The Fête du Lac d'Annecy is one of the largest pyrotechnic and aquatic shows in Europe. It is held every year on the first Saturday of August in the Bay of Albigny, on the shores of Lake Annecy (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), and draws around 200,000 spectators to a fireworks display fired from the water.
History and origins
The event dates back to 1860, in the context of the annexation of Savoy to France. On 29 August 1860, Annecy staged a Venetian-style water festival in honour of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, with illuminated boats and fireworks on the lake. It was officially named the "Fête du Lac" in 1925, following a first edition organised by the local tourist board the previous year. Until 1978 it was held on a Sunday; since then it takes place on the first Saturday of August.
The pyrotechnic show
The fireworks display lasts about 70 minutes and unfolds in several acts synchronised to a musical score. The fireworks are launched from platforms set up on the lake and are combined with water jets, lasers and light effects, offering a clear view from the shores and surrounding hills.
Themes and creativity
Each edition is built around a different artistic theme that shapes the pyrotechnic composition and the music. The 2025 edition, titled "Ode à la Lune", was staged in six acts over roughly 70 minutes, with a repertoire of about thirty pieces.
Organisation and logistics
The event mobilises hundreds of volunteers and professionals. The safety arrangements include road closures, dedicated car parks and crowd management around the Pâquier esplanade and the beaches.
Economic and tourist impact
The crowds fill hotels, restaurants and shops across the area and make the festival a highlight of the tourist season. The fireworks remain free to watch from much of the shoreline, although paid stands and seating are also offered, ranging from a few euros to several dozen euros per place.
Nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps" for its canals, Annecy turns this evening into one of its best-known events, attracting visitors from across France and abroad.
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