Annecy-le-Vieux is a delegated municipality of the new municipality of Annecy in the Annecy agglomeration in Haute-Savoie in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. It is known worldwide thanks to the Paccard bell foundry and is located to the East of Annecy over more than 1700 hectares.
Geography
Annecy-le-Vieux has 33 hectares of green spaces on a hillside site that extends between 420 and 1100 meters in altitude. 50% of the area is urbanized, 50% are wooded or agricultural spaces. Home to more than 20,000 inhabitants known as ancileviens, Annecy-le-Vieux has become a very residential suburb of the Annecy agglomeration, less than 3 km from its city center. Some call it “the 16th arrondissement of Annecy.” The Glaisins park hosts many important companies such as Sopra Steria and Mécalac.
Natural Spaces
Mont Veyrier
A mountain with many passes to the East of the city. Many marked paths for walks. You can also climb Mont Veyrier for a nice hike of easy to intermediate level. Upon reaching the summit, you will discover the arrival of the old cable car.
Lake Annecy
The Lake Annecy, which is one of the purest in the world, is also one of the largest in France. A major asset for tourism in Annecy-le-Vieux! You can practice many sports and also go swimming while enjoying the beautiful beaches. Cycling enthusiasts can take the Voie Verte to circle the lake.
The Fier
This river crosses Annecy-le-Vieux for more than 12 km. It is possible to swim in the Fier in July and August (June and September for the more courageous) and also to go canoeing. Fishermen can also try to catch beautiful trout.
Municipal Forest
300 hectares to the East of the city where walks, strolls, and hikes are very pleasant. The forest also extends on the slopes of Mont Veyrier and Mont Baron. At the right time, you can also go mushroom picking.
The Reed Bed
This natural space located after the Albigny beach is a wetland recognized for its interest. It is the starting point of the biological cycle that allows different species of fauna and flora to reproduce and feed. The following fish species can be found: perch, tench, roach. They allow carnivorous fish to feed: pike and trout. Lake birds such as the mallard, swan, and coots nest in this habitat. These fragile areas were in danger in the 1960s, and protection campaigns with the establishment of stakes helped save them.
The Pontoon Walk
The city of Annecy-le-Vieux has built a promenade on the lake using wooden pontoons that starts after the Albigny port up to Chavoires, located in the municipality of Veyrier-du-Lac. You can benefit from chairs and public toilets along the route.
The best-rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels in Annecy-le-Vieux that offer excellent value for money and receive very good customer reviews:
Rivage Hôtel & Spa Annecy
This beautiful 4-star establishment is located right across from Albigny beach. It has the largest spa in Annecy-le-Vieux and a herbal tea room. The fitness center offers sauna, hammam, and hot tubs. Breakfast is served on the terrace facing the lake.
Impérial Palace
Located on the Albigny peninsula, this hotel dates back to the early 20th century. It offers all the luxury of a palace with a spa and gourmet restaurant. The rooms have a unique view of Lake Annecy. A unique address in the little Venice of the Alps.
Centre Jean XXIII
Simple but very clean accommodation with quality catering. For a few days in Annecy, it’s an opportunity to benefit from a rate that offers excellent value for money, especially for families and groups, with the added bonus of a beautiful view of the mountains and the lake.
Hôtel des Marquisats
Located just 200 m from the Marquisats beach, this establishment offers a panoramic view of the bay of Annecy. The city center is a 20-minute walk away, and you have free parking available. In terms of amenities, the hotel offers a hammam and jacuzzi.
Hébé Hôtel
This new establishment, opened in May 2021, is located in the center of Annecy, a 10-minute walk from the lake. You can discover the Saint-Maurice church as well as the Saint-Pierre cathedral and the Old Town. The contemporary decor is appreciated in customer reviews.
Heritage
The city of Annecy-le-Vieux has a rich history from the Gallo-Roman period to the present day. Its remarkable location on the sunny slopes of Lake Annecy gives it great attractiveness. In the Middle Ages, large agricultural estates were established. Subsequently, human activity developed, and large residential neighborhoods were built.
