuna, and more.

Sandwiches acquired!

I'll reveal what I got below, tee hee!

After returning our rental car, we arrived at the

Lovers' Bridge, right by Lake Annecy.

From the Lovers' Bridge,

head left for the stunning Lake Annecy,

or go right to soak in the charming canal views.

With swans gracefully gliding on the lake and picturesque canals,

it's truly an incredibly beautiful spot!

📍

After a refreshing swim in Lake Annecy, it was sandwich time!

Even though they'd cooled down, the sandwiches we bought earlier were still incredibly delicious,

especially paired with a crisp lemon beer.

Pure bliss and absolute peace 🕊️🤍

And just like that, our incredible day in Annecy draws to a close.

Annecy was so enchanting, I truly regret only having one day to explore it!

I'll definitely be back!

Early the next morning, we'll be hopping on a FlixBus, booked via Trip.com,

and making our way to Chamonix...

Want to know how to book your bus?

Farewell, Annecy!

[A Sneak Peek at Our Chamonix Trip]