Annecy sits on a lake of clear, turquoise water at the foot of the French Alps, and the town is known as the Venice of the Alps because of the canals running through the Old Town. In summer you can swim in the lake, cycle along the shore and eat fondue in old houses in the evening. Deciding where to stay in Annecy mostly comes down to how close to the lake you want to be and whether you have a car.
Here are my five suggestions for areas, with three hotels in each, and I’ll say it straight away: Annecy is expensive in summer.
Contents
Where to Stay in Annecy: The Best Areas
- Vieille Ville (Old Town) - best area for first-time visitors
- City centre & the station - best area for trains, buses and a practical base
- Le Pâquier & Albigny - best area for the lake and romance
- Sévrier - best area for families, beaches and cycling holidays
- Talloires & Menthon-Saint-Bernard - best area for luxury and peace by the lake
Below I go through the areas one by one, with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a November weekend for two people, except for Talloires, where several hotels close for the winter. In July and August you should expect much higher prices across the board.
1. Vieille Ville (Old Town) - best area for first-time visitors 🏰
- 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the historic centre. From Palais de l’Isle it’s about a 5-minute walk to the lake and 10 minutes to the station.
- 🚶 Transport: The streets are largely car-free, and you can walk everywhere. The train station and bus station are about a 10-minute walk to the north-west.
- ✈️ Time from Geneva Airport: About 1 hour and 10 minutes on bus 272 to the bus station by the train station, then a 10-minute walk, or about 45 minutes by car or taxi without traffic.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around €110 to €315 (around £90 to £265) per night when I searched, and they cost a lot more in summer.
- 👮 Safety: Safe and busy until late in the evening. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds on the bridges and at the markets in high season.
Vieille Ville is Annecy’s Old Town, and this is where you’ll find the postcard view the town is famous for. The River Thiou flows from the lake through the district in narrow canals, and along the water stand pastel-coloured houses, with flowers on the bridges and arcades at street level. In the middle of the river sits Palais de l’Isle, a small 12th-century fortress that was used as a prison right up until 1864. Today it houses a small museum on the town’s history. Admission costs about €4 (around £3.50), a little more in summer, and it’s closed on Tuesdays.
Above the Old Town stands Château d’Annecy, where the Counts of Geneva lived in the 13th and 14th centuries. The castle was later used as barracks and today houses the town museum and an observatory on the Alpine lakes, and from the terrace you look out over the rooftops and the lake. Down in the streets there’s a market several mornings a week, and from the canals it’s a five-minute walk to the Le Pâquier lawns by the lake.
See hotels in Annecy’s Old Town here.
I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Annecy, or if you only have a couple of nights and want to walk to everything. In the evening, once the day-trippers have gone home, the canals get quieter, and this is where you’ll find most of the restaurants serving fondue, raclette and tartiflette from Savoie.
The downside is that the Old Town is packed with people from June to September, and the hotels are few, small and expensive for what you get. Many of the buildings are old with narrow staircases, and the streets are closed to cars, so if you have a hire car, it’ll need to go in one of the paid underground car parks in the centre. The bars along the canals can also be noisy until late at night at weekends.
Hotels in Vieille Ville
Les Loges Annecy Vieille Ville - five-star hotel with a hammam in the heart of the Old Town
Les Loges is on Rue Sainte-Claire, the long arcaded street in the western part of the Old Town, and is one of the few five-star hotels in Annecy itself. There’s a lift, a hammam, a bar and a terrace, and some of the units are set up as small apartments. It was the most expensive hotel in the Old Town when I searched, and some guests feel the breakfast doesn’t live up to the price.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful apartment right in the centre, fantastic location.”
See photos and book Les Loges here.
Hôtel du Palais de l’Isle - classic town hotel on the canal, right opposite the old prison island
The hotel is on Rue Perrière by the Thiou canal, a few metres from Palais de l’Isle, so the location is hard to beat. There’s air conditioning and a lift, but the lift only goes up to the fourth floor, and you reach the fifth floor by the stairs. The rooms are small, and several guests mention there’s little space for suitcases.
