What to do in Annecy when it’s raining

What to do in Annecy when it’s raining

Unfortunately, the weather isn’t always reliable... and you’ve arrived on a rainy day in the pretty town of Annecy. Walking around the lake or wandering in the Savoie mountains is not an option. But there’s a solution to every problem. The town of Annecy is brimming with activities for young and old. There’s something for everyone in this veritable Swiss army knife of the Alps.

Indoor activities 

A little culture in the Annecy galleries 

1st step: visit the town galleries and the art and history exhibitions.
Go and explore:

• the Palais de l’Isle, full price 5 euros, open all year round. Like the Musée Château, opening times are different from June to September. You can visit the palace from 10.30 to 18.00.
• the Alpine Lakes Regional Observatory, open between 10.00 and 17.00, with an entrance fee of 7 euros.
• the Museum of Animated Films (admission free).

Fortunately all of these sites can be easily reached from the Courier shopping centre.
Visitors with their own transport can also drive out of the town to visit the surrounding villages and explore: the Blanchet candle makers, the Shoemaking Museum, the Paccard Museum, the Maison de Pays du Laudon, the Ecomuseum of Lake Annecy, the Museum of Butterflies and Insects, the Ecomuseum of Wood and Forest, or the Departmental Museum of the Resistance.
In short, as you can see, there is a huge choice of galleries to visit.

Castles and churches

A must-do on rainy days: somewhere between a museum visit and the history of castle life, discover the Château Museum, open all year round. Open from 10.30 to 18.00 at peak season. Full price: 7 euros.
The Saint-Pierre church, a must-see venue in the old town, was built by the master builder Jacques Rossel before 1526. A short additional visit to help you get to know the town of Annecy like the back of your hand.
If you’d like to travel further away from Annecy, you can explore the village of Lovagny, just 20 minutes away, and see the Château de Montrottier, a superbly well maintained castle built in the 13th century. There’s plenty to do for children.
The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, also 20 minutes from Annecy, overlooks the lake and provides a wonderful view of the lake and surrounding mountains. For the more romantic amongst you, some even say that Walt Disney drew inspiration from this for his Sleeping Beauty castle.
The Château de Clermont is 30 km north of Annecy. It was built between 1576 and 1580. A fun course is offered for children, who will receive a game booklet to guide them. Please note that this is a very popular feature and you will need to book.

Shopping in the Courier centre 

Of course, when it’s raining, you think of shopping. If so, the meeting point for Annecy residents : the Courier shopping centre is open every day except Sundays, with 40 shops and restaurants to enjoy as a family or among friends. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a shopping trip in Annecy town centre, right by the lake.
Whether you’re looking for fashion, beauty, practical items, culture, nature or refreshments, the Courier shopping centre promises an unforgettable shopping and relaxation experience in a friendly environment! Zara, H&M, Cyrillus, IKKS Women, Jennyfer, Le Temps des Cerises, Levi's, Petit Bateau, Claire's, Starbucks, La Broche Dorée, La Fnac and many other brands await you.

Well-being and relaxation 

Why not take advantage of the bad weather and rain to take care of yourself? You can visit one of a number of spas in the town of Annecy.
Take your afternoon of relaxation a step further by catching an unforgettable film at the cinema, whether as a couple, with family or with friends. The Pathé Gaumont cinema is right next to the Courier shopping centre and invites you to fully indulge your passion for the seventh art. Take advantage of this golden opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the latest films, all in a setting designed for comfort and entertainment.

Discover the local cuisine  

Whether it’s a snack, lunch or dinner, nothing beats a delicious meal. Come and discover the specialities of Annecy: Savoie cake, Savoie bugne, and Saint-Genix. You can also treat yourself to tartiflette, croziflette, or the Savoyard fondue. In short, anything that contains cheese and is a true delight to the taste buds!
And for those who’d like to try other flavours, the Courier shopping centre invites you to discover the Italian specialities at Mezzo di Pasta or the Italian Trattoria, or a taste of Japan at Kumo.

What to do in Annecy when it’s raining... with children 

To occupy those little monsters who are sometimes difficult to entertain, there’s IDKIDS and Nature & Découvertes in the Courier shopping centre. These offer plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for children; perfect for gloomy days. Try out the educational games, creative workshops, and fun experiences designed to stimulate children's imagination and energy and help them to learn and flourish.

leisure pursuits 

Annecy offers a multitude of activities to entertain both children and parents. For family entertainment, consider an outing to Bowl Annecy for a family game of bowling. Located only 20 minutes from the Courier shopping centre, it’s the perfect way to combine sport and pleasure. For an immersive experience, make your way to Laser Maxx where you can indulge in an exciting laser game or test your knowledge in a boxing quiz. These pastimes promise an unforgettable time in Annecy for all ages.

Cultural events suitable for children  

Because holidays go hand in hand with culture and history, don’t miss La Turbine Sciences. This museum is dedicated to the world of science and offers things to do for children from 3 to 15 years old.
As for castles, as mentioned above, the Château de Montrottier in the village of Lovagny, just 20 minutes from Annecy, and the Château de Clermont, which is 30 km north of Annecy, are particularly suitable for family visits. For example, they provide booklets and activities specifically designed for younger visitors.

Sporting activities 

Even if you love nature sports, Annecy will surprise you with a huge choice of indoor sporting activities for rainy days.
Enjoy a bouldering session at Bloc Trotter, the large climbing gym in Annecy, open 7 days a week (except August). You don’t need any equipment: footwear can be hired on site.
Put on your best roller skates and immerse yourself in the 80s at La Sphère. Set off on your 4-wheel skates on over 250 m² of track. You can either bring your own rollerskates or hire the equipment from La Sphère.
Another kind of skating, but this time on ice. The Annecy skating rink is open all year round. Please check the opening hours and prices, which vary according to the time of year. For small children from infants to 8 years old, there’s the jardin de glaces, to help young people progress and gain confidence on the ice.
Finally, for swimmers, there’s Vitam, the largest sports centre in the Annecy area, which offers 3 types of indoor exercise. There’s the climbing area, aquatic area (9 slides, 3 swimming pools including one with jazuzzi and current, a water garden for toddlers) and Vitam'Ludic (an indoor play park).