What to do in Annecy?
Oct 1, 2015, 5:37 pm
#1
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What to do in Annecy?
I just booked a flight for myself and my wife in mid-February to fly to GVA. She wants to go to Annecy, so we'll in all likelihood be spending 2 days there (arriving early Friday morning and leaving Sunday morning). I've never been to this part of France before - only Paris and Nice/Cannes a long, long time ago - so I wanted to solicit the good opinions of the people here on what is good to see in Annecy, as well as any recommendations on hotels and (especially) food.
Additionally - if there is any advice on how to get to Annecy from GVA, that would be immensely helpful. It seems like taking a cab is the most straightforward and direct way of getting there, but not sure if you have to call ahead, if taking a cab from the airport is possible or if you have to reserve one ahead of time, etc.
Thanks!
Additionally - if there is any advice on how to get to Annecy from GVA, that would be immensely helpful. It seems like taking a cab is the most straightforward and direct way of getting there, but not sure if you have to call ahead, if taking a cab from the airport is possible or if you have to reserve one ahead of time, etc.
Thanks!
Oct 1, 2015, 6:33 pm
#2
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Hotel: can't suggest anything since I was staying with relatives
Transportation from GVA : to give you an idea
http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Annecy/Geneva
What to do in February: Skiing, visiting old town, a boat tour on the lake ( I believe that they do have it in winter), or have a look at these 10 things -to-see
Note: In summer, we did a lot of outdoor activities : hiking , visiting some farms nearby for the Reblochon cheese, going to Talloires and Chamonix where you can go up L'Aiguille du Midi
Food: try tartiflette and fondue Savoyarde and if you like beers, you will have some good choices
Transportation from GVA : to give you an idea
http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Annecy/Geneva
What to do in February: Skiing, visiting old town, a boat tour on the lake ( I believe that they do have it in winter), or have a look at these 10 things -to-see
Note: In summer, we did a lot of outdoor activities : hiking , visiting some farms nearby for the Reblochon cheese, going to Talloires and Chamonix where you can go up L'Aiguille du Midi
Food: try tartiflette and fondue Savoyarde and if you like beers, you will have some good choices
Oct 2, 2015, 1:27 am
#3
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I'd recommend renting a car at GVA as the area in and around Annecy is very beautiful and interesting and you will want to have a car to get around. Especially if you want to go up to higher elevations. You can drive over to one of the telecabin sites not far from Annecy. Or just drive around to various points on the lake and hike around. If you don't want to drive from some reason and just want to stay in the town of Annecy, then yes you can take any cab on the French side. No reservation required, however it will be rather expensive. A cheaper option would be the train or bus or combination of the two.
Realize that in February all the hotels, airbnb places and general BnB lodges will be packed full of skiers. If you don't already have a hotel reservation you'd better make one quick. And once you get to a few weeks before your stay, you might want to think about restaurant reservations as the good restaurants will be quite full. School holidays in France and neighboring countries occur in February and thus it is the height of high season.
Realize that in February all the hotels, airbnb places and general BnB lodges will be packed full of skiers. If you don't already have a hotel reservation you'd better make one quick. And once you get to a few weeks before your stay, you might want to think about restaurant reservations as the good restaurants will be quite full. School holidays in France and neighboring countries occur in February and thus it is the height of high season.
Oct 3, 2015, 6:24 am
#4
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I fully agree with Stimpy. You have to rent a car to enjoy this beautiful area. The old part of the city is also top notch.
Oct 4, 2015, 4:54 pm
#5
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I booked a hotel stay at Les Loges Annecy Vieille given proximity to the part of the older city and general top-notch reviews.
Is a car really preferred / necessary for a short stay? Just asking as it seems flying into GVA, you can depart the airport directly into France or into Switzerland, and that has an impact (in my case, negative for the latter). If having a car would be an absolute, unmitigated plus, I'd definitely consider it, but I feel like there's probably enough to fill the time in ~48 hours in the city to see without needing our own transport. I'd love to spend more time seeing the surrounding area, but I'm also someone who thinks that spending quality time hitting a few precise locations is better than running around trying to see every.last.thing, where it will be more a memory by camera than something that stays with you.
Is a car really preferred / necessary for a short stay? Just asking as it seems flying into GVA, you can depart the airport directly into France or into Switzerland, and that has an impact (in my case, negative for the latter). If having a car would be an absolute, unmitigated plus, I'd definitely consider it, but I feel like there's probably enough to fill the time in ~48 hours in the city to see without needing our own transport. I'd love to spend more time seeing the surrounding area, but I'm also someone who thinks that spending quality time hitting a few precise locations is better than running around trying to see every.last.thing, where it will be more a memory by camera than something that stays with you.
Oct 4, 2015, 6:33 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I'd recommend renting a car at GVA as the area in and around Annecy is very beautiful and interesting and you will want to have a car to get around. Especially if you want to go up to higher elevations. You can drive over to one of the telecabin sites not far from Annecy. Or just drive around to various points on the lake and hike around. .
