A Travel Price Comparison for France Chartres vs. Annecy for Food, Couples, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Chartres or Annecy?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chartres or Annecy? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Annecy

Annecy is a quaint, storybook, and charming alpine town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Chartres and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Annecy?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Annecy than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Annecy is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Also, Annecy is famous for Palais de l'Isle. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Chartres different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy and Chartres. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chartres or Annecy?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Chartres and Annecy.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Chartres or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Annecy is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Annecy is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Annecy has a few options to choose from. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Annecy can be explored in its historical center. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is Chartres or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is great for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Annecy for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Annecy?

Annecy is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Annecy. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Annecy is very family-friendly. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Chartres or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Annecy makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Chartres is a good town for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Chartres or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chartres and Annecy are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Annecy is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Chartres or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chartres is a great town for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

Chartres has some very good public transit options. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Chartres or Annecy a more walkable city?

Chartres and Annecy are great when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

Annecy is a very walkable destination. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Chartres or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Chartres, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Chartres. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Annecy than Chartres. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Annecy that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy than Chartres if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Annecy.

One day in Chartres or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Chartres. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chartres or Annecy?

Chartres is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Annecy is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this alpine town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Annecy, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Chartres or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Chartres. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This alpine town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chartres and Annecy, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Chartres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chartres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chartres and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy than you might in Chartres.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chartres Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Annecy?

Annecy has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Annecy, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chartres or Annecy?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chartres or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Annecy. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during summer. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chartres usually receives less rain than Annecy. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chartres or Annecy in the Autumn?

Both Annecy and Chartres during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Chartres is around the same temperature as Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in October than Annecy. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Annecy. Many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can be very cold during winter. Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chartres is generally a little warmer than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during winter. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chartres usually receives around the same amount of rain as Annecy. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chartres or Annecy in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Annecy. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Annecy because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Chartres