We visited Lake Annecy by chance. We emerged from the Alps on our France street journey and realised how shut we have been to the lake, so thought we’d detour to see it. The issue with unplanned detours is that they’re… unplanned! And also you usually end up not taking full benefit of every thing a spot has to offer- since you didn’t plan it prematurely.
This was precisely the case after we detoured to Lake Annecy with our motorhome. We had nothing deliberate and we weren’t ready for the prettiness (or enterprise) that’s Lake Annecy. We made a LOT of errors. In case you’re ever fortunate sufficient to go to it your self, right here’s what to keep away from!
Lake Annecy continues to be busy in March!
We thought a drizzly March day could be quiet at Lake Annecy- however we have been incorrect! There have been site visitors jams EVERYWHERE. The entire of the west facet of the lake going north was one massive site visitors jam- I used to be genuinely shocked how a lot site visitors there was.
Take note of the climate at Lake Annecy
The climate at Lake Annecy modifications loopy fast- as does the climate in lots of mountain cities. There’s additionally lots of fog/ mist. Concentrate to what’s occurring round you- not simply what the climate forecast says.
It was forecast to be gloomy and raining on a regular basis we have been there, however once I awoke simply earlier than dawn it was clear and I obtained some incredible images of the lake, just like the one above.
In case you’re going mountaineering round Annecy, taking note of the climate is much more vital. These mountains are not any joke- take applicable gear and inform somebody your plans.
Discover a campsite (or resort!) early at Lake Annecy
One massive mistake was not getting ready anyplace to remain prematurely. We hadn’t realised that many locations shut down for the winter. We additionally hadn’t realised that there are very very only a few wild tenting spots across the lake- particularly for a motorhome.
We finally discovered a campsite which was open- however the proprietor wouldn’t allow us to keep as we hadn’t booked prematurely… though there have been areas! So we drove on.
Taking a motorhome to Lake Annecy just isn’t all the time straightforward!
We discovered an aire… however all of the areas have been tiny and there was no method we have been going to slot in. We needed to reverse down a tiny avenue and again out on onto the primary road- with the trailer. I’m glad I wasn’t driving!! Many of the motorhome parking spots we noticed have been for vans as much as about 7m. Any longer than that (we’re about 9m) and also you’re in hassle! Don’t neglect you’ll be able to’t prebook aires, so it’s the luck of the draw when you discover a area or not.
Don’t plan on campervan wild tenting at Lake Annecy
Many of the carparks both had low (2m) peak obstacles or massive indicators banning in a single day parking in automobiles. They clearly have a giant downside with motorhomes wild tenting in the course of the summer season.
We did finally discover a appropriate place to park for the evening, fairly near the lake because it occurred. I’m undecided how good it could be in summer season though- I think it should both be full or barred. We didn’t see one other area close to the lake which might be appropriate for wild camping- though we didn’t go up the east facet so maybe that’s higher. There gave the impression to be wild tenting spots up within the mountains, however don’t plan on strolling from there into Annecy- these mountains are STEEP! If you wish to keep for a number of days, you’ll undoubtedly want a campsite.
Our tenting spot was right here:
N 45°50’33.7236” E 6°10’23.268” 45.842701,6.173130
Handle: Route de la Plage, 74410 Saint-Jorioz
Enable sufficient time to discover the city correctly.
I’ll be sincere, I’d by no means seen a lot of Lake Annecy. I hadn’t heard it known as ‘The Venice of France’. I hadn’t seen the gorgeous photos. It wasn’t till we drove into Annecy and noticed how fairly it’s that we wished we had extra time to cease.
Sadly, we hadn’t left ourselves sufficient time to actually do town justice and we needed to go away with out exploring a lot of the fairly locations we handed. We didn’t even get time to discover the world-famous brocante (one of many finest flea markets in France)
It’s undoubtedly on our checklist of locations to return to- don’t make the identical mistake. Our goal is to empty the bucket list- not add to it!!
Don’t fly a drone over Lake Annecy with out precautions.
To make clear, it’s alright to fly the drone over the lake so long as you’re 30m above the waterline and NOT over any individuals.
Nonetheless, I’m heartbroken to report that our journey drone is now at present sitting on the backside of Lake Annecy. A giant gust of wind took it as we have been hovering to take a photograph and blew it into one of many pylons on the pier the place we have been standing. Mr WB didn’t even have time to react earlier than the drone had crashed into the water and sunk. We may nonetheless see it’s little pink gentle blinking all the best way on the bottom- that’s how clear the water is!!!
We contemplated diving into it- however it was March. And chilly. And deep. So we left our poor trusty drone behind. We have been devastated. 🙁
Have you ever ever visited Lake Annecy? Did you do a greater job of it than us? The place was your favorite place?