From a review: “Good location and good staff, and the air conditioning was fantastic.”
See photos and book Hôtel du Palais de l’Isle here.
Hôtel du Château - small family-run hotel with a sun terrace just below the castle
Hôtel du Château is on Rampe du Château, the steep road up to the castle in the upper part of the Old Town, and has a sun terrace and breakfast. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, but there’s no lift, and the rooms are small. Parking at the hotel is limited, so if you’re coming by car, you should plan on using a public car park.
One guest highlights: “Great location, lovely rooms with the most comfortable beds and really clean.”
See photos and book Hôtel du Château here.
2. City Centre & Station: Where to Stay in Annecy for Trains, Buses and a Practical Base 🚆
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The centre lies between the railway station and the lake. It’s a 5 to 10-minute walk to the Old Town and around 10 minutes to the lakeside at Le Pâquier.
- 🚆 Transport: The railway station and bus station sit side by side. From here, trains run towards Geneva, Lyon and Paris, and buses go around the lake.
- ✈️ Time from Geneva Airport: Around 1 hour and 10 minutes on bus 272, which stops at the bus station right by the railway station, or around 1 hour and 40 minutes by train via Genève-Cornavin.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three hotels below were around 90 to 185 euros (around £75 to £155) a night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: Safe and well lit. As at most railway stations, a few more people hang around in the evening, so keep an eye on your bag.
Between the railway station and the lake lies Annecy’s modern centre, with the shopping streets Rue Royale, Rue Sommeiller and Rue Vaugelas, plus cafés, banks and most of the town’s chain hotels. It’s not the prettiest neighbourhood, but it’s practical, and right down by the water you’ll find the Bonlieu arts centre and the town hall, Hôtel de Ville, where the centre meets the lake and the Old Town.
It’s also the easiest place to come and go from. Bus 272 runs directly between Annecy and Geneva Airport from the bus station by the railway station, and a single ticket costs around 6 to 19 euros (around £5 to £16) depending on the time and ticket type. Trains run to Geneva, where you can change for the airport or carry on around the country, and if you’re heading further into the Swiss Alps, I’ve written a guide to where to stay in Switzerland. There are also direct TGV trains to Paris Gare de Lyon in about four hours, and if you’re staying in Paris before or after, you can read where to stay in Paris.
See hotels in Annecy’s city centre here.
I’d stay here if you’re arriving without a car and want to do day trips by train and bus, or if you want the most hotel for your money within walking distance of the Old Town. This is also where you’ll find the most hotels with a lift and a 24-hour reception.
The downside is that you won’t get canals and lake views from your window, and there’s traffic in the streets around the station all day. On the other hand, you’re in the Old Town in a few minutes, so staying somewhere a bit duller doesn’t cost you much, and you’ll often save a good deal compared with the hotels by the water.
Hotels in the city centre and near the station
La Chapelle: four-star boutique hotel with one of the town’s highest guest ratings
La Chapelle is on Avenue de Cran, around 600 metres from the railway station and just over a kilometre from the lake. There’s a lift, a bar, a garden and a private garage, which costs 22 euros (around £18) a night. It was the most expensive of the three, and some guests feel the service doesn’t live up to a four-star hotel.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the place is very clean, tastefully decorated and cosy.”
See photos and book La Chapelle here.
Allobroges Park Hôtel: highly rated adults-only hotel close to the station
Allobroges Park Hôtel is on Rue Sommeiller, around 260 metres from the railway station and a 10-minute walk from the lake, and it only accepts adults. There’s a lift, a bar, air conditioning and its own parking for 12 euros (around £10) a night, while breakfast costs 14 euros (around £12) per person. Some guests find the room, the breakfast and the parking all on the pricey side.
From one review: “The room was clean and comfortable and had air conditioning.”
See photos and book Allobroges Park Hôtel here.
Hôtel du Nord: cheap and friendly hotel close to the station
Hôtel du Nord is also on Rue Sommeiller, around 285 metres from the railway station, and it was the cheapest hotel in the whole guide when I searched. There’s a lift and air conditioning, and breakfast costs 11 euros (around £9) per person. There’s no parking at the hotel itself, but you can park for free overnight nearby and for around 1.10 euros (around £1) an hour during the day, and several guests mention that the bathrooms are small with a narrow shower cubicle.
