If you have 6 hours to spare in Annecy and are wondering what you can do with your Autistic Kids without feeling rushed, this blog is for you.
Last spring break, I took my son to France for a short getaway. I needed a change of scene. So I picked Haute-Savoie – one of the most beautiful parts of Europe.
We stayed at Chamonix-Mont Blanc. The weather in the valley was great, but we couldn’t do much sightseeing as it was very windy at the mountain summit. So we went for an unplanned adventure and took the bus to a nearby town – Annecy.
About Annecy
Annecy is a compact yet not too big walkable town with historical and cultural elements. It is a perfect one-day segway from nearby cities such as Lyon, Chamonix, and Geneva, Switzerland.
I highly recommend Annecy as part of your excursion with your HFA tweens if you are staying in Chamonix or Geneva. It is close, about 90 minutes by private tour bus, and the ride is breathtaking. You will be awed, just like we were.
7 Reasons To Visit Annecy with Autistic Kids!
- It is a compact, walkable city. The places of interest in Annecy are not too big or too small, just right for a day excursion with time to spare in 6 hours or less.
- The surrounding area around the lake is breathtaking. There is an open park to relax and for children to stretch, run, and enjoy the view. If you are concerned about your autistic child eloping towards the water, you can spend more time in the Chateau and still enjoy the view of the mountains and the lake.
- The food is delicious… There is something for everyone, from French alpine cuisine ( fondue, tartiflette) to pizza, pasta, ice cream, croissants, hotdogs, burgers, and plenty of assorted fresh bread for your little ones.
- People are friendly. I don’t know how many percent of locals speak English, but I had no trouble asking for directions without speaking a lot of French.
- You can still feel the charm of medieval times …
- The castle is enchanting .. it is not big and you can get it covered in less than 2 hours.
- There is something for everyone—nature, culture, history, and other things to do on foot without spending a fortune!
Going to Annecy
Annecy is easily accessible by bus (public and private), train, and car.
When you come from Chamonix, you can choose from several private bus companies: Flix and BlaBlaBus, to name a few. I chose the Flix Bus because the bus comes with free Wi-Fi and power outlet. Its mobile apps is friendly. It is easy to make changes and cancelations via their apps. You get notifications when there is a delay. My first experience with Flix was pleasant. The toilet is clean, the bus driver is safe and friendly, and the bus was on time.
To do in Annecy in 6 hours or less
Annecy has many points of interest, such as castles, museums, parks, and nature. Thankfully, the major highlights are located in the same area—La Vieille Ville, which means The Old Town of Annecy or Annecy Old Town—so you don’t need to take a “hop on and off” tourist bus to see this town.
Having said that, if you have only 6 hours to spare or if your HFA tweens can stomach 6 hours of sight-seeing, then I highly recommend you visit (1) the Musee Chateau, (2) The Canals and the River Thiou (the Palais De ’ille in the area), and (3) Lake Annecy.
These should be enough to make you feel charmed by this town, take many photos, relax, and enjoy the local gastronomy.
So are you ready to see this town?
Let’s go …
How to get to La Vieille Ville d’annecy from the bus station
Annecy Central Bus Station is Gare Routière, located at Place de la Gare. It is next to the main train station, Gare d’Annecy, SNCF. The walk from the bus station to the train station is about a minute
With your back facing the train station and your front looking at a tram track and a small open park, look forward. Slightly to your left, you will see a building with a yellow/orange wall. That is the direction you are heading.
The wall is part of the Fortified Gates.
The street name you should be looking for is Rue De La Republique. Note that this street name runs parallel to Rue De La Gare. So, if you stumble on this street, don’t panic—it will lead you to the next street on this trail—Ste Claire Rue De L’lle.
So, cross the tram track and walk towards the building with the yellow/orange wall (it takes about 5 minutes). Once you are there, turn left, and Voila, you’ve reached the peripheral to the center of attractions, such as La Vieille Ville D’Annecy or The Old Town of Annecy.
Going to the Musée-Château d’Annecy
I suggest you start with Musée-Château d’Annecy
En route to the Museum, you will pass the Marché de la Vieille Ville or farmers market. It is open year-round but only on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. .
