Roy Corbett

What suggestions can you offer for an itinerary after leaving the Loire valley to travel to Annecy? Have 6 days that are available but hope to spend 2 days in Annecy before heading to Beaune.In a bit of a dilemma. Can you help? Thanks

John H

Hi, Roy, <BR> <BR>Tough question. I'd start by getting a road map of France (AAA has a very adequate one for free if you are a member) and looking at possibilities. <BR>I'd also look at one of the mapping web sites (like www.viamichelin.com) to check for travel times and routings and see what is along the suggested driving route. <BR> <BR>If you want to do Annecy before you go to Beaune -- and given your time limitations -- it looks like your best route is to travel along the A71 and A72. So, the question is how long a drive is that and what is there to see along the way? It looks like spending a day or two driving from the Loire Valley along this route to Lyon makes sense. Do research into the cities/regions along the way (e.g., Clermont Feerrand -- I don't really know what is there) and overnight in some charming inn en route. Lyon can certainly be a 2 or 3 night stay, with an easy 90 minute to 2 hour drive to Annecy. <BR> <BR>If you could do Beaune prior to Annecy, I might suggest shooting east to Troyes or even Reims and doing 2 days in the Champagne region and two in Beaune, then heading down to Annecy for your two days there. <BR> <BR>A lot of this depends on how much driving you want to do. <BR> <BR>Hope this is helpful. <BR> <BR>John H

Roy Corbett

Thanks for your interest John. Have all the aids you mentioned and have already booked hotel in Beaune as it is approx. 2 hour drive to Fontainbleu where we return car and take train to Paris for final leg. <BR>Need first hand account of area or towns <BR>that would be interesting along the way and could detour slightly as long as we keep within the time frame that I mentioned.

John H

Hi, Roy, <BR> <BR>Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I will actually be in Beaune (3 nights) and Annecy (2 nights) in very early October. If you are leaving after that and I can be of any help, let me know. <BR> <BR>John

Russell Wayne

First of all, you ought to get Michelin map #989 (France), which is as good as it gets. Pick one up at the airport upon arrival rather than paying up stateside. AAA maps are poor subsitutes. Then plan your route due east to get to A6. From that point, head south through Dijon to Lyon onto Annecy. There are numerous places to stop between Dijon and Lyon. That's Burgundy. Whether you're interested in churches, other old buildings or vineyards, there's plenty en route. Lyon is easily worth a day or two as well. If you haven't already booked your room in Annecy, consider staying in Talloires, a tiny village about 10 minutes south. Far more peaceful and elegant, but usually hard to come by rooms. We stayed a Les Pres Du Lac a few weeks ago; it was superb. OK restaurant at Bluffy (just above Veyrier du Lac) called Auberge du Dents de Lanfon. If you want to break the bank, go to Marc Veyrat in Veyrier, an extraordinary experience that will probably set you back $200 a head. Annecy itself is very attractive, but increasingly overrun with tourists and American chain retail stores. The city does have a beautiful setting, but at the moment has a bit of construction in the center. Even if you don't stay in Talloires, consider the hotels between Annecy and Annecy le Vieux, which is just to the east. That's the more attractive side. If indeed you have a dilemma it will be pulling yourself away from this excellent area. Enjoy.

Roy Corbett

Thanks Russell for you observations on the Annecy area. Still researching where we are going to stay and Talloires is mentioned quite often as a desirable place to stay.Did you find it easy to park close to the town center when you drove into Annecy? <BR>Some posts have mentioned that this is a problem.

Russell Wayne

Parking was easy. There's a multilevel underground garage right next to the center. Frequently, the sign outside indicates it's full. All that means is a few minutes' wait until spaces are vacated. Just get on line at the entrance and you'll probably get in relatively quickly.