One guest highlights: “The reception staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming.”
See photos and book Hôtel du Nord here.
3. Le Pâquier & Albigny - best area for the lake and romance 🦢
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Le Pâquier lies just east of the Old Town, and Albigny stretches a further 1 to 1.5 kilometres along the lakeshore to the north-east.
- 🚶 Getting around: You can walk along the lake into the Old Town in 5 to 20 minutes. Avenue d’Albigny is the road along the shore, and the town’s buses run here.
- ✈️ Time from Geneva Airport: Around 1 hour and 10 minutes on bus 272 to the railway station and 10 minutes by taxi from there, or about 45 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€€. The three hotels below were around 125 to 385 euros (roughly £105 to £320) per night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: Very safe and full of walkers and runners along the lake. In the evening the stretch between Le Pâquier and Impérial goes quiet.
Le Pâquier is the big lawn by the lake just outside the Old Town, and this is where Annecy gathers on a sunny day for picnics and views across the water to the mountains. Next to it is the Jardins de l’Europe, a park with tall, old trees, and between the two the Pont des Amours footbridge crosses the Canal du Vasse, where the boats are moored. In summer you can hire pedalos and electric boats at the quay, and in the evening half the town strolls along the water.
The boats head out onto the lake from the quays at Le Pâquier. Compagnie des Bateaux du Lac d’Annecy runs trips ranging from an hour around the northern part of the lake to an hour and a half all the way round, and if you want to eat on board, you can book a lunch cruise on the lake with Libellule for about 90 euros (around £75). Along Avenue d’Albigny the promenade continues past villas and parks to the beach at Impérial, where you can swim in summer, and behind Albigny lies the quieter residential area of Annecy-le-Vieux.
See hotels near Le Pâquier and Albigny here.
I would stay here if you’re a couple who want to wake up to a view of the lake, or if you want to run, swim and walk along the water while still having the Old Town within walking distance. It’s also a good choice for families who want lawns and a beach right on the doorstep.
The downside is the price. Lake views cost extra in Annecy, and in summer the lakeside hotels are among the most expensive in the whole area. There aren’t many restaurants along Avenue d’Albigny either, so in the evening you’ll walk into the Old Town or the centre, and parking costs extra at all three hotels below.
Hotels near Le Pâquier and Albigny
Impérial Palace - the town’s grand hotel with a spa and indoor pool by the lake
Impérial Palace sits in a park right on the lakeshore in Albigny and has a spa, a heated indoor pool, several restaurants and a casino. It was the most expensive hotel in this guide when I searched, and parking costs 30 euros (around £25) a day. Some guests feel that everything is rather pricey.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We loved everything! The location was excellent.”
See photos and book Impérial Palace here.
Le Splendid Hotel - four-star hotel facing the lake and Le Pâquier
Le Splendid is on Quai Eustache Chappuis directly opposite Le Pâquier and the canal, so you have both the lake and the Old Town right outside the door. There’s a sauna, a gym and air conditioning, but your car has to go in a nearby public car park for around 15 euros (about £13) a day. Some guests think the price is too high.
From a review: “The location was fabulous, the staff were lovely and the breakfast was wonderful.”
See photos and book Le Splendid Hotel here.
Hôtel Catalpa - quiet three-star hotel 300 metres from the lake
Hôtel Catalpa is on Avenue d’Albigny about 300 metres from the lake, halfway between Le Pâquier and Impérial. There’s a restaurant open a few days a week, a gym and private parking for 16 euros (around £13) a day, but no pool. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched.
One guest highlights: “The hotel staff were all very accommodating and professional.”
See photos and book Hôtel Catalpa here.
4. Sévrier - best area for families, beaches and cycling holidays 🚲
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Sévrier sits on the west shore of the lake, about 5 kilometres south of Annecy, and the hotels at the northern end are just 3 to 4 kilometres from the Old Town.
