Do you prefer the lake, mountains, or countryside?

Whether taking a private lesson or a longer, more intensive course, the team’s three state-certified swim instructors – Arnaud, Maxime, and Dorian – teach their students the fundamentals required to embark on a safe open-water swimming experience. Children’s courses are taught Monday through Friday, and adult courses on Saturday and Sunday, all in small groups. What a great way to quickly improve and become more at ease and confident in the water. While no inflatable armbands are used, kids learn with the help of other types of teaching tools, first in the small swimming area and then in the large area, both in the lake. Kids quickly learn to swim in a natural environment, as well as to manage their fear of deep water and their surroundings.

This also offers the opportunity to learn, right from the start, the safety fundamentals when swimming in a lake: never dive without knowing how deep the water is or without first entering the water; always stay within the designated lifeguarded swimming areas unless you have the proper equipment; and avoid swimming in the middle of the lake in areas where boats of all sizes frequently navigate. Also note that inner tubes, air mattresses, and other floating objects are not allowed on Lake Annecy outside the designated areas, which are marked by yellow buoys at a specified distance from the shore. These are just a few key guidelines to keep in mind for when swimming in the upper and lower lake.

Note as well that areas such as marinas or designated water sports zones, reed beds, and the Bout du Lac Nature Reserve are protected areas, where swimming is prohibited to preserve the natural balance aquatic flora and fauna need to thrive around the lake.

• Road cycling routes

Whether you are looking for a leisurely ride or tempo ride, Annecy and the surrounding mountains count more than 1580 km of marked roads, four dozen loops, and eighteen mountain passes. The cycling routes offer you the chance to explore the area’s mountain backroads and legendary passes, or to simply enjoy riding along the shores of Lake Annecy.

• Gravel biking routes

A great way to explore nature’s wonders and the area’s spectacular natural landscapes, the Gravel routes are more athletic and take riders along dirt roads through the Aravis Mountains, on the wilder trails of the Bauges Mountains Natural Regional Park, and down the mellower paths across the legendary Glières Plateau.

• Mountain biking routes

Mountain biking covers a wide range of activities, from downhill, to cross-country, to enduro. The area offers something for everyone, including designated terrain parks for budding riders! From Sources du Lac d’Annecy at the far southern end of the lake, a certified MTB base camp, all the way to the trails in the Aravis Mountains, mountain biking enthusiasts have the chance to ride on just about every type of terrain imaginable. Whether traditional or electric, mountain biking is all the rage.

Rest stops, fun activities, places to stay, and water sources are just a few of the many aspects needed for a successful outing on your bike. For cycle-friendly partners, official Accueil Vélo certified cycle-friendly services, bike cafés, and even group lodging, visit the Annecy Mountains website for all the practical information you need to plan your own personal adventure.

Annecy Mountains