Reserver maintenant 10:10
en
fr en
HomeNews / Events5 villages you simply must visit around Lake Annecy
Return

5 villages you simply must visit around Lake Annecy

June 2026

5 villages you simply must visit around Lake Annecy

There’s one question we hear very often at the Boutik Hotel.

"We’ve got a whole day ahead of us… Which villages around the lake would you recommend we visit?"

Our response can sometimes come as a surprise. We never recommend walking all the way round the lake from one point to another. Instead, we prefer to suggest a few carefully chosen stops, where you can take the time to stroll along the water’s edge, sit on a terrace facing the mountains, enjoy one of the lakeside restaurants with breathtaking views, or simply wander about, taking in the changing colours and light.

Lake Annecy isn’t the sort of place you visit by ticking off a list of sights. It’s best explored at the pace set by its villages and viewpoints. 

Here are what we consider to be the five villages around Lake Annecy that are definitely worth a visit, and, above all, the reasons why we love recommending them to our travellers.

Why explore the villages around Lake Annecy?

Annecy is a magnificent town, but the area around the lake is just as beautiful.

In less than thirty minutes, the atmosphere changes completely. The bustling quays give way to small harbours, reed-lined beaches, villages where time itself seems to stand still, and panoramic views that make you want to stop every five kilometres.

A day spent exploring the lake is often one of the highlights of our guests’ stays at the Boutik Hotel.

A piece of advice we often give: don’t overbook your itinerary. The best discoveries are often the ones you hadn’t planned for.

1. Talloires-Montmin: the jewel of the lake

Talloires is often regarded as the most elegant village on the lake.

What we like most about Talloires is, above all, its laid-back pace and its unspoilt natural setting in this stunning bay, which was named one of the 10 most beautiful bays in the world by Geo Magazine. 
It’s a village people come to as much for lunch and dinner as for sightseeing.

Things to discover 

 

  • Talloires Bay.
  • The village.
  • The beaches.
  • Tufts University. 

A tip from the Boutik Hotel

If you have a little time to spare, we recommend enjoying an ice cream by the lake and then continuing on to the Col de la Forclaz. In just a few minutes, you’ll find one of the most stunning views looking down over Lake Annecy, as well as one of the most spectacular paragliding spots in Europe. It’s also a magnificent spot from which to watch the sunset.

2. Menthon-Saint-Bernard : the village with the castle

The first time you catch sight of Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle towering over the lake, you immediately understand why it has become one of the iconic images of Haute-Savoie.

What we appreciate most of all is the atmosphere of the village. The narrow streets are quiet, the old houses are perfectly maintained and, as you walk down towards the harbour, the view gradually opens out onto the lake.

Not to be missed

 
  • Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle, which overlooks the lake and comes to life during events throughout the year.
  • The lakeside walk and its wooden jetties.

A tip from the Boutik Hotel

If you’re visiting Menthon-Saint-Bernard at the end of the day, take a few minutes to sit by the harbour. As the sun sinks behind the mountains and the light turns golden… it’s one of our favourite places to round off a day spent around the lake.

3. Duingt : a scene painted by Cézanne

Some people arrive at the Boutik Hotel with a photo of the lake saved on their mobile phones.

Very often, it was taken in Duingt.
Its château, built on a peninsula, is probably one of the most photographed spots around the lake.
A useful point to note: the château is private property and is not open to visitors. Many visitors are unaware of this before they arrive. 

 

 

Must-see

 

  • Duingt Castle.
  • A 30-minute cycle ride away, the Bout du Lac Nature Reserve awaits you. Still relatively unknown, this walk often proves to be a lovely surprise during your stay (ideal in summer for the shade it offers).
  • The Notre Dame du Lac Grotto, a place of contemplation with exceptional views.

A tip from the Boutik Hotel

If you enjoy photography, do come back at the end of the day. The colours of the sunset transform the landscape.

4.Saint-Jorioz : to make the most of the lake

If you’re travelling in the summer, there’s a good chance we’ll mention Saint-Jorioz.

The village boasts one of the most pleasant beaches on Lake Annecy and a particularly friendly atmosphere.

People come here to go for a swim, hire a stand-up paddleboard, go kayaking or simply have lunch by the water’s edge.

To discover

 

  • The sandy beach at Saint-Jorioz.
  • The harbour.
  • The Roselières Trail.

A tip from the Boutik Hotel

In July and August, try to arrive before 10 am if you want to make the most of the beach and the car park. Otherwise, come by bike! It’s easy to get there from the Boutik Hotel thanks to the cycle path that goes round the lake.

 

5. Sévrier : the best way to start the walk round the lake

People often pass through Sévrier without taking the time to stop there.

And yet…

Coming from Annecy, it’s the first village you reach as you cycle along the lake. The views are already magnificent, the cycle path is particularly pleasant, and the atmosphere is much more peaceful than in the town centre.

We often recommend it to travellers who want to hire a bike and explore the lake without setting off on a long ride.

Not to be missed

 

  • The greenway.
  • The beach.
  • The Annecy Lake Ecomuseum and the Paccard Museum

 

Le conseil du Boutik Hôtel

Set off early in the morning. The lake is often perfectly calm and the atmosphere peaceful. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of the day.

Our favourite route for exploring these villages.

When people ask us how to plan this day out, we usually recommend a simple itinerary:


Annecy → Sévrier → Saint-Jorioz → Duingt → Talloires-Montmin → Menthon-Saint-Bernard → back to Annecy.

 

Why in that order?

Why this one? Because it naturally follows the rhythm of the day (the light is stunning at dawn on the shores of Sevrier and Saint-Jorioz, and the sunsets are unforgettable from the shores of Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard).

It isn’t necessarily the quickest route.

But it’s the one we recommend most often.

We would, however, like to draw your attention to the climb up to Talloires, which is known to be challenging. If you’re travelling with young children (aged 10–11), we advise you to consider doing the route in the opposite direction.

A few extra tips we often share with our guests:

Avoid trying to visit all the villages around the lake in a single day.
If you’re visiting between July and August, set off before 9.00 am to enjoy less congested roads.
Always allow a bit of free time. It’s common to end up spending longer than planned on a terrace or taking an impromptu dip.

If you enjoy walking, bring comfortable shoes. The most beautiful viewpoints sometimes require a few minutes’ effort to reach.

From the Boutik Hotel, everything is within easy reach.

One of the Boutik Hotel’s key advantages is that you can enjoy the best of Annecy and have easy access to the villages via the cycle path right outside the hotel or by boat (departure less than 2 minutes away). 

In the morning, you can set off to explore the villages around the lake. In the evening, you can soak up the unique atmosphere of Annecy’s old town, with its cobbled streets, restaurants and canals

We’re always delighted to share our favourite spots, tell you which beach we prefer depending on the season, or recommend a restaurant where you can enjoy a late evening overlooking the lake.

That’s also what the Boutik Hotel is all about: helping you discover Annecy just as we love to experience it.