Annecy’s 10 most beautiful beaches

Activities
Nature

Annecy,France,,30,July,2018:,People,Enjoying,The,Sunny,Summer

Marie

Published on 11/08/2025

Nestling in the heart of the French Alps, Annecy has a picturesque charm and a crystal-clear lake. Nicknamed the “Venice of the Alps”, this exceptional town offers much more than its flower-filled canals and historic centre: it’s home to Annecy’s most beautiful beaches, where you can relax and swim. Between golden sandy beaches, shady stretches of grass and turquoise waters, Lake Annecy offers a dozen swimming areas, each with its own special features. Whether you’re looking for a free beach for a family getaway or a more intimate spot to recharge your batteries, discover our selection of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Annecy to make the most of this Alpine jewel.

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1. Saint-Jorioz beach, the golden pearl of Lake Annecy

It’s impossible to talk about Annecy’s most beautiful beaches without mentioning Saint-Jorioz! This exceptional beach boasts golden sand, a rarity on the shores of Lake Annecy. Situated on the west coast, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, including the Dents de Lanfon and La Tournette. Awarded the Blue Flag label in 2010, this municipal beach guarantees exemplary environmental quality.

The Saint-Jorioz beach covers a large area with shaded areas perfect for sheltering from the Alpine sun. Families particularly appreciate the facilities: diving boards, children’s play areas and safe swimming areas. In July and August, the pool is supervised by lifeguards from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Admission is charged in high season (€2.20 for adults, €1 for 10-18 year-olds, free for under-10s).

Good to know: The car park is free but fills up quickly in summer. We recommend arriving early in the morning to make the most of this unique sandy beach on Lake Annecy.

2. Plage d’Albigny, accessible urban living

One of Annecy’s most beautiful beaches, Albigny stands out for its proximity to the town centre. Located in Annecy-le-Vieux, this vast, free grassy beach is one of the lake’s most popular and accessible swimming areas. Its green setting, lined with flowers and vegetation, makes it a real haven of urban peace.

The Albigny beach (6 avenue du Petit Port, 74940 Annecy-le-Vieux, rated 4.2/5 on Google for over 4,000 reviews) offers a range of activities, including a beach volleyball court, table tennis tables, children’s play areas and picnic areas. Kayaks and pedalos can be hired on site. This spacious beach also offers plenty of shade under its tall trees, perfect for a cool break.

For those who want to discover Annecy in the authentic way, let yourself be guided by Annecy’s Navaway itinerary, which will take you from the beaches to the hidden treasures of the Venice of the Alps.

3. Plage de l’Impérial, the elegant city centre beach

The Impérial beach fully deserves its place among Annecy’s most beautiful beaches. Located just a stone’s throw from the famous Palace Impérial, this beach, which recently became free (in 2022), retains its elegant charm and high-quality facilities. Its privileged location in the heart of Annecy, between the Pâquier and the Jardins de l’Europe, makes it a place not to be missed.

This carefully manicured grassy beach boasts some of the best facilities on the lake, including diving boards, a slide, sports fields and a bar-restaurant with terrace. The atmosphere is particularly refined, with a chic yet relaxed decor. Families will love the playground, beach volleyball court and trampoline, while adults will enjoy the elegant surroundings.

Download the audio tour to discover Annecy on foot and on your own

Complete your beach day with a guided tour of Annecy on the Navaway itinerary. This 2.6 km route will take you on a 1-hour tour of the 20 places of interest in the Venice of the Alps, from the Palais de l’Île to the flower-filled canals of the Thiou, with fun and captivating audio guides.

4. Plage des Marquisats, the first inclusive beach

The Marquisats beach is revolutionising the landscape of Annecy’s most beautiful beaches by becoming the city’s first inclusive beach. Inaugurated in July 2024, this social innovation provides access for people with disabilities thanks to special facilities: access ramps, floating wheelchairs, adapted changing rooms and sound guidance.

Located on rue des Marquisats, this free beach is in an exceptional setting close to Annecy’s historic centre. It offers shaded areas, play areas and direct access to the crystal-clear waters of the lake. Four specially trained inclusion ambassadors welcome visitors and ensure the smooth running of the inclusive beach from Monday to Sunday.

This pioneering approach makes Annecy an even more welcoming destination for everyone. Don’t hesitate to visit Annecy to discover this city that combines historical heritage and social innovation.

5. Family-friendly Sevrier beach

Sevrier is one of Annecy’s most beautiful beaches, with a special place for families looking for peace and quiet. This vast, free municipal beach, located close to the marina, offers a breathtaking panorama of the mountains and is ideally exposed to the setting sun.

The Sevrier beach features a carefully tended lawn that slopes gently down to the lake, perfect for young children. Shaded by magnificent pine trees, it offers picnic areas, children’s play areas and easy access for people with reduced mobility, with floating chairs available free of charge. Supervision is provided in July and August from 10.15am to 5.45pm.

Practical information: Although access to the beach is free, there is a charge for parking from 15 May to 15 September (9am-7pm). So don’t forget to park a little further away for an economical day out!

6. Angon beach in Talloires, the wild teaser

Angon beach in Talloires-Montmin is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Annecy. Located just 1 km from the centre of Talloires, this beach is enchanting because of its unspoilt natural setting, where the mountains plunge straight into the emerald waters of the lake. A small river even meanders along this green expanse, adding to the charm of the place.

This beach, which charges €2.20 for adults, €1.20 for under-16s and is free for under-4s in high season, offers a range of excellent facilities, including a large sunny and shady lawn, picnic tables, a beach volleyball court, petanque, table tennis and the famous Saravah Café, which hosts concerts and film evenings in summer. The diving boards and pontoons provide direct access to the crystal-clear waters.

