Christmas Markets in Annecy

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Discover Annecy

Explore the magical atmosphere of Annecy's Christmas markets

Annecy Palais de l'Isle illuminated at night during Christmas season
Le sixième rêve|Pexels License
Annecy Christmas market with a decorated tree in winter atmosphere
Febe Vanermen|Pexels License
Annecy Christmas market stand with warm neon lights during winter evening
Macit Abdullah|Pexels License

Plan Your Visit to Annecy

Getting There

Annecy is served by Geneva International Airport, approximately 40 kilometres away, making it accessible for international visitors. Direct TGV and regional train services connect Annecy to Paris, Lyon, and other major French cities, with the central train station within easy walking distance of the old town. The A41 motorway links the city to Geneva and Grenoble for those driving.

Where to Stay

The Vieille Ville and its immediate surroundings offer boutique hotels and chambres d'hôtes with direct access to the old town's canals and squares. The area around the train station and lakefront provides a range of mid-range hotels and characterful properties, all within comfortable walking distance of the city's main attractions.

Other Attractions

Annecy's medieval old town, the Vieille Ville, features pastel-painted arcaded streets, flower-lined canals, and the Palais de l'Isle, a twelfth-century island fortress that serves as the city's most recognisable landmark. The Château d'Annecy, perched above the rooftops, houses a regional museum covering local history, art, and Alpine heritage. Lake Annecy, one of Europe's cleanest lakes, offers scenic walks along its promenades. The surrounding Alpine foothills provide opportunities for day trips to nearby mountain villages and ski resorts.

History & Culture

Annecy's origins trace back to a lakeside settlement established in the early medieval period, growing significantly under the Counts of Geneva in the thirteenth century. Following Geneva's adoption of Protestantism in the sixteenth century, Annecy became a stronghold of the Counter-Reformation, notably as the home of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal. The city later passed to the Kingdom of Sardinia before being annexed to France in 1860, creating a layered heritage that blends Savoyard, Italian, and French influences. This Alpine crossroads character remains visible in its architecture, cuisine, and local traditions. Annecy's Christmas market, held among the canals and stone arcades of the Vieille Ville, has become one of the most atmospheric in the French Alps, featuring local crafts, regional cheeses, charcuterie, and Savoyard specialities.

Annecy Christmas Markets at a Glance

9 markets • Sorted by popularity

Marché de Noël d'Annecy - Esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville

Esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville
23 Nov5 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsFamily Friendly

An intimate and convivial Christmas market set on the esplanade in front of Annecy's City Hall, featuring a selection of food and drink chalets offering mulled wine, hot chocolate, and seasonal treats. Wooden tables and benches invite visitors to linger, and free concerts are held throughout the festive season. The location also serves as the backdrop for the nightly sound-and-light projection show on the City Hall façade.

View Marché de Noël d'Annecy - Esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville

Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy

Place Saint-François de Sales, Quai de Vicenza, Rue Saint-Maurice
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsFamily Friendly

The most beloved of Annecy's Christmas markets, this picturesque market gathers around 80 wooden chalets spread around the churches of Saint-François-de-Sales and Saint-Maurice in the historic old town. Visitors can browse regional crafts from Savoie, artisan gifts including jewelry, wooden toys, and scarves, alongside gastronomic specialties such as tartiflette, diots, mulled wine, and Alsatian produce. The setting along the canals of the medieval old town makes it one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in France.

View Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy

Noël des Alpes

Annecy city center (multiple locations)
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsFamily Friendly

Annecy's flagship Christmas event, 'Christmas in the Alps' (Noël des Alpes), draws over 450,000–500,000 visitors annually and transforms the city from late November to early January. The event encompasses more than 160 chalets spread across multiple locations from the lake district to the Jardins de l'Europe, along with dazzling illuminations, sound-and-light projections on historic buildings, an open-air ice rink, and a rich cultural program of concerts, workshops, and family activities. Free entry to all market areas.

View Noël des Alpes

Noël des Alpes - Esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville

Esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsNativity Scene

Intimate market in front of City Hall with food and drink chalets and free concerts

View Noël des Alpes - Esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville

Noël des Alpes - Jardins de l'Europe

Jardins de l'Europe
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsNativity Scene

Lakeside festive area with ice rink (new in 2025)

View Noël des Alpes - Jardins de l'Europe

Noël des Alpes - Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy

Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsFamily Friendly

Old Town Christmas Market with 80 chalets around Saint-François-de-Sales and Saint-Maurice churches

View Noël des Alpes - Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy

Noël des Alpes - Village des Alpes

Village des Alpes
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsFamily Friendly

Alps Village on Place François-de-Menthon with open-air ice rink and gastronomic chalets

View Noël des Alpes - Village des Alpes

Noël des Alpes - Village des Artisans

Village des Artisans
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsNativity Scene

Craft market on the forecourt of the Courier shopping centre

View Noël des Alpes - Village des Artisans

Village des Alpes

Place François-de-Menthon
29 Nov4 Jan(est.)
Free Entry
Ice SkatingSanta VisitsLive MusicCraft WorkshopsFamily Friendly

An innovative and popular concept recreating a typical Savoyard village with wooden chalets arranged in a circle on Place François-de-Menthon. The centerpiece is a 430 m² open-air ice-skating rink (with a dedicated 30 m² area for young children), and the village offers a wide gastronomic selection including fondue, oysters, diots, and raclette. Evening musical entertainment with concerts, tribute nights, and guinguette-style atmospheres make it a lively social hub throughout the Christmas season.

View Village des Alpes

Nearby Christmas Market Destinations

Explore other cities with Christmas markets near Annecy

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Christmas markets in Annecy open in 2026?

Christmas markets in Annecy typically run from around 23 Nov to 5 Jan. Exact 2026 dates vary by market, so check each market's page for confirmed opening and closing dates.

How many Christmas markets are there in Annecy?

Annecy has 9 Christmas markets in our directory, each with dates, locations, and visitor details to help you plan.

What are the main Christmas markets in Annecy?

Notable Christmas markets in Annecy include Marché de Noël d'Annecy - Esplanade de l'Hôtel de Ville, Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy and Noël des Alpes, among others. See the full list above with dates and highlights for each.

Are Christmas markets in Annecy free to enter?

Entry to Annecy's Christmas markets is generally free — browsing the stalls costs nothing, though a few attractions like ice rinks may charge separately.

What food and drink can you try at Christmas markets in Annecy?

Annecy's Christmas markets serve seasonal favorites like mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, grilled sausages, and freshly baked festive treats, alongside regional specialties from France.

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Discover 9 magical Christmas markets in the heart of France