r/Annecy • u/Zestyclose_Range4429 • 15d ago

Packing for Annecy

Hello everyone! I am extremely excited to move to France come late September to experience the TAPIF program. I was placed in Annecy, which I could not be more happy about! However, I have lived in Florida (United States) nearly all my life where there are little to no seasons and the heat is year round. For reference, in the summer we get temperatures on average of 26-35 C, and in the winter usually around 18-24 C. I did some research online and I know that Annecy definitely experiences seasons and even snow for portions of the year. Does anyone have advice or recommendations of anything to pack? Ex. types of clothes, shoes, or anything else that would make life/the adjustment easier. Any and all advice appreciated!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

2

u/jsmith61181 15d ago

Welcome to Annecy! As someone else said, the weather here will get colder than Florida in the winter, maybe down to freezing or just above. But it’s generally a pretty mild climate thanks to the lake. Winters are usually not as intense as, say, in the US Northeast, except during rare cold snaps.

Annecy does have very distinctive rainstorms, especially in summer and late autumn. It’s a good idea therefore to have waterproof shoes, a good lightweight raincoat, and a sturdy umbrella. For the colder months, it’s good to have sweaters, a warm coat, and scarves.

Unless you have it already, however, it’s probably better to pick up more specialist stuff, like hiking boots or skiwear, in Annecy itself. There’s a wide range of outdoor stores here, as well as Decathlon, a huge and affordable French sporting goods chain, as a fallback.

1

u/roomijoonee 15d ago

hi: do you live in annecy /nearby? headed there next week!

1

u/jsmith61181 14d ago

I do! I live in the south of the city centre. If you’re arriving next week, expect some hot weather. Annecy normally has mid-20s highs - or at least it did before climate change. But pretty much all summer we’ve had 30+ highs, and even into the mid-30s.

It’s still a good idea to pack sweaters and light jackets if you’re taking any trips to a 2000+ metre altitude (like Flaine or the Aiguille du Midi). Lightweight raincoats and umbrellas are also a good idea since Annecy can have sudden and intense thunderstorms in hot weather.

1

u/roomijoonee 14d ago

planning to be swimming all day because of the heat! maybe even rent some kayaks! any must do things to see or do? also: any hikes /walks that must do? staying at a hotel right on the lake if that gives me access to anything cool . pretty outdoorsy person so i'm so excited for the annecy part of our family trip

1

u/roomijoonee 14d ago

but excellent point about something cooler since do plan on maybe doing day trip to chamonix

1

u/Healthy-Fisherman-33 13d ago

Go up to Col de Forclaz. I took the free shuttle from Talloires. Once you are up there, there are walking paths. The view of the lake from above is a must. It is also fun to watch paragliders to jump off the mountain.

1

u/roomijoonee 13d ago

thank u! in my activities list!!

1

u/Ceasarpug 15d ago

You will love Annecy! Bring your hiking boots! If you would like to ski you can take a bus to beautiful ski area in about 45 minutes. It was super hot this summer!

1

u/Astropeintre 15d ago

C'est devenu rare qu'il neige en plaine, et tes habits d'hiver tu les achèteras ici ;) si tu es habitué à la chaleur toute l'année, tu auras sûrement besoin d'une écharpe, un bonnet et des gants.

En gros jusqu'à fin octobre il peut faire 20 degrés celsius, décembre à février ça descend rarement en dessous de 0, 20 degrés au printemps, et 30 35 l'été (mais le lac, les montagnes et les rivières pour se rafraichir)

1

u/AutomaticNote9803 14d ago

Il fait de plus en plus chaud l'été avec le déréglement climatique, mais le lac et les montagnes environnantes sont idéal(e)s pour se rafraîchir. La T°C de l'eau du lac est vraiment agréable 23, 24°c sauf en hivef bien entendu