Private Walking Tour: Of Annecy's Historical Center

Walk the cobblestone streets, cross the bridge of lovers, and see the Palais de l'Île on your own schedule.

A private walking tour of Annecy's historical center with an expert guide who leads you through the Old Town, past the Palais de l'Île (a 12th-century former prison), across the bridge of lovers, and along the Lake of Annecy. The guide adjusts the route to match your interests, and the tour runs about two hours. Tips after the visit are optional. Entrance tickets and transportation are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private walking tour of Annecy

• Admire Palais de l'Île
• Walk cobblestone streets
• Visit Savoy restaurants
• Explore typical shops

The experience

Annecy sits in the Alps and earns its nickname, the "Second Venice", from the canals threading through the Old Town and the gleaming lake that anchors the city. A private guide meets you and shapes the walk around what you want to see. The Palais de l'Île, a stone fortress that served as a prison in the 12th century, stands on an island in the middle of the old quarter. From there, the route moves through the charming cobblestone streets lined with Savoy restaurants and typical shops, then takes you to cross the bridge of lovers and out to the lake itself.

Because the tour is private, the pace and stops are yours to set. If a café catches your eye or a side street calls for a closer look, the guide will take you there. The two-hour window gives you time to move through the highlights without rushing, and you can ask to linger at any spot that interests you. The guide speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian or German depending on which option you choose at checkout.

What’s included

• Services of an expert guide.
• optional tips after the visit if you wish to give them.

Options for this experience

2 options

Available in French or English23 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00

Offered in Italian, Spanish or German23 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day23 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (under 7): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tour France Experience

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to move at your own pace through Annecy's highlights without following a fixed schedule or joining a group. The private guide adjusts stops and timing to match what interests you most, so you spend your two hours on the things you actually came to see.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 7): free.

What is the Palais de l'Île and why is it worth seeing?

The Palais de l'Île is a 12th-century stone palace that once served as a prison, now standing on an island in the heart of Annecy's Old Town. It's one of the city's most recognizable landmarks and a key stop on the tour.

Can I ask the guide to take me somewhere not mentioned in the tour description?

Yes. The guide will happily adjust the route to include any place in particular you want to go, so the tour fits your interests rather than a fixed itinerary.

How long does the walking tour take?

The tour runs about two hours, giving you time to move through the Old Town, see the Palais de l'Île, cross the bridge of lovers, and reach the Lake of Annecy without rushing.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the pace is set by you and your guide, so you can take breaks whenever you need them.