Luxury car rental in Annecy: the complete guide
Which car for the lake, delivery to Annecy station, summer and winter, Geneva next door, deposit and booking.
Read the guide →A weekend around Lake Annecy in a luxury car
Friday to Sunday: the old town, the lake loop by Talloires and the Col de la Forclaz, then the Semnoz or the Aravis. The route, cautious timings, kilometres and the car to choose.
- Fully comprehensive insuranceAXA, Allianz, Groupama
- 200 km a day includedAcross the whole fleet
- Free cancellationUp to 7 days before
- Pay after approval30% deposit
Lake Annecy is one of the most beautiful drives in the French Alps, and one of the most compact: some forty kilometres of shoreline, an old town to explore on foot, and mountain roads a few minutes from the water. Here is a two-day plan, with cautious timings and distances, so that the weekend stays a pleasure rather than a race.
In short
Four things to know
- Collect on Friday, return on Sunday: the agency is closed on Saturdays, and a rental covering a weekend lasts at least two days.
- Car handed over at Annecy station (the price is shown when you book), or free pick-up in Chambéry.
- 400 km included over two days (200 km a day): the full route stays under 300 km, even from Chambéry.
- Our picks: the Porsche Taycan for the lake, the BMW M3 Competition for the passes.
Planning the weekend
Handovers take place from 9am to 8pm, Sunday to Friday. For a classic weekend, collect the car on Friday and return it on Sunday before 8pm. Want to make the most of Sunday evening? The late return option lets you bring the car back until 11pm, for €120.
- Arriving by train: the car waits for you at Annecy station, delivery and collection included: the price is shown when you book. It can also be delivered to your hotel around the lake, at a distance-based rate confirmed by our team.
- Starting from Chambéry: pick-up is free at our agency or at Chambéry station; Annecy is then about 45 minutes away by motorway.
- Flying into Geneva: Annecy is about forty kilometres away. Delivery to Geneva Airport is on quote, with the international cover option (€20 a day, subject to approval).
Tempted by an extra day? For a rental of three days or more, contact us for a tailored rate.
Which car for the lake
- For two, by the water: the Porsche Taycan, electric and silent, from €299 a day; we show you how charging works at handover.
- For two, for the bends: the BMW M3 Competition and its 530 hp, for La Forclaz and the Semnoz. From €399 a day.
- With family or friends: the Porsche Cayenne Coupé, five seats and a generous boot, from €450 a day.
- For a special occasion: the Mercedes G 63 AMG 2025, 585 hp, from €1,000 a day.
Indicative base prices incl. VAT, varying with the season and your dates.
Saturday: the old town and the lake loop
- Distance
- About 55 km from Annecy
- Time
- A full day, with stops
- Season
- All year
- Our pick
- Porsche Taycan
Start on foot. Leave the car in a covered car park in the centre and walk the old town: the canals of the Thiou, the Palais de l'Isle, a former prison standing in the middle of the water, and the arcaded streets will easily fill a morning.
After lunch, drive the loop: down the west shore, back along the east shore.
- Sévrier and Duingt, on the west shore, where the lake narrows below the Château de Duingt.
- Doussard, at the southern end, and the Bout du Lac nature reserve.
- The Col de la Forclaz, above Talloires: a viewpoint over the whole lake, and a launch site for paragliders. The road is narrow and winding, so take your time.
- Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, on the east shore, beneath the Château de Menthon.
- Veyrier-du-Lac, before heading back into Annecy for dinner.
In summer, set off early: the shores are busy from late morning, and beach car parks fill up quickly. Out of season, the loop is calm, with low light in the late afternoon.
Sunday: the Semnoz, or the Aravis
On the second day, head for altitude. Two options, depending on the season; either way, keep an eye on the clock if the car goes back by 8pm.
The Semnoz, Annecy's mountain
- Distance
- About 40 km round trip
- Time
- Half a day
- Season
- All year, weather permitting
- Our pick
- BMW M3 Competition
South of the town, a mountain road climbs to the ridges of the Semnoz, above 1,600 m. From the top, the view takes in the lake on one side and, on a clear day, the Mont Blanc massif on the other: a steady climb through hairpins, best enjoyed in a sports car.
The Aravis, via Thônes and La Clusaz
- Distance
- About 80 km round trip
- Time
- A full day
- Season
- All year, depending on snow
- Our pick
- Porsche Cayenne Coupé
Through the Thônes valley, home of reblochon cheese, the road reaches La Clusaz and then the Col des Aravis, at 1,486 m, facing the Aravis range: a scenic mountain road, comfortable with passengers in an SUV. In winter, check road conditions before leaving; from November to March, the whole fleet is winter-equipped at no extra cost.
Kilometres and timings
Each rental day includes 200 km, so 400 km over a two-day weekend. The full plan stays well within it:
| Stage | Distance |
|---|---|
| Chambéry – Annecy, if you start from our agency | about 50 km |
| Lake loop, with the Col de la Forclaz | about 55 km |
| The Semnoz, round trip | about 40 km |
| The Aravis, round trip | about 80 km |
| Annecy – Chambéry | about 50 km |
| Total, with both Sunday options | about 275 km |
Indicative distances. Mountain roads are slow: allow more time than a route planner suggests, especially on summer weekends and in winter.
Going further, towards Chamonix or Italy? Packs of 250, 300 or 350 km extra cost €350, €420 or €490 (for the G 63 AMG 2025, 100 km for €180 or 250 km for €425); for Italy or Switzerland, add the international cover option (€20 a day, subject to approval).
Practical tips on the road
- Parking: use the covered car parks in central Annecy and your hotel's; avoid leaving the car overnight at an isolated beach car park.
- Tolls: the motorway between Chambéry and Annecy is tolled, like the A41 from Geneva, and tolls are never included in the rental.
- Cyclists: there are many around the lake and on La Forclaz in summer. When overtaking, French law requires a gap of at least 1.5 m outside built-up areas and 1 m in town.
- Weather: check the forecast and road conditions before heading up the Semnoz or the Aravis; if in doubt during the rental, call us on +33 4 80 81 91 38.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a luxury car for just a weekend?
Yes. A rental that covers a weekend lasts at least two days. As the agency is closed on Saturdays, most guests collect the car on Friday and return it on Sunday, between 9am and 8pm; the late return option extends this to 11pm, for €120.
Can I collect the car in Annecy?
Yes, at Annecy station, delivery and collection included: the price is shown when you book. Delivery to your hotel or address around the lake is possible at a distance-based rate confirmed by our team. Pick-up is free in Chambéry.
How many kilometres are included for a weekend?
200 km a day, so 400 km over two days. The lake loop, the Semnoz and the Aravis add up to about 175 km from Annecy, or about 275 km if you start and finish in Chambéry.
Which car is best for a weekend for two at Lake Annecy?
The Porsche Taycan for silence along the water, or the BMW M3 Competition for the mountain roads. With family or friends, the Porsche Cayenne Coupé has five seats and a generous boot.
Is the Col de la Forclaz suitable for a sports car?
Yes, with care: the road above Talloires is narrow and winding, with many cyclists in summer and paragliders at the top. Drive slowly, and in winter check road conditions before setting off.
Written by the Corsiva team, a luxury car rental company based in Chambéry, France. Distances and timings are indicative: check road conditions before setting off. Prices and terms as of 6 October 2026.
