Best things to do in Annecy and its mountains in Winter
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Best Things to do in Annecy in Winter
You’re looking for a winter holiday destination, not too far from home and yet close enough to the slopes and mountains? Somewhere to have a proper winter and where some can ski and some can just relax? Look no further !
Better known as a summer destination thanks to its amazing lake, watersports and cycling, Annecy, only 40mn drive south of Geneva, is a great destination in winter too!
Here are the best things to do in Annecy and its mountains in winter :
1. Visit the mountain villages
La Clusaz, Grand Bornand, are the closest ski stations to Annecy. Typical Savoyard villages, nestled in the valley and surrounded by the mountains, they have kept their charm with lots of wooden traditional chalets and small high streets flooded with delicatessen shops, restaurants, cafes and creperies…
You can visit the villages with a guide every Thursday morning and discover local heritage, traditions and history of the (see La clusaz Tourist Board) or pick up a leaflet and just wander around by yourself. Throughout the season, concerts, shows, animations take place on the main piazza. The Christmas and New Year weeks are particularly animated with amazing Christmas Show, Ice Hockey matches, Ice skating shows, designer markets, etc… Try Paret racing (a typical slege from Haute Savoie), participate to the “Belier Blanc” trail or try yourself at the Savoyard folk dance !
In the most touristy villages, you can hop on a horse carriage and snuggle up under a warm blanket whilst trotting through the village. Enjoy a warm and rich meal at one of the cosy pine wood panelled restaurant with low lighting and candles and finish your evening with a shot of Genepi or a “vin chaud” on the main piazza to keep warm whilst enjoying the show !
The road to reach the villages of La Clusaz and Grand Bornand is easy and cleared quickly but snow tyres and chains are a must.
2. Ski, ski, ski…
A number of stations are easily accessible from Lake Annecy. La Clusaz, Grand Bornand are the closest well known stations. Smaller ones like La Sambuy and the Semnoz’sare also very close and Les Saisies, Megeve, Flaine, Val d’Isere, Chamonix, are within 1 hour drive of our lakeside properties, making them a pleasant destination for the day.
Modest in size and popularity, the local stations of La Clusaz and Grand Bornand offer all of the above, often at a better price than larger stations. Still offering access to more than 350kms off pist between them, with height of 2600m alt., the playground is massive. ESF and English speaking ski schools are available in all stations, with slopes ranking from toddler level to black. There is plenty of off pist for the best of us and the rando addicts. For more adrenaline, come and try Speedriding: strapped to an instructor wearing a paragliding sail and skis on, you slide down the mountains to then gracefully fly off and glide above the slopes and the station . Thrill guaranteed!
For the nordic skiiers, beautiful tracks are available in Les Confins or Grand Bornand, with kilometers of more or less hilly tracks, swaying through the pine trees and over small bridges. If you have never tried, these are gorgeous and easy spots to do so. ESF schools are right there and you can take a couple of hours lessons before heading off. Well recommended. The historical Plateau des Glieres is also a beautiful spot to “ski de fond”.
3. Not skiing ? Not a problem!
Whilst some are enjoying the slopes, others prefer taking it slow. There is plenty for you too! Why not hire some raquette (snowshoeing) (good snow shoes are sufficient on the paths) and venture around the Lac des Confins in La Clusaz (accessible by car and free shuttles) ; in Croix fry, a long forested road links with the other side of the station, Merdassier. A 1.5h walk, accessible to all, amongst massive pine trees, beautiful !
Alternatively you can take a “Ballade an Traineau” (horse carriage) to go around the villages or experience dog sledging as a family. La Clusaz and Grand Bornand both have ice skating rink too, cinema, galleries with exhibitions, heritage sites to visit, etc.
4. Spas and pools
Visiting Annecy and the area is not complete without experiencing a spa. The area between Lake Leman (Geneva) and Aix les Bains is historically known for its “bains” . Kings and celebrities used to come for treatments. Annecy no longer has any public bath, but the tradition remains. Amongst the most beautiful ones are the Imperial Palace’s Spa in Annecy and The Crystal and Deep Nature spas in La Clusaz, greatly recommended after a day in the cold.
Alternatively and for a family experience, both La Clusaz and Grand Bornand have public pool with an outdoor area, a pleasant and visually beautiful experience in winter.
What about swimming in the lake? Far away from us the idea of swimming in the lake in peak winter. However a few of the locals (and not always the youngest ones) do it! With a wet suit, the experience is quite amazing and definitely invigorating. Here is a little story that might just make you want to try…If not a swim, maybe a paddle? Will you witness or participate to the Gla Gla Race taking place on freezing waters every year on Lake Annecy.
5. Annecy Old town and city tours
Visiting Annecy Old Town is a must even during your winter stay. Upon arriving in Annecy, the first thing you will spot is the lake surrounded by snowy peaks. Park up at Bonlieu and walk along the Paquier, the large walking area along the lake. It leads you into the Old Town also called the “Venise of the Alps” with small bridges and canals. Colourful tall, narrow, and often wonky houses with canals, stone bridges, cobbled streets and archways, remains of the medieval town, add a lot of charm and character to the place. “L’écluse fleurie” and the palais de l’Isle (Isle palace), are amongst the beautiful sights of the old town and the latest is well worth a visit. The famous Pont des Amours (lover’s bridge), sits beside the large townhall. All long the waterways are restaurants, coffee shops, souvenirs and delicatessen shop.
The jardins de l’Europe are large gardens between the main road and the waterfront with stunning old trees and flower beds (although winter is definitely not the best time so see those)
Le Chateau d’Annecy will interest those keen on the town history and the local craftmanship tools and artefacts . It also has amazing views of the lake.
