Bike store Annecy Place aux Bois - Rentals 100m from the lake tour, Vieille Ville
Where can you rent a bike in Annecy, right in the heart of the old town?
The Mobilboard Annecy Place aux Bois store welcomes you at 8 Place aux Bois, 74000 Annecy, just 100 meters from the lakefront and the bike path, right in the heart of Annecy’s historic center. Here you’ll find a full fleet of rental bikes: hybrid bikes for adults and children, electric bikes (e-bikes), and family accessories. All our bikes come with a helmet, lock, and safety accessories included at no extra charge. Whether you want to explore the pedestrian-only streets and the Thiou canals, head to Lake Annecy via the Pâquier, or set out on a full tour of the lake, our team will help you find the bike and route that best suit your needs.
Key Information:
- Address: 8 Place aux Bois, 74000 Annecy - view on Google Maps
- Seasonal hours: 9 AM–6 PM
- Rental rates starting at €9 for a city bike or hybrid bike for 1 hour
- Helmet and lock included in all our rates
- Reservations can be made online or in-store
Why choose our Mobilboard Vieille Ville store
Our shop is designed for visitors who want to combine bike rental with exploring Annecy’s heritage. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Prime location in the historic center: just 100 meters from the lakeside bike path, perfect for a quick start. We’re also 150 meters from the Palais de l’Île, right next to the Château Museum and Saint-Pierre Cathedral. The ideal starting point for anyone wanting to combine a bike ride with exploring Annecy’s heritage.
- A fleet suited to all riders: hybrid bikes for city rides and exploring the lake, electric bikes (e-bikes) for the full lake loop or hilly terrain, children’s bikes, and family accessories.
- Accessories included: helmet, lock, and safety kit provided with all rates.
- Easy booking: book online in just a few clicks or stop by the shop directly based on your availability.
- Personalized route advice: we tailor our recommendations to your profile, desired duration, skill level, and whether you’re interested in heritage or nature.
- Two Mobilboard stores in Annecy, just a 4-minute walk from each other. If a model is out of stock at our Old Town store, we’ll direct you to our second store in the Lake District (4 Rue Camille Dunant) to maximize your chances of leaving with the bike you want.
- Flexible cancellation: free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
What bikes can you rent at our store?
We’ve selected our fleet from two specialized French brands: Arcade and L’Usine à Vélo Lyon. These bikes are designed specifically for rental use: sturdy, ergonomic, and easy to handle, even for beginners. Our range covers all uses, from getting around the narrow streets of Annecy to a full tour of the lake.
- City bike / hybrid bike: for adults on urban rides and exploring the lake • easy routes, flat or slightly hilly terrain • starting at €9 • minimum rental 1 hour
- Electric bike (e-bike): beginners, families, or for a full tour around the lake • ideal for hilly terrain and long distances • starting at €16 · minimum rental 1 hour
- Children’s bikes: children ages 6 to 12 (120 cm) • for family rides • starting at €6 • minimum rental 1 hour
How does bike rental work with us?
Renting a bike at our Vieille Ville store takes just a few minutes. Here are the steps:
- Reservation: book online on our website (recommended during peak season) or come directly to the store.
- Check-in and bike selection: our team will show you the available models, adjust the seat, and check the brakes based on your height and comfort.
- Deposit: A deposit is required via credit card authorization. No charge will be made; this is simply a guarantee.
- Accessories: a helmet fitted to your head size, an approved bike lock, a repair kit, and a basket if needed—everything is included in the price.
- Route advice: We’ll suggest the route best suited to your profile and available time, highlighting must-see points of interest.
- Return: Return the bike before the agreed-upon time, and no later than 6:00 PM (store closing time).
How much does it cost to rent a bike in Annecy?
Our rates are designed to accommodate all rental durations: from a one-hour ride through the narrow streets of the historic center to a full week exploring the lake. All rates include a helmet, lock, and safety accessories at no extra charge.
- Standard bike (city bike / hybrid): 1 hour starting at €9 • 2 hours €13 • half-day €18 • full day €24
- Electric bike (e-bike): 1 hour starting at €16 • 2 hours €30 • half-day €40 • full day €52
- Children’s bike: 1 hour starting at €6 • 2 hours €10 • half-day €14 • full day €18
Special rates: We offer discounted rates for groups, seminars, schools, city halls, and employee committees.
What routes do we recommend starting from our shop?
Our shop on Place aux Bois is ideally located to combine two types of experiences: exploring the narrow streets and canals of the historic center, and heading to Lake Annecy in just a few minutes. As you leave the store, you’ll walk along the Thiou canals and reach the Pâquier in less than five minutes—the starting point for the tour around the lake. Here are the two routes we recommend most often:
Complete tour of Lake Annecy (starting at Place aux Bois → Sevrier → Duingt → Talloires → Menthon St-Bernard)
The classic route for anyone wanting to experience the must-see sights of Annecy. As you leave the store, you’ll walk along the Thiou canals before reaching the Pâquier and Avenue d’Albigny. You’ll then follow the eastern shore toward Veyrier-du-Lac, Menthon-Saint-Bernard, and Talloires, before reaching Doussard at Bout-du-Lac, then Saint-Jorioz and Sevrier on the western shore to return to the starting point.
