Annecy, the Venice of the Alps

On 18 February 1957, Annecy’s last steam barge let out a final whistle by the Napoleon III quay, a coda to centuries of lake trade that shaped these lanes long before they turned photogenic. Today the Thiou’s clear current curls around the 12th‑century Palais de l’Île, once courthouse and jail, while the arcades on Rue Sainte‑Claire shelter cheesemongers and knife sellers. Forty‑five kilometers from Geneva, the lake takes on a milky hue during snowmelt, best seen from the Jardins de l’Europe, and the east shore hamlets of Veyrier‑du‑Lac still nod to féra fishing traditions.

Collected from your Geneva hotel, you ride in a Mercedes with your dedicated driver on hand as you wander at your own pace. Browse the market on Tuesday, Friday, or Sunday morning, climb the bell tower at Saint‑Pierre Cathedral for a 15‑minute view, then linger over lunch on Place des Cordeliers or lakeside in Veyrier‑du‑Lac before returning via Col de la Croisette for sweeping Salève vistas. The vehicle stays at your disposal, shopping stowed onboard, and the route flexes—swim in Talloires, detour to the Roc de Chère nature reserve, or an espresso on the Pâquier.