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Annecy is the French town people call the “Venice of the Alps”, and it is closer to Montreux than most visitors assume. Annecy sits at the northern tip of a large alpine lake, with canals running through its old town and a medieval prison perched on an island — about three hours from Montreux by public transport, across the border via Geneva.

Annecy at a glance

What
Old town of canals and pastel houses at the northern end of Lake Annecy, in the French department of Haute-Savoie[1]
From Montreux
About 1 hour by intercity to Geneva, then roughly 1.5 hours to Annecy by regional train or coach; allow around 3 hours each way (check SBB and the operator)[3]
Sights
Palais de l’Île (12th-century island building in the Thiou canal), Pont des Amours, the castle above the old town[2]
Lake
Lake Annecy is about 27 km² with passenger boats and a lakeside path[4]
Border
France is in the EU: carry a passport or ID card; prices are in euros
Allow
A full day, leaving Montreux by about 08:00

Short answer: yes, Annecy is doable as a day trip from Montreux, but it is a long one. Take the intercity train to Geneva, continue to Annecy by regional train or coach, spend roughly five hours in the old town and by the lake, and be back on a Geneva-bound service by early evening. Bring ID and a few euros.[3]

Lake Geneva shore near Montreux, where the journey to Annecy begins

Photo: JoachimKohler-HB, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Lake Geneva shore, the starting point of the trip)

In this guide

  1. What Annecy offers
  2. Getting there from Montreux
  3. A one-day plan
  4. The lake
  5. When to go
  6. Where to stay
  7. Frequently asked questions

What Annecy offers

The old town is built around the Thiou, a short canal draining the lake into the river Fier. Its most photographed building, the Palais de l’Île, dates from the 12th century and stands on a stone island in the canal; it has served as a lordly residence, a mint and a prison.[2] Above the town, the castle overlooks the rooftops. Alongside the old town you get the Jardins de l’Europe and the lakefront promenade, which are free to walk.[1]

A market fills the old town's streets on several mornings a week, usually Tuesday, Friday and Sunday; confirm the days with the tourist office before you plan around it.[1]

Getting there from Montreux

There is no single through train. Take the intercity from Montreux to Geneva (about an hour; see also our Geneva guide), then continue to Annecy. Options are a regional rail service via Annemasse or a coach from Geneva; both take roughly an hour and a half, and times vary by day.[3] Book rail tickets for the French section on the French operator's app, because a Swiss Travel Pass does not cover the French leg — compare in our Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card guide. We could not pull a live timetable for this article, so verify times before you go.

A one-day plan

  1. 08:00 — leave Montreux on the intercity to Geneva.
  2. 09:30 — Geneva station: board your rail or coach connection to Annecy.
  3. 11:15 — old town. Cross the Pont des Amours, photograph the Palais de l’Île and wander the canals.
  4. 12:30 — lunch beside the canal; carry euros or a card without foreign fees.
  5. 14:00 — the lake. Walk the Jardins de l’Europe and the shore, or take a short lake cruise.[4]
  6. 16:30 — head back toward Geneva and the last connection to Montreux.

The lake

Lake Annecy covers roughly 27 km² and is ringed by mountains; passenger boats leave from the old-town quay.[4] For a shorter outing on the same lake, see our Evian-les-Bains guide, or the CGN Lake Geneva cruises.

When to go

Late spring to early autumn gives the best weather and the fullest boat schedule, but it is also when the old town is busiest. Weekday visits are calmer.[1] In winter the lakefront is quiet and some boat services are reduced, so check the operator before you leave.[4]

Where to stay

Annecy suits a long day out rather than a base: you return to the quieter Montreux lakefront in the evening. If you want a Swiss comparison, read about the Lausanne old town. Our Montreux Riviera Card guide can save money on the days you stay local.

Base yourself in Montreux

Geneva, Annecy, Lausanne and the Alps are all a train ride away. A kitchen for early starts and the lakefront when you get back.

See our apartments

Related reading: Evian-les-Bains · Geneva airport transfers · Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare

Bahram Khanlarov
Bahram Khanlarov

10+ years in hospitality. BBA Hospitality (Glion), MSc Tourism (FHGR), MSc Data Science (HSLU).

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Montreux to Annecy?

About three hours each way by public transport: roughly an hour by intercity to Geneva, then around an hour and a half by regional train or coach. Times vary, so check the operators.[3]

Is Annecy worth a day trip from Montreux?

Yes, if you enjoy canals, a compact old town and a mountain lake, and you are happy with a long day. For a shorter outing, Evian-les-Bains is closer.[1]

Do I need a passport to visit Annecy from Switzerland?

Carry a valid passport or ID card. Switzerland is in the Schengen area, but you may still be asked for identification, and you need it for the return journey.[1]

Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the trip to Annecy?

It covers the Swiss leg to Geneva, but not the French part from Geneva to Annecy, which you buy separately.[3]

What currency is used in Annecy?

Euros. Cards are widely accepted, but carry a small amount of cash for markets and small cafés.[1]

Sources

  1. Annecy tourist office (lac-annecy.com) — old town, canals, markets, Jardins de l’Europe — lac-annecy.com
  2. Annecy tourist office / Ville d’Annecy — Palais de l’Île (12th century, Thiou canal) — annecy.fr
  3. SBB (sbb.ch) timetable Montreux → Geneva and SNCF Connect for the French section — journey times vary by day, verify before travelling — sbb.ch
  4. Compagnie des Bateaux du Lac d’Annecy — lake boats; Lake Annecy surface area about 27 km² — lac-annecy.com