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Historic sites

Annecy old town and lake

France Haute-Savoie Annecy

Annecy old town and lake
Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Annecy's old town has canals, flower-lined bridges and pastel houses, earning it the name 'Venice of the Alps'. The Palais de l'Isle, a 12th-century prison on a little island in the canal, is the classic photo. Its lake, Lac d'Annecy, is one of the cleanest in Europe, surrounded by mountains, and perfect for swimming, cycling around the shore and paragliding.


Hire a pedal boat or take a lake cruise. The Tuesday, Friday and Sunday markets in the old town sell Savoie cheeses. It's about 45 minutes from Geneva airport.

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