In the winter Annecy comes alive with festive markets and elegant carnivals, and the streets glisten with crisp snow and sparkling illuminations. If you’re into skiing and snowboarding, you’ll love taking advantage of the various slopes less than an hour’s drive from the city centre.

For those who prefer to stay indoors, Annecy also has impressive museums, a stunning cathedral and lots of spa options. Locals here also love to indulge in long meals, dining late in cosy bistros and restaurants, whilst watching the snow fall on the pretty streets outside. You can discover some of the best things to do in Annecy during winter in this guide.

  • 1

    Annecy Christmas Market

    Soak up a festive atmosphere and take to the ice

    Annecy Christmas Market
    • Families
    • Nightlife
    • Shoppers

    Annecy Christmas Market is a delightful way to get into the holiday spirit. From mid-November, the streets of the Old Town come alive with sparkling illuminations, and about 80 wooden chalets open for the season. Bundle up in your warmest clothes, grab a vin chaud (mulled wine) or chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and stroll through this enchanting market.

    You can buy everything from cuddly toys to artisanal goods and regional products. The market stays open into the evening and it’s a beautiful sight with the twinkling lights. Nearby, you’ll find an open-air ice rink opposite the Courier shopping centre. With the stunning lake and snowy mountains as a backdrop, this is a great end to a festive day.

    Open: Hours vary by season


  • 2

    Le Semnoz Ski Resort

    Enjoy winter sports and breathtaking views

    Le Semnoz Ski Resort
    • Adventure
    • Families
    • Photo

    Le Semnoz Ski Resort lies just 30 minutes south of Annecy, in the magnificent French Alps. It’s one of the most popular resorts in the region for locals, but still relatively unknown by visitors, who often head further south in the Alps for skiing. It doesn’t get too crowded here, and if you’re new to skiing or at an intermediate level, this is a great spot as the slopes are mostly green and blue.

    You can enjoy 35 km of downhill skiing as well as captivating walking trails through nature. If you love spectacular sights, make sure to visit here on a clear day when you’ll get a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc.

    Open: Tuesday from 7 am to 1 pm, Friday from 7 am to 1 pm, Sunday from 7 am to 1 pm


  • 3

    Annecy Venetian Carnival

    A dazzling display of colour in “The Venice of the Alps”

    Annecy Venetian Carnival
    • Families
    • Photo
    • Unusual

    Annecy Venetian Carnival is one of the city’s annual highlights. At the end of winter, the city showcases its strong links with Italy in a 2-day carnival which includes exhibitions, concerts and a parade. But this isn’t your typical parade. Here, around 500 people wander silently through the Old Town in spectacular costumes and exquisite Venetian-style masks. It’s an elegant and mysterious display.

    Locals like to gather at the Pont des Amours for a fantastic view of the colourful procession weaving its way to the Jardins de l’Europe. Head to this park early in the afternoon on both days for some great photos and a carnival atmosphere as the entertainers take to the stage.

    Open: Daily from 8 am to 7 pm

  • 4

    Musée-Château d'Annecy

    An impressive mix of culture and history

    Musée-Château d'Annecy
    • Couples
    • History
    • Photo

    The Musée-Château d’Annecy combines a fascinating museum with a majestic monument. This beautiful castle museum is home to a diverse range of paintings and sculptures from the region, often with an alpine landscape theme. If you’re interested in biology and ecology, the tower of the castle features an interesting exhibit on archaeology and the natural environment of Lake Annecy.

    The museum regularly holds guided tours of the grounds of the castle which are very popular with visitors. As well as discovering its history, you’ll get some breath-taking views of the lake and mountain backdrop. You’ll need to reserve well in advance, but the ticket also gives you admission to the museum.

    Open: June–September: Wednesday–Monday from 10.30 am to 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays). October–May: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

    Phone: +33 (0)4 85 46 76 70

    Map
  • 5

    Annecy Old Town Market

    Stroll through the narrow streets of this lively area

    Annecy Old Town Market
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    Annecy Old Town Market sprawls across several streets of the historic district, with the main stretch on Rue Sainte Claire, overlooked by the majestic castle and colourful houses. If you love browsing stalls, inhaling the delicious aroma of saucissons and fresh baked goods, sampling different cheeses and discovering regional specialities, this market is for you.

