It is famous for its landscapes and colors, it is surrounded by nature reserves and is a reference in land and water tourism. Lake Annecy, in eastern France, is known for being the cleanest in France. Along its 14.6 kilometers long, we can enjoy all kinds of leisure offers. This natural phenomenon is fed by the rivers Ire, Eau morte, Laudon, Bornette and Biolon, in addition to receiving the flow of a powerful underwater source, the Boubioz, which has its source at a depth of 82 meters. All this makes it the second largest lake in France, behind Lake Bourget. The French consider that its extension is divided into two, the Great and the Small lakedivided by the Duingt castle, a true jewel of medieval architecture.
Lake Annecy forms the backbone of a generous number of reserves and nature parks. If you want to enjoy a full panoramic view of the lake, we recommend heading to the Angon waterfall in the Bout du Lac nature reserve. Home to the Roc de Chère, it is a mountainous outcrop jutting into the lake, near the villages of Talloires and Menthon Saint-Bernard, on the eastern shore of Annecy. It is one of the most important nature reserves in the region. It covers an area of 69 hectares and peaks at an altitude of 601 metres, dropping abruptly into the lake and featuring large cliffs 50 to 70 metres high.
This reserve is the only natural area completely preserved from human activity around Lake Annecy. It is a wetland that includes two rivers, the Ire and the Eau Morte, which flow into the lake. This area is mainly marshy, with forests and meadows that are home to a rich fauna and flora. Visits to the reserve are made along marked trails. You must keep in mind that in order to protect the integrity of the territory, it is forbidden to deviate from these trails, and under no circumstances to throw waste in the reserve area.
The route of the reserve is short, circular and does not exceed three kilometers in length. It is considered an easy route, ideal for traveling with the family. The trail is well marked, with signs that talk about the native fauna and how to identify its tracks. Since May 2010, the Bout du Lac nature reserve has been accessible to the public with reduced mobility, thanks to a path that crosses part of the site for 1.6 kilometers. On the route you will find the medieval tower of Beauvivier. You can go up to the second floor of the building to admire the panoramic view of this end of Lake Annecy. From this area, there is a view of the Duignt castle.
Annecy, the heart of the lake
The city of Annecy has about 130,000 inhabitants. It is an artistic city that demonstrates a sensational architectural homogeneity. The walk in the old Annecy is truly fascinating. The captivating canals, the flowery banks, the pretty little bridges and the beautiful houses with colorful facades fully justify Annecy being nicknamed the Venice of Savoy.
Among its monuments, it is worth highlighting the Palais de l’Île, located on an island in the middle of the Thiou River, which served as a prison for much of its history. It has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1900, as well as the second most photographed monument in France, after the Eiffel Tower.
The Annecy we know today is of recent “creation”: on January 1, 2017, the municipalities of Annecy, Annecy-le-vieux, Cran-Gevrier, Seynod, Meythet and Pringy merged to create the new municipality of Annecy. This is the largest merger of municipalities in France.
More than a dozen beaches
In total, 10 river beaches and three blue flag marinas emerge from Lake Annecy. It should be kept in mind that most of these marshes are not open to the general public, but this does not prevent us from enjoying a wide range of municipal sites:
- Albigny Beach: Albigny Beach is the largest in Annecy and stretches for several hundred meters. Its bottom is sandy and its gentle slope makes it easy for little ones to access the water. It has picnic areas, free parking and toilets, as well as several ice cream parlors. There is a cycle path in its vicinity, so you can enjoy this inland beach after a long ride on two wheels.
- Marquisats Beach: Like Albigny, Marquisats Beach is free. It is located on the outskirts of the commune of Annecy, and is accessible by bus via the city’s line 6, with a stop located right in front of this river beach. Marquisats Beach is a strip of grass about 20 meters wide and 200 meters long. It is bordered by a narrow sandbar and its depth increases quite quickly, so if you go there with your family, be careful. It is a very pleasant environment in summer, since it is in the shade. It has a bar and free toilets available to the public.
Duingt Castle
As mentioned, the French divided the lake into two areas with a clear architectural boundary, the Château de Duignt. This medieval fortress has existed for almost a thousand years and offers cultural events in the summer. Formerly called Chateauvieux, the Château de Duingt is built opposite the Bout du Lac reserve on the shores of Lake Annecy. It originally belonged to the Duin family until the 16th century. The medieval castle was purchased in 1698 by the Marquis de Salles, who transformed it into an elegant residence.
His family created five beautiful painted rooms, a terraced park that descends to the edge of the lake and a magnificent music pavilion. The castle is built on a rocky islet with the lake in perspective, which made it a favorite subject of painters such as Cézanne and Suzanne Lansé, as well as photographers. It has been classified as a Historic Monument since August 4, 1994.
In 1796, during the French Revolution, the building was sold as national property to Jean Babtiste Berthet. For 200 years, the De Certeau family has owned the building and is responsible for its maintenance. Sponsorship from companies and institutional agents contributes to the financing of major conservation work on the building. Many paragliders can be seen flying over the lake from the Col de la Forclaz and Planfait.
