Annecy and its lake offer all water lovers a truly memorable experience, with its many beaches of all kinds, which welcome swimmers from May to October (during the best of the summer months).
Plenty of ways to go for a swim
Lake Annecy is the ideal place for swimming in Haute-Savoie, along with Lake Geneva. There are numerous beaches, both free and paid, open to the public.
Similarly, the three swimming pools in the town of Annecy are open to the public.
If you enjoy swimming in rivers, the Fier flows through many towns in the Annecy area, offering countless swimming spots from June to September. In recent years, more and more swimmers have been swimming there all year round, even though the lake’s water temperature does not exceed 5 °C in winter. You must be in good physical condition and should not swim alone outside the summer season.
Important: only Annecy’s public beaches are supervised by lifeguards during the summer months. During the summer, the lake is busy with a wide variety of watercraft (motorboats, stand-up paddleboards, pedalos, rowing boats, kayaks and sailing boats). If you are swimming far from the shore, you should take particular care. Away from the beaches, there are many places where you can swim. However, these are not supervised and may present risks depending on their surroundings (boats, regulations).
Find out here where swimming is prohibited on Lake Annecy, whether you’re a local or a holidaymaker.
Lake Annecy
The beaches
Lake Annecy and its beaches are the ideal place for swimming in Haute-Savoie, alongside Lake Geneva, and there are numerous beaches – both free and paid – available to the public. The lake’s water temperature reaches 24 °C, making swimming very pleasant, particularly during heatwaves.
- Marquisats Beach in Annecy.
- L’Impérial Beach in Annecy.
- Albigny Beach.
- The beaches at Veyrier-du-Lac.
- Menthon-Saint-Bernard Beach.
- Talloires Beach.
- Angon Beach.
- Duingt Beach.
- Doussard Beach.
- Saint-Jorioz Beach.
- Sevrier Beach.
What’s more, Lake Annecy is considered to be the cleanest in Europe. A wide range of water sports, such as sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, diving, water skiing and pedalos, are available at the beaches. Would you like to know which is the best beach in Annecy? Visit our page on the beaches of Lake Annecy.
Swimming from a boat
During your holiday, you can hire a boat, a stand-up paddleboard or a pedal boat from the many operators offering these services on the shores of Lake Annecy. You can make the most of this to swim in less crowded spots by dropping anchor near the shore.
Places where swimming is prohibited
Swimming is strictly prohibited in the protected area of the national nature reserve at the far end of Lake Annecy. Checks are carried out frequently. Within the municipality of Annecy, swimming is prohibited from Le Pâquier, the Jardins de l’Europe and the Pont des Amours (jumping from the bridge is also prohibited). Swimming is not permitted at any of the lake’s harbours.
Swimming in rivers near Annecy
Any unsupervised swimming is at your own risk; we recommend that you exercise the utmost caution and comply with local by-laws if you wish to swim in a river near Annecy.
The Fier
If you enjoy swimming in rivers, the Fier – which flows through many towns in the Annecy area – offers countless swimming spots from June to September. The water is cooler than that of Lake Annecy. On sunny days, when temperatures can sometimes reach sweltering levels, you’ll find both tourists and locals swimming in the Fier. However, swimming there is not officially permitted. There are therefore no lifeguards on duty; the current can be strong and sudden floods may occur during thunderstorms.
The Chéran
The Chéran, a wild and vibrant river, rises in the heart of the Bauges mountains and winds its way until it joins the Fier, on the outskirts of the charming villages of Rumilly and Vallières. The developed bathing areas at Lescheraines and Rumilly are perfect for a refreshing swim. A must-do experience is the walk known as ‘the Chaos du Chéran’, which allows you to admire the river’s majesty, the spectacular Pont de l’Abîme and, in the distance, the Tours Saint-Jacques.
La Fillière
La Fillière is a small river ideal for walks and fishing. Swimming is possible in certain spots. However, swimming in this river can be dangerous, as there are no lifeguards and the water level can rise rapidly during thunderstorms.
Annecy’s swimming pools
Discover the three swimming pools in the Annecy area, two of which are indoor and open all year round.
- Jean Régis Indoor Swimming Pool in Les Fins, Annecy
- Les Marquisats Swimming Pool in Annecy – This facility is currently closed as it is undergoing renovation for an as yet undetermined period.
- L’Ile Bleue Indoor Swimming Pool in Seynod
Water parks in Haute-Savoie
The department is home to numerous winter sports resorts, which boast high-quality aquatic and wellness centres. Around Lake Geneva, the finest aquatic complexes allow children and adults alike to enjoy a wonderful day in the water whatever the season.
Vitam Parc: the closest to Annecy
This private water park is open all year round. Located 20 minutes from Annecy, close to Geneva via the motorway, it offers swimming all year round thanks to its various heated pools.
The park comprises:
- An indoor water park: featuring a 25-metre swimming pool, a 500 m² spa pool (both indoor and outdoor) with water at 33°C, a circular lazy river with a central whirlpool area, five giant slides categorised by thrill level, and a fun paddling pool.
- An indoor water park: on sunny days, the area expands outdoors to include four additional giant slides, a second paddling pool for children under six, a lagoon pool with waterfalls, jets and bubbles, green spaces with sun loungers, and a range of dining and snack options.
The aquatic centre is part of a complex that includes sports facilities (fitness, climbing, squash, badminton) and a shopping centre with restaurants and a hotel. Admission prices depend on how long you wish to spend in the park.
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12 noon to 8 pm, and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.
Address: 500 Route des Envignes, 74160 Neydens.
