Roquette

Roquette is part of a historic building in the heart of Annecy, just a few steps away from the photogenic Pont Perrière and 12th century Le Palais de I'Île. This charming apartment is on the second floor (no lift) via 32 steps from street level.

Trains arrive into Gare d'Annecy (800m on foot) or you can fly into Geneva Airport and Chambéry Airport, both 44km away. A car isn’t necessary to make the most of Annecy however there is a secured parking space in a nearby car park (200m away uphill) if needed.

The location of Roquette is ideal for exploring the medieval town – just step out of the building’s main entrance and you are surrounded by vibrant cafes, restaurants and shops, less than a minute from the famous canal and idyllic bridge (which you can see from the apartment’s lounge). This neighbourhood is often alive with activity, especially in the summer.

Across the year you can look out for festivities and events from the Christmas markets, ice-rink and late winter/spring Venetian Carnival to the annual marathon in April, June’s Festival International du Film d'Animation and the autumnal Retour des Alpages street festival. In the summer the town is filled with pavement cafes along the flower-filled lanes and visitors making the most of the beautiful lakeside setting of this stunning town.

Take a stroll along the lakeside promenade from the artistic Jardins de l’Europe, crossing over the romantic Pont des Amours. In the summer, look out for lakeside beaches, boat hire and watersports such as paddle-boarding, canoeing and kayaking by the lake’s shore. Keen cyclists should hire bikes and spend the day following the wonderful voie verte which loops around the lake with magnificent mountain and lake vistas.

Meanwhile, there are of course so many day trips to be enjoyed from the sandy lakeside beach at Saint-Jorioz (10km) to the fairy-tale Château Menthon-Saint-Bernard (12km, open seasonally) on the other side of the lake. Not to mention pretty lakeside villages such as historic Duingt (12km) and medieval Talloires (14km) loved for its charming Savoy architecture and excellent restaurants near the Cascade d'Angon hiking route.

Read more about Annecy

With stunning Alpine scenery and serene turquoise waters, Lake Annecy is a fine destination throughout the year whether you are visiting for winter skiing in the mountains or summer watersports on the glistening water.

Known as the “Venice of the Alps”, Annecy town is located at the northern tip of the lake. Wander by its charming canals in the medieval town, stroll across the famous Pont Perrière before reaching the lakeside promenade with the most magnificent vistas throughout the year. Wintertime brings enchanting Christmas markets and the town’s ice-rink, then there’s the vibrant Venetian carnival and spring marathon before the weather allows you to make the most of Annecy’s summer café terraces and gorgeous parks.

In the summer months enjoy a range of lakeside activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding and boat rides, all in spectacular surroundings. Cyclists of all abilities will love the voie verte that loops around the lake again passing breathtaking scenery.

Wherever you stay around the lake, explore pretty villages and lakeside beaches. Pick up regional specialities at Saint-Jorioz’s Thursday morning market, cycle through the old railway tunnel to medieval Duingt, dine in one of Talloires’s highly regarded restaurants and admire the majestic Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard.

Head into the mountains for authentic market towns, farms, incredible hikes and a great range of wintersports. Thônes is the gateway to the Aravis mountain resorts such as La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand, both a superb place for skiing in the winter and home to a wealth of alpine activities in the summer. On the other side of the lake, appreciate the beauty of the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park and admire the magnificence of the Semnoz mountain.

Whether relaxing by the lake or venturing into the mountains, experience hearty Savoyard cuisine. The region enjoys a rich culinary heritage – try fondue, raclette and tartiflette in authentic hôtels or fish from the lake accompanied by fine regional wine in high-end restaurants overlooking the idyllic shores.