I am looking to plan a trip for my dad to France. Specifically, I am looking to go to the French Alps. I don't know where to start. I am open to suggestions.

Chamonix is an obvious choice for a stay in the French Alps. Briançon advertises itself as the highest town in the Alps.

Follow the Route des Grande Alpes from Menton to Chamonix.



My wife & I have stayed in various gites in the Alps for a total of 7 weeks. I developed an itinerary that describes our favorite gondola/lift adventures, scenic drives, villages, etc. I've sent my various itineraries (I have others) to over 6,000 people on Fodors. If you would like a copy, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail. DO SO SOON. We leave early this coming Thursday for a month in Brittany.


Stu Dudley

Or, just take a train to Chamonix and spend days there doing awesome stuff - check www.oui.sncf for booking own trains - general info on Chamonix area and trains in general and what to see - www.budgeteruopetravel.com and Èü¶÷ÌØÓ׶ùÔ°É豸ÓÐÏÞ¹«Ë¾. easy to get there and easy to get around by public transport- trains and lifts.

All depends on your dates. After mid September, almost everything in higher areas will be closed.

But don't things like Montnevers train to glaciers and Pte Aiguille cableway to Pt Heilbronner still operate? How do skiiers get to slopes?

Les Posettes close end August, Planpraz, Brevent, Flegere, Index and the upper part of Tramway du Mont Blanc Sept 16th, Grands Montets, Charamillon, and Col des Montets Sept. 20th, Montenvers end September. Aiguille du Midi runs more or less all the year round.

Chamonix is wonderful and you can side trip to Annecy from there as well We have visited twice and would love to go again.

You should definitely go to Chamonix and do all of the awesome things. Or you could visit west Switzerland - it's like France but without the train strikes. Go Noles!