- Distance: approximately 40 km
- Estimated time: between 3 and 5 hours depending on pace and breaks
- Level: moderate, climb from Talloires, reverse direction for non-electric bikes
- Recommended bike: all types, hybrid or e-bike depending on preference
- Sights: Veyrier-du-Lac, Talloires (panoramic views), Bout-du-Lac (nature reserve), Duingt, Saint-Jorioz beach
Did you know?
The Palais de l'Île, located 150 meters from our shop, is one of the most photographed monuments in France. Built in the 12th century in the middle of the Thiou River, it has served successively as a stately residence, courthouse, prison, and mint before becoming the Annecy Center for Architecture and Heritage Interpretation. It is also the most immediately recognizable symbol of the city for international visitors. By bike, you can circle it in just a few minutes along the two banks of the Thiou River—a perfect starting point to capture the spirit of the historic center before heading toward the lake. For more information, visit the official website of the Annecy Castle Museum and Palais de l’Île.
Where to park to pick up your Vieille Ville bike?
Are you coming by car? Here are the most convenient parking options for reaching our shop on Place aux Bois. Since most of the Old Town is pedestrian-only, plan on a few minutes’ walk from the nearest parking lot.
- Trésum Parking: paid , 5 minutes from the store
- Annecy Parking Lot: paid parking, 5 minutes from the store
- Stade Nautique Parking: paid, 5 minutes from the store
- Annecy SNCF Train Station: about a 15-minute walk from the store
For visitors arriving by train: Annecy train station is a 15-minute walk through the downtown streets. Remember to reserve your bike online to save time upon arrival.
FAQ: Your questions about bike rental in Annecy
Do I need to reserve a bike in advance in Annecy?
Yes, booking in advance is strongly recommended between May and September, when Annecy is at its busiest. During peak season, e-bikes go fast, especially early in the day. In April, you can usually just walk into the shop without any worries. Our online reservation form takes just a few minutes and guarantees your bike on the day you want. Our store is closed from October to March.
Can we combine a walking tour of the old town with a bike ride around the lake?
Yes, that’s actually the ideal way to do it, and it’s what many visitors choose. Annecy’s Old Town is best explored on foot (pedestrian-only streets, canals, Palais de l’Île, Château Museum). Cycling really comes into its own when heading to the lake and exploring its shores—something you can’t do on foot in a single day. For example, you could spend the morning exploring the historic center on foot, then rent a bike in the afternoon to head to the Pâquier and do a half-loop or a full loop around the lake.
Can you rent a bike to cycle around Lake Annecy in a day?
Yes, most people can complete the full loop around Lake Annecy in a single day. Expect about 3 to 5 hours of cycling, depending on your pace and the number of breaks, covering a distance of approximately 40 km. For beginners, families, or those who want to fully enjoy the stops (swimming, lunch, photos), we strongly recommend an e-bike: it takes the strain out of the climbs on the east shore and lets you save energy to enjoy the scenery.
What is the difference between the Greenway (west shore) and the east shore of the lake by bike?
The west shore features the Voie Verte: a 100% safe, flat bike path separated from road traffic, ideal for families and beginners. The east shore (Veyrier-du-Lac, Menthon, Talloires) follows roads shared with traffic, with a few notable climbs. The scenery is magnificent on both sides, but the cycling experience is very different: safety and ease on the west, panoramic views and a more challenging ride on the east.
Can we rent an e-bike in Annecy with children?
Yes, we offer several family-friendly options: children’s bikes for older kids who can ride on their own, child seats to safely transport younger children (attachable to our adult e-bikes and hybrid bikes), and other family equipment subject to availability. Feel free to call us before your visit to check availability based on the ages and number of children.
What should I do in case of rain or a breakdown during the rental?
In case of sudden rain, we recommend bringing a windbreaker. Ourfree cancellation policyup to 24 hours before departure allows you to adjust your reservation if the weather forecast calls for bad weather. In case of a mechanical breakdown, contact us directly at +33 6 14 65 47 05: depending on your location, we’ll guide you toward the quickest solution (on-site repair, bike replacement, or return to the store). All our bikes come equipped with a basic repair kit.
Can I return the bike to the other Mobilboard store in Annecy?
The rented bike must be returned to the original store. However, if the desired model is not available at our Vieille Ville location, our team will direct you to our second Mobilboard Annecy Quartier du Lac store, located at 4 Rue Camille Dunant, just a 4-minute walk (300 meters). Having two locations in Annecy maximizes your chances of leaving with the perfect bike, especially during peak season.
Practical Information
All the information you need to plan your visit to our Place aux Bois store.
Address and Directions
- Address: 8 Place aux Bois, 74000 Annecy - view on Google Maps
- Directions by car: see the "Where to park" section above
- Directions on foot: 150 m from the Palais de l'Île, 5 minutes from the Pâquier, 5 minutes from the Musée-Château, 12 minutes from the SNCF train station
- Our second store in Annecy: Mobilboard Annecy Quartier du Lac, 4 Rue Camille Dunant, a 4-minute walk (300 meters)
Hours
- Open year-round: 9 AM – 6 PM
Contact and services
- Phone: +33 6 14 65 47 05
- Email: annecy@mobilboard.com
- Payment methods: Credit card, cash, Apple Pay, Chèques-Vacances
Reserve a bike at the Place aux Bois store