"It's too beautiful. All this beauty can be exhausting:" a line that has made history, at least in French cinema, uttered in the multiple award-winning film Claire's Knee, which was filmed at Lac d'Annecy in 1970. The beautiful peri-alpine lake in Haute-Savoie is more than just a beautiful backdrop in the film: It's the place where diplomat Jérôme can finally conquer the object of his desire ... The film helped show the world what enthusiastic visitors have always known: Lac d'Annecy is not only exceedingly romantic, but also incredibly diverse.

Arguably the most beautiful body of water in France, Lac d'Annecy is a stunning destination for a relaxing getaway. © Gilles Piel Photographe

As one of the largest lakes in France, it scores with water temperatures between 22 and 24 degrees in the summer, and even has sandy beaches on the shores of Saint-Jorioz and Veyrier-du-Lac. That makes it ideal for all kinds of water sports. Visitors swim in drinking water; sailing, surfing, canoeing, diving and rowing are among the other sports people travel here for. Bikers also revere the 30-kilometer-long bike path that runs along the eastern side. Numerous hiking trails also extend around the popular body of water. On the eastern shore, near the town of Talloires, there's a steep rock face that is perfect for deep-water soloing, also known as "psicobloc".

The picturesque lake beckons with incredibly waters. © Illustration: Blagovesta Bakardjieva/carolineseidler.com

Adventurous souls can climb easy, knowing that, if they slip, they'll merely fall into the clear water of the lake, and therefore completely forgo all forms of protection. Nature lovers will get their money's worth in the Gorges du Fier to the west or at the Cascade d'Angon waterfalls southeast of Annecy. The Bout du Lac nature reserve near Doussard is located on the southern shore. Its diverse habitats – from marshes and undergrowth to bogs, reeds and meadows – are home to numerous animals, including beavers and rare species of birds. Annecy itself is considered the "Venice of the Alps" thanks to its picturesque canals. Make sure to include a visit to the Pont des Amours bridge with its picturesque view and the old town with its enchanting boutiques.

The port of Lac d'Annecy is surrounded by a newly built pedestrian and bicycle path, inviting you to enjoy the flair during a long walk or bike ride. © Gilles Piel Photographe

Good to Know

• In addition to director Éric Rohmer, Lac d'Annecy also inspired painter Paul Cézanne; he immortalized the lake in oil on canvas in 1896.
• There is no sewage discharged into the lake. Moreover, due to evaporation, the water undergoes a complete exchange every four years, giving the lake drinking water quality.
• Besides the sandy beaches of Saint-Jorioz and Veyrier-du-Lac, the beach of Angon and the Plage l'Impérial are particularly beautiful. The sandy beach Plage municipale in Sevrier and the Plage de la Brune are ideal for families.
• The exciting Centre de Culture Scientifique, Technique et Industrielle in Cran-Gevrier is a first-class technical museum.

Back to the overview:  The Most Beautiful Lakes of the Summer