01
What stands before you
From Pont Perrière, look downstream: the tourist office places the old town’s most picturesque view here. The Palais de l’Île looks like a stone boat anchored in the Thiou, and it has often been called a “house shaped like a galley”. It is built on a natural rocky island; its oldest parts date from the 12th century. On either side, houses stand directly in the water: this is how the old town looked before the quays were built.
Sources: Office de tourisme du lac d’Annecy — Promenades en ville (PDF, version 2019) · Lac Annecy Tourisme — Palais de l’Île
Plan your next stop: Annecy on foot in one day: which route? · Saint-Pierre Cathedral: three periods on one façade
02
Its story
In the 12th century it was a modest fortified house, the residence of Annecy’s castellan. It is first recorded as a prison in 1325. In 1355, Count Amédée III of Geneva obtained from Emperor Charles IV the right to mint coins on his lands: a mint was fitted out, and stopped working by the end of the 14th century. At the end of the 16th century the building housed the court and took the name Palais de justice de l’Île. It remained a prison until 1864, then served as a home for the elderly from 1865 to 1880.
Sources: Lac Annecy Tourisme — la vieille ville d’Annecy · Lac Annecy Tourisme — Palais de l’Île
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03
Look at this
Start with the foot of the walls: at water level, sturdy grilles recall the prison. Then move to Quai de l’Évêché to spot the water gates, level with the river. Finally compare the two banks: Quai de l’Île dates from the mid-19th century, while the opposite bank has kept its original look, with houses opening onto the Thiou. Inside, the visit takes in the cells of the former prison and the rooms of the former courthouse.
Sources: Office de tourisme du lac d’Annecy — Promenades en ville (PDF, version 2019) · Lac Annecy Tourisme — Palais de l’Île
04
What most people never learn
This emblem of Annecy almost disappeared. After the prisoners left, the town council considered demolishing it to install baths, then dropped the plan; for a time the building served as a drawing school for stonecutters and carpenters, as a gymnasium and as lodgings. The novelist André Theuriet and Charles Suisse, an inspector of historic monuments, spoke out against demolition. On 16 February 1900 the Palais de l’Île was listed as a historic monument, and a first restoration began at once.
Sources: Lac Annecy Tourisme — Palais de l’Île
Plan your visit
The Palais de l’Île now houses Annecy’s architecture and heritage interpretation centre. Lac Annecy Tourisme lists it as open every day except Tuesday, closing at midday from October to May, and free on the first Sunday of the month from October to May. Check the day’s opening times and prices with the Musées d’Annecy before you come.
3 passage de l’Île, 74000 Annecy, France
Your questions, answered.
Can you visit the inside of the Palais de l’Île?
Yes. Entry is ticketed, except on the first Sunday of the month from October to May according to Lac Annecy Tourisme. You walk through the former cells and the rooms of the former courthouse.
Where is the best view of the Palais de l’Île?
From Pont Perrière, looking downstream: the tourist office places the old town’s most picturesque view there.
Check the details and explore further
Opening times and entry arrangements can change. Refer to the venues’ websites when planning your visit.
- Lac Annecy Tourisme — Palais de l’Île
- Lac Annecy Tourisme — la vieille ville d’Annecy
- Office de tourisme du lac d’Annecy — Promenades en ville (PDF, version 2019)
- Musées d’Annecy — horaires et tarifs
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