Traversée du lac d'Annecy

On the morning of August 15th, the shoreline of Annecy vibrates with the quiet intensity of nearly 2,000 swimmers gathering near the City Hall. This tradition, stewarded by the Dauphins d'Annecy since 1931, transforms the Jardins de l'Europe into a hub of focus and anticipation. Swimmers of all ages—from seven-year-olds tackling the opening splash to seasoned veterans—converge here, drawn by the unique opportunity to traverse a basin carved by the Würm glaciation some 17,000 years ago. The event’s logistics are a testament to ten months of planning, with 200 volunteers managing the transition of gear and the flow of participants across four distinct distances, ranging from the 1km introductory swim to the demanding 10km marathon.

The water

As you push off into the Lake Annecy, you are moving through a body of water that has undergone a remarkable ecological recovery. Environmental protections initiated in the 1950s have dramatically altered the experience for the swimmer: while visibility was limited to just 3 meters in 1957, it has since reached up to 14 meters in recent assessments. Beneath you, the lake hides the massive Boubioz underwater spring, a powerful source located about 250 meters from the shore that plunges from a 25-meter depth down to 81 meters. If your course takes you along the eastern bank toward Talloires, keep your eyes on the horizon for the Dents de Lanfon, the jagged peaks rising 1,824 meters that define the skyline.

History and surroundings

Your progress toward the finish line is marked by landmarks that tell the story of the Haute-Savoie. While the race focuses on the open water, the surrounding landscape is punctuated by sites like the ruins of the 13th-century Château de Châteauvieux in Seynod. Once a seat of power for the Counts of Geneva, the fortress suffered 'decrowning'—the forced removal of its towers—during the upheaval of the French Revolution, a silent witness to the region's complex history. Whether you are navigating the shorter routes or completing the full circuit, the finish at the Jardins de l'Europe, set against the backdrop of the Swan Island, remains the symbolic heart of this annual gathering. After the final stroke, the event concludes with a local tradition where participants and spectators alike gather for the 'Reblochonnade', a regional cheese-based dish that serves as the unofficial closing ceremony for the day's efforts.