Other points of interest are the Museum of Animation (Annecy has become the capital of the animation film with a famous international festival taking place in town every year. The museum will give you a good insight of the magic world) and a number of art galleries through out town.
6. Forest trails and lakefront walks
Annecy is surrounded by amazing trails amongst which are Mont Veyrier and La Tournette, which are not recommended in the winter season. Instead head for Le Chateau de Menthon, Le Semnoz, le Massive des Bauges, Le plateau des Glieres, for easier, winter suited walks. La Forclaz can be reached from Talloires village (can be a little treacherous in winter, make sure you have appropriate footwear) and offers some amazing views over the lake. If the weather is kind, you might catch a few paragliding addicts willing to confront the cold to get their intake of adrenaline.
In la Clusaz, le pateau des confins offers beautiful walks around its lake and alongside the Nordic skiing pists, In Croix fry, a forested road links with Merdassier, on the other side of the station, an lovely easy walk surrounded by pine trees.
The lakeside is also beautiful in winter. In Menthon you can walk on the lake side car-free road from the beach all the way to the Palais de Menthon . For a longer walk, take it further and venture into le Roc de Cher, a natural reserve overlooking the Palais and the lake and linking with Talloires village on the other side. A gorgeous forest with a splendid panorama spot overlooking the Baie de Talloires and Duingt across the lake at the foothill of the Bauges . Stay safe and choose your way down properly to head down into Talloires village and have a drink at the Pere Bise Bistrot or the Abbaye in the famous bay of Talloires.
7. Restaurants & local food experience
Everywhere you’ll go in Haute Savoie, you will find Raclette and Fondue on the menu. Typical of the Haute Savoie area, they must be part of your Annecy experience. Rich melted cheese spread on hot potatoes and local charcuterie, raclette is THE typical dish of the Alps ; Fondue, is a Savoyard/Swiss dish based on melted cheese with white wine in which you dip your bread. Tartiflette and Croisiflette, incorporate potatoes or pasta (only found in Haute Savoie) respectively to the cheese! Very rich and perfect after a long day skiing/walking/exploring day, they are perfect with a glass of wine : very convivial and pretty delicious! Buckwheat (black flour) savory crepes are also very popular.
There are very many amazing restaurants in Annecy, we invite you to check out The Fork to be guided. A few place, more casual, for snacks and coffees, that we really enjoy: we particularly like La Bicyclette Rose in Annecy, great for brunch and families ; Le Cafe des Brumes, tucked away in a back street of the town center ; La Cave, lovely wine bar in a stone cellar with wide selection of local and French wines served with local produce as finger food; Artmalté, a small producer of craft beers ; in La Clusaz, we’ll name only a few such as L’Outa, and la Ferme et La Bournerie in Grand Bornand. Le Foly at the Lac des Confins is also worth a stop If you are up there.
8. Markets
To top up with your 5-a day (much needed after all the cheese), the local markets are a great place to pick up fresh local produces. In Annecy , the farmers market takes place 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. A great selection of fruits and vegs but also cheeses, hams. In the mountains, Thones’s, market is on Saturday and worth a stop. La Clusaz little market is on Mondays and Grand Bornand’s on Wedensdays.
During the Christmas season, a rather large Christmas market is set up in the Old Town of Annecy, with wooden chalets and small artisans selling local crafts and gifts. See our local gifts ideas below.
The town also have a lot of antique fair where you may find some real treasures. Get up early to explore and find the find.
Find out more about the markets
9. French Afternoon tea
Winter, cold, wet are perfect excuses to stop in a little “salon de thé” for a cup of tea. French drink their black with a touch of lemon juice, but do not hesitate to ask “avec du lait s’il vous plait” ! And of course, there is the patisserie that goes with it and the salon itself has to be right too!
For a touch of grandeur and style, book an afternoon tea at the Imperial Palace in Annecy. Retro and elegant, the tea rooms take us back to the 30’s where the rich and famous visited the Palace for their holidays (The Palace de Menthon is another “retro” destination, where you will enjoy the magnificent views on the lake and the modernised Art deco structure retracing the Grand Years of Lake Annecy).
If the castles and palaces are too fancy, we invite you to stop at “Tweedle Tea” a little vintage style tea room in Menthon St Bernard, where you will find delicious French patisserie with a British twist. Jenny will look after you well. Great little gft shop attached.
10. Buy Unique Gifts
In Annecy, with its unique lake and beautiful mountains, it is all about 100% nature. Most of those who live here love nature ad want to protect it. Organic, plastic-free, recycling, upcycling have been very popular in this area for a long time. So if you are looking for local gift with a difference, here are a few ideas:
Community: Buy a reblochon ! Speciality cheese from the area, reblochon is the cheese used to make the tartiflette. Wrap it up (very well) and take it home to share the taste of Haute Savoie ! Le Farto in Thones is a great cheese and local produce shop selling on behalf of the local producers. Always packed, it is the best place to buy local.
Tradition: Consider buying an Opinel. Founded in 1800 in Savoie, Opinel are tradionnal knives with wooden handles and folding blades, now very fashionable thanks to modern colours and designs, they have the savoie stamp and look cool as well as being “green” and very useful!
Recycled: Buy a Picture t-shirt. Annecy born organic and sustainable clothing line, made from recylced plastics. Cool design , very trendy, the brand has spread worldwide…
Experience : HJEM produces beautiful trays, candles and homeware inspired from the local landscapes
Organic: Splendid organic cosmetic designed in the mountains for Nature lovers , SNO Eternelle was created by Rafaelle Monod Sjostrom, ex world champion skier.
Enjoy your holidays and get in touch when you visit !
