Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
thecastle).IfyoustayonthetrailbeyondDuingt,thepathisbeautiful,withviewsopening
up to the south end of the lake. The next village with boats back to Annecy is Doussard
(figure a 20-minute pedal from Duingt). This route also works well in reverse: Take the
Omnibus boat to Duingt or Doussard and pedal back.
Serious cyclists can make it all the way around the lake in about three to four hours
(narrow roads and no bike path on most of the opposite side of the lake, with one good
hill).
Museum of Annecy (Palais de l'Isle)
This serenely situated 13th-century building cuts like the prow of a ship through the heart
of the Thiou River. Once a prison, it held French Resistance fighters during World War II.
Today it's a boring museum that holds rotating exhibits and a small section on local archi-
tecture.
Cost and Hours:
€3.50, €6.60 combo-ticket includes Château Museum, June-Sept
Wed-Mon 10:30-18:00, Oct-May Wed-Mon 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00, closed Tue year-
round, free English leaflet.
Château Museum (Musée-Château d'Annecy)
The castle, built in the late 1100s by aristocrats from nearby Geneva, cuts an impressive
figure as it hangs above the lake in the old city. But inside, the château has little to offer.
Many rooms house modern-art collections that rotate regularly, with a few rooms devoted
to local folklore, anthropology, and natural history. Skip it.
Cost and Hours:
€5, €6.60 combo-ticket includes Museum of Annecy, same hours
as Museum of Annecy.
Driving Around the Lake
The road that links villages along the lake (D-1508) is busy, with little reward for drivers,
but it does lead to a scenic route to Chamonix and to fantastic mountaintop views (de-
scribed next).
Nearby Views
Several routes lead to remarkable views of this gorgeous area. Go early for clearest skies,
go late for sunsets, and skip it if it's hazy. Both of the views below are worth
▲▲
in clear
weather.
Le Semnoz
:FormajesticmountainpanoramasnearAnnecythatincludeMontBlanc,
take the summer-only bus or drive up...and up...and up to Le Semnoz (about 5,000 feet).
Allow about 30 minutes one-way and expect lots of bicycles on weekends. To
drive
, fol-
low D-41 from near the Hôpital-Clinique parking lot (see this chapter's map of Annecy).
