Things to do in Talloires: the bay, the Roc de Chère and the finest tables

Before listing what there is to see, it helps to place the village. Talloires is neither a seaside-style resort nor somewhere you simply pass through: it is a place people choose, set apart from the bustle of Annecy, and one they seldom leave without wanting to come back.

Where is Talloires?

Talloires sits on the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, in Haute-Savoie, roughly halfway down the lake. The village belongs to the commune of Talloires-Montmin, which stretches from the water's edge up to the Col de la Forclaz. To the north, the wooded headland of the Roc de Chère separates it from Menthon-Saint-Bernard. To the south, the road runs on to Angon and then to the head of the lake. Opposite, on the far shore, the Duingt peninsula closes off the "Petit Lac", the smaller southern basin. The bay faces the setting sun, stays sheltered and holds the light until late in the evening.

Why is Talloires famous?

For three reasons, each of which echoes the others. The first is the setting: a bay enclosed by a wooded cliff, a scattering of jetties, mountains that drop into remarkably clear water. The second is history, in the form of a former Benedictine abbey on the lakeshore that has since become a hotel. The third is the food: the Auberge du Père Bise has made Talloires a gastronomic stopping point for generations. Painters came too. Paul Cézanne painted Lake Annecy from this shore, and the canvas now hangs in the Courtauld Gallery in London.

How long do you need to visit Talloires?

One day is enough to see Talloires in broad strokes: the bay and the beach in the morning, lunch on a terrace, the Roc de Chère in the afternoon, the harbour at sunset. Two or three days let you add the Angon waterfall, the Col de la Forclaz and one of the great restaurants. A week is the right length to do everything without hurrying, alternating days on the water, walks in the forest, golf and outings to Annecy. It is also the pace that suits the village best: here you do not tick boxes, you settle in.

The bay of Talloires is the heart of the village and the first place to head for. Everything is within a few steps: the beach, the harbour, the hotel jetties, the lakeside walk. From Villa Tomar, allow three minutes by car to reach the water's edge.

Is Talloires beach free?

Yes. According to the Talloires tourist office, entry to the municipal beach is free. In 2026, swimming was supervised from 12.30pm to 6.30pm, from 4 July to 30 August. Some websites still show old entry prices: these no longer apply, and the official source is the one to trust. Supervision dates and times are set each year, so check them in spring with the tourist office. Outside that period the beach remains accessible, but you swim at your own risk. To compare it with the other shores, see our guide to all the beaches on Lake Annecy.

Jetties, diving board and slide

Talloires beach is a matter of lawns and jetties rather than sand, as is often the case around the lake. There is a diving board, a slide, a snack bar and a watersports centre that hires out paddleboards and kayaks. Children spend hours going between the slide and the diving board, while adults swim the length of the bay, facing the Roc de Chère. Our advice: come in the morning, before the lifeguards arrive, when the water is glassy and the lawn almost empty, or at the end of the day, when the light skims low across the bay and families are heading home.

Where to park in summer

Parking is the one real issue of a Talloires summer. A paying car park with around 300 spaces lies close to the beach, and it fills quickly on fine days. Arrive before late morning or after 5pm, and avoid circling the village lanes, which are narrow and often reserved for residents. If you are staying locally, the simplest thing is to walk down or be dropped off: it is one of the tangible advantages of staying in Talloires itself.

Visiting Talloires also means taking an hour to wander aimlessly between the harbour and the church. The village is small, easily covered on foot, and its heritage is written in its walls rather than in museums.

A Benedictine abbey turned hotel

The most striking building in the village is the former abbey, set at the water's edge at the far end of the bay. Benedictine monks settled here in the Middle Ages, and monastic life shaped Talloires for centuries. The buildings were later converted into a hotel, which they remain today. This is therefore not a monument you visit with a ticket, but a house where you can have a drink or lunch in season, looking out over the lake. For the dates and details of that history, the tourist office has documentation and, at certain times of year, guided tours of the village.

The harbour and the lakeside walk

The little harbour of Talloires lies right beside the abbey. This is where the boats set off, where fishermen moor their skiffs and where people come to watch the sun sink behind the mountains of the western shore. The walk follows the bay for a few hundred metres, past private jetties, lawns and terraces. The moment to remember is the last hour of the day: the bay faces west, the water turns gold and then pink, and the summits stay lit long after the village has slipped into shadow.

The lanes, the priory and the old houses

Walking up from the harbour towards the church, you pass through old Talloires: a handful of sloping lanes, stone houses with broad roofs, walled gardens, former monastic outbuildings. The priory, next door to the abbey, now hosts academic and cultural activities. All of this can be taken in over half an hour's stroll, without a map. Call in at the tourist office, in the centre of the village, where you will be given walking routes and the programme of guided tours when there are any.