The particularly friendly atmosphere and the wide range of activities on offer make this beach a great place to discover the Annécian art of living.

7. La Brune beach in Veyrier-du-Lac, awarded the Pavillon Bleu label

One of Annecy’s most beautiful beaches, the Plage de la Brune in Veyrier-du-Lac has been awarded the Pavillon Bleu label, a guarantee of exemplary environmental quality, since 2009. This free beach is open all year round and enjoys a privileged location on the east side of the lake, easily accessible from Annecy’s historic centre.

La Brune beach offers an idyllic setting with its harmonious blend of light sand and wide lawns. Families will love the two sandy areas specially designed for children, the diving platform, paddling pool and shaded areas. Shower and toilet facilities complete the facilities. Supervision is provided in July and August from 11am to 7pm.

Opposite, the gentle Bauges massif offers a breathtaking mountain panorama, while the charming wooden pontoon invites you to take a dip in some of the purest water in Europe.

8. Menthon-Saint-Bernard beach, shady fun

The beach at Menthon-Saint-Bernard deserves its place among Annecy’s most beautiful beaches for its unique character. This vast municipal beach (€4.50 for adults, €2.50 for under-16s) has no sand but a magnificent lawn dotted with leafy trees, creating natural cool spots that are perfect for avoiding sunburn.

Situated on the eastern shore of the lake, between Veyrier-du-Lac and Talloires-Montmin, this beach offers a privileged view of the mountains. Its many facilities make it a family paradise: paddling pool for the little ones, play areas, sports fields and petanque area, snack bar and picnic areas. Supervision is provided in July and August from 10am to 7pm.

The relaxed atmosphere and the generous shade of the tall trees create a unique seaside atmosphere just a few kilometres from the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, which is said to have inspired Walt Disney.

9. Duingt beach, the historic site opposite the château

Duingt beach completes our selection of the most beautiful beaches in Annecy with its exceptional historical setting. This charming free grassy beach faces the famous Châteauvieux de Duingt, an ancient stronghold that seems to have been floating on the waters of the lake since the 11th century.

Entirely laid to grass and planted with tall trees, this municipal beach is 120m long and 25m wide, making it a veritable waterfront park. The gentle slope down to the lake makes it particularly suitable for families with children. Wooden benches invite you to contemplate this postcard landscape, unique in the world.

Although unsupervised, it is still very popular with snorkellers and paddlers. Its location on the road around Lake Annecy makes it an ideal stop-off point on a day out to discover Annecy’s most beautiful beaches.

10. Douss’plage in Doussard, a wild place at the end of the lake

Douss’plage in Doussard rounds off our tour of Annecy’s most beautiful beaches in style. Located at the end of the lake, in a protected natural environment near the Bout du Lac nature reserve, this free beach offers a wilder, more unspoilt setting than its sister beaches.

This vast sandy beach has all the facilities you need: free lifeguard surveillance from 1 July to 31 August, snack bar-restaurant, pedalo and motorboat hire, sailing school and launching ramp. The floating pontoons allow you to jump straight into the green reflection of the Dents de Lanfon.

Access to the nature reserve from the beach combines swimming with discovering the flora and fauna of the lake. Although access is free, both car parks charge a fee, but a dedicated shuttle bus serves the site in summer.

To discover all Annecy’s secrets beyond its beaches, don’t hesitate to follow the Navaway guided tour itinerary, which will reveal the hidden treasures of the Venice of the Alps.

In conclusion, Annecy’s most beautiful beaches offer a remarkable diversity to suit all tastes and budgets. From the golden sands of Saint-Jorioz to the inclusive spaces of Les Marquisats, from the elegance of L’Impérial to the historic setting of Duingt, each beach has its own unique personality. These jewels of the lake, bathed in some of the purest water in Europe, are an invitation to relax in an exceptional Alpine setting. Whether you’re with family, friends or as a couple, let yourself be seduced by these natural jewels that have made Lake Annecy famous the world over. Don’t forget to round off your stay with a guided tour of Annecy to discover all the treasures of this exceptional destination.

FAQ – Annecy’s most beautiful beaches

What are the free beaches on Lake Annecy?

Annecy’s main free beaches are : Albigny, les Marquisats, l’Impérial, Sevrier, la Brune in Veyrier-du-Lac, Duingt and Douss’plage in Doussard. Please note that some free beaches have paid car parks in summer.

What is the only sandy beach on Lake Annecy?

Saint-Jorioz beach is the only real golden sandy beach around Lake Annecy. Awarded the Blue Flag, it offers spectacular views of the mountains and is a must for families.

When are Annecy’s beaches supervised?

Most of Annecy’s beaches are supervised in July and August, generally from 10am to 7pm. Times may vary depending on the beach: Saint-Jorioz (9.30am-5.30pm), Albigny, Impérial and Marquisats all day, La Brune (11am-7pm).

Is it possible to swim in Lake Annecy all year round?

Technically, yes, but the water temperature varies from 4°C in winter to 24°C in summer. The ideal swimming season is from June to September. Lake Annecy, reputed to be the purest in Europe, offers exceptional water quality for swimming.

Which Annecy beach to choose with children?

For families, we recommend Saint-Jorioz (sandy beach), Sevrier (gentle slope, free), Albigny (close to the centre, play areas) or La Brune at Veyrier-du-Lac (special sandy areas for children, paddling pool). All have play areas and supervision in summer.