Annecy lakeside wine experience

The "Venice of the Alps" with its canals, medieval old town, and crystal-clear lake offers the perfect conclusion to a Haute-Savoie wine circuit. Lakeside terraces serve Savoie wines with views of snow-capped mountains reflected in Europe's cleanest lake.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Find the Island Prison in the River History · Free

   A 12th-century castle sits on an island in France's shortest river.

   Walk to the Palais de l'Isle - the fortress sitting on an island in the Thiou River. This 12th-century building was a prison until the French Revolution, then again during WWII. It's been a Historical Monument since 1900. Stand on the Pont Perrière bridge for the classic photo angle. The Thiou is France's shortest river at 3.5km - you can walk its entire length in the old town. Free to view from outside; €6 for the museum inside.

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2. 2 Taste Féra Deboned Tableside Wine · Price: high

   Lake fish so fresh it was swimming this morning.

   Book Auberge de Savoie in the old town for féra or omble chevalier - both are Lake Annecy fish caught daily. The omble is deboned tableside. One diner called it 'the best fish I've ever eaten in a restaurant.' Pair with a Roussette de Savoie or Jacquère - ask for wines from the Chautagne appellation if available. Budget €40-60 per person. Reserve at least 3 days ahead. If Auberge is full, Annecy has 7 Michelin-starred restaurants serving lake fish.

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3. 3 Count the Canals That Earned the Nickname Adventure · Free · Optional

   Three canals make this the 'Venice of the Alps.'

   Walk the old town and count all three canals that give Annecy its nickname. Start at Canal du Vassé near the lake, then find Canal du Thiou (the main one with the island prison), and finally Canal Saint-Dominique near the castle. The Thiou flows from the lake - follow it upstream to see where Lake Annecy begins. Unlike Venice, no gondolas - but the city hosts a Venetian Carnival with masks and costumes if you time it right.

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4. 4 Drink Natural Wine at Sunset on the Lake Wine · Price: moderate

   Europe's cleanest lake deserves a proper toast.

   Head to Bistro Sauvage or Bloomer - both have 30% minimum natural wine and local/organic food. Ask for a Savoie natural wine and take it to the lakeside promenade. Lake Annecy is called Europe's cleanest lake - strict regulations since the 1960s plus the Boubioz underwater spring at 82m depth keep it crystal clear. The sunset reflects off snow-capped mountains in the water. If wine bars are closed, La Guinguette du Château in the old town at the castle's base is a backup.

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Insider tips

• Café des Arts and Le Vin&Co have excellent Savoie wine selections

• Pair wines with féra (lake fish) at one of the old town restaurants

• The lakeside promenade at sunset with a glass of Jacquère is magical