Seeing Annecy from the water changes everything. From the lake you discover the shoreline villages, the perched châteaux and the mountains dropping into the turquoise water, effortlessly and from the best angle. A cruise is one of the simplest and finest ways to take the measure of the lake.
The options
- The guided tour: a loop of about an hour along both shores, with the landmarks explained. Ideal as a first taste or with children.
- Lunch or dinner cruise: combine the trip with a meal on board, often built around the lake’s fish. Longer, more festive.
- Private boat / lounge boat: an à la carte outing, swim included, at your own pace.
What you’ll see
Along the way: the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard standing on its spur, the bay of Talloires and its abbey, the eastern-shore villas, the Roc de Chère and, as a backdrop, the peaks of the Bauges and the Aravis. On a clear day, the colour of the water near the shore is striking.
Booking
From a lunch cruise to a lounge boat, here’s our selection from our partner.
Good to know
Season. Cruises mostly run from April to October, with the fullest offer in summer. Off-season, departures thin out.
Book the meal cruises. Lunch and dinner options sell out fast in high season; the simple tour is easier to catch same-day.
The best time. In late afternoon, the light on the shores and mountains is superb.
Combine. A cruise in the morning, a beach or cycling in the afternoon: the ideal lakeside day.
See also in Annecy
Stay on the water with the lake and its beaches, or gain height by paragliding. Back to the destination: Annecy.