We visited Lake Annecy accidentally. We emerged from the Alps on our France street journey and realised how shut we had 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 typically end up not taking full benefit of every part a spot has to offer- since you didn’t plan it upfront.
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. Should you’re ever fortunate sufficient to go to it your self, right here’s what to keep away from!
Lake Annecy remains to be busy in March!
We thought a drizzly March day could be quiet at Lake Annecy- however we had been improper! There have been site visitors jams EVERYWHERE. The entire of the west aspect of the lake going north was one large 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 adjustments loopy fast- as does the climate in lots of mountain cities. There’s additionally a whole lot of fog/ mist. Listen to what’s taking place round you- not simply what the climate forecast says.
It was forecast to be gloomy and raining on a regular basis we had been there, however after I wakened simply earlier than dawn it was clear and I received some incredible images of the lake, just like the one above.
Should you’re going mountain climbing round Annecy, taking note of the climate is much more necessary. These mountains are not any joke- take acceptable gear and inform somebody your plans.
Discover a campsite (or lodge!) early at Lake Annecy
One large mistake was not getting ready wherever to remain upfront. 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 ultimately discovered a campsite which was open- however the proprietor wouldn’t allow us to keep as we hadn’t booked upfront… although there have been areas! So we drove on.
Taking a motorhome to Lake Annecy isn’t all the time simple!
We discovered an aire… however all of the areas had been tiny and there was no method we had been going to slot in. We needed to reverse down a tiny avenue and again out on onto the principle road- with the trailer. I’m glad I wasn’t driving!! Many of the motorhome parking spots we noticed had 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 possibly can’t prebook aires, so it’s the luck of the draw in the event 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 large indicators banning in a single day parking in automobiles. They clearly have an enormous drawback with motorhomes wild tenting in the course of the summer time.
We did ultimately discover a appropriate place to park for the night time, fairly near the lake because it occurred. I’m unsure how good it could be in summer time though- I think it’s going to 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 aspect so maybe that’s higher. There appeared 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 couple of days, you’ll positively 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 referred to 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 the 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 greatest flea markets in France)
It’s positively on our record of locations to return to- don’t make the identical mistake. Our purpose 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 presently sitting on the backside of Lake Annecy. An enormous gust of wind took it as we had been hovering to take a photograph and blew it into one of many pylons on the pier the place we had 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 crimson gentle blinking all the way in which on the bottom- that’s how clear the water is!!!
We contemplated diving into it- nevertheless it was March. And chilly. And deep. So we left our poor trusty drone behind. We had 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?
