Musée-Château d'Annecy

About the museum

The first buildings of Annecy castle date from the 13th century. The site was then extended over the centuries according to the needs of its occupants. It was the residence of the Counts of Geneva and later of the House of Savoy. From the 17th century until 1947 it served as a barracks.

In the 19th century, military engineers carried out work on the barracks, and the 15th-century coffered ceiling of the great hall nearly got replaced by a concrete slab. The castle was listed as a historic monument in 1902, which made it possible to restore this ceiling. After the war, the city of Annecy lacked housing: between 1947 and 1952, the castle sheltered around 350 homeless people. A fire damaged it in 1952; the city then bought back the monument and restored it.

The city museum, previously housed in the town hall, moved into the castle. Its first exhibition, in 1956, displayed antique tapestries in the hall of columns. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label. Its collections relate to the local historical, artistic, cultural and natural heritage: archaeology and environment of Lake Annecy, fine arts, contemporary art and Alpine ethnology.

Highlights

• Medieval castle, residence of the Counts of Geneva and the House of Savoy
• 15th-century coffered ceiling in the great hall
• Archaeology area on Lake Annecy and the Neolithic
• Collections of fine arts, contemporary art and Alpine ethnology
• Castle courtyard and viewing terrace
• Activity booklets and Sac'O Jeux for families

Permanent exhibitions

• Archéologie et environnement du lac d'Annecy – Area devoted to archaeology and the environment of the lake, with displays on human activities in the Neolithic.
• Collections de beaux-arts, d'art contemporain et d'ethnologie alpine – Route through the castle's rooms featuring the museum's art and ethnology collections.

Operated by

Ville d'Annecy

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month from October to May; also during Museum Night, National Archaeology Day, the Science Festival and European Heritage Days.

The full price is €7 and the reduced rate €4 in July and August. Admission is without reservation, with tickets bought on site. Admission is also free, among others, for teachers, holders of the ICOM card or press card and members of the Friends of Annecy Castle, on proof.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Access is limited for people with reduced mobility. A ramp gives access to the first two rooms of the temporary exhibition, the hall of columns, the former kitchen and the shop; the courtyard and viewing terrace are wheelchair-accessible. Easy-to-read booklets (FALC) are available to prepare the visit. Mediators offer adapted tours for groups with intellectual disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Visits and workshops for families, especially during school holidays. Free activity booklets, puzzles, child-friendly labels, play benches in the archaeology area, and Sac'O Jeux from age 3. Strollers must stay in the castle courtyard. A baby changing table is installed in the courtyard toilets.

Getting there & parking

Address: 1 place du Château, 74000 Annecy.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Bookshop with catalogues, books and postcards. Lockers at the entrance. Drink and biscuit vending machine at the entrance. Documentation centre accessible by appointment only.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit