Doussard brings together a former railway line converted into a Voie Verte, a wetland, Douss’plage on Lake Annecy and historic sites. When choosing where to stay, you can assess the area based on what matters most to you: should your stay focus mainly on walks and cycle paths, nature, the lake or local history? The options offer different experiences without requiring a fixed day-by-day itinerary.
Voie Verte between Annecy and Albertville
The former railway line between Albertville and Annecy was converted into the Voie Verte, a cycle path. The Voie Verte du lac is open to non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians. From Doussard, it provides connections towards Annecy or Albertville. You can make your preferred direction the starting point for your plans, without treating the two sections of the route as equivalent.
The path has gentle inclines and descents, so it is not flat all the way. This is a practical point to consider when planning a section on foot or using a non-motorised vehicle. The route offers two clearly signposted directions; no specific journey time or distance is implied.
Wetland and trails in Bout du Lac
The Bout du Lac Nature Reserve is a wetland crossed by the Eau Morte and Ire streams. Both feed into Lake Annecy. The walking trail through the area is accessible to everyone and has several educational stops. A walk through part of the wetland therefore combines scenery with opportunities to learn, rather than serving only as a route from one place to another.
Since May 2010, the nature reserve has been accessible to people with disabilities via a 1.6-kilometre trail that crosses part of the area. Check this accessibility information again before travelling.
Beach and time by the lake
Douss’plage is a sandy beach in a natural, protected and landscaped setting on Lake Annecy. The beach is open every day year-round; check the current opening hours before your visit. In summer, from 1 July to 31 August, the beach is free and supervised. Douss’plage is accessible to wheelchair users with assistance; wheelchairs that can be driven independently can also use the beach.
History and local offerings
At the Pont de Verthier, a trail introduces visitors to the history of the former toll bridge and the water-powered mills. The trail also includes the Notre Dame de la Nativité chapel. Individual visits to the Pont de Verthier are free and self-guided at any time. Check the visiting conditions before your trip.
The summer market takes place weekly in the town centre during the summer season. Local producers, craftspeople and traders offer regional specialities, fresh produce, handmade creations and food. The range of vendors may vary by season; check the dates for your travel period.
Paragliding may also be a factor in your plans: landings take place in Doussard at designated landing zones, but flying is weather-dependent. If you include this activity, be sure to take the weather dependency into account.
Discover more destinations: Bogève, Les Praz-De-Chamonix, Les Houches, Saint-Eusèbe, La Roche-Sur-Foron, Montriond, Saint-Pierre-En-Faucigny, Plateau Dʼassy.
For the wider travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
