Things to do in  Annecy

With its sensational scenery—including the azure waters of Lake Annecy; surrounding snowcapped mountain peaks; and the half-timbered buildings of its medieval, cobblestone Old Town (Vieille Ville)—Annecy may be one of France’s most underrated cities. Known as “the Venice of the Alps” for its many waterways, visiting the 12th-century Palais de l’Île (ringed by the waters of the Thiou River) and the Château d’Annecy are two of the top things to do in Annecy. However, it draws outdoorsy types all year round and becomes particularly festive in the lead-up to Christmas.