- 🚗 Getting around: By car you can be in Annecy in 10 to 15 minutes if there’s no traffic. The cycle path along the lake takes you into town in around half an hour, and Sibra buses run along the main road.
- ✈️ Time from Geneva Airport: Around 50 minutes by car. By public transport, take bus 272 to Annecy and continue by local bus or taxi from there.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly €160 to €270 (around £135 to £225) per night when I searched.
- 👮 Safety: Very quiet and safe. The lakeside is peaceful in the evenings, so remember lights on your bike if you’re cycling back from town.
Sévrier is a small town on the west shore of the lake, with beaches, sailing clubs, campsites and holiday homes between the water and the wooded hills. This is where lots of French families spend their summer holidays, because there’s space, there are lawns running down to the lake and it’s cheaper to stay than in Annecy itself. The town doesn’t really have an old centre to speak of, but it does have a long string of small beaches and swimming spots along the water, and behind the town the roads climb into the hills with views across the lake to the mountains on the east shore.
The big draw is the cycle path. The Voie verte du lac d’Annecy is around 33 kilometres long and runs traffic-free from Annecy along the west shore through Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz and Duingt to Val de Chaise, then carries on all the way to Albertville. The path is almost flat, so it’s great for children, and you can hire bikes and e-bikes both in Annecy and in the towns around the lake. Between rides, you can swim from the public beaches or hire a kayak.
I would stay here if you’re a family wanting beaches, bikes and a bit more space for your money, or if you have a car and want Annecy on one side and the mountains on the other. If you’re picking up a car in Geneva, you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com, and with a car it’s easy to drive on south towards Albertville and the Alps.
The downside is the main road. The Route d’Albertville along the west shore is the only through road, and in summer and at weekends the traffic into Annecy often comes to a standstill. There’s also not much to do in the evenings, so if you want restaurants and nightlife, you’ll need to head into town.
Hotels in Sévrier
Black Bass Hotel - five-star hotel with a spa right on the lake
Black Bass is on the Route d’Albertville at the northern end of Sévrier, right by the lake and the cycle path, and has an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a spa and a restaurant. Parking is free, but breakfast costs €35 (around £30), which several guests feel is expensive.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic views and décor. Excellent location right by the lakeside path and an easy walk into Annecy.”
See photos and book Black Bass Hotel here.
Hôtel Beauregard, The Originals Relais - family-friendly lakeside hotel with a pool and free parking
Hôtel Beauregard is on the Route d’Albertville a few hundred metres from Black Bass, on the lakeshore in Sévrier. There’s a seasonal outdoor pool, a sauna, a restaurant with a view, family rooms and free parking with electric car charging points. Some guests find the bathrooms a little dated.
From one review: “Great location and a spectacular view!”
See photos and book Hôtel Beauregard here.
L’Aurore du Lac - simple place with a garden 100 metres from the lake
L’Aurore du Lac is on the Route des Mongets in the southern part of Sévrier, around 100 metres from the lake. It’s a simple three-star place with a garden, a terrace and free parking, and some of the units have their own kitchen. There’s no restaurant, and several guests feel the buildings could do with some attention on the outside.
One guest highlights: “So close to the lake. Private. Neat and tidy.”
See photos and book L’Aurore du Lac here.
5. Talloires & Menthon-Saint-Bernard - best area for luxury and peace by the lake ✨
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Menthon-Saint-Bernard is about 9 kilometres and Talloires about 13 kilometres from Annecy along the road on the eastern shore.
- 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car here. Buses run along the eastern shore to Annecy, but connections are sparse in the evening.
- ✈️ Time from Geneva Airport: About 1 hour by car, and allow longer at weekends in summer.
- 💰 Price level: €€€ to €€€€€. The three places below cost around 125 to 370 euros (roughly £105 to £310) per night for a weekend in May when I searched, and in July and August the best hotels are far more expensive.
- 👮 Safety: Very quiet and safe. The road along the eastern shore is narrow and winding, so drive carefully after dark.
