The historic French city of Annecy is located in the country’s Rhône-Alpes region, and is known as the “Venice of the Alps” due to its old town’s series of waterways and canals, which flow out into the vast Lac Annecy. The city is divided into 13 municipalities and offers fantastic cuisine, architecture, shopping and culture. With its vast array of attractions, Annecy has a lot to offer, but its proximity to more major cities makes it a perfect tourist destination. Hire a car from Annecy’s city centre and you are just 40 minutes’ drive from Geneva, and less than two hours from Italy.
Annecy was founded in medieval times and amongst its cobbled streets, the city has some fantastic monuments to visit. Stroll through the old town and stop off at the former jail, Palais de l’île, which is built on a small island in the River Thiou. Visit the mighty Château d’Annecy, which watches over the city and see the bell tower of the Gothic Saint-Maurice Church. After exploring the city, rent a car from Annecy and take in the sights of Lyon the region’s capital which is 90 miles away.