Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
citymap,the
TownWalks
walking-tourbrochure(describesfourmildlyinterestingwalks),
themapofthelakeshowingthebiketrail,and,ifyou'restayingafewdays,thehelpful
An-
necy Guide,
with everything a traveler needs to know. Ask about walking tours in English
(€6, July-Aug only, normally Tue and Fri at 16:00). You'll also find TIs in most villages
on the lake.
Arrival in Annecy
By Train and Bus:
The stations sit side by side. To reach the old town and TI, cross the
street in front of the stations, and turn left toward the pinkish Hôtel des Alpes. Turn right
on Rue de la Poste, then left on Rue Royale to reach the TI and some hotels, or continue
straighttomorerecommendedhotels.ThereisnobaggagestorageinAnnecy,butday-trip-
pers who rent bikes can leave their bags at the Roul' ma Poule bike-rental shop while they
ride (see listing under “Helpful Hints,” later).
By Car:
Annecyisatrafficmess;inhighseason(July-Aug),arriveveryearly,during
lunch, or late. Avoid most of the snarls by taking the Annecy Centre exit (#16) from the
autoroute (it may not be signed as
Annecy Centre,
but this is the exit you want). From the
autoroute, follow
Annecy
/
Albertville
signs. Upon entering Annecy, follow signs to
Le Lac
or
Le Château
depending on the location of your hotel. (Don't follow signs for
Annecy-le-
Vieux
.)
Refer to the map of Annecy in this chapter for parking lots. The first 30 minutes are
free;afterthatfigure€1.30perhour(€16-20/day).Ifyou'restayingatahotelintown,you
can park overnight for free at a public lot—but only if you ask at your hotel. Upon arrival,
ditch your car at the first lot that is reasonably close, then get advice from your hotel for
more convenient parking. Parking Ste. Claire and Parking du Château work for the hotels
I list that are away from the lake. You can park right on the lake with the buses opposite
the boat dock at Parking Stade Nautique (few spaces for cars, but this might be your lucky
day); there's also a big garage near the boat dock at the Hôtel de Ville.
Helpful Hints
Market Days:
A thriving outdoor food market occupies much of the old town center on
Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings until about 12:30. The biggest market in An-
necy is on Saturday, but it's less central (food, clothes, and crafts; until 12:30, around
Boulevard Taine—several blocks behind the TI).
Supermarkets:
The
Monoprix
isatthecornerofRueduLacandRueNotre-Dame(Mon-
Sat 8:30-19:50, closed Sun, supermarket upstairs). A smaller
Franprix
is on Rue de
l'Annexion just off Rue Royale (Mon-Sat 8:00-20:30, Sun 9:00-13:00 but open until
20:30 in summer).
