Annecy: the sports paradise ?

On its lake or its mountains, the region of Annecy allows to practice most of the sports activities in a unique natural setting. Overview of the playground.

A natural setting favorable to sports practice

Early in the morning, it is common to meet on the pedestrian promenade of the avenue d’Albigny, runners who, before leaving for work, start their day by jogging on the banks of the lake. A little further, on the parking lot of the beach of Annecy-le-Vieux, hikers park their cars to begin a beautiful climb on the slopes of Mont Veyrier or Mont Baron. The setting is set.

Cycling around the lake

Cycling is also honored in the Annecy area. The tour of the lake of Annecy by the green way is an itinerary which is almost entirely realized on cycle track. To make the 34 km loop, the cyclists cross typical villages such as Veyrier-du-Lac, Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard with its castle worthy of a fairy tale that would have inspired Walt Disney.

The return is done by the east bank of the lake with the castle of Duingt until Sévrier.

Annecy and its mountains

For climbing enthusiasts, the Forclaz pass or the climb to the top of Semnoz by the Leschaux pass are remarkable itineraries. Mountain bike enthusiasts use the many marked trails on the mountains surrounding Lake Annecy. A shuttle bus makes the link between the train station and the summit of Semnoz to avoid the climb and enjoy the return to the city while discovering the alpine fauna and flora.

Climbing enthusiasts have a choice of several spots of varying difficulty such as La Mandallaz, La Tournette and Les Grandes Suites.

The practice of sports in Annecy can be done individually or in an associative structure. The clubs are numerous and allow you to progress in a discipline by taking advantage of wise advices. For climbing, for example, seven clubs welcome new participants.

Numerous assets that add up

Annecy is a paradise for sportsmen and women because the territory combines decisive advantages:

• A natural setting between lake and mountain that is favorable to the practice of water sports as well as mountain sports.
• In winter, the proximity of numerous ski resorts within 45 minutes allows you to take advantage of most winter sports: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.
• A particularly well-developed network of sports associations for both individual and team sports (soccer, handball, volleyball, rugby).
• A commitment of the local authorities in favor of sports activities. For example, the city hall of Annecy proposes for the vacations a panel of free activities for the children.

Fans are not forgotten in team sports with a soccer team, the FC Annecy, which is in the top three of the French national league.

Which sport to practice ?

The choice of sports activities is particularly wide, you can already choose between individual or group sports. You can also ask yourself if you have a preference for water sports: sailing, water skiing, paddle, rowing or diving. There is even a club dedicated to the practice of apnea.

As far as hiking is concerned, depending on your level, you can choose pleasant walks on mountain paths. Experienced climbers can try a trail to climb the 2 350 meters of the Tournette. You can also participate to the Maxi-Race of the lake of Annecy in May.

Sports activities and thrills

If you are looking for thrills, canyoning is recommended. Several spots such as the Angon waterfall or the Montmin canyons will leave you with unforgettable memories by crossing natural slides, waterfalls and narrow gorges. For extreme sports, we advise you to go through clubs or professional structures that will provide you with all the security you need according to your physical condition and your expectations.

Paragliding over Lake Annecy is considered one of the most beautiful sites in Europe. From the Col de la Forclaz, a paragliding experience will make you want to do it again individually.

The physical preparation, not negligible point

To start practicing sports and progress, it is important to have a good physical preparation. As it is sometimes difficult to motivate oneself individually, sports coaching has become very popular and allows you to find your weight, to develop your muscles according to the sports you practice and simply to feel good about your body. A ProTrainer sports coach in Annecy can help you define your objectives: preparation for a sport, muscle mass gain or weight loss.

For the coaching to be effective, it is necessary to integrate that this approach is part of the duration over several months to obtain satisfactory results. The professional comes to your home in the Annecy region. This avoids the trips to the gym and back.

Moreover, personalized advice and support for motivation are the best guarantees of success.

On the financial level, sports coaching is considered a personal service for tax purposes and is eligible for a tax credit or reduction of 50% of the invoiced hours. If you are in good physical condition, you will be able to choose from the multitude of sports offered in Annecy.