Visiting Annecy in one day is easy without a car: the Old Town, the Palais de l'Île, and the Pont des Amours are all within a two-kilometer walking radius, and the Voie Verte connects the city center to the lake beaches in about fifteen minutes by bike. The itinerary below breaks the day into four parts and addresses a point most guides overlook: where to eat. Two establishments run by the same team cover the two key moments of the day; Chez Ingalls, at 29 rue Vaugelas in the city center, offering all-day dining; and L'Oasis, in Sévrier, right on the water's edge by the lake.
9 am – 12 pm: The Old Town, the canals, and the Palais de l'Île
Start early. Between 9:00 and 10:30 am, the cobblestone streets of Old Annecy are still quiet, and the low light on the Thiou canal is the best of the day for photos.
Morning highlights:
- The Palais de l'Île — the most photographed building in Haute-Savoie, situated in the middle of the Thiou. Having served as a fortified house, a mint, and a prison over the centuries, it now houses an architecture and heritage interpretation center.
- The arcaded streets — Rue Sainte-Claire, Rue Perrière, Rue Filaterie: this is where the "Venice of the Alps" truly comes to life.
- The Pont de la Halle — the classic vantage point for the Palais de l'Île, the one seen on every postcard.
- The Old Annecy market — Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings. Tomme de Savoie, farmhouse Reblochon, diots sausages, and seasonal blueberries.
- The Château d'Annecy — a short climb, offering an unobstructed view over the rooftops and the lake.
- Saint-Maurice Church and Saint-Pierre Cathedral — two short stops, just a stone's throw from the canals.
Our route recommendation: Rue Sainte-Claire → Palais de l'Île → Pont de la Halle → Quai de l'Évêché. You’ll naturally end up heading toward the city center and the lake, without having to backtrack.
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Lunch in town, with no time constraints
This is when many days in Annecy get complicated. The pedestrian streets become crowded, waterfront terraces fill up, and kitchens start closing.
A shaded terrace in a private courtyard, at 29 rue Vaugelas
After a morning of walking or shopping on Rue Royale, just step off the main pedestrian thoroughfare. Tucked away in a private courtyard at 29 rue Vaugelas, just a few minutes' walk from the Old Town, the shaded terrace at Chez Ingalls is tucked away from the tourist crowds. Many visitors walk right past it without even knowing it's there.
Continuous service: true vacation freedom
A visit that runs long? A museum that keeps you there longer than expected? It doesn't matter: the kitchen is open all day.
French cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients, in a relaxed tone.
Good to know: in July and August, the terrace fills up quickly between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM. If you have your heart set on a shaded table, aim for 2:00 PM—that’s when our continuous service really comes in handy.
→ Explore the Ingall's menu
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: the lake, the Greenway, and dipping your toes in the water
The afternoon belongs to the lake. Two options, depending on your energy levels.
Option 1: On foot, the classic lakeside loop
- The Jardins de l'Europe — a wooded park featuring species from all over Europe, right on the lakefront.
- The Pont des Amours — the footbridge spanning the Vassé canal. Legend has it that couples who kiss here will stay together forever.
- The Pâquier — the large grassy esplanade facing the lake and the mountains.
- Albigny Beach or Impérial Beach about a 25-minute walk along the lake from the town center.
Option 2: By bike on the Greenway, heading toward Sévrier
This is our top recommendation for a sunny day, and by far the most enjoyable. The Greenway starts in the center of Annecy and runs along the west shore of the lake: it's flat, shaded, and completely separated from traffic. Bike rentals are available in the city center.
It only takes about fifteen minutes of pedaling to reach Sévrier — and one of the most beautiful spots on the shore.
L'Oasis, right on the water in Sévrier
Located on the edge of the lake for over 70 years and situated directly on the Greenway, L'Oasis is a west-shore institution, now run by the same team behind Chez Ingalls. With its gravel ground, old plane trees, and a shaded terrace facing the lake and mountains, it captures that laid-back vibe that used to define the lakefront.
The venue is divided into two complementary spaces:
La Plage by l'Oasis : the beach club spirit. A sandy area set up with lounge chairs and low seating, a pétanque court facing the lake, and a beach bar serving snacks: sharing platters, tapas, artisanal ice cream, and house cocktails. No reservations.
L'Auberge by l'Oasis — the restaurant, offering sunny, shareable cuisine: charcuterie boards, large seasonal bowls and salads, lake fish, grilled meats, bone marrow, and côte de bœuf to share. Reservations recommended.
What this means for your day: you arrive by bike, settle into a deckchair on the sand, go for a swim, follow it up with a game of pétanque, and stay for drinks as you look out over the lake. All without ever having to get back in the car.
Address: 525 Route d'Albertville, 74320 Sévrier — www.oasis-annecy.fr
Option 3: On the water
A guided cruise on Lake Annecy offers a chance to discover Duingt, Talloires, and the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard from the water. Pedal boats and paddleboards can be rented directly from the Pâquier docks—the easiest activity to improvise with children.
6 PM – 9 PM: Sunset and aperitifs
If you stayed in town: the Basilica of the Visitation, perched above Annecy, offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city and the lake at sunset. By car, the road to Semnoz climbs to a 360° viewpoint overlooking the lake on one side and Mont Blanc on the other. Then, head back to 29 rue Vaugelas: the courtyard cools down at the end of the day, making it the perfect time for a cocktail or a glass of Savoie wine.
If you headed down to Sévrier: stay right where you are. Watching the sunset over the lake from the beach at L'Oasis, cocktail in hand and feet in the sand, is hard to beat. The Greenway is lit for your return trip.
What we observe, season after season
Two establishments, two perspectives on the same day, and a few constants that return every summer.
- Three-quarters of visitors underestimate the time they will spend in the Old Town. They plan for an hour, but end up spending two and a half. That is precisely why the kitchen at Chez Ingalls stays open all day: arriving at 2:45 PM with two hungry children should never be a problem.
- The afternoon heat is the real limiting factor in July and August. The quays and the Pâquier are very exposed. The private courtyard at 29 rue Vaugelas and the plane trees at L'Oasis stay much cooler than the sun-drenched terraces—that’s what our guests tell us every day during peak season.
- Parking is the biggest stressor of the day. Our guests arriving by car who head for the city center parking lots all describe the same struggle between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Biking and the Voie Verte solve the problem for the entire lake area.
- Market Sunday is the best day… and the busiest. The Old Town is packed until 1 p.m. On that day, reverse your itinerary: the lake in the morning, and the Old Town in the late afternoon when the crowds thin out.
And if you’re staying longer?
On a rainy day: the Annecy Castle Museum, the Palais de l'Île interpretation center, and then a long, sheltered break in the city center.
For a second day: the full bike loop around the lake (the Voie Verte makes up the most beautiful section), the Gorges du Fier and its suspended walkways, the Château de Montrottier, or the hike up Mont Veyrier.
For an event: L'Oasis is available for private hire from March to October, either partially or exclusively—perfect for weddings, birthdays, seminars, and after-work drinks by the water.
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