Annecy or Talloires or other?
Dec 18th, 2017, 05:37 AM
#1
Original Poster
Annecy or Talloires or other?
Hello,
We have 3 nights (2 full days) to be near lake Annecy before taking the direct train to Paris.
I am having a hard time choosing a base for those three nights. My sister who spent a summer in Lake Annecy tells me Talloires is more beautiful, charming and smaller. I usually like smaller locations.
But Annecy is next to the train station and the bicycle path on the western side is right there. It might be easier to rent bicycles with baby seats. On the other hand, it might be more relaxing for us to be in a smaller town, plus I think we have access to gentle hikes right out of Talloires.
Can anyone offer insights as to their experience in lake Annecy? Thank you
A.
We have 3 nights (2 full days) to be near lake Annecy before taking the direct train to Paris.
I am having a hard time choosing a base for those three nights. My sister who spent a summer in Lake Annecy tells me Talloires is more beautiful, charming and smaller. I usually like smaller locations.
But Annecy is next to the train station and the bicycle path on the western side is right there. It might be easier to rent bicycles with baby seats. On the other hand, it might be more relaxing for us to be in a smaller town, plus I think we have access to gentle hikes right out of Talloires.
Can anyone offer insights as to their experience in lake Annecy? Thank you
A.
Dec 18th, 2017, 06:41 AM
#3
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We spent 2 weeks in a gite in Talloires a few years ago and really liked the location. We've also stayed in Annecy for several times on past trips. Driving in & out of Talloires is much easier than Annecy. I think the eastern side of the Lake is also prettier than the western side next to the water - so perhaps you'll be closer to the eastern bike trips from Talloires. The view of the mountains from Talloires is stunning. The "old" section of Annecy is much smaller than you might think. We drove from the Mt Blanc area to Annecy last year, returned the car, & took the train back to Paris and that was no "big deal". Old Annecy can get quite mobbed in the summer - especially at night.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Dec 18th, 2017, 09:02 AM
#6
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@Stu Dudley: Thank you for insight. I was leaning towards Talloires, but I was not thinking of renting a car for just 2 days. But I always like to travel to the most beautiful location, convenience be damned. I thought the eastern bike trips from Talloires shared a road with the cars, which I try to avoid. Are you willing share which gîte you stayed at in Talloires?
Dec 18th, 2017, 09:56 AM
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>> Are you willing share which gîte you stayed at in Talloires?<<
It is no longer available, and Gites usually rent from Sat to Sat.
The eastern road around the lake is shared with cars, but there were many bikes using this road. There is a lot of commerce on the western road as you leave Annecy - that's why we didn't think it was as scenic as the eastern road.
If you won't have a car - I would stay in Annecy because there is more stiff to do there. Be aware that Annecy is a rather largish city (51K, 160K including suburbs), so there is a lot of ugly urban sprawl outside of the small "old Annecy". We've always had a car while in the Lake Annecy region so that we could explore the Alps, and get away from the sprawl of Annecy. If your primary focus is exploration on bikes - you should perhaps do some more research and try to get opinions of bicyclists (not me), about which location on the lake is best for biking adventures. It may not be either Annecy or Talloire - it could be Veyrier or the city at the south end of the lake.
Stu Dudley
It is no longer available, and Gites usually rent from Sat to Sat.
The eastern road around the lake is shared with cars, but there were many bikes using this road. There is a lot of commerce on the western road as you leave Annecy - that's why we didn't think it was as scenic as the eastern road.
If you won't have a car - I would stay in Annecy because there is more stiff to do there. Be aware that Annecy is a rather largish city (51K, 160K including suburbs), so there is a lot of ugly urban sprawl outside of the small "old Annecy". We've always had a car while in the Lake Annecy region so that we could explore the Alps, and get away from the sprawl of Annecy. If your primary focus is exploration on bikes - you should perhaps do some more research and try to get opinions of bicyclists (not me), about which location on the lake is best for biking adventures. It may not be either Annecy or Talloire - it could be Veyrier or the city at the south end of the lake.
Stu Dudley
Dec 18th, 2017, 12:03 PM
#8
Original Poster
Thank you that was very insightful. Bicycling is one activity I had in mind for one morning; another would be a 2-3 hour hike.