On the lake’s eastern shore, where the mountains drop right down to the water, you’ll find the two small towns of Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires. This is where the well-known luxury hotels and restaurants on Lake Annecy are, and where you can sit on a waterside terrace watching paragliders drift down from the mountains. Between the two towns lies the Roc de Chère nature reserve, with woodland trails and views over the lake.
Above Menthon, Château de Menthon sits on a rock overlooking the lake. The castle has been owned by the same family for almost 1,000 years, and it’s open to visitors in season for about 12 euros (around £10) for adults. Above Talloires is the Col de la Forclaz, where the paragliders take off, and if you fancy trying it yourself, you can book a tandem paragliding flight over the lake from Talloires for around 135 euros (around £115). Sibra buses run along the eastern shore to Annecy, but if you want to be free in the evenings, a car is the easiest option.
See hotels in Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard here.
I’d stay here if you want to treat yourselves on a romantic trip or for a milestone birthday, and if it’s the lake and the scenery you’ve come for rather than the town. It’s also a good choice if you’re driving around in a hire car and want to carry on up into the mountains over the Col de la Forclaz.
The downside is that many hotels and restaurants close during the winter months, and prices in summer are high, even at the simpler places. Restaurants are few and far between in the evening, and without a car you’re fairly tied to your hotel. Abbaye de Talloires, a former monastery by the water, is a beautiful alternative, but it was even more expensive than the hotels below when I searched.
Hotels in Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Le Palace de Menthon - five-star palace hotel with a beach and views of the castle
Le Palace de Menthon is on Route des Bains in Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with a garden and beach area right on the lake. There’s a heated indoor pool, spa, restaurant and free parking, and many rooms have lake views. Some guests feel the indoor pool isn’t warm enough.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from our bedroom and balcony was amazing, across the lake and up to the castle.”
See photos and book Le Palace de Menthon here.
Hôtel Beau Site Talloires - classic summer hotel with a private beach in Talloires
Hôtel Beau Site is on Rue André Theuriet in Talloires, with a garden and a private beach on the lake. There’s a heated indoor pool, spa, restaurant, playground and free parking, so it suits families too. The hotel couldn’t be booked for November when I searched, so expect it to be mainly a hotel for the summer half of the year.
From a review: “Loved the private beach and the great location by the lake.”
See photos and book Hôtel Beau Site here.
Domaine des Ecuries - apartments with a kitchen and free parking in Talloires
Domaine des Ecuries is in Echarvines in the northern part of Talloires, a short distance from the lake, and has furnished apartments with a fully equipped kitchen and terrace. Parking is free and the price was the lowest of the three, but there’s no pool, spa or restaurant, and some guests find the beds uncomfortable.
One guest highlights: “Very good location. Excellent bathroom.”
See photos and book Domaine des Ecuries here.
Where not to stay in Annecy?
I’d avoid the hotels in the business parks in Cran-Gevrier and Seynod and by the motorway north of town. They’re cheaper and look fine on the map, but you’ll be staying among roundabouts and shopping centres, and it’s a long walk to both the lake and the Old Town. Also watch out for places with Lac d’Annecy in their name that are actually up in the hills or right down at the southern end of the lake around Doussard, where you’ll have to drive for everything.
If you’re a light sleeper, avoid rooms facing the canals in the Old Town, where things stay lively until late at weekends in summer. And book early if you’re travelling in July and August, as the best hotels sell out well in advance and the rest become very expensive.
If it’s your first trip to Annecy, I’d stay in the Old Town or in the centre near the railway station, where you can walk everywhere. If you want the lake right outside your door, Le Pâquier and Albigny are the obvious choice, and if you’re travelling as a family with bikes and swimming gear, Sévrier is your best bet. If you want to treat yourself in peace and quiet, stay in Talloires or Menthon-Saint-Bernard, but bring the car.
The nearest major airport is Geneva Airport, about 45 to 50 kilometres away, and if you land at Lyon Saint-Exupéry instead, it’s about 125 kilometres to Annecy. Many people combine Annecy with a trip to Lyon, and if you’re heading on there, you can read where to stay in Lyon.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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