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Planning a week/9 days away next May half term and we fancy doing something a bit different to our normal May half term holidays (I have a couple of days biking with the kids and then we'll all head away for a city break or something for a few days).
We'd really like to do something with a combination of relaxing and being able to see stuff and my current result from a quick bit of googling is staying near Annency would be a good base (looks like a really nice town) and easy to strike out to see some big hills in the Chamonix area etc. Does anyone have any experience of the area/stuff to do etc? Was thinking about an chalet with its own pool but average temperature for the area is 15 degrees in May so maybe not outdoor pool weather...
EDIT - should have added, not really looking for biking related things to do.
There's loads to do around Annecy, however how much of it would be open in May, I don't know.
The problem is that you're in the shoulder season for the mountains, still (usually) quite a lot of snow around, but all the ski resorts are closed.
We had similar thoughts till I saw the prices, Annecy is popular and that means high prices.
Theres a nice (non-technical) cycleway round the entire lake
There are "water taxis" so you can explore the places round the lake
There's quite a lot of walking
Lovely place, still dream about the Meringues.
Yeah it's a mega place. We're heading there in a couple of weeks as a part of our honeymoon road trip. Town is really cool. Lots to do in the surrounding areas to in terms of hiking, water based stuff etc (May might be a bit early).
We camped over lake Annecy a few years back. Beautiful place.
Woke up to a fox inside the vestibule of the tent, so watch out for that.
Beautiful and prefect for relaxing family break with things to do if you want
Lovely scenery all around, loads of eating places all over, and the most rats I’ve ever seen in one place on one of the canals.
It's many years since I was in Annecy but I remember the lovely market and great swimming in the lake.
Lake is stunning, water is beautiful and it's warm. In August anyway!
As above, not sure about what will be open in May and what the weather will be like. I've been to the Alps in April and had days in the high 20's but then it can be raining/snowing all week.
Beutiful place and would highly recommend if the weather is good. Some really nice campsites if thats your thing. Cycle way round the lake is great. It's pretty busy all round the lake but not so busy to really piss me off though, and get really pissed off in places that are really busy....
I have some friends who live just outside there so I know enough to know that you spelled it wrong! ;0)
I have yet to go myself but it looks pretty bloody good so have a great time there. I'm sure you will.
It's a pretty town, although it has mountain weather there, once spent a few days in Taliores (spelling) halfway down the lake and on at least one day saw Welsh levels if rain i.e. 4/5 inches of water washing down the steep roads to the side of the town into the lake. It was epic. I also got food poisoning from a hillside restaurant so spent the whole night and morning in close contact with my accommodations toilet bowl.
There's an ice-cream place that makes the waffle cones fresh too, SOOOO good.
Love Annecy, so much to do in the area.
We've been 5 times as a family group, 3 times in August and twice in October.
The Summer months are extremely busy and hot. October was way better with a nice temperature and not as crowded. Didn't really find that places were closed because it was October. Maybe May would be the same.
Some excellent walks in the area and the bile ride around the lake is really good especially on a tandem.
Chamonix is well worth a trip for a ride up one of the cable cars or the train, just be prepared to empty your wallet for the experience.
edit @toby1 we had a similar experience after doing the walk of Mont Veyrier. So much so that any bout of tummy troubles from then on is known as Annecy Anoos!
Not much more to add other than it’s a great place. Not easy to find places to park in peak season and the roads can be a bit gridlocked but don’t let that put you off.
Talloires is a nice visit (easily doable on a bike) as are drives up to La Clusaz and other ski resorts (though they will all be shut by May except perhaps Clusaz). I’ve been in January, March and July and enjoyed it every time. Book restaurants well ahead though.
I love it. First went there in 1985...then in 1992. Hoping to take the family next year.
Cheers all for the feedback - its on the list!
Went there years ago, it's lovely. Took the TGV direct from Paris.
Went there years ago, it’s lovely. Took the TGV direct from Paris.
Interesting - hadn't got as far as looking at how to get there yet but thought it'd be nice to use the train.
If flying you can get a bus from Geneva or Lyon airport direct to Annecy.
We popped in on the way to and from Les Arcs this year- A swim at Talloires and and wander round the old town.
The whole area was really nice but very busy in July. Would happily go back but I think having transport would be a must, not sure the town could sustain me for more than a day or two.
Looks like a great place to Paraglide from the numbers in the air when we went.
Its not far from Albertville- we went for a mooch around Conflans which is a medieval city above the town and is well worth a visit. There also seems to be a few caves/gorges in the area worth a look.
I reckon I could spend a couple of months in the whole region and not get bored.
The lake is so clear and calm in august that after I pushed my wife off our paddle board, I found her "lost to the bottom" sunglasses.
Enjoy