We visited Annecy, France at the beginning of October and stumbled upon this beautiful farmers’ festival. It took me a while to figure out what the name of this festival was but I finally found it: Return from alpine pasture (Le Retour des Alpages). It takes place the second Saturday of October, every year. We just happened to visit Annecy on that Saturday and it was great…We sampled local food, saw a cow parade and listened to local music…all this with tons of other people.
My favorite tourist attractions in Annecy, France.
Annecy comes second on my list of day trips from Geneva. It has a gorgeous location at the foot of the mountains and at the edge of the unbelievably beautiful Lake Annecy. Its old town is home to a beautiful annual farmers’ market that is cozy and a lot of fun. Come along with me on a walking tour of Annecy, France.
- Walk around the lake – you could spend the whole day just around the lake
- Walk through the old village center
- Anncey Castle
With this short list, and a beautiful place to visit let’s start our walking tour.
Start at beautiful Annecy Lake.
Let’s start our walking tour of Annecy by the lake. This lake is just gorgeous ! Come and visit on a clear and sunny day and you will be impressed. We were…and very much so! Taking a stroll on the shoreline or just relaxing on the grass lawn is delightful. If you come on a weekend you will also find lots of people walking around.
Annecy Lake is crystal clear (see my photos from Annecy).
A very cool Farmers Festival in Annecy, France.
This festival occurs only once a year on the 2nd Saturday of October. We had no idea, but we just happened to go on the right day! It was great! Local music, dances a cow parade and lots of food.
The largest cheese and potatoes dish at the Annecy farmer’s festival. (see my photos from Annecy).
How to get to Annecy, France
Annecy is located about one hour south of Geneva, Switzerland. We took the freeway A41 or the auto route as they call it. There are signs that will point you to Annecy. Because of the local Farmers’ Festival that was happening that weekend, the traffic going into Annecy was very very very bad. Normally, the driving time from Geneva to Annecy is about 35 minutes, but that weekend it took as over one hour to get to Annecy after taking a very scenic detour.
Map of Annecy, France and surrounding areas
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My best resources for planning your visit to Annecy, France
See my travel photos from Annecy, France. I have tried to capture the spirit of this beautiful place in a few photographs.
Annecy has an amazing locations by Lake Annecy and at the foot of the mountains. If you want to enjoy this beautiful place try finding a hotel close to the old city because it is right by the lake. For example, you can stay at the excellent Allobroges Hotel (great value, free parking and great location) or you can search budget hotels in Annecy.
If you are coming from Geneva to Annecy and don’t have a rental car, then the best way is by bus by taking a half-day tour of Annecy from Geneva
Visit the official webpage for the Return from Alpine Pastures festival – 2nd Saturday in October.
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