The more I hear about Annecy, the more I think that we will go to Talloires even if we decide not to have a car (but I have not ruled it out). Two days go by very fast, I don't think we will run out of things to do.
I will research more.
The more I hear about Annecy, the more I think that we will go to Talloires even if we decide not to have a car (but I have not ruled it out). Two days go by very fast, I don't think we will run out of things to do.
I will research more.
Dec 19th, 2017, 06:33 AM
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From my much larger Alps itinerary:
The Annecy market is on Sunday morning– one of the best in France according to the Green Guide - but we've visited much better ones elsewhere in France.
Gorges du Fier** see the Green Guide open 9:15-5 www.gorgedufier.com
Tour 1– 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 would 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 Talloires (it is on the east side of the lake). Then continue clockwise back to your Gite.
Tour 2 – Route de la Forclaz*** see the Green Guide. 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 Talloires if you have not visited it yet. The views from the east side of the lake are better in the morning.
Tour 3 – best in the afternoon. Perhaps visit Annecy in the AM
The Semnoz** . 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. We enjoyed this chateau. Nice views.
We visited Lake Annecy in '06 and stayed in a gite in Tailloires for 2 weeks (Gite is no longer available). We've also stayed at Le Cottage in Tailloires on a multi-day visit, and also at a "business" hotel in Annecy itself. In '06 our best meals were in Annecy at La Ciboulette, and Auberge de Savoie.
Stu Dudley
The Annecy market is on Sunday morning– one of the best in France according to the Green Guide - but we've visited much better ones elsewhere in France.
Gorges du Fier** see the Green Guide open 9:15-5 www.gorgedufier.com
Tour 1– 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 would 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 Talloires (it is on the east side of the lake). Then continue clockwise back to your Gite.
Tour 2 – Route de la Forclaz*** see the Green Guide. 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 Talloires if you have not visited it yet. The views from the east side of the lake are better in the morning.
Tour 3 – best in the afternoon. Perhaps visit Annecy in the AM
The Semnoz** . 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. We enjoyed this chateau. Nice views.
We visited Lake Annecy in '06 and stayed in a gite in Tailloires for 2 weeks (Gite is no longer available). We've also stayed at Le Cottage in Tailloires on a multi-day visit, and also at a "business" hotel in Annecy itself. In '06 our best meals were in Annecy at La Ciboulette, and Auberge de Savoie.
Stu Dudley
Dec 19th, 2017, 11:17 AM
#11
Original Poster
Thank you for everyone that answered.
@Stu Dudley: this information is very useful; I followed your Tuscany scenic route years ago when we drove from Lucca to Pienza. It was fantastic. Thank you again for sharing. Your info is spot on.
@Stu Dudley: this information is very useful; I followed your Tuscany scenic route years ago when we drove from Lucca to Pienza. It was fantastic. Thank you again for sharing. Your info is spot on.
Dec 19th, 2017, 08:06 PM
#13
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>>Hoping to “do” Mont Blanc<<
Also from my Alps itinerary
On to Mt Blanc
Take the N94 northeast of Briancon, cross the Italy border, and then the R23, S24 north to the A32 to Modane. Take the A43 west, then north to the A430 to Albertville. Briancon to Albertville should take 2 hours.
We actually stopped along the way from Albertville to Mt Blanc to visit the very scenic Beaufort area**. We mostly drove through this region & got out of the car a couple if times to walk through a town (Hautluce), or to just admire the views. Conflans* next to Albertville is an interesting village to explore. Then take the D925 northeast to Beaufort. We didn't wander through Beaufort - but it looked interesting. Then take the D218 south to Areches (another interesting looking town we didn't walk through), and then on to Boudin to admire the views**. We then returned to Beaufort, and took the D218B to Hautluce and we wandered in town and admired the view of Mt Blanc. Then we continued on the D218B to Flumet, then to D1212 through Megave and then to Sallanches and then the D1205 to Domancy.