    On Tuesdays, you’ll find the market is small and quiet, consisting mainly of local farmers selling their fresh produce. But head here on Fridays and Sundays and you’ll see lots of stalls and a vast array of goods, including clothing, textiles and artisanal items. Plan on arriving here early to grab a parking spot as the market can get busy from mid-morning onwards.

    Location: 3 Place du Château, 74000 Annecy, France

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6.30 pm

    Map
  • 6

    Cathedral of Saint Pierre

    Admire the architecture of a historic building

    Cathedral of Saint Pierre
    • Budget
    • History
    • Photo

    Annecy Cathedral lies in the heart of the city centre. Dating back to the early 16th century and once a Franciscan chapel, it’s now a stunning centrepiece of the Old Town district. You’ll love the striking, gothic architecture, vaulted ceilings, impressive pipe organ and the mesmerising stained glass which depicts the story of Saint François de Sales.

    This is a popular place with locals and visitors year-round, but especially so during the winter months. The cathedral comes alive with a beautiful nativity scene during the festive season, and it’s also host to regular concerts. Plan on wearing warm clothes if you’re lucky enough to attend as it can get chilly inside this large cathedral.

    Open: Friday–Tuesday from noon to 1.30 pm and 7 pm to 9.30 pm (closed Wednesday–Thursday)

    Phone: +33 (0)4 50 65 00 45

    Map
  • 7

    Palais de l'Île

    Family fun and delicious food in the city centre

    Palais de l'Île
    • Families
    • Food
    • History

    The Palais de l’Île stands majestically in the Thiou Canal, in central Annecy. It’s now a museum showcasing the city’s art, architecture and heritage, but it previously served as a medieval castle and a prison. This is a great place for families as there are lots of games and interactive activities to learn the history of this spectacular building and the city itself.

    During winter, admission is free on the first Sunday of each month. After your visit, why not admire the picturesque scenery from the warmth of a cosy eatery? Both sides of the canal are lined with cafés, pizzerias and restaurants if you want to grab a quick bite to eat or a leisurely dinner here.

    Location: 8 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 74000 Annecy, France

    Phone: +33 (0)4 85 46 76 80

    Map
  • 8

    Crystal Spa

    Relaxation in a picturesque setting

    Crystal Spa
    • Couples
    • Luxury

    The Cristal Spa is in the iconic Imperial Palace Hotel, at the northern tip of Lake Annecy. With its stunning views over the tranquil water and snow-capped mountains and the luxurious decor inside the spa, you’ll instantly feel relaxed here. You can indulge in a massage, take a refreshing dip in the pool or head to the hammam. There’s also a relaxation area with herbal tea provided for the ultimate pampering experience.

    Annecy has several other spa options, including Les Trésoms Lake and Spa Resort on the western shore of the lake. If you prefer a more central location, La Clé du Bien-Être in the Old Town is very popular with locals and tourists alike for its rejuvenating massages.

    Location: Passage de l’Île, 74000 Annecy, France

    Phone: +33 (0)4 50 09 31 00

    Map
  • 9

    L’Auberge de Savoie

    Enjoy a delicious meal in an upscale restaurant

    L’Auberge de Savoie
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    L’Auberge de Savoie is a great dining choice if you like excellent food and gorgeous scenery. This quaint restaurant is next to the Thiou Canal and opposite the Palais de l’Île so you’ll have a picturesque backdrop to your meal. When it’s cold outside, you can enjoy the cosy ambience of this charming restaurant as you watch the world go by.

    This is a popular spot with locals who come for traditional French cuisine. The chef uses fresh, local ingredients and everything is made from scratch. Seafood is the speciality, but there are always vegetarian options available too. Reservations are by telephone only and be sure to ask for a window table when you book.

    Location: Allée de l'Impérial, 74000 Annecy, France

    Phone: +33 (0)4 50 45 03 05

    Map
  • 10

    La Clusaz

    A Savoyard winter wonderland

    La Clusaz
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Photo

    La Clusaz lies just 40 minutes east of Annecy. It’s a delightful, traditional village in the Alps and you can see the influence of nearby Switzerland in the chalet-style houses. When the snow starts to cover the ground in November, the village turns into a winter paradise, and both locals and visitors hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding fun. The Col des Aravis is a great choice if you prefer to hike or try out your snowshoes.

    If you’d like to try a different type of alpine experience, the Distillerie des Aravis produces artisanal Genepi liqueur. You can take a tour to learn all about the production and even sample a glass or 2.

    Location: 1 Place Saint-François de Sales, 74000 Annecy, France