Between Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, a wooded massif pushes out into the lake and ends in cliffs: this is the Roc de Chère, a designated national nature reserve. It closes the bay to the north and offers the most accessible walk in the area. The golf course winds along its edge, and Villa Tomar is one minute from the start of the trails.

Which walk should you do on the Roc de Chère?

The classic among Talloires hikes is the Roc de Chère trail, as described by the Lake Annecy tourist office: a 5.4 km loop, around 2 hours' walking, 178 metres of ascent, graded very easy. It starts on the Route du Golf, on the heights above Talloires. The path undulates through woodland with no technical difficulty, which makes it a good outing for families with children old enough to walk. Shorter variants lead directly to the viewpoints. The route is available from the tourist office and on the destination's hiking app. Wear proper shoes: the roots and limestone slabs are slippery after rain.

The viewpoints over the bay

The reward of a walk on the Roc de Chère lies in its views. On the southern side, the trail emerges above the bay of Talloires: the village, the abbey, the jetties and, opposite, the Duingt peninsula with its château. To the north and west, the eye travels towards Menthon-Saint-Bernard and the Grand Lac. The cliffs fall straight into the water: stay on the paths and hold younger children by the hand as you approach the viewpoints. The best light is in the morning over the bay, and in the late afternoon towards the Grand Lac.

A reserve to respect

The Roc de Chère is a protected area, spared from development even though it lies on one of the most sought-after shores in the Alps. Its richness comes from the variety of habitats found within a small area. The reserve has its own regulations, posted at the entrances: read them before setting off. Common sense does the rest: keep to the waymarked paths, pick nothing, take your litter home, keep your dog close, light no fires. Access to the trail is free all year round, weather permitting.

Above the village, the mountain conceals two very different destinations for a walk: a waterfall deep in a gorge and a hermitage perched high above the lake. You can visit them separately or link them in a longer loop.

How do you get to the Angon waterfall?

The shortest approach starts from the Vérel car park, above Talloires, where a charge applies from May to September according to the Lake Annecy tourist office. The official route is 4 km there and back, around 1 hour 15 minutes of walking with 180 metres of height difference, and is graded moderate. The path descends through the forest, shaded and well waymarked, then follows a secured section cut into the cliff face as far as the Angon waterfall, whose highest drop measures around 65 metres. The spectacle is at its most powerful in spring or after heavy rain, when the flow is strong.

The hermitage of Saint-Germain and its viewpoint

The hermitage of Saint-Germain stands on the heights, beside the road that climbs to the Col de la Forclaz. Tradition holds that this was the retreat of Saint Germain, a monk associated with the origins of Talloires abbey. There is a small church, a cave and, above all, a remarkable viewpoint over the bay and the Petit Lac. The site can be reached by car, with a short walk at the end, or on foot from the village by a path that climbs in earnest. A waymarked loop links the hermitage and the waterfall: it involves more ascent than the there-and-back walk from Vérel.

A walk for everyone?

Not quite. The tourist office warns that the ground is slippery in all weathers near the waterfall, and the final stretch runs along the cliff on a section fitted with barriers and handrails. Good footwear is essential, pushchairs are out of the question and anyone prone to vertigo may feel uncomfortable. With young children, we recommend caution and, if in doubt, the Roc de Chère instead. The path may also be closed temporarily depending on the weather or the condition of the rock face: check with the tourist office before setting out.

The Col de la Forclaz, high above Lake Annecy, offers the most celebrated panorama in the region. At an altitude of 1,147 metres, in the commune of Talloires-Montmin, it looks out over the entire lake, from the far end of the Petit Lac all the way to Annecy.

How do you get up to the Col de la Forclaz from Talloires?

A mountain road leaves directly from Talloires, passes close to the hermitage of Saint-Germain and climbs in hairpins to the pass. It is beautiful, narrow in places and very popular with cyclists: drive gently and allow more time than the distance suggests. In summer, parking at the pass fills up quickly in the middle of the day. Go up early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you would rather look at the scenery than the road, a private chauffeur, an extra-cost service provided by an independent professional, can drive you there and wait for you.

Paragliding above the lake

For paragliding, the Col de la Forclaz is one of the best-known launch sites in the Alps. From the terraces, you watch the wings take off one after another and glide towards the head of the lake, where the landing field lies. Several schools and professional instructors offer tandem flights, open to those with no experience. Flights depend entirely on the air conditions: book at the start of your stay so as to keep some days in reserve, and choose an operator whose instructors hold the French state diploma. Morning flights are generally the calmest.

