Annecy or Talloires or other?
#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.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
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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
#6
Original Poster
@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?
#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.
#10
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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
#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.