Between bell foundries, stilt-house sites and activities on Lake Annecy, Sévrier offers several ways to explore its culture and landscape. When planning, the key is to consider the different formats: museum exhibits, a guided outing on the lake and water sports each have their own focus, timing and access requirements. So first consider whether you would rather learn more about crafts and Savoyard history or make an activity on the water the main focus of your visit.
Bell Founding and Savoyard History
The Musée PACCARD is dedicated to the Paccard bell foundry. Founded in 1796, it moved to Sévrier in 1989. Guided tours of the workshops introduce visitors to bell-making techniques.
The Ecomusée du Lac d’Annecy has a different focus. Its intimate museographic approach conveys the everyday life of Savoyards in the 19th century, as well as both the small and great stories of Savoy. The landscape is complemented by a geological perspective: the Ecomusée’s panoramic terrace is used to interpret the area’s geology. Check the current access conditions for the terrace before your visit.
Stilt-House Sites on Lake Annecy
Two of the three UNESCO-classified stilt-house sites on Lake Annecy are in Sévrier. The Crêt de Chatillon stilt-house site is on an underwater island, more than 800 metres from the shore. Les Mongets is an underwater archaeological site. It includes remains of human settlement in a wetland, as well as still-visible piles that supported wooden structures. The Les Mongets sector is among the extremely rare Early Bronze Age sites; the site dates to the 19th and 18th centuries BC.
Water Sports and Their Seasonal Periods
The “Entre Lac et Montagne” programme offers two-hour guided discovery outings once a week in summer to places on the west shore of Lake Annecy. These include the Les Mongets stilt-house site and the Natura 2000 zone of the Marais de l’Enfer. The outings take place aboard a schooner or a catamaran; advance booking is recommended. As this is a seasonal programme, check the current dates before planning and allow for the recommended booking. The two-hour duration gives the outing a clear time frame.
For kayaking, the Canoë Kayak Club de Sévrier offers courses, rentals and introductory lessons for ages ten and up. The club welcomes visitors in summer; booking is required for its activities. The Cercle de Voile de Sévrier is open to young people and adults who want to discover and learn to sail on Lake Annecy. It operates from March to October. The seasons therefore differ: the guided discovery outing is a summer activity, while the sailing season runs from March to October.
Planning Information
At the Crêt de Chatillon and Les Mongets archaeological sites, buoys mark areas where anchoring is prohibited; diving and anchoring are prohibited at both sites. Navigation and protection rules may change, so check the current regulations on the lake before going out by boat.
The Voie Verte runs alongside the entrance to Sévrier’s municipal beach and provides access by bicycle, on foot or by scooter. Work on the route may temporarily affect access. So check whether the route is affected before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Bernex, La Rivière-Enverse, Le Petit-Bornand-Les-Glières, Vallorcine, Châtillon-sur-Cluses, Machilly, Praz-Sur-Arly, Douvaine
For the main travel guide: Haute-Savoie.
