Free things to do around Lake Annecy

Panoramic platform at 1254 m, remnant of the former Mont Veyrier cable car. Sweeping 180° view over Lake Annecy, Bauges and Mont-Blanc. Free access year-round.

60 m waterfall accessible via secure trail in 30 min to 1 hour from Angon, Vérel or Talloires. Free access year-round above Lake Annecy.

On the shore of Lake Annecy, the Jardins de l'Europe form an English-style arboretum laid out in 1863: 250 remarkable trees, free 24/7 access.

Essential viewpoint at 1299 m above Lake Annecy: panoramic trails, Mont Blanc views, old cable car platform. Free access year-round from Annecy-le-Vieux.

Iconic 1,291 m summit overlooking Lake Annecy with 360° views of the Bauges, Aravis and Mont Blanc. Ridge trail, free year-round access, starting from Petit Port.

5-hectare public garden on the shore of Lake Annecy: rose garden, aviary, perennial border, beach and terraces opening onto the Casino Imperial.

The largest free beach on Lake Annecy: 400 m of grass and sand, summer lifeguards, free showers and toilets. Albigny district, Annecy.

Sand and lawn beach at the southern tip of Lake Annecy, floating pontoon, adjoining water-sports centre. Bordered by the Bout du Lac nature reserve. Accessible.

Lawn beach facing the Château de Duingt (Ruphy) on the west shore of Lake Annecy. Lifeguards in July-August. Water-sports club, lakeside café, summer shuttle.

Recently renovated lawn and fine gravel beach on the west shore of Lake Annecy. 94 bike spaces, direct access to the Voie verte. Ideal for cycling families.

Free grassy beach on Lake Annecy's west shore, shaded, supervised in summer. 10 min walk from town center, accessible by bus, wheelchair accessible. Showers, snack bar.

33 km dedicated greenway on the western shore from Annecy to Marlens, on a former railway line. Flat, asphalted, wheelchair-accessible. 1.5 M passages a year.

1,147 m road pass overlooking Lake Annecy: panorama of the Bauges and La Tournette, one of Europe's busiest paragliding sites, hikes. Free access.

Lakeside wooden walkway through the reedbeds of Lake Annecy at Saint-Jorioz: 1 km loop, free access, interpretation panels, ideal for families.

La Grande Jeanne wildlife park above Annecy: deer, chamois, marmots, boars in semi-freedom in the Semnoz forest. Free access.

Reedbeds, marshes and Ire delta at the south end of Lake Annecy: walkway, observation tower and water birds. Free access, managed by Asters.

The Thiou, the outflow of Lake Annecy: 3.5 km through the old town, 62 Sadi Carnot floodgates, Pont des Amours, Palais de l'Île, heritage walk.

FFR 80 km walking loop around Lake Annecy via Semnoz, Roc des Bœufs and La Tournette. 5,140 m climb, 5–7 days. Walking counterpart to the greenway.

Shaded confidential beach: a vast lawn with large trees, set away from the bustle of Talloires centre. Exceptional view of the Château de Duingt.

Blue Flag since 2009 (confirmed 2026). 7,000 sqm of lawn and sandy banks with paddling pool, T-shaped pontoon, diving board, snack-restaurant. Tiralo on site.