Semnoz | Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc

Daily life for customs officers and smugglers

Head for the crêts du Semnoz, perched high above Annecy, to experience a magical moment: sunrise over the Alps. From 1,699 metres up, the summit offers a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, gradually bathed in golden light. Accessible both by car and on foot, this site is a veritable paradise for nature lovers and image hunters. It’s a unique experience, a blend of emotion and serenity that turns every morning into an unforgettable memory.

Our smart tips

Arrive early: the blue hour, just before sunrise, is when the magic happens.
👉 Wrap up warm: even in summer, it’s often cold at this time of day at altitude.
👉 Open your eyes wide: (don’t go back to sleep once you’ve reached the summit) the spectacle doesn’t last forever and the colours change rapidly, then the sun flies across the sky. It’s quick, but memorable…

A 360° panorama

Situated in the heart of the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park, the Semnoz in the early hours of the morning reveals a horizon stretching from the mountains of Lake Annecy to Mont Blanc, via the Aravis and Bauges. As soon as dawn breaks, the first light appears on the ridges, and the atmosphere is transformed into a veritable theatre of light: the sky is adorned in pastel shades, the silence is total… and the moment is unforgettable.

A 360° panorama

Situated in the heart of the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park, the Semnoz in the early hours of the morning reveals a horizon stretching from the mountains of Lake Annecy to Mont Blanc, via the Aravis and Bauges. As soon as dawn breaks, the first light appears on the ridges, and the atmosphere is transformed into a veritable theatre of light: the sky is adorned in pastel shades, the silence is total… and the moment is unforgettable.

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