Inspiration

Swans and Birds of Lake Annecy

Jul. 2026

6 min.

The swan, the white prince of Lake Annecy: an emblem in peril

It’s impossible to imagine Lake Annecy and its rhythmic waves without thinking of the swan and its majestic silhouette.

Whether gliding silently across the water or strutting proudly on the lawns of Le Pâquier, the swan is an integral part of the region’s identity—so much so that it has become one of its most recognizable symbols. Yet behind this idyllic image, a more troubling reality is emerging: the swan’s survival around Lake Annecy is now under threat. This situation raises serious concerns and affects all of the lake’s waterfowl.

Through this symbol, we have an opportunity to shed light on an entire ecosystem that has been weakened.

The Swan: Annecy’s Signature Symbol

Contrary to popular belief, the Mute Swan is not native to Lake Annecy, even though it has become inextricably linked with the lake. The species, found in many regions of the world (Europe, Australia, Asia, North America), is believed to have been introduced more widely in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries as an ornamental bird intended to “decorate” lakes and ponds and to delight royal courts. At that time, it was also considered a delicacy and could be found served at banquets for special occasions.

The local history truly began in the 19th century when two pairs of swans were gifted to Annecy in 1857 by the City of Geneva, and others, later on, by the House of Savoy. The birds quickly made themselves at home on the lake and began to breed and thrive along its shores.

Their popularity in the collective imagination owes much to their appearance. With their immaculate plumage, haughty bearing, and natural grace, swans have embodied grace and majesty for centuries. Literature, painting, photography, and even ballet have greatly contributed to shaping this romantic image. Swans are also a relatively unafraid species, unafraid of the people with whom they coexist peacefully. This tranquility and closeness have helped strengthen the affection for this bird, which has become an emblem.

Today, the postcard image is fading as the number of swans dwindles; for while the swan is popular, its presence around the lake is inversely proportional to its reputation as a bird with white feathers.

A symbol of a fragile ecosystem

While there were still more than 120 swans on the lake in the 1970s, their numbers have declined sharply. Observations made in recent years show a dramatic drop in the local population. According to the latest figures from the Haute-Savoie LPO (League for the Protection of Birds), only 13 swans remained as of July 2024.

This shows just how difficult a time the lake’s “white prince” is going through. According to Jérémy Calvo, a nature photographer and volunteer with the LPO, several factors are at play.

Jérémy Calvo, nature photographer and volunteer with the LPO

The first concerns the gradual disappearance of natural habitats.

In the space of a century, nearly 90% of the reed beds that once lined the lake have disappeared. Currently, the largest area is located near Doussard, within the Bout du Lac d’Annecy National Nature Reserve, while the remaining smaller sections are divided between the Marais de l’Enfer, between Sevrier and Saint-Jorioz, and a few fragments located between Saint-Jorioz and Duingt or near the small port in Albigny.

Yet these areas play an essential role in the reproduction, feeding, and protection of birds. The marshes have been drained, and the lakeshores developed and urbanized, significantly reducing the quiet habitats necessary for wildlife.

Another, even more surprising phenomenon is the exceptional quality of the lake’s water.

Over the past several decades, pollution control efforts have made Lake Annecy one of the cleanest in Europe. This is a remarkable environmental achievement, but it has also led to a decrease in the nutrients present in the water.

As a result, aquatic vegetation and certain plants that swans naturally feed on are less abundant.

“Waterfowl have less food available to them today than in the past. To compensate, swans are leaving the water more often to graze on the lawns of the Pâquier or along the lake’s shores. This behavior has become a familiar sight to passersby, but it actually reveals the growing fragility of their environment,” explains Jérémy Calvo.

Added to these challenges is human pressure.

The growth of tourism and water sports is causing increasing disturbances, particularly during nesting and rearing seasons. Dogs not kept on a leash also pose a real danger. Every year, several swans or cygnets are injured or killed in attacks along the riverbanks.

Food given or left by visitors—a gesture often motivated by good intentions—actually makes the situation worse. Bread, food scraps, and processed foods do not correspond to their natural diet and can cause serious health problems. Some swans now suffer from health issues related to a diet that is too high in terrestrial vegetation, which has become a substitute for their usual aquatic food.

A steady decline in population size points to a much broader problem: that of genetic diversity. When populations become too small, reproductive opportunities decrease and the species’ resilience weakens. The example of the swan, moreover, applies to all waterfowl that make up our lake ecosystem.

Halo on Waterfowl

The decline in the swan population is only the tip of the iceberg. Counts conducted by the LPO since the 1970s show an overall decline of about 63% in the number of waterfowl on Lake Annecy.

While approximately 6,000 birds were recorded in the late 1970s, there are now believed to be only about 1,600.

Among the most notable species are the Great Crested Grebe, the Goosander, and the Great Cormorant—remarkable divers capable of pursuing their prey underwater—as well as the Little Grebe, often spotted near the canals of Annecy. Birds associated with reed beds are particularly vulnerable. This is the case for the Little Bittern, Europe’s smallest heron, and the Great Reed Warbler, both of which are heavily dependent on these now-rare habitats.

Some species, however, are benefiting from climate change. The Red-breasted merganser, for example, is gradually expanding its range northward and appears to be adapting better to the new conditions. But overall, the lake’s ecological balance is shifting more rapidly than it should, without giving ecosystems time to adapt.

“It’s not just the swans that are affected. The fish, insects, crustaceans, and all the birds that depend on them are affected,” emphasizes Jérémy Calvo. An entire food chain has been disrupted.

A sanctuary for living beings

In light of this situation, Jérémy Calvo has been working for several years on an ambitious project: the creation of a wildlife sanctuary, likely near Saint-Jorioz. The idea is inspired by initiatives that have already been successfully implemented on Lake Geneva and in the Camargue.

The concept would involve creating an artificial islet separated from the shores, inaccessible to the public, and dedicated to biodiversity. This space would provide a refuge for birds, fish, amphibians, and aquatic plants.

“The goal is not to ban uses of the lake, but to better balance them. This is absolutely not about pitting human activities against nature, but simply about giving biodiversity a little more space,” insists Jérémy Calvo.

In particular, this sanctuary would help recreate safe breeding areas, provide migratory birds with a stopover during their journey, promote the growth of reed beds, and improve ecological connectivity between the lake’s various sectors.

The project is still in its early stages. The IREA association (Initiative for the Restoration of Ecosystems in Annecy and the Surrounding Area), which will lead the project, has just been established, and several studies will be conducted to determine the most suitable location, size, and infrastructure.

Preserving a symbol… and an entire ecosystem

Watching a swan on Lake Annecy remains a fascinating sight that is deeply rooted in the collective imagination. However, its presence can no longer be taken for granted.

Beyond its status as an emblem, the swan has become a valuable indicator of the lake’s health. Its decline tells a broader story: that of an ecosystem under multiple pressures and seeking a new balance.

Respecting natural areas, keeping dogs on a leash, avoiding feeding the birds, and supporting conservation initiatives are all simple actions that can help protect this living heritage. Preserving the swans also means preserving the entire ecosystem—often discreet, sometimes even invisible—that contributes to the richness and beauty of Lake Annecy.

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Top of page photo credit:

Journalist: Gaëlle Tagliabue