chayes

I have just finalized my plans for a trip to French Alps in a month based in Annecy with a rental car. I am staying in the Alexandra Hotel, so if there is any bad news about that please let me know, about $85/night. We will be there for 10 days, so I would love suggestions for things to do, places to eat...etc. We are going to spend one day riding bikes around the Annecy lake for sure. We had planned on spending 2 days in Lyon. Any suggestions where to park when we get there would be great. We planned on riding the underground, going to the old town and shopping in the area with Part Dieu. Not really interested in museums this trip. I know there are supposed to be awesome places to eat, any suggestions would be appreciated. Nothing too fancy, but would love to eat at a unique place. I saw the Food Market at Part Dieu was huge and had lots of places to eat. We also planned to spend one day in the Chamonix area and going to Mont Blanc, maybe paragliding....maybe. My Michelin guide has lots of drives to take from Annecy that sound beautiful and we love to drive and stop at little towns. Is there anything close in Switzerland that would be worth the drive, we are flying into Geneva. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This will be the only time I am in this area, so I want to make the most of it. Thanks so much

Thank you!

Michael

A drive up the Col de la Forclaz is recommended. If you feel adventurous, hang gliding and para sailing are available with an instructor.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624529919999 and the next one.

chayes

I just read about a tunnel from Mont Blanc to Aosta Italy. Has anyone been there, it looks lovely.

StuDudley

We spent two weeks in a Gite on Lake Annecy about 5 years ago. A friend went there 2 years ago, and this is what I suggested for her 1 week stay.

Sunday
Annecy market on Sunday morning– one of the best in France according to the Michelin Green Guide (GG)

Gorges du Fier** pg 144 in the GG 9:15-5 www.gorgedufier.com after the market

Tours – in order of preference (roughly)

Tour 1 – Mt Blanc*** – the tallest mountain in the Alps. Page 430 & 255
This will be an all-day event, and only do it on a clear day. It will take about 1 ¼ hrs to get from Annecy to Chamonix – mostly using the freeway. Head north from Annecy, and catch the A41 heading east to Chamonix. There is really nothing of interest in the town of Chamonix – it is only a base for Mt Blanc. Take the two lifts up to the Aiguille du Midi*** . Also, take some other lifts – perhaps le Brevent***. If it overcast when you get to Chamonix, don’t go up & find something else to do.

Tour 2 – do on clear day and get an early start (8-9am) so the sun won’t be in your face for the most scenic part..
Take the N508 southeast from the south part of Lake Annecy. Go to Ugine. Take the D109 northeast from Ugine to Flumet. Now the most scenic part starts. Take the D909 northwest from Flumet over the Col des Aravis**. If you want to hike, the Col des Aravis wold be a good place for one. Just past the Col, take the D16 west through Manigod to Thones. Then back to Lake Annecy on the D909. Once on the lake, take the lake road clockwise. Stop & visit Tailloires (it is on the west side of the lake). Then continue clockwise back to your Gite.

Tour 3 – Route de la Forclaz*** pg 150 (but the map route in the GG is not correct). Do this on a clear day and in the morning. It will only take a half-day.
Head southeast on the N508 again. Take the D42 (just past Doussard) north over the Col de la Forclaz. Stop at the Col for great views. Continue north & follow the road back to the lake. Head clockwise, and visit Tailloires if you have not visited it yet. The views from the east side of the lake are better in the morning.

Tour 4 – best in the afternoon. Perhaps visit Annecy in the AM
The Semnoz** pg 153. Follow the route in the Green Guide

Other things you might want to do:
- Boat trip on the lake – but you can see everything from the shoreline.
- Drive around the lake – but you will probably do this going & coming from your tours
- Chateau de Menthon* close to Annecy Pg 152. We enjoyed this chateau. Nice views.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

>> Stop & visit Tailloires (it is on the west side of the lake). <<

Geeze - Talloires was where our gite was located. Not only did I miss-spell Talloires, it is on the east side of the lake - not west.

Stu Dudley

chayes

STUDUDLEY....thanks so much,!! I have the French Alps Michelin GG. What guide are you quoting from? Do you have any suggestions for Lyon? Places to eat there and in Annecy. I have never really liked French food and end up just grabbing something. I want to give it another shot. How long does it take to get down to the Provence area? I was thinking about driving down there. Have you been over to Switzerland? Again thanks so much.

nytraveler

The tunnel is just as boring and stifling as are all of those long alpine tunnels. Aosta is interesting due to some roman . The night we spent there they also had a demolition derby - but I don't count that a major benefit.

I would not voluntarily do the tunnel twice in one day - and we didn;t investigate alternate routes - presumably through some of the higher/narrower mountain passes. If you are going Sept probably not closed by snow.

Michael

<i>How long does it take to get down to the Provence area? </i>

www.viamichelin.com will give you that type of information, along with cost depending on the type of route you choose.

FrenchMystiqueTours

You've also got responses on the two similar threads you posted on the Slow Travel website.