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The Thiou River in Annecy
The Thiou, natural outflow of Lake Annecy, runs for 3.5 km through the old town to the Fier. Pont des Amours, canal du Vassé, Palais de l'Île, Sadi Carnot floodgates: Annecy's heritage backbone is best discovered on foot.
Florian Pépellin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
River - Ville d'Art et d'Histoire heritage
Access
Free - No charge
Duration
1 h to 2 h depending on walk
Best season
Year-round
Town
Annecy
Wheelchair access
Partially accessible Source: Office de Tourisme du Lac d'Annecy
What is The Thiou River in Annecy
The Thiou is a short 3.5 km river and the natural outflow of Lake Annecy, joining the Fier at Meythet (which in turn flows into the Rhône). As it leaves the lake, it splits into two main arms - Le Port and the Vassé canal - which cross the historic heart of Annecy before rejoining downstream of the Palais de l'Île. With an average flow of 8 m³/s, it is both the city's scenic axis and its historic backbone.
The Thiou is the spine of the old quarter, designated Ville d'Art et d'Histoire: its quaysides, arcades, Pont des Amours, flower-lined footbridges and the emblematic Palais de l'Île (12th century) have become Annecy's postcard image. The river also has an industrial past: the Aussedat paper mill, the Cran forges, tanneries and printing works ran on its waterpower in the 19th century.
After Savoy's union with France (1860), engineer Sadi Carnot redesigned the canals and in 1874 installed a clever system of 62 floodgates over 6 km, which still regulate the lake's level today. A heritage walk mapped out by the City of Annecy can be followed on foot, free year-round.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Historic centre of Annecy, from Pont des Amours to the Fier, 74000 Annecy View on map
Coordinates
45.898390 N - 6.128542 E
Phone
OT Lac d'Annecy - 04 50 45 00 33
Official website
annecy.fr (Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label)
Hours
Free access 24/7, year-round. Guided tours by the city's guide-lecturers (programme on annecy.fr).
Prices
Free for self-guided visits. Themed guided tours according to the programme (paid - see annecy.fr).
Access / Parking
Underground car parks Hôtel de Ville, Bonlieu, Sainte-Claire. All Sibra city buses. 10 min walk from the train station.
Visit duration
1 h for the Palais de l'Île loop, 2 h for the full heritage walk
Pets
Allowed on a lead
Accessibility
Quays accessible to people with reduced mobility on most of the route (some cobbles and steps at the Palais de l'Île)
On-site catering
Many terraces, ice-cream parlours and restaurants along the Thiou and around the Palais de l'Île
Access
How to get there
Nearest stops
- Hôtel de Ville · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y51 · 157 m
- HOTEL DE VILLE · SIBRA · 13, 15, 26, 27, S4 · 187 m
- CLINIQUE GENERALE · SIBRA · 26 · 257 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
- SIBRA · Fare : 1,50 € (carte) · 2 € (appli/SMS) · 2,50 € (à bord, 2026) · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the Thiou in Annecy?
The Thiou is a small river 3.5 km long, the natural outflow of Lake Annecy. It crosses the old town and joins the Fier - a tributary of the Rhône - at Meythet. With an average flow of 8 m³/s, it is the historic and scenic axis of Annecy.
Can you walk along the Thiou in Annecy?
Yes. The Thiou can be discovered freely on foot: the heritage walk designed by the City of Annecy links Pont des Amours to the Fier via the Palais de l'Île, the Sadi Carnot floodgates and the Cran forges. Allow 1 to 2 hours depending on the route.
What are the Thiou floodgates in Annecy?
The Thiou floodgates are a hydraulic system of 62 floodgates spread over 6 km, installed in 1874 by engineer Sadi Carnot, regulating Lake Annecy's level and once powering the riverside forges, paper mills and tanneries.
Do you have to pay to see the Thiou in Annecy?
No. Access to the Thiou, its quays and the Pont des Amours is free year-round. Only the themed guided tours and the entrance to the Palais de l'Île or the Musée-Château are paid.
Where is the best starting point to discover the Thiou in Annecy?
The best starting point to discover the Thiou is the Pont des Amours, at the outflow of Lake Annecy on the Pâquier side: from there you can head up the canal du Vassé and the Port arm through the old town.
Is the Thiou accessible year-round?
Yes. The Thiou and its quays are accessible year-round, at any time. The main attractions (Palais de l'Île, Musée-Château) follow their own opening hours.
Sources
Sources & verification
- Ville d'Annecy — Ville d'art et d'histoire
- Musées d'Annecy — Le Thiou
- Office de tourisme du Lac d'Annecy — Les vannes du Thiou
- Annecy-ville.fr — Le Thiou rivière
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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