From Rue De La Gare or Rue de la République, turn left to take Ste Claire Rue De L’lle. Keep walking and look for Rampe du Château. It is on your right. Turn right and climb that steep hill. Keep walking until you reach the top and then turn left … You’ve reached the main entrance of the Museum.
About Musée-Château d’Annecy (Musuem Palace)
The Musée-Château d’Annecy, also known as the Annecy Castle Museum, is a historic museum in a restored medieval castle that overlooks the picturesque town and the clear waters of Lake Annecy.
The museum offers visitors a journey through the history and culture of the region, showcasing exhibits that span from the Middle Ages to the present day. It covers various themes, including local history, art, architecture, and alpine heritage.
It is closed on Tuesdays and some bank holidays. Children under 12 get in for free, and adults pay 6.50 or 7 euros, depending on the season.
Next Stop – La Basilique de la Visitation d’Annecy or Le Thiou?
About La Basilique de la Visitation d’Annecy
Also known as La Basilique d’Annecy (The Basilica of the Visitation) … The Basilique is a prominent religious site that offers visitors spiritual reflection and contemplation. Whether one is a devout Catholic or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, the basilica provides a peaceful sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Visitors can attend Mass, participate in religious ceremonies, or simply sit quietly in prayer. The basilica’s serene ambiance and sacred surroundings make it ideal for individuals to connect with their faith or find solace and inner peace.
The architecture is stunning. We almost made it to the Basilique, but the steep hill discouraged us from persevering all the way. My son started complaining of fatigue … and I took that cue that we needed to go to the lake to recharge!
How to go to La Basilique from Musée-Château and then to Le Thiou.
It takes about 20 – 30 mins to walk from Musée-Château d’Annecy to the Basilique. The street is charming, and the facade of the Basiilique definitely calls you to see her.
From Musée-Château d’Annecy main entrance, turn left and take the street Chemin De La Tour La Reine. Follow this street until you reach a busy road with a roundabout. You are not too far from the Basilique. Keep going and you will get there in no time.
PS: If you did go, write in the comment below, I would love to hear how your visit went.
How to go to Le Thiou from The Basilique.
To go to the Canal from the Basilique, walk back towards Musée-Château, but do not go to the museum. Halfway through, you will see Côte Perrière, You know you are on the right street when you see a steep slope heading down. Walk this path until you hit Ste Claire Rue. From here, it gets slightly tricky because you are at a weird intersection. At any rate, turn slightly left and then right and you will see the Canal.
About Le Thiou (Venice of the Alps)
Le Thiou is a 3.6-kilometer-long river in Annecy that forms small canals and is considered one of the cleanest rivers in Europe. It is an effluent of Lake Annecy. The river is lined with promenades that lead from the city center to the lake’s northwest corner. The Promenade du Thiou is a walkable trail that runs through the old town of Annecy.
How to go to Le Thiou from The Musée-Château d’Annecy
Take the route you took to get to the museum. At the bottom of the ramp, slightly to your right, is the weird 4-way intersection. Cross the street and walk to the right, and to the right is the canal.
To Do Around Le Thiou
Congratulations! You are at the heart of the tourist attractions. This is where the famous Palais De L’ille is located, and photographers come to capture the spirit of old Annecy. And of course, there is the pristine Lac d’Annecy ….
With the crowd, the little time you’ve got, and your autistic child in town, it can get overwhelming to decide what to do.
My suggestion is to go with how you and your HFA feel. Take it very easy … as this can really make your onward sightseeing even more pleasant.
I followed my son’s lead. He wanted an ice cream and see the canals. We did that for a long time before we heading to the lake.
At the lake, we took lots of pictures and videos, sat on the bench, and enjoyed the beautiful weather before going back to the Canal to grab some food and then back to the bus station.
Even though we were there for almost a day, it took us about 5-6 hours to enjoy Annecy. We could have explored more sights around La Vielle-Ville d’Annecy. But we were tired and just wanted to relax.
I hope you find the information in this blog useful. Like or share this post with another person who may find this information.
Until Next Time.
à bientôt
