Annecy: A Journey Around the Lake with Eric
Located in eastern France, close to the Swiss and Italian borders, Haute-Savoie is known for its beautiful Alpine landscapes. Once part of the territories ruled by the House of Savoy, the region became part of France in 1860. Annecy became the administrative capital of the newly established Haute-Savoie department that same year.
Annecy is known for its historic old town, canals and lake surrounded by the French Alps. With its clear water, lakeside villages and mountain views, Lake Annecy is one of the region's most beautiful natural attractions.
A cycling route of approximately 40 kilometres circles the lake. The eastern shore follows roads along the mountains, while much of the western shore uses a dedicated cycling path built along a former railway line. We started in Annecy's town centre and explored the lake by bicycle.
Annecy will also be the starting point of Stage 10 of the 2027 Tour de France, which will finish in Sallanches on July 13.
From Annecy to Talloires and Doussard
Leaving Annecy's town centre, we headed along the eastern shore through Veyrier-du-Lac and Menthon-Saint-Bernard towards Talloires.
As the road approaches Talloires, it climbs above the lake, offering beautiful views of the water and surrounding mountains.
Talloires is one of the most attractive villages on the eastern shore. Its bay, surrounded by mountains, is also a lovely place to stop and enjoy the scenery.
After Talloires, the road descends towards Doussard at the southern end of the lake. Here, the landscape opens up to wider green areas and the Bout du Lac Nature Reserve.
Duingt, Les Dents de Lanfon and the Return to Annecy
From Doussard, we followed the western shore towards Duingt. The village is known for the Château de Duingt, located on a small peninsula extending into the lake.
Looking across the water from the western shore, you can see the distinctive peaks of Les Dents de Lanfon. Reaching approximately 1,828 metres, these rocky summits are known for their tooth-like shape and are particularly visible from Duingt and Saint-Jorioz.
We continued through Saint-Jorioz and Sevrier, following the cycling path along the former railway line back to Annecy. This part of the route offers views of the lake, nearby beaches and the mountains on the opposite shore.
After approximately 40 kilometres, we completed the loop in Annecy's town centre. The two sides of the lake offer different experiences: mountain roads and elevated viewpoints on the eastern shore, and lakeside villages and a dedicated cycling path on the western side.
Cycling around Lake Annecy is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Haute-Savoie.
Story and photos by Eric
