24 HOURS IN ANNECY

Annecy is a picturesque town in France, and is the prefecture as well as the largest town of the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Just 35 kilometers south of Geneva, Switzerland, Annecy is like Geneva in that it, too, has mountain and lake views. If you only have 24 hours to visit Annecy, here is how I would spend it:

Start off by checking into Hotel Le Pélican. This hotel is walking distance from the center of town, while providing incredible lake and mountain views from your hotel window. From your hotel, take in a short (but steep) climb to Basilique de la Visitation, a Catholic basilica that offers a bird’s eye view of the city, as well as the surrounding mountains and lake.

Basilique de la Visitation

Then make your way down to the center of town and enjoy some pastries from Boulangerie Aristide. Just a four-minute walk from there will lead you to Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, a beautiful cathedral built in 1535, originally a Franciscan church.

Once you’ve marveled at the lovely mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture of Saint-Pierre, take some time to walk around the streets of Old Town! Here you will see Annecy’s most photographed structure: Palais de l’Île. Once a castle and prison, this medieval building in the Thiou Canal is now an art and history museum! Take a peek inside and be sure to snap a few pictures of the outside.

Old Town

Then walk across Pont des Amours, a plain looking bridge that offers scenic lake views. This bridge will lead you right to Jardins de l’Europe, a park that looks out onto Lake Annecy. Spend the rest of the afternoon in a paddle boat rental, easily accessed from Jardins de l’Europe. End the evening with dinner at Chez Ingalls.

I hope you enjoy your time in Annecy!