Created in 1842, the Annecy Museum successively occupied the Town Hall and the Palais de l’Ile before finally being moved to the Castle in 1961. Today, the city of Annecy governs three cultural institutions: the Annecy Museum and Castle, the Palais de l’Ile, and the Animated Film Museum.  They offer visitors the possibility to discover a rich regional heritage, to learn about the natural lake environment, and to explore the exciting world of contemporary creation in France.  

ANNECY MUSEUM AND CASTLE

A unique historical site

Listed as a Historical Monument in 1902, Annecy Castle was the residence of the Counts of Geneva until 1394. Numerous transformations during the 15th and 16th centuries gave the castle its unusual appearance, a blend of medieval defensive architecture and elegance in the French renaissance style. Abandoned in the 17th century, it was used as military barracks until 1947. The Castle was bought by the Town of Annecy in 1953. The first exhibition was inaugurated three years later, marking the beginning of a new cultural vocation for this former palace of Princes.

Collections

Through temporary and permanent exhibitions, presented in the fully restored rooms of the castle, the museum presents rich and diversified collections to visitors. They comprise objects linked to regional heritage and lake architecture, medieval sculpture, alpine landscape painting from the 18th to 20th centuries, as well as contemporary works of art that question the relationship between man and his natural environment.

ORLA - Regional Alpine Lakes Observatory

Admission to the Annecy Castle includes a visit to the Regional Alpine Lakes Observatory, comprising over 700 m2 of exhibition space located in the Tower and Logis Perrière in the Castle. Visitors are invited to discover the complex, fragile and coveted environment of alpine lakes through its original displays, organised around five fields of scientific research: biology, ecology, ethnology, archaeology and limnology. The Observatory was created in response to the concerns of the local population, wishing to preserve the quality of their environment. It contributes to the promotion and protection of the natural alpine environment.

PALAIS DE L'ILE, the Center for Architectural and Urban Interpretation

In 1325, this stronghold was first mentioned as a prison, which is no doubt the longest and most continuous function of the Palais de l’Ile. It simultaneously housed other activities linked to court life, for instance the Counting House and the Palais de justice (law court) from which it got its name - “Palais de l’Ile” - in the 16th century.

In 1944, the Palais de l’Ile featured a museum presenting the history of the town of Annecy. An emblematic and symbolic building, it officially became the Center for Architectural and Urban Interpretation in 1999. The Center invites visitors to discover exhibitions on local, regional, and international architectural movements, in order to better understand the urban environment. On the ground floor, you will learn about the history of this exceptional building and can visit several of the former jail cells of the old prison.

ANIMATED FILM MUSEUM

Welcome to the place of illusions! The museum presents a rich collection of objects and archives; you will discover a whole century of animation through hands-on displays which allow you to explore the secret processes of this magical art.  Ideal for families with children of all ages.  

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PRACTICAL INFO

   Tel : + 33 (0)4 50 33 87 30

   Email : musees@annecy.fr

Annecy Museum and Castle + Archeology & environment of the lake: Place du château - 74000 Annecy

Palais de l’Ile: Passage de l’Ile - 74000 Annecy

From June 1st to September 30th
Open daily except Tuesday: 10.30 AM - 1 PM and 2 - 6 PM

From October 1st to May 31st
Open daily except Tuesday: 10 - 12 AM and 2 - 5 PM

   *Last entry 45 min before closing

Closed on Tuesday + January 1st, Easter Monday, May 1st and 8, July 14th, November 1st, 11th, December 24th and 25th.

   Annecy Museum and Castle

   Entrance: 5.50 € / reduced price: 3.00 €

   Palais de l'Ile

   Entrance: 3.80 € / reduced price: 2 €

   Combined ticket Annecy Museum and Castle + Palais de l'Ile: 7.20 €

Animated Film Museum: Chapelle du Conservatoire d’Art et Histoire, 18 avenue du Trésum - 74000 Annecy

From June 1st to September 30th
Open daily except Tuesday: 10.30 AM - 1 PM and 2 - 6 PM

From October 1st to May 31st
Open daily except Tuesday and Sunday (except first Sunday of the month = open)
10 - 12 AM and 2 - 5 PM
Holidays (Musée du film d’animation closed) : January 1st, Easter Monday, May 1st and 8, July 14th, August 15th,November 1st, 11th and 12th, December 24th and 25th.

   Free entrance