MSFS scenery

MSFS Annecy Photogrammetry Scenery

Annecy’s French Alps cityscape comes alive with high-resolution photogrammetry, refined colorimetry, and landmark POIs including the basilica, palace, and Menthon-Saint-Bernard castle. Built for smooth low-level touring, it trims CPU load with dynamic LOD for steadier frames and convincing day-to-night lighting in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

5/5 (1) 412 downloads 2.15 GB Scanned clean France
Flight Simulator 2020 Flight Simulator 2024
Adam McEnroe
Editor reviewed · Tested in-sim

Expert Overview

In my decades of flight simulation work, I’ve rarely encountered a freeware mod that captures Alpine charm as precisely as this Annecy photogrammetry scenery. It seamlessly recreates the French Alps' signature landmarks, from the dramatic mountain contours to the shimmering expanse of Lake Annecy, delivering a photoreal environment enriched by detailed buildings and meticulous terrain rendering.

During my test flights, I found the dynamic LOD management and improved colorimetry enhance performance without sacrificing quality. Points of Interest like the Menthon-Saint-Bernard castle and Annecy’s notable basilica add extra immersion, while smooth day-to-night transitions round out this mod’s polished feel. For simulator enthusiasts seeking a high-fidelity Alpine journey, this add-on provides both impressive visuals and steady framerates, making it a must-try expansion for virtual pilots.

This mod was installed, tested and reviewed by Adam McEnroe for Fly Away Simulation. Adam is an FS mod expert. Read his bio →

Delve into the heart of the French Alps with the MSFS Annecy Photogrammetry Scenery add-on, a meticulously crafted representation of Annecy, the "Pearl of the French Alps." This freeware mod enhances the realism of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, inviting pilots to explore the dynamic landscape where the clarity of Lake Annecy meets the majesty of the surrounding mountains.

Icon A5 flying over Annecy in MSFS after installing this mod.Key Features

  • High-resolution photogrammetry captures the essence of Annecy, showcasing detailed models of the basilica, the palace, and the vibrant cityscape.
  • Optimized package for enhanced performance, including a significant reduction in texture files and CPU load, ensuring smoother flights.
  • Dynamic LOD (Level of Detail) management for consistent framerate across varying altitudes and viewing distances.
  • Integration of POIs (Points of Interest) such as Menthon-Saint-Bernard castle, enriching the flight experience with recognizable landmarks.
  • Improved colorimetry and lighting, delivering realistic day-to-night transitions and reducing visual artifacts.

Photogrammetry, a process of scanning real-world objects and environments to create 3D models, breathes life into the simulator. This technology ensures that the Annecy scenery mod not only enhances visual fidelity but also accurately reflects the urban and natural landscape, allowing pilots to experience the city's unique charm from the skies.

Nearby Airports

To fully experience the scenic beauty of Annecy and its surroundings, consider taking off or landing at these nearby airports:

  • Annecy Mont-Blanc Airport (LFLP): Located just a short flight from the city center, this airport offers a challenging approach with breathtaking views of Lake Annecy.
  • Chambéry Airport (LFLB): Nestled in the heart of the Alps, Chambéry serves as a gateway to the region's ski resorts and offers pilots a picturesque route to Annecy.
  • Geneva Airport (LSGG): Offering international connections, Geneva Airport lies in proximity to Annecy, providing an ideal starting or ending point for international flights exploring the French Alps.

Installation: Download the archive and extract it; copy both thalixte-annecy and thalixte-menthon folders into the MSFS Community folder.

Ready to download Annecy Photogrammetry Scenery?

Free for all simmers · 2.15 GB · Scanned clean

File information

Filename
msfs-annecy-photo.zip
File size
2.15 GB
Virus scan
Clean (scanned with ClamAV)
Access
Freeware
Content rating
Everyone

Download speed: Free tier is capped at 2 Mbps (this file takes approximately 2h 34m at the cap). PRO members download at full line speed.

How to install this mod

MSFS scenery
  1. Extract the downloaded archive

    Use 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR to extract the ZIP to a temporary folder. Don't install while still zipped — the simulator can't read inside ZIP files.
  2. Locate your MSFS Community folder

    All MSFS add-ons live in the Community folder. Microsoft Store / Game Pass version: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community\. Steam version: %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community\. Tip: enable Developer Mode in MSFS to see your exact Community folder path.
  3. Copy the scenery package into Community

    Drag the extracted scenery folder into your Community folder. Photogrammetry and large mesh packs can be 1GB+ — ensure you have disk space.
  4. Restart MSFS

    Close MSFS completely and relaunch. The new content appears in the Content Manager, on the World Map, or in the aircraft/livery selector.
  5. Always read the included readme

    Every mod ships with a readme.txt or README file. It tells you exactly where files go, what dependencies are needed, and any quirks specific to this add-on.
Profile image for freeware developer Thalixte
About the developer

Thalixte

Thalixte is a developer that has focused on creating photogrammetry and scenery packs for the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 release.  All of this developer's releases have received fantastic feedback from many users on various flight sim websites including Fly Away Simulation.

Based in France, the developer tends to focus on creation of European packs however some "further afield" packs have also been created.

Enjoyed this mod? Thalixte released it as freeware. Consider donating to support future projects.

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