Lunch or dinner at the top

The pass is more than a viewpoint. The Auberge de Montmin, run by chef Florian Favario, holds two stars in the 2026 Michelin Guide, together with a Green Star. It is the commune's second two-star restaurant, a fact that many visitors do not know. The pass also has alpine-pasture restaurants and simpler terraces, facing the drop. Whichever you choose, book ahead and check the opening periods: at altitude, establishments close for part of the year.

The lake is there to be looked at, but above all to be used. The bay of Talloires, sheltered from the prevailing wind for a good part of the day, is one of the most pleasant stretches of water on the lake for watersports. From the villa, paddleboarding is two minutes away, boating and wakeboarding three.

Where can you hire a paddleboard or a boat in Talloires?

The watersports centre on Talloires beach hires out paddleboards and kayaks in season. It is the simplest option: you set off from the beach, follow the cliffs of the Roc de Chère and come back by way of the harbour. Go in the morning, when the water is flat and boats are still few. For motorboats, waterskiing or wakeboarding, several operators work in the bay and around the lake, with or without a skipper. Summer slots go quickly: book several days ahead, and further ahead still in July and August.

Do you need a licence to hire a boat on Lake Annecy?

Not necessarily. Hire companies on the lake offer low-powered boats that require no licence, which you drive after a short briefing, and more powerful boats reserved for licence holders. If you do not have one, hiring with a skipper is often the best option: it opens up wakeboarding and waterskiing, and leaves you free to enjoy the scenery. Navigation on the lake is governed by specific rules (speed limits near the shore, protected areas, bathing zones), which the hire company will explain before you leave.

Angon beach, for more quiet

At the southern edge of the village, the hamlet of Angon has a beach of its own, smaller and more peaceful than the one in Talloires. People come here to swim facing the Duingt peninsula, far from the slides. Access and supervision arrangements may change from year to year, so we prefer to refer you to the tourist office for the current season's information. Angon is also a stop for the boat that tours the lake in season, a pleasant way of reaching Annecy without taking the car.

Talloires has its own golf course, and no ordinary one: a layout traced across the heights, on the edge of the Roc de Chère reserve, with the lake as a backdrop. Villa Tomar is one minute from the clubhouse, practically at the end of the road.

An 18-hole course created in 1953, above the lake

The Golf du Lac d'Annecy is an 18-hole, par 69 course measuring 4,926 metres, created in 1953 and designed by the architect Cecil Blandford. It is short in distance but technical in its terrain: rolling fairways, well-defended greens, holes set on natural balconies. Several of them open onto the lake and the mountains of the western shore. People play here as much for the setting as for the score. May, June, September and October are the most agreeable months, with lovely light and fewer players.

Can you play without being a member?

The club welcomes visiting players on a green fee basis. The exact terms (rates according to season, handicap requirements, tee times reserved for members or competitions) are set by the club and change from year to year: contact it directly before your stay. In high season, book your tee time several days ahead, particularly for a four-ball. If several golfers are travelling in your party, mention it in your booking enquiry and we will point you towards the right contact.

Other courses nearby

For a change of scene, the Giez golf course lies at the head of the lake, around twenty minutes from the villa. The course, which is longer, spreads out at the foot of the Bauges massif amid meadows and forests. Playing both courses in a single stay gives a good idea of mountain golf in Haute-Savoie. Other clubs can be found within an hour's radius, towards the Aravis or the Genevois. And for those who do not play, there are tennis courts two minutes from the villa.

For a village of its size, Talloires has a rare record: two restaurants with two Michelin stars in the same commune in 2026, one at the water's edge, the other at the pass. Our page on the Michelin-starred restaurants of Lake Annecy covers all the addresses in the area in detail.

The Auberge du Père Bise, two stars at the water's edge2 Michelin stars

The Auberge du Père Bise is the Talloires institution. Chef Jean Sulpice holds two stars in the 2026 Michelin Guide and a Green Star here, for cooking that looks to the lake, to herbs and to the mountains. The house, which stands right on the water, is also home to a bistro, Le 1903, for a simpler meal in the same setting. From Villa Tomar, allow five minutes. The gastronomic restaurant needs to be booked a long way ahead, especially for a summer dinner on the terrace or for a group.

The Auberge de Montmin, two stars at the Col de la Forclaz2 Michelin stars

At the other end of the commune, at the Col de la Forclaz, Florian Favario's Auberge de Montmin likewise holds two stars and a Green Star in 2026. The experience is quite different: you leave the lake for the high pastures, and dine at more than 1,100 metres above sea level. The road back, at night, is winding. If you wish to enjoy the wine pairing, it is best to arrange a designated driver, or a chauffeur booked at extra cost.

