What to do in Annecy when it rains ?
Well protected activities
Whatever the weather, your stay in Annecy will be unforgettable!
Although the lake and the mountains are more pleasant to discover in the sun, there are many activities you can do in the rain.
Here is a selection:
The Old Town
The old town of Annecy can be visited in the rain, as there are many arcades where you can take shelter if necessary.
Take the opportunity to taste Savoyard specialities in one of the many restaurants on Rue Sainte Claire !
Boat tours – Compagnie des Bateaux du lac d’Annecy
Commentated cruise on the lake with the Compagnie des Bateaux du lac d’Annecy. This one hour non-stop cruise allows you to visit the part of the lake that goes as far as the bay of Talloires-Duingt. In case of moderate rain, it allows you to stay dry during the visit of the lake. In summer, it is also possible to take a 1h30 cruise around the lake.
How to get there : 2 place aux Bois, 74000 Annecy / Departure of the boats Quai Bayreuth.
Timetable : Several departures per day – please check the website for details
Rates : Full price: €16.00. Reduced price (children from 4 to 12 years): 11,50€.
Website : www.bateaux-annecy.com
Contact : 04 50 51 08 40
“La Maison du Patrimoine” in Grand Bornand
The Maison du Patrimoine, the eco-museum of Grand-Bornand, is an authentic example of 19th century rural architecture and bears witness to the traditions and know-how that make up the identity of the village.
This local heritage museum is housed in an old farmhouse dating back almost 200 years and listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. It offers a better understanding of the mountain lifestyle of the past and regularly organises activities for all (guided tours, gourmet walks, parent-child workshops).
How to get there:
La Maison du Patrimoine du Grand-Bornand
305 route de la Patinoire, 74450 Le Grand Bornand
→By public transport: line Y62-63 from Annecy bus station, about 1 per hour. Arrival at Grand Bornand bus station
Fare: 16€ return per person. Timetable here.
→ By car: approximately 45 minutes from Annecy city centre (free parking on site)
Timetable : Open every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 14.00 to 18.00 in the summer.
Rates : Full price: €3.00
Reduced (children aged 6 to 12, disabled) €2.70
Free for children under 6 and famille Plus cardholders.
Website : https://patrimoine-legrandbornand.com/
Contact : 04 50 02 79 18
The “Musée du Film d’Animation” in Annecy
Located two minutes from the Château d’Annecy, the Musée du Film d’Animation presents the beginnings and development of this art form through the animated film collection of the Annecy museums.
This small museum offers a better understanding of the different methods used to make animated films and organises thematic exhibitions on the subject.
Animation is one of the city’s specialities. World-famous for its International Festival and Market of Animated Film, held every June, Annecy brings together a wide range of players in the sector, from schools to animation studios.
During the summer, the museum offers a permanent exhibition and a temporary exhibition on Swiss animation.
How to get there : 18 Avenue de Trésum, 74000 Annecy
Timetable : Open all year round, every day except Tuesdays. Summer opening hours (1 June to 30 September): 10.30 to 18.00. Winter opening hours (1 October to 31 May): 10.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 17.00.
Rates: Free entrance
Website : https://musees.annecy.fr/Musee-du-film-d-animation
Contact : 04 50 33 87 34
The castle of Menthon
Located 10 km from Annecy, the Château de Menthon is a living residence that has been in the same family for almost 1000 years.
The Château de Menthon is one of the architectural jewels of Savoy. Ingeniously renovated over the centuries, the guided tour is very interesting.
How to get there :
Château de Menthon, Allée du Château, 74290 Menthon-Saint-Bernard
→20 minutes from Annecy by car. Large free car parks.
→ By public transport: 30 minutes by bus + 30 minutes on foot
Take bus 60 from Annecy bus station (the bus also passes through Albigny and Petit Port). One bus every 40 minutes from 5.40 to 22.45. Get off at Chef Lieu Menthon, then walk along the Col de Bluffy and the Biollon path (some narrow passages on the road with cars). Fare: 1.50 per ticket (free this summer).Click here for the timetable
→ By bike: 45 minutes uphill (180m difference in altitude).
