Venice is one of the world’s most popular destinations thanks to its picturesque canals, architectural wonders, fresh Italian cuisine and romantic atmosphere.
But the Floating City is buckling under the weight of its 30 million annual visitors, which has ultimately led to inflated prices, congested streets and even €5 entry fees for daytrippers.
Luckily, there’s a lesser-known beauty spot in Europe that boasts its own network of canals, old town charm, Venetian-style carnivals – and fewer crowds.
Annecy is an alpine city located in southeastern France, where Lake Annecy meets the Thiou River.
It has been dubbed ‘the Venice of France’ due to its resemblance to the Italian maritime city, featuring charming cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-hued buildings.
But beyond its azure-coloured waterways, Annecy shines with its own blend of beauty, history, and culture.
A stunning backdrop of the French Alps frames the town, which boasts narrow streets and alleys lined with arcades and medieval buildings in shades of yellow, pink, and green.
In Annecy’s Vieille Ville (Old Town), visitors can wander along quaint canals and stop by the river Le Thiou, where they’ll be able to marvel at the iconic Palais de l’Île, a 12th-century building that once served as a prison and courthouse.
Annecy (pictured) has been dubbed ‘the Venice of France’ due to its resemblance to the Italian maritime city, featuring charming cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-hued buildings
But beyond its azure-coloured waterways, Annecy shines with its own blend of Alpine beauty, history, and culture
A stunning backdrop of the French Alps frames the town, which boasts narrow streets and alleys lined with arcades and medieval buildings in shades of yellow, pink, and green
Along the riverbank is the Pont des Amours, a romantic footbridge located near the Jardins de l’Europe offering scenic city, canal and lake.
Overlooking the city is the Château d’Annecy, a restored castle that was once home to the Counts of Geneva, and now contains a museum displaying Alpine furniture, religious art, exhibits on the region’s natural history and an aquarium.
For nature-lovers, Annecy’s small canals and streams run out of Lac d’Annecy, the third largest lake in France, famed for its clean turquoise waters, serene nature reserves and surrounding mountainous landscape.
Situated an 18-minute drive away from the town, the lake offers a range of activities suited to all visitors – from diving and paragliding, to hiking and cycling, to local markets and boat tours.
Cheese-enthusiasts are in for a real treat in Annecy, where its most famous local products are cheeses such as Reblochon, Beaufort and Tomme des Bauges.
Visitors can tuck into a range of deliciously cheesy Savoie cuisine served in al fresco restaurants – from familiar melted treats like raclette and fondue, to regional classics such as Berthoud, a baked dish made with Tomme cheese and potatoes or onions.
Thanks to the town’s proximity to the lake, freshwater fish – such as Féra or Omble Chevalier – are local staples, often prepared grilled or smoked for a unique flavour.
Another specialty worth noting is the town’s chocolate – manufactured in long-established factories renowned for their artisanal and traditional methods.
Overlooking the city is the Château d’Annecy, a restored castle that was once home to the Counts of Geneva, and now contains a museum displaying Alpine furniture, religious art, exhibits on the region’s natural history and an aquarium
For nature-lovers, Annecy’s small canals and streams run out of Lac d’Annecy, the third largest lake in France, famed for its clean turquoise waters, serene nature reserves and surrounding mountainous landscape
Situated an 18-minute drive away from the town, the lake offers a range of activities suited to all visitors – from diving and paragliding, to hiking and cycling, to local markets and boat tours
In Annecy’s Vieille Ville (old town), visitors can wonder along quaint canals and stop by the river Le Thiou, where they’ll be able to marvel at the iconic Palais de l’Île, a 12-century building that once served as a prison and courthouse
Visitors can tuck into a range of deliciously cheesy Savoie cuisine served in al fresco restaurants – from familiar melted treats like raclette (pictured) and fondue, to regional classics such as Berthoud, a baked dish made with Tomme cheese and potatoes or onions
Annecy’s famous ‘reed’ is a regional specialty, known for its combination of a chocolate-covered water or shell filled with liquor derived from mountain herbs.
Similar to Venice, the alpine town hosts an annual Venetian festival between February and March.
The carnival, which takes place over two and a half days, sees a sea of masks and elaborate costumes wander freely and silently through the streets of Old Town, before posing and gathering on a sound stage.
The best way to get to Annecy from the UK is by train – starting with a Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, followed by France’s high-speed TGV from Paris to Annecy, a journey that takes around 10 hours.
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