As I stated earlier, we've rented 66 gites in France, so far. The Gite in Domancy had the best views of any of them. https://en.gites-de-france.com/holid...74G103018.html
Finding the Gite in Domancy is easy. Take the D1205 from Sallanches and get off at the Domancy exit and head uphill past some sort of automobile or truck rental place (the only commerce in Domancy) and the follow the main road to the Gite. On the Gites de France Web page for the gite in Domancy, the very first picture is what the gite looks like from the road you take to get to the gite. There is a green Gites de France sign on the side of the building that faces this access road. Park in front of the gite. There is actually a smaller/quicker road from Megave to Domancy - but take the D1205 from Sallanches to Domancy when you first arrive at the gite. If you need to go to or from Megave later in your stay, then use this other road (the D199).
We dined at several Michelin starred restaurants in this region. Some were quite expensive, and a little too pretentious. A good choice in Chamonix is Atmosphere, which sits on one of the rivers flowing through town and is quite popular (reserve ahead). We also liked 1920 in Megave - which is a Michelin two star restaurant, and Le Serac in St Gervais - a Michelin 1 star.
Things to do & see. Use map 328
1. Montenvers mountain railway***. Train up to the foot of Mt Blanc (not to the top of Mt Blanc). See the Green Guide for a description of this train. Also this site http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/f...s-mer-de-glace . Take the first train up - which departs a little after 10:00. This is a very scenic train ride. You can get breakfast at the train departure station. See the green guide for the location of the train departure station in St Gervais. Many other people on the train will be loaded with gear to climb Mt Blanc - but don't be intimidated (but take a warm jacket with you). When you get to the top, wander around a bit and then take the next train back or the second train back (which we took). If you take a later train to Mt Blanc, they will hand out "tokens" at the top that you'll need to use to "queue up" for trains back to St Gervais. You may have to wait longer than you would like - that's why I recommend that you take the very first train from St Gervais.
Lifts to viewing stations - in order of preference.
2. Le Brevent*** pg 260. This was fabulous!!!. There is an outside restaurant at the top of this lift. We had both breakfast and lunch at this restaurant. The views were breathtaking. Only do this on a clear day (same with all trains & lifts in the area). It was hard for us to leave. We got to the lift at 9:00 and didn't depart until 12:45. See the Green Guide to determine where to catch the lift to Le Brevent.
3. Aiguille du Midi Cable Car***. This is "THE" lift up to Mt Blanc (but we enjoyed the Le Brevent more). This goes up in two stages. We took it about 10 years ago - and I don't think there is a large viewing area with concessions like there is in Le Brevent. See the Green Guide and the "upper" map to determine where to catch this lift.
4. Aiguille des Grandes-Montets*** . This departs from Argentiere - which is on the other side of Chamonix close to the Italy border. This lift probably had the best views. But it was freezing the day we went up there (after a snow). Dress warmly.
5. Le Bettex** . There is a "back way" to get to this lift - without going through St Gervais. Head towards Megave on the D199/D1212. Then take the D909 road toward St Gervais.
Non-mountain lift activity.
6. Chamonix is actually an interesting town to wander though. It's a relatively "new" resort - so there is no "old world charm". We had dinner there, and it was enjoyable to get to Chamonix around 6:30 to watch the evening activity in town.
7. St Gervais is also an interesting town - and older. We drove through it several times to get to restaurants & start of lifts - but never really explored it thoroughly.
8. Hauteluce is a little over 1 hr from Domancy, and Beaufort is 10 mins from Hauteluce. So you could visit this scenic area if you missed it on the way to Domancy from Briancon.
9. Other interesting villages near Domancy are Cordon*, Combloux*, and Megave. But we concentrated on the Alps in this area - not the "cute little villages" - so we did not visit them.
Stu Dudley
Also from my Alps itinerary
On to Mt Blanc
Take the N94 northeast of Briancon, cross the Italy border, and then the R23, S24 north to the A32 to Modane. Take the A43 west, then north to the A430 to Albertville. Briancon to Albertville should take 2 hours.
