If the word ‘canals’ crops up during discussion of your holiday plans, it’s probably fair to say that you’re more likely to be talking about Venice than, say, Birmingham.
However, while Venice boasts beautiful architecture, incredible food – and, yes, romantic waterways – it is not without its issues.
Recently, the city has been battling overtourism, with solutions including entry fees for day trippers, bans on large group tours and cruise ships, and generally making the city less tourist-friendly than it was in the past.
Still, with up to 120,000 visitors passing through Venice every day, it can often feel more than a little crowded.
So, is it possible to get all of the romance of Venice from another, quieter destination in Europe?
Enter, Annecy, the ‘Venice of France’.
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This lesser-known European beauty spot offers a destination dupe that will easily rival good ol’ fashioned Venezia, as well as its other comparison cities in Portugal, the Netherlands, or the Middle East.
Here is what you need to know.
Where is Annecy
Annecy is situated along France’s eastern border with Switzerland and is approximately an hour from Geneva and 1 hour and 45 minutes from Lyon.
It sits on the banks of Lac d’Annecy (a 27 km lake), which extends into the national parks.
Annecy is also considered to be part of the Alps mountain range, located across the ridge from Turin on the Italian side.
Why is Annecy the ‘Venice of France’?
Annecy is often referred to as the ‘Venice of France’ due to its stunning canals that wind through the charming old town, creating a picturesque setting that many tourists find reminiscent of the Italian city.
Much like its Italian counterpart, the city also boasts a vibrant waterfront, lined with colourful buildings and cafes, as well as its medieval buildings and cobbled streets, which add to its romantic atmosphere.
Its combination of hospitality, history, and beauty has seen the city likened to Venice by many visitors and residents alike.
Why travel to Annecy
According to About-France.com, Annecy is ‘one of the most picturesque cities in France’, and, when you see images, it’s easy to see why.
As the former capital of ‘the Duchy of Geneva’, its history is just as much alpine as it is French, and the influences of both cultures run deep.
The beautiful architecture on display in its historic Vieille Ville (old city) rivals even the likes of Venice in its grandeur.
While Annecy might not have a cathedral comparable to the vastness of St Mark’s Basilica, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its share of historic buildings throughout the city, including its own Renaissance-Gothic style Cathedrale Saint-Pierre.
One TripAdvisor user described Lake Annecy as having ‘clear water and stunning views’, while another added ‘Fabulous views and lovely old town , fantastic market and lovely restaurants, many places to visit’.
What to do in Annecy
Annecy’s tourist information boasts all manner of activities in and around the city, ranging from the relaxing to the adrenaline-pumping.
For those who, like me, prefer a more laid-back approach to their trips, Annecy offers a variety of soothing activities.
You can enjoy wooden boat tours and luxury pedalo rentals, partake in private and public Savoie wine tastings, visit the Ecomuseum of Lake Annecy, indulge in massages at local hotels, experience wild cooking adventures, and much more.
However, if you preffer your trips to be more action packed, then there are a whole range of activites to suit your taste too – a ‘paragliding baptism’ course (that sounds, frankly, terrifying), ‘Devil’s Bridge’ water hiking, transparent kayak hire and even Avalanche Rescue training… although, quite how many avalanches you’ll be dealing with back home remains to be seen.
Once you’re done with your day’s activities, the city also houses some fabulous restaurants, bakeries and boutiques, meaning you can indulge in some retail therapy, delicious places to dine, or wind the time away people watching with a grand verre de vin (thank you, Google translate).
How to get to Annecy
If all of this has got you craving a visit, then good news: Annecy is relatively easy to get to.
To travel from the UK to Annecy, the most convenient option is to fly to Geneva Airport (GVA) in Switzerland, which is approximately one hour away by car.
In fact, you’ll be travelling straight down the A41, but the waterside you’ll reach at the end might be a bit grander than Birkenhead. There are also bus and train links from Geneva, if you don’t want to drive.
London, Manchester, Birmingham, and more all offer regular flights to Geneva, and crossing the border into France is a relatively straightforward process.
If flying isn’t your thing, then you’re in for a bit of a longer journey time, but it’s possible to get a train from London to Paris, and then transfer to the high-speed French TGV cross-country trains.
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