Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 22, 2026

Thiou

The Thiou is a short river in the city of Annecy, France. It is 3.6 km (2.2 mi) long. It is an effluent of Lake Annecy and an affluent of the Fier, which is in turn a tributary of the Rhône. The Thiou is considered one of the cleanest rivers in Europe and a postcard of the city of Annecy. The Thiou crosses the city forming small canals without which the city would not be often called the Venice of the Alps.

Last revised
Jul 22, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
202 w
Citations
2
Source
Thiou
View of the Thiou flowing through the city of Annecy
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Location
CountryFrance
DepartmentHaute-Savoie
MunicipalityAnnecy
Physical characteristics
SourceLake Annecy
 • locationHaute-Savoie, France
 • elevation446.8 m (1,466 ft)
MouthFier
 • location
France
 • coordinates
45°54′34″N 6°5′53″E / 45.90944°N 6.09806°E / 45.90944; 6.09806
Length3.6 km (2.2 mi)
Basin features
Progression

Fier

RhôneMediterranean Sea
A panoramic image from the southern bank of the Thiou in the town centre of Annecy source ↗

The Thiou (French pronunciation: [tju]) is a short river in the city of Annecy, France.1 It is 3.6 km (2.2 mi) long.2 It is an effluent of Lake Annecy and an affluent of the Fier, which is in turn a tributary of the Rhône. The Thiou is considered one of the cleanest rivers in Europe and a postcard of the city of Annecy. The Thiou crosses the city forming small canals without which the city would not be often called the Venice of the Alps.

During the nineteenth century, the Thiou played an important role in manufacturing activities and provided the necessary energy to the industries that developed in the city of Annecy.

Le Thiou in Winter source ↗

References and notes