10 Things to Do in Annecy on a Small Budget

Annecy Old Town (La Vieille Ville) is one of the city's most iconic spots, and it's rewarding enough to simply wander through its streets, which won't cost you anything. Many of the buildings in this region date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, and they've been maintained well in the years since.

When you visit this region of town, you'll find narrow pedestrian-only streets that make it easy to take a stroll without having to worry about traffic. Plus, you'll find scenic canals throughout that hold emerald-green waters. You'll find this neighbourhood near the centre of town by Le Thiou.

The Lake Annecy Greenway (Voie Verte du Lac d'Annecy) is an old greenway around the lake that lets you enjoy a nice mix of lakeside splendour and towering mountain peaks. As you traverse this path, you'll find yourself travelling alongside not only the lake itself but several of its beaches and neighbouring villages.

The path is easy to traverse, letting you explore on foot or on a bike. The route is 20.5 miles in total, but you don't have to go along the entire length to enjoy your visit. You'll find it all on the west side of the lake.

The 3 Museums (Musée-Château d’Annecy, le Palais de l’Île et le Musée du Film d’animation) governed by the city of Annecy stand out for having fascinating exhibits and affordable entry. The Chateau d'Annecy is housed in a historic castle where you can explore centuries past and impressive works of art on display.

When you visit le Palais de l'Isle, you'll find a historic ship-shaped building in the middle of the canal. Here, you'll learn about the history of this 12th-century building that served as everything from a prison to a minting workshop. The Musee du film d'animation takes you through the history of cartoons. Admission is free. They're found just minutes from the city centre.

Marquisats Beach (Plage des Marquisats) is a pristine grass beach that you can visit for free, and it offers convenient facilities, inviting waters and fun for the whole family. The lake water is welcoming and calm, so even small kids can have fun here. Plus, it's monitored by lifeguards.

At this beach, you'll find conveniences like showers and toilets and even a refreshment stall. You'll have easy access to opportunities for boating on the lake, and the beach itself is completely free to access. You'll find it on the northwest side of the lake just a short distance south of the city centre.

Roc de Chère Nature Reserve (Réserve Naturelle du Roc de Chère) is a stunning nature area where you'll find scenic walks and views around the green space. At this nature reserve, you'll find a variety of flora and fauna, including small forest mammals and diverse bird species.

A lot of the trails in this nature reserve are easy to traverse, though there are harder options if you're looking for a challenge. As you walk the trails, you'll find incredible views at numerous points showcasing the natural majesty of the mountains and the lake. It's located on the east side of the lake just north of Talloires.

The Annecy churches are a collection of Catholic religious buildings that you can visit for free to study the history and admire their architectural prowess. The most iconic churches are located in the Old Town district, where they stand out among the neighbourhood's already impressive collection of historic buildings.

One of the most notable is the St Francois de Sales Church, which sports an impressive Baroque architectural style and detailed depictions of religious figures within. St Maurice Church, on the other hand, is much older, dating back to the early 15th century, and features Savoyard Gothic architecture.

The Gardens of Europe (Jardins de l'Europe) is a pristine park with vibrant greenery and paths and is notably quieter and more relaxing than other parks in town. The park is a great place for taking a stroll and offers paths that will take you by impressive natural features and well-manicured parkland.

If the walk ever becomes too much, there are plenty of well-maintained benches to choose from. They're located throughout the park, so you're never too far from one. Additionally, you can take in impressive views of the mountains and lake from this park. It's located just east of the city centre.

Annecy markets come in many shapes and sizes, but quite a few of them offer generous discounts for various items that you won't want to miss out on. You'll find merchant stalls taking over streets when the market is in session, and many of the items are food products that are sourced and produced locally.

Many of the stalls at local markets are run directly by the producers who created the items on offer. They're happy to talk with you and even haggle with you if you're looking to get the best deals possible to keep your budget in check. You'll find them in various places throughout town, but the largest is in the historic centre.

Au Fût et à mesure is a local brewpub where you can enjoy a drink and get a bite to eat at affordable prices that don't sacrifice quality. The beer is the star of the show, and you'll find quite a few different brews available that all have something special to offer.

You can do more than enjoy a drink when you visit, thanks to the bar's modest yet delicious menu. The sausages are especially popular, offering a hearty taste that goes well with the beer on tap. You'll also find sweets like parfaits available. It's all located just north of Le Thiou in the Old Town area.

SIBRA offers affordable public transport that takes you throughout Grand Annecy, which includes the city and much of the surrounding area by the lake. The bus service offers cheap tickets with efficient service that can easily get you where you need to go.

If you're looking for additional ways to get around, this same transport company also offers a bike-hire service that you can use to get to places that the bus service typically wouldn't take you. You'll find the central office in the centre of town.