plw

Visiting Grenoble area for 8 days (not counting flight days) with husband and daughter (16) in April 2007. We'll be able to stay with husband's sister and her family who are there for one year. We plan on renting a car.
Think we'll avoid Paris due to lack of time.
Thinking of flying into Torino, Lyon or Geneva.
Looking for ideas on seeing interesting sites and scenery while using our time and budget wisely.
Is it practical to think we could include Cote D'azur area?
Thanks for any ideas, opinions!

kerouac

There is plenty to do in the region without wandering over to the Côte d'Azur. Take advantage of the mountains, including the Swiss and Italian sides. The rest of France will have absolutely no trouble waiting until your next visit.

klondike

Annecy isn't far away...and what a dellight!

travelgirl2

We once visited friends in Grenoble for almost a week. My strongest memory is the day we took a funicular (cable car) up the mountain and had a picnic at the top. Lots of people were clustered on a field at the top. Some brave folks went up to the edge and looked over (not me, too high). There was some sort of carpet-like material up there. People were hang gliding and we were at the take-off point. It was interesting and the scenery was beautiful.

We flew into Geneva. Not a bad trip.

Near our friend's neighborhood, there was a little restaurant with a Michelin star. Sorry I don't know they name, but we really enjoyed it. We got a babysitter and all the adults went one evening. Then, the ladies went back another night. Finally, the men went back a third night.

plw

Annecy will be on the list!
Travelgirl2, do you recall the name of neighborhood the restaurant was in? My sister in law is in Poisat (which I think is part of Isere?)
Also do you remember if the cable car was at Mount Blanc or was it something more local?
Thanks for the input everyone. I'm having fun already just planning!

Cimbrone

I have a friend who lives midway between Lyon and Grenoble. Two places he's taken us that we've enjoyed very much are the Monastery of Chartreuse and the Charentes Caves. The Vercors mountains, where the caves are located, are lovely. Good hiking there, if that interests you.

I haven't been, but you might look into Chambery as well.

Cimbrone

I should have written "Chorance" Caves. By the way, there's a website if you google it. The sound and light show they have there may sound tacky, but it was actually worth seeing.

Kate_W

There is a museum of the French resistance, which is worth a visit.