Timetable :
April to June and September: the castle is open on Fridays, weekends and public holidays from 14.00 to 18.00 (last tour at 17.30).
July and August: every day from 10am to 7pm. Weekends and public holidays: dramatised tours.
Guided tours of the castle are available throughout the summer from 10 am to 7 pm.
From 6 July to 18 August, the castle organises nocturnal visits only on Wednesdays and Thursdays (dramatised nocturnal visits). Reservations recommended.
Rates :
Adults (over 15 years): 11€.
Children: €6 per child
Under 5 years old: free
Gardens and terraces: 3€.
Website : www.chateau-de-menthon.com
Contact : 07 81 74 39 72 / contact@chateau-de-menthon.com
Santa’s Hamlet
Santa’s house is open all year round! Visit the attic, listen to Santa’s stories and discover the daily life of the elves.
How to get there :
Le Hameau du Père Noël
5, Allée des Alouettes – 74350 Saint-Blaise (Mont-Sion)
→ By car: 30 minutes from Annecy
Timetable :
Open until 28 August. Winter reopening 22 October.
Open 7 days a week in summer from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm. Open every day in winter from 10am to 7pm.
Rates :
Full price: varies according to the season – from €9.00 to €13.50
Reduced rate (children from 3 to 11 years): Varies according to the season – from €4.50 to €8.50
Free for children under 3.
You can book online at a preferential rate or buy your tickets on the spot.
Website : https://www.grandparc-andilly.com/le-hameau-du-pere-noel
Contact : 04 50 32 73 64
Art by Friends Art Gallery
If you like street art and pop culture, this is the place for you!
An art gallery, a space dedicated to the direct sale of creations, a café-bar, a workshop space…
Activities: exhibitions, creative workshops, video previews, concerts, collection launches, theme evenings.
How to get there :
14 Avenue du Rhône, 74000 Annecy
→ On foot: 6 minutes from Annecy train station
→ By bike: 2 minutes from the station
→ By public transport: 7 minutes from the station. Line 7 direction Grand Epagny, stop Mandallaz.
Timetable : Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 7pm.
Rates : Free.
Website : http://artbyfriends.com/ / https://www.instagram.com/artbyfriends/
Contact : contact@artbyfriends.com / 06 77 63 13 61
“La FabriC” Art Gallery, Salomon Foundation
Ten minutes’ walk from the historic centre of Annecy, La FabriC is the former family workshop where Georges Salomon developed the new materials that revolutionised modern skiing.
Today, La FabriC is an exhibition space of more than 200m², where the cultural programme, artistic direction and scenography are entirely in the hands of the Foundation’s team.
How to get there :
34 Avenue de Loverchy, 74000 Annecy
→ On foot: 15 minutes from Annecy train station.
→ By bike: 5 minutes from the town centre. You can rent a bike (Roul’ ma Poule : 04 50 45 60 61).
→ By public transport: from Annecy bus station, take bus 4 in the direction of Seynod Neigeos and get off at the Croix Rouge stop. The journey takes 5 minutes.
→ By car: 5 minutes. Parking in front of the gallery.
Timetable : Open to the public during the exhibition from Wednesday to Saturday from 14:00 to 18:00. By appointment, by telephone on +33(0)4 50 02 87 52.
Rates : 3€. Free for children under 18 and students under 25
Website : https://www.fondation-salomon.com/
Contact : 04 50 02 87 52
Accessible to persons with reduced mobility.
Shows- Bonlieu National Stage
Situated opposite the Pâquier on the shores of Lake Annecy, the Bonlieu Scène Nationale is the largest theatre in Annecy.
This multidisciplinary production and performance space welcomes you from September to June.
How to get there : Centre Bonlieu – 1 rue Jean Jaurès, 74000 Annecy
Website : https://bonlieu-annecy.com/
Contact : billetterie@bonlieu-annecy.com
Concerts – Le Brise Glace
This concert hall offers an original programme with established artists and emerging talents, where you can have a great time with your family, friends or alone.
The Brise Glace regularly organises free concerts with young talents. Open from September to June.
How to get there : 54 bis rue des Marquisats, 74000 Annecy
Website : www.le-brise-glace.com
Contact : 04 50 33 65 10