The contemporary art space of the Abbey
Located at 15 chemin de l’Abbaye, it offers temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Admission is free. Previously, it was a large farm that had been transformed to become the Paccard foundry. It produced bells during the 19th century. The contemporary art space of the Abbey notably offered the public from May 21 to August 22, 2021, a very beautiful exhibition on the works of Shepard Fairey known as “Obey,” an American artist from the street art scene. He became known as a screen printer, muralist, and illustrator. He uses visual codes borrowed from political propaganda while advocating for peace in the world. He created a famous poster during Barack Obama’s campaign named “Hope.”
The Roman Bell Tower
This bell tower is located in front of the town hall; it was built in the early 12th century. At the base of the bell tower, one can discover a limestone block dating from the Gallo-Roman era with an inscription in Latin. In the church, painted decorations dating from the 15th century dedicated to a group of apostles: Saint Bartholomew, Saint Paul, and Saint James the Greater were discovered.
The Notre-Dame-de-Pitié Chapel
This pretty rural chapel is located on the route de Provins. It was built in the 17th century and became an important place of devotion. Small in size, it was rebuilt in 1877, its bell tower is octagonal in shape, and its portal is topped with a rose window.
The town hall
The Town Hall of the delegated municipality of Annecy-le-Vieux is located at plage Gabriel Fauré 74940 Annecy-le-Vieux. It is open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 12 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday morning from 9 AM to 12 PM. Tel: 04 50 23 86 00.
The university campus of Annecy-le-Vieux
Located on the heights of the municipality, the university campus hosts the University Savoie Mont-Blanc, the IUT, and an engineering school. You can consult our file Higher Education in Annecy for details of these programs.
Libraries and MJC
Annecy-le-Vieux has two libraries and a Youth and Culture House:
- The Pommaries library: 13 Avenue des Pommaries.
- The Tilleuls library: 12 Allée des Tilleuls.
- The MJC des Carrés: Avenue des Carrés: Official site.
Facilities and sports clubs
If you want to practice or learn a sport, Annecy-le-Vieux is the ideal city for that. Many clubs exist, as well as fields and gyms, allowing you to practice a lot of sports: rugby, sailing, football, tennis, or even rowing or baseball.
More information on the facilities and sports clubs of Annecy-le-Vieux.
L’Ancileviennerie: a beautiful popular festival
It is the big autumn festival, previously called the Albigny fair. Very popular, it has been organized by the Annecy-le-Vieux festival committee for 40 years. The event takes place on one of the last weekends of October. Crafts and the rural world are honored with nearly 170 stands. The program for these two days is based on numerous activities:
- Concerts of traditional music with lunch and evening dances. A large meal takes place on Saturday evening and Sunday noon with all the actors and the public.
- Musical parades with a folk repertoire recall Savoyard traditions.
- Farm animals will be honored with parades of cows, hens, geese, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses. Sheep shearing and gardening classes for children, as well as cowbell ringing, are also on the program.
- Demonstrations of agricultural activities and food preparations: bread baking, wheat threshing, tasting of regional cheeses: tome, raclette, and reblochon.
Practical information: In the Albigny district from Saturday starting at 7 PM, and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Meals are paid.
The festival of L’Ancileviennerie attracts more than 20,000 spectators, it is advisable to park in the parking lot of the Sainte-Bernadette church and in that of the Charles Bosson park.
The market of Annecy-le-Vieux
The traditional Pommaries market takes place on this street on Wednesdays from 7 AM to 1 PM. It is mainly a food market that offers local products and specialties from Haute-Savoie.
Parking near the lake
To access the shores of the lake in Annecy-le-Vieux, the following free parking areas are available:
- Along the Albigny beach (spaces are provided for motorhomes).
- The parking lot of the stadium, next to the tennis courts.
- Along the road that goes to Veyrier-du-Lac (some spaces are in blue zone).
- The underground parking near the post office of Annecy-le-Vieux.
