We would call it the prettiest concept store in town. Sitting on Rue de la Poste, come to Biutiful for its curated selection of beauty, home decor, and lovely jewellery – think of Aesop and Astier de Villatte – from all around the world.

Small, stylish and brilliantly located, La Cour du 6 sits just minutes from the lake, the old town and the station. Its 21 thoughtfully designed rooms showcase the work of local artisans through marble, ceramics and handcrafted ironwork, while the lively brasserie downstairs is reason enough to drop by, whether you're staying overnight or not.

Just two minutes from the station, Dialog has become the post-run, post-ride, pre-train coffee for Annecy's sportier crew. The beans are sharp and the kit is smart, but it is the cinnamon rolls that have built the local following. Vegan sandwiches at lunch, friendly baristas, room enough to settle for ten minutes or an hour. A much sweeter way to wait for a train than the platform.

Run by a Vietnamese family on Rue Vaugelas, Mamie Anh draws a lunchtime queue for its bò bún, soft bánh bao, and a vegetarian bánh mì served on a baguette baked in-house. The portions are generous and the seasoning straightforward (bring your own hot sauce if you like things properly Vietnamese-spicy). Take it away for a picnic on the Pâquier lawns or squeeze into one of the few indoor seats. This is a small, unfussy address that locals tend to get protective about and visitors often stumble upon by accident.