I have found one of the most perfect and beautiful rides: the loop around Lac d’Annecy (Lake Annecy). It has everything:
*A beautiful lake that is …
*Surrounded by mountains on all sides and is dotted with …
*Little villages, and, there’s a …
*Bike path for 35 of this 38-kilomter ride, and …
*You can climb the Col de la Forclaz right from the bike path if you want to add a little climbing and great views down.
I did this loop for the second time yesterday. It was a gray, overcast, foggy kind of day. It looked like it could and would start raining at any minute – but it didn’t, and the clouds and fog added to the beauty. It was kind of mystical. I rode counterclockwise around this lake this time, the opposite of my first ride. I think I might like this way better. And, I did some exploring, leaving the “official” path a few times to see some sights off the beat-bike path. Which can get quite busy, especially in and near Annecy.
Rather than describe the ride, here are some photos and videos that do it justice, in order …
Here’s a panoramic look around the lake from the north … …
It’s harder than you’d think to shgoot a video while you’re riding, and not go off the path and into the lake!
Here’s the view down from about halfway up the Forclaz …
OK, now we’re at the bottom of the lake and heading west to get to the eastern side and the way back to Annecy …
Now we’re headed north along the west side of the lake …
Almost back in Annecy, and riding right by the edge of the lake …
The Biking France Blog 
magnifique
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It’s very pretty, but on a weekend, the Annecy part is FULL of electrically assisted people who have no idea how to ride zooming along at 40kph with zero effort. It can be VERY annoying!
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Annecy is a lovely ride, but per copper harvest’s comment above, VERY crowded on weekend and summer.
I would highly recommend Gorges du Verdon, so far the most incredible place I’ve ridden in France. When you visit Cote D’Azur later this year, if you can add a few days, go to Gorges du Verdon. It’s 80 miles/130 km one way from centre ville Nice with about 6,000 feet/1,800 meters of climbing. You can stay in Palud sur Verdon. A few auberge there and restaurants too, also a grocery store, which you’ll need for the way back to Nice. There is one boulangerie in Trigance (up a 500 foot hill), then a restaurant at a crossroads about 1/2 way back to Nice. Otherwise nada. Absolutely gorgeous scenery though and except for 1 km at that crossroads I mentioned, very little traffic.
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Thanks … I know of the Gorges du Verdon and have been around it but … only in a car. It’s on my cycling list, along with the Gorges du Tarn and Gorges de L’Ardeche.
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