Bobette
Oct 5, 2015, 12:52 am
#7
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I booked a hotel stay at Les Loges Annecy Vieille given proximity to the part of the older city and general top-notch reviews.
Is a car really preferred / necessary for a short stay? Just asking as it seems flying into GVA, you can depart the airport directly into France or into Switzerland, and that has an impact (in my case, negative for the latter). If having a car would be an absolute, unmitigated plus, I'd definitely consider it, but I feel like there's probably enough to fill the time in ~48 hours in the city to see without needing our own transport. I'd love to spend more time seeing the surrounding area, but I'm also someone who thinks that spending quality time hitting a few precise locations is better than running around trying to see every.last.thing, where it will be more a memory by camera than something that stays with you.
Is a car really preferred / necessary for a short stay? Just asking as it seems flying into GVA, you can depart the airport directly into France or into Switzerland, and that has an impact (in my case, negative for the latter). If having a car would be an absolute, unmitigated plus, I'd definitely consider it, but I feel like there's probably enough to fill the time in ~48 hours in the city to see without needing our own transport. I'd love to spend more time seeing the surrounding area, but I'm also someone who thinks that spending quality time hitting a few precise locations is better than running around trying to see every.last.thing, where it will be more a memory by camera than something that stays with you.
If it was me, I would look at the cost of taxis versus a rental and in this case I'm pretty sure a rental would be cheaper even if you just use the car to go from the airport to the hotel and back and even if you have to pay for parking at your hotel. Thus even if you choose to stay in the center you are better off renting a car. And if it catches your whim to go out for a drive in the morning, your car is there waiting for you. If not, just use it to drive back to GVA.
That said, if this is your first time overseas and you are afraid of driving then sure, go with the taxi. But driving in France is pretty much the same as driving in the US. Except without the police cruisers all over.
Oct 5, 2015, 1:50 am
#8
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The "Col de la Forclaz" worth renting a car in Annecy. It is a tiny 25-km drive from the Old Town and you will be awarded by a gorgeous panoramic view on the Lake. This place is also the starting point for paragliding and hand-gliding : quite an amazing experience to see the departure of these things just over your head !
Oct 6, 2015, 10:30 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
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The "Col de la Forclaz" worth renting a car in Annecy. It is a tiny 25-km drive from the Old Town and you will be awarded by a gorgeous panoramic view on the Lake. This place is also the starting point for paragliding and hand-gliding : quite an amazing experience to see the departure of these things just over your head !
Bobette
Oct 14, 2015, 7:56 pm
#10
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Yes at GVA you can directly enter France or Switzerland and if you rent a car you can choose one side or the other as well. So in your case you should choose the French side whether taking a taxi or a rental.
If it was me, I would look at the cost of taxis versus a rental and in this case I'm pretty sure a rental would be cheaper even if you just use the car to go from the airport to the hotel and back and even if you have to pay for parking at your hotel. Thus even if you choose to stay in the center you are better off renting a car. And if it catches your whim to go out for a drive in the morning, your car is there waiting for you. If not, just use it to drive back to GVA.
That said, if this is your first time overseas and you are afraid of driving then sure, go with the taxi. But driving in France is pretty much the same as driving in the US. Except without the police cruisers all over.
If it was me, I would look at the cost of taxis versus a rental and in this case I'm pretty sure a rental would be cheaper even if you just use the car to go from the airport to the hotel and back and even if you have to pay for parking at your hotel. Thus even if you choose to stay in the center you are better off renting a car. And if it catches your whim to go out for a drive in the morning, your car is there waiting for you. If not, just use it to drive back to GVA.
That said, if this is your first time overseas and you are afraid of driving then sure, go with the taxi. But driving in France is pretty much the same as driving in the US. Except without the police cruisers all over.
Oct 15, 2015, 12:24 am
#11
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It looks like taxis are ~EUR 75 one-way which, while expensive, isn't a dealbreaker. I have zero issue with driving (especially if it's on the right side of the road, literally and figuratively), but given I will be jetlagged, it's more of a question of whether or not the sightseeing advantages of having a car, given the constrained amount of time, outweighs the general fatigue and bias towards not driving that I would have in such a situation.
And about fatigue, keep in mind that this drive is pretty short.
Jan 27, 2016, 7:25 pm
#13
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Okay okay, so I ended up renting a car. I also booked our two dinners at La Ciboulette and Yoann Conte, respectively - both seem to have pretty good reviews (and are Michelin-starred); has anyone ever been there personally?
A couple other questions as well...any good breakfast/lunch spots that could be recommended? And in the winter, is trying to hike La Tournette a good idea or not if it's not snowing out?
I also booked our two dinners at La Ciboulette and Yoann Conte, respectively - both seem to have pretty good reviews (and are Michelin-starred); has anyone ever been there personally?A couple other questions as well...any good breakfast/lunch spots that could be recommended? And in the winter, is trying to hike La Tournette a good idea or not if it's not snowing out?
Jan 31, 2016, 10:49 am
#15
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Yeah, probably not ideal. The 15-day forecast (admittedly, this is probably just completely random forecast generation by a computer) says it might be raining/snowing on the weekend (in 2 weeks' time). :/