The whole lake
End to end between the mountains.
Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France โ CC BY 2.0 ยท Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France โ CC BY 2.0 ยท Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France โ CC BY 2.0 ยท Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France โ CC BY 2.0
If you have ever considered it, this is one of the best places to do it: a **tandem flight** with a professional pilot needs no experience and no particular fitness, usually lasts 15โ25 minutes depending on conditions, and the take-off is just a few steps down a grass slope. Book ahead, since summer slots sell out, and expect the weather to rule โ a windy or cloudy day can cancel. Restrictions are normally on weight and age; check them with the operator when booking. Anyone who doesn't want to fly can sit and watch for free, which is enjoyable in itself.
With some difficulty. The climb is paved and good but winding, and the easiest access is by car or taxi from Annecy (about 25โ30 minutes). There are **seasonal buses** serving the area in summer, but their timetables are thin โ check in advance and don't rely on one for the evening return. A common alternative is to book a **paragliding flight**, since operators usually include transport from Annecy up to the pass in the package, which settles the problem entirely.
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A mountain pass at about 1,150 metres above sea level โ some **seven hundred metres above the surface of the lake** โ standing on the eastern rim of Lake Annecy above the village of Talloires. From its edge you see the lake whole, end to end: turquoise water between mountains, the shore villages as white specks, and Annecy in the far distance. It is one of **Europe's best-known paragliding sites**, thanks to reliable rising air on this slope that makes take-off easy and flights long. Standing on the grass ramp you watch canopy after canopy laid out, launched over the drop, then circling above the lake before landing at Doussard at the southern end. Even if you never fly, sitting and watching the launches is an experience in itself. Access is easy: a **paved road** climbs to it by car from Talloires, and at the top are restaurants and cafรฉs with terraces looking straight down over the lake โ reason enough to drive up even just for lunch. Walking routes leave the pass for the high pastures and for the summit of La Tournette, for anyone wanting a full day in the mountains.
End to end between the mountains.
One of Europe's best-known launch sites โ and free to watch.
Lunch looking straight down onto the water.
Col de la Forclaz, 74210 Talloires-Montmin