tidy

We will have 5-6 days in Montreux. I have plans for most of our time but have one possible free day and was think inking of a day trip to either Sion or Annecy, France. Any thoughts on either of these areas?

neckervd

By car or by public transport?
Neither a full day at Sion nor a full day at Annecy makes much sense, but there is a lot to visit in between.
What are you interested in?

isabel

I visited Sion (day trip from Lausanne) and had no problem filling up the day, and liked it so much I stopped there again a few days later for a few hours on my way back from another day trip (by train). Here's my photos of that trip - http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/switzerland_2013

I also visited Anncey but it was quite a few years ago (that trip I was in a car) and I enjoyed it but even then I felt it was more touristy than Sion. (http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/burg...mandy&page=all)

tidy

We would have a car. We have so many interests and have also seen a lot. I find I am more interested now in something different! An activity and of course always a charming town. Now let me try to exlain different. We have seen a lot of cathedrals, walled cities, and castles so we don't want to do every one but certainly remarkable ones. We are enjoying some hiking, walking, wine tasting, and biking in charming areas. We do love history also. Hope this helps.

FACS

Loved Annecy.

Trophywife007

Isabel, you photos are truly lovely. Thanks for sharing your link!

How long were you in Switzerland?

isabel

Thanks. I have done two trips to Switzerland, each a little more than a week.

I thought Sion was a little different from many towns. It has two hills just a short way from the down center. One has a castle ruin, both have great views.

JoyC

Isabel, you really are a gifted photographer - your photos are always wonderful to look at. I must say I once followed your 3-day itinerary in the south of France, touching on Vence, SPdV, Tourrettes-sur-loup and Haut-de-Cagnes. Lovely loop.

We will be in Montreux and I was wondering if you went to Sion by train? Also what viewpoint were you at, to get that postcard pic of Sion?

Thanks.

neckervd

"Now let me try to exlain different. We have seen a lot of cathedrals, walled cities, and castles so we don't want to do every one but certainly remarkable ones. We are enjoying some hiking, walking, wine tasting, and biking in charming areas. We do love history also. Hope this helps"

At and around Sion, you can do all that:

Small but lovely historic city center, cathedral with the oldest still playable organ of the world, old fortress with the historic museum of the canton of Valais (including a more than 150 years old diligence of the Swiss Post).
Scenic and easy hikes along historic water irrigation channels. Endless hiking and bike trails through the vineyards. Water irrigation channel museum at Ayent. Small art museum at Lens (between Sion and Crans-Montana). Underground lake at St. Leonard. Scenic rather untouristy mountain villages in Val d'Herens (Mase, St. Martin, Eison, Evolene, Heremence). Earth pyrammids at Euseigne. More than a dozen bus lines to small mountain villages. Highest concrete dam and artificial lake at Grande Dixence. Bikes can be rented at Sion railway station and transported as passenger luggage on all trains, funiculars (Montana) and post buses.
Nearby Martigny has a roman theatre, a gallo-romain museum, a Picasso exhibition (June 18th until Nov 20th), a car museum (Benz 1897, Stanley steam car, etc.). The thermal spa of Saillon is between Sion and Martigny.