We actually stopped along the way from Albertville to Mt Blanc to visit the very scenic Beaufort area**. We mostly drove through this region & got out of the car a couple if times to walk through a town (Hautluce), or to just admire the views. Conflans* next to Albertville is an interesting village to explore. Then take the D925 northeast to Beaufort. We didn't wander through Beaufort - but it looked interesting. Then take the D218 south to Areches (another interesting looking town we didn't walk through), and then on to Boudin to admire the views**. We then returned to Beaufort, and took the D218B to Hautluce and we wandered in town and admired the view of Mt Blanc. Then we continued on the D218B to Flumet, then to D1212 through Megave and then to Sallanches and then the D1205 to Domancy.
As I stated earlier, we've rented 66 gites in France, so far. The Gite in Domancy had the best views of any of them. https://en.gites-de-france.com/holid...74G103018.html
Finding the Gite in Domancy is easy. Take the D1205 from Sallanches and get off at the Domancy exit and head uphill past some sort of automobile or truck rental place (the only commerce in Domancy) and the follow the main road to the Gite. On the Gites de France Web page for the gite in Domancy, the very first picture is what the gite looks like from the road you take to get to the gite. There is a green Gites de France sign on the side of the building that faces this access road. Park in front of the gite. There is actually a smaller/quicker road from Megave to Domancy - but take the D1205 from Sallanches to Domancy when you first arrive at the gite. If you need to go to or from Megave later in your stay, then use this other road (the D199).
We dined at several Michelin starred restaurants in this region. Some were quite expensive, and a little too pretentious. A good choice in Chamonix is Atmosphere, which sits on one of the rivers flowing through town and is quite popular (reserve ahead). We also liked 1920 in Megave - which is a Michelin two star restaurant, and Le Serac in St Gervais - a Michelin 1 star.
Things to do & see. Use map 328
1. Montenvers mountain railway***. Train up to the foot of Mt Blanc (not to the top of Mt Blanc). See the Green Guide for a description of this train. Also this site http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/f...s-mer-de-glace . Take the first train up - which departs a little after 10:00. This is a very scenic train ride. You can get breakfast at the train departure station. See the green guide for the location of the train departure station in St Gervais. Many other people on the train will be loaded with gear to climb Mt Blanc - but don't be intimidated (but take a warm jacket with you). When you get to the top, wander around a bit and then take the next train back or the second train back (which we took). If you take a later train to Mt Blanc, they will hand out "tokens" at the top that you'll need to use to "queue up" for trains back to St Gervais. You may have to wait longer than you would like - that's why I recommend that you take the very first train from St Gervais.
Lifts to viewing stations - in order of preference.
2. Le Brevent*** pg 260. This was fabulous!!!. There is an outside restaurant at the top of this lift. We had both breakfast and lunch at this restaurant. The views were breathtaking. Only do this on a clear day (same with all trains & lifts in the area). It was hard for us to leave. We got to the lift at 9:00 and didn't depart until 12:45. See the Green Guide to determine where to catch the lift to Le Brevent.
3. Aiguille du Midi Cable Car***. This is "THE" lift up to Mt Blanc (but we enjoyed the Le Brevent more). This goes up in two stages. We took it about 10 years ago - and I don't think there is a large viewing area with concessions like there is in Le Brevent. See the Green Guide and the "upper" map to determine where to catch this lift.
4. Aiguille des Grandes-Montets*** . This departs from Argentiere - which is on the other side of Chamonix close to the Italy border. This lift probably had the best views. But it was freezing the day we went up there (after a snow). Dress warmly.
5. Le Bettex** . There is a "back way" to get to this lift - without going through St Gervais. Head towards Megave on the D199/D1212. Then take the D909 road toward St Gervais.
Non-mountain lift activity.
6. Chamonix is actually an interesting town to wander though. It's a relatively "new" resort - so there is no "old world charm". We had dinner there, and it was enjoyable to get to Chamonix around 6:30 to watch the evening activity in town.
7. St Gervais is also an interesting town - and older. We drove through it several times to get to restaurants & start of lifts - but never really explored it thoroughly.
8. Hauteluce is a little over 1 hr from Domancy, and Beaufort is 10 mins from Hauteluce. So you could visit this scenic area if you missed it on the way to Domancy from Briancon.
9. Other interesting villages near Domancy are Cordon*, Combloux*, and Megave. But we concentrated on the Alps in this area - not the "cute little villages" - so we did not visit them.
Stu Dudley
