The Gorges du Fier: A Walkway 25 Metres Above the Water

Ten kilometres from the lake, the river that drains this whole corner of Savoie has carved something other than an old-town millrace: a canyon. The Gorges du Fier, at Lovagny, have been visited since 1869 along a walkway bolted to the rock — and it’s one of the most spectacular outings you can make within fifteen minutes of Annecy.

What you come to see

A 250-metre walkway, fixed to the cliff 25 metres above the water, running into a slot so narrow that in places the sky disappears. Below, the Fier — the same river that runs beneath Annecy’s bridges — has polished the limestone into potholes, waves and blades. You are literally walking inside the cut the water has sawn through the mountain.

At the end of the defile, the site opens onto the Mer de rochers — the “Sea of Rocks” — a limestone chaos reclaimed by vegetation, with a loop of paths and viewpoints. Allow about an hour for the whole visit, unhurried.

The 2026 opening times (and the winter closure)

The site is seasonal — the classic autumn trap:

• 15 March to 14 June and 1 September to 15 October: daily, 9.30 a.m.–6.15 p.m., last entry 5.15 p.m.
• 15 June to 31 August: daily, 9.30 a.m.–7.15 p.m., last entry 6.15 p.m.
• Closed from mid-October to mid-March.

After a heavy storm, the Fier’s flow transforms the visit: the water rises in the gorge and a roar replaces the lapping. It is spectacular — and it is exactly when the site watches its levels, so check before setting out.

Getting there from Annecy

Lovagny is about ten kilometres west of the centre — roughly 15 minutes by car, with parking on site. The car-free alternative that always surprises people: Lovagny station is served by the TER train from Annecy, a few minutes’ walk from the entrance.

The gorge ticket pairs naturally with the Château de Montrottier next door for a proper half-day — and it’s one of the best cards to play when the lake is out of swimming season.

What we wouldn’t do

• Arrive at last entry. One rushed hour in a gorge you’ll want to linger in is a wasted visit.
• Come in flip-flops. The walkway is safe and railed, but the boards can be damp and the canyon air is cooler than the car park.
• Turn up in driving rain without checking. The site can adapt access to the river’s flow — one call saves a wasted trip.
• Mistake it for a riverside stroll. You never touch the water here: you hang above it. To get your feet wet, head for the lake.

The Fier has powered Annecy for six centuries — its millraces made the old town, the whole story is in the canals piece. At the gorges, you see what the same river does when nobody harnesses it.