Yes — Lake Annecy is regularly ranked among the cleanest lakes in Europe, and swimming spots around Annecy and Talloires get busy on summer weekends.
Discover Authentic Lakes & Mountains: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Lakes & Mountains, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as Lake Annecy, the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard and the Angon waterfall.
Top 5 Things to Do in Lakes & Mountains
Annecy
Canals thread through the old town, and the lake beyond it is regularly rated among the cleanest in Europe. Walk the Thiou river past pastel façades, then follow the lakeside path out toward the mountains.
Aix-les-Bains
A spa town on Lake Bourget, France's largest natural lake. Queen Victoria once stayed here; the thermal baths are still running, and the lakefront makes for an easy, flat walk.
Chambéry
The historic gateway to the Massif des Bauges, roughly 30km from Annecy. Its old town is compact and walkable, with arcaded streets built to shelter from mountain weather.
Talloires
A small village on Lake Annecy's eastern shore, built around an 11th-century abbey and some of the calmest water on the lake.
Menthon-Saint-Bernard
A lakeside village watched over by a château that's belonged to the same family for over a thousand years, with views across to the Massif des Bauges and the Tournette.
Explore Lakes & Mountains's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Annecy, Lakes & Mountains
We've mapped local spots around Lake Annecy and the Alps. Fresh air guaranteed.
Lake & heritage
Boating on Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is famous for its clear water. Hire a pedal boat, glass-bottomed kayak, paddleboard or motorboat, swim in summer or picnic on the water. A 10-minute walk from our Mercure Annecy Centre.
Annecy · Lake activities · Perfect for summer days
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Above Lake Annecy, a fairytale castle from the 12th century, owned by the same family for 23 generations. Join a guided tour. 30 minutes' drive from our Annecy hotels.
Menthon-Saint-Bernard · Castle · Great for history and views
Thônes, capital of Reblochon
Twenty kilometres from Annecy, Thônes has arcaded streets and a lively market. Stop at Le Farto, the Reblochon cooperative at the edge of the village. 35 minutes from our Annecy hotels.
Thônes · Village and cheese cooperative · Made for food lovers
Abbaye d'Hautecombe
A Gothic abbey founded in the 12th century on the shore of Lake Bourget. Arrive by boat if you can.
Lake Bourget · Abbey · Ideal for history
Musée Faure
A villa museum in Aix-les-Bains with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works – and some thirty Rodin sculptures.
Aix-les-Bains · Museum · Perfect for art
Les Jardins Secrets de Vaulx
Themed gardens of exotic plants, fountains and sculptures between Aix-les-Bains and Annecy.
Vaulx · Gardens · Ideal for a quiet visit
Thermes du Domaine de Marlioz
A historic spa in Aix-les-Bains dating from 1850, in a park facing the Dent du Chat.
Aix-les-Bains · Spa · Made for relaxing
Chanaz
A village on the Savière canal: moss-covered roofs, medieval façades and craftsmen at work.
Chanaz · Village · Perfect for a stroll
Vieugy market
A local market for Savoy goat cheese, sausages, mountain honey and blueberry and rosehip treats.
Vieugy · Market · Great for local produce
Leatherwork workshop
Make your own leather belt or coin purse with a local artisan at the foot of Le Vuache, between Annecy and Geneva.
Le Vuache · Workshop · Ideal for crafts
Hikes & nature
Mont Veyrier
Mont Veyrier rises to 1,291 metres, an easy reach from the Col des Contrebandiers car park. Fit walkers can climb from the lake (about three hours return) for views of the lake, Mont Blanc and the Alps.
Annecy-le-Vieux · Hike · Perfect for panoramic views
Angon waterfall
Near Talloires, a 15-minute path leads to the Angon waterfall, dropping 40 metres in a crystalline cascade. 30 minutes' drive from our Annecy hotels.
Talloires · Waterfall · Great for a short hike
High Five Festival
Each autumn since 2010, the High Five Festival has drawn more than 20,000 mountain sports fans to Le Pâquier for competitions, talks and film premieres. A 5-minute walk from our Mercure Annecy Centre.
Le Pâquier, Annecy · Festival · Made for mountain sports fans
Parcabout at Filenvol
A treetop playground of boat ropes and fishing nets. Climb, bounce and jump freely, whatever your age.
Treetop park · Perfect for families
Le Revard belvedere
A lookout at around 1,500 metres with a panorama over Lake Bourget and the mountains. Come for sunset.
Le Revard · Viewpoint · Ideal for sunset
Belvédère de la Chambotte
One of the finest viewpoints over Lake Bourget and Hautecombe Abbey – Queen Victoria came in 1887.
La Chambotte · Viewpoint · Great for views
Gorges du Sierroz
Corbelled walkways lead to a waterfall in gorges steeped in history and legend.
Aix-les-Bains · Gorges · Perfect for a short walk
Cascade du Pissieu
A waterfall that never runs dry, at the foot of the Margeriaz, fed by underground torrents.
Bauges · Waterfall · Made for nature
Mont Salève
The 'balcony of Geneva', reached by cable car, with views over Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Haute-Savoie · Mountain · Perfect for views
Lac Blanc
A hike to two lakes facing the Mont Blanc glaciers. Set off at dawn and look out for ibex and marmots.
Chamonix valley · Hike · Ideal for mountain views
FAQ
Savoyard classics: tartiflette, fondue and raclette built around local cheeses like reblochon, plus féra, a whitefish caught in Lake Annecy.
Summer for the lakes — swimming, paddleboarding, lakeside walks. Winter shifts the focus uphill, toward the mountains around the Massif des Bauges and Bornes ranges.
Hire a pedal boat, kayak, paddleboard or motorboat, swim in summer or picnic on the water; it's a 10-minute walk from Hotel Mercure Annecy Centre.
Mont Veyrier offers views over the lake, Mont Blanc and the Alps; the Angon waterfall near Talloires is an easy 15-minute walk.
In Thônes, the capital of Reblochon, at the farmers' cooperative Le Farto, 35 minutes from our Annecy hotels.
Where to Sleep in Lakes & Mountains
See our Mercure hotels across Lakes & Mountains, ideally placed to explore these picks.