Simple restaurants and the terraces of the bay

Between two grand meals, Talloires has waterside terraces, hotel brasseries, a crêperie or a beach snack bar, depending on the season. Places open and close over the years, and many shut for the winter: ask us for our current favourites when you book. Another possibility, much appreciated by groups, is to bring a private chef to the villa. This is an extra-cost service, provided by an independent chef who devises the menu with you and cooks on site. The private chef page explains how it works.

The village changes character four times a year. The programme for a stay in July has nothing in common with that of a weekend in October, and so much the better.

When is the best time to visit Talloires?

It all depends on what you are looking for. From June to September, the lake is at the centre of everything: swimming, paddleboarding, boating, dinners outdoors. May and October are the connoisseurs' months, with superb light, quiet trails, a golf course in peak condition and restaurants that are easier to book. June and September probably offer the best balance: the water is warm, the days are long and the village has room to breathe. If your dates are flexible, aim for those two months.

Summer, between swimming and long evenings

In July and August, Talloires lives outdoors. The beach is supervised, the watersports centre is at full stretch, and the boat that tours the lake calls at the harbour. Days are arranged around the heat: a walk or golf in the morning, the lake in the afternoon, an aperitif facing the sunset. It is also the time of year when a private pool comes into its own, letting you swim without hunting for a parking space. In early August, the Fête du Lac d'Annecy draws large crowds to the shores: plan your journeys ahead that evening.

Autumn and winter: stillness, and ski resorts half an hour away

In autumn, the forests of the Roc de Chère and the slopes of La Tournette take on their colours and the lake recovers its silence. In winter, Talloires becomes a very quiet village: some of the hotels and restaurants close, so check what is open before booking a table. In return, the Aravis resorts are close by. La Clusaz is around 29 km away, Le Grand-Bornand around 27 km, which means a drive of 30 to 45 minutes depending on snow and traffic. You can ski for the day and come back in the evening to the fireplace and the view over the lake.

Talloires also makes a good base for exploring further afield, and for other things to do around Lake Annecy. Three outings can be made effortlessly from the village. Our page on Talloires and Lake Annecy presents the destination as a whole and the journey times from the villa.

The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard

On the other side of the Roc de Chère, the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard raises its towers and pointed roofs above the lake. Still lived in by the same family, it opens to visitors at certain times of year, with guided tours, some of them in costume, that children enjoy. Opening days and times vary with the season: check them before you set out. Even when closed, the château is worth the detour for the view from its surroundings, and the village of Menthon has a beach and a small harbour of its own.

Annecy old town and its market

Annecy is reached by the eastern shore road, in about a quarter of an hour outside busy periods, longer in high summer. The old town is best explored on foot: canals, arcades, flower-lined quays, the Jardins de l'Europe. The old town market is held all year round on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from 7am to 1pm, around Rue Sainte-Claire. Tuesday is devoted to food. Go early, for the Savoie cheeses, the charcuterie and the fish from the lake, then have a coffee beside the Thiou before the crowds arrive.

Duingt and the opposite shore

Opposite Talloires, the Duingt peninsula and its château mark the passage between the Grand Lac and the Petit Lac. The village, beautifully preserved, can be seen in an hour, among old galleried houses and trellised vines. The western shore is followed by a greenway much loved by cyclists, laid out along a former railway line. There are two ways of getting there: the road round the head of the lake, or the boat in season, which serves the villages on both shores and turns the journey into an excursion.

Spending a day in Talloires gives you a glimpse. Sleeping there changes the perspective: you enjoy the bay at dawn and at dusk, once the day visitors have gone, and you have everything close at hand.

In the village or on the heights?

At the water's edge, the hotels of the bay offer direct access to the lake and the liveliness of the harbour. On the heights, over by the golf course, you gain in quiet, space and outlook: the lake reveals itself from above, with the mountains behind. For a couple, a hotel is a fine option. For an extended family or a group of friends, a private villa lets you live together with no timetable to keep. Our comparison of where to stay on Lake Annecy reviews the different shores and types of accommodation.

Villa Tomar, two minutes from the lake

Villa Tomar stands on the heights of Talloires, one minute from the golf course, two minutes from the lake and three minutes from the bay. It is a contemporary house of 450 m², with five bedrooms for ten guests, a pool and a south-west-facing terrace overlooking the bay. It suits multi-generational stays as well as groups of friends, as our page on the villa for 10 guests on Lake Annecy explains.

After a day's walking or boating, you come back to the sitting room, the cinema, the gym and, above all, the evening sun on the terrace. You can explore the house in detail before choosing to rent a villa in Talloires, or browse our guide to villas with a pool on Lake Annecy.

Planning your stay

To set Talloires in the context of the lake as a whole and compare the shores, the seasons and the houses, read the complete guide to renting a villa, then write to us to plan your stay.