Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Annecy audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~90 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Annecy Annecy guide
About Lake Annecy
A glacier-carved Alpine lake in Haute-Savoie, ringed by mountains and lakeside villages, with the town of Annecy at its northern tip and a hard-won reputation for clean water.
Lac d'Annecy lies in the Haute-Savoie department of the French Alps, with the town of Annecy at its northern tip. It formed around 18,000 years ago from melting glaciers and now stretches about 14.6 kilometres long and up to 3.2 kilometres wide, sitting near 447 metres above sea level. Its deepest point reaches roughly 82 metres. Mountain streams and a deep underwater spring, the Boubioz, feed it, while a single river, the Thiou, drains it through Annecy's old town.
In 1957 eight lakeside communes formed the SILA and built a complete wastewater network to keep sewage out of the water, a scheme often credited for the lake's clean reputation. French sources rank it as France's second glacier-formed lake by area, after the larger Lac du Bourget. Villages including Talloires, Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Duingt line its shores, and the lake serves as a popular site for swimming, water sports and lakeside cycling.
Did you know? The lake's water renews itself slowly, taking roughly four years to refresh. Its catchment area covers about 251 square kilometres, and its deepest point, near 82 metres, hides an underwater spring called the Boubioz.
How long should you spend at Lake Annecy?
Plan about ~90 min at Lake Annecy. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Lake Annecy worth visiting?
Lake Annecy is one of the 12 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Annecy, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Annecy
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Lake Annecy and read more:
Day 2 of the Annecy in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Lake Annecy
Preview the Annecy tour free in the Gingerguide app.