It looks like I may not be connecting with my friends in Grenoble for my last leg of my first European trip. I will be solo in July for a week before flying back to US from Lyons. I need some suggestions for a new (solo) itinerary in the French Alps. I will be coming from Paris/London. Should I venture into the Swiss border for a peek? Will I have problems getting lodging this late?

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How about making your way up to the lovely town of Annecy by stages? You could stop in medieval Pérouges and Bourg-en-Bresse, then spend a day or two around Lake Annecy before spending another day or two in the town. Visiting Chamonix would give you a taste of the alps, but I don't know whether you'd have enough time to actually get into Switzerland before returning to Lyon.

Java, just wanted to let you know that the Tour de France will hit the alps July 20th, so that might be either a blessing or a nightmare depending on your plans.

Go to www.letour.fr to see the Tour de France race schedule. With a million people lined up on the side of the road to view the race each day it will be difficult to maneuver through some areas.

In some cases roads used in the race will be closed the night before the race goes through the area. Many hotels in those areas filled up soon after the schedule was announced last fall.

Briancon, a town that boasts the most sunny days in France, is an interesting place to visit for a day or so. It's at the start of the Serre Chevalier ski domaine, which consists traditional villages along a valley. The Hautes Alpes are right there. We spent a ski week in Briancon a few years ago, and loved the area. It has a fortified old town built on the hillside that has interesting architecture. It's kind of off the beaten track so doesn't attract many US visitors, although it has been discovered by northern Europeans.

Where did you stay in Briancon?
Also, thanks you to the post on the Tour de France. We arrive on the 21st in the midst of the race. Do you recommend avoiding it or actually trying to see it. We will be very close to where they start out on the 22nd.

NYerr (like your handle)- Where will you actually be on the 22nd? On the 22nd the race leaves from Bourg d'oisans which is the start after alpe d' huez, which will be the most populated and IMO exciting day of the tour. You would probably not get into town by car no matter how early you tried, but you could catch the race after it leaves Bourg d'oisan somwhere along the route. The www.letour.com site will post more info in the next few weeks. Definitely pick up a copy of the July issue of Cycle Sport Magazine. This issue will come out later this month and should have details on specific routes. It will help you pick a place to watch the race go by. Also it will help you know which roads to avoid. If you are close enough to Bourg d'oisans you could walk into town a few miles. You won't be the only ones and it would be an interesting experince in itself. This is my first year going to the tour, but I've done alot of research. I am happy to try and answer any other questions. Also try this site for more info: http://www.tdfamericans.us/

Dear JOB..
We will be in Evian-les-Bains (just north and east), about a half hour from the starting point on the 22nd. There is a big golf tourney there, too. Our plans have just changed a bit since the Chamonix-Mont Blanc cable car is broken. We will have a car and can drive or take a train to find a good vantage point. We have never seen this before, but enjoy a good race like the NYC marathon. It would be great to try and see this.

Thanks for your advice, will pick up the magazine and check the internet for further details. Hopefully the hotel concierge can help, too.

Look into a driving tour of the Napoleon Route (Road N85). This road truly has spectacular Alps scenery views, at times running alongside the Rhone, peppered with charming French villages and incredible history. There are magnificent views and commemorative panels and monuments along the way. Check it out on http://www.rhonealpes-tourisme.com/

NYeer - You are much further away from the start on the 22nd in Bourg d'oisans, but are just north and east of the start on the 23rd in Annemasse, which is on the border of Geneva. You are probably close enough that if you left early enough you could see the start or find a spot along the route. However, I think you might be better off trying to catch the finish (or a place to stop along the route) on the 22nd in Le Grand Bornand, which is about an hour and half south of you. This is from the letour website:
"Winter-sports resort of Haute-Savoie, in the Massif des Bornes. 2,000 inhabitants. Nicknamed the "Perle des Aravis", this pleasant resort seeks to protect local crafts and habitats and is also the capital of Reblochon, a cheese with a long tradition, having been produced here since the 13th century.
http://www.legrandbornand.com/

Also I don't know if anyone else uses this site, but I really like Mappy.com for creating map itineraires in Europe. The viamichelin site is really good too, but for some reason I prefer the former.

If you're going to be in Grenoble anyway, why not stay there for a day or two? It's a lovely city. From there, if you're going to be there in early July, I would take the train to Lausanne/Montreux area and go to the Montreux Jazz (pop, blues, etc.) Festival. You won't feel alone or lonely!

Dear JOB
Thanks for the heads up on mappy.com, I was using viamichelin because I trust the Michelin hotel guides. I will get the cylce magazine and try and figure it out with out itinerary. We were going to go to Cahmonix on the 23rd but since the cable to Aiguille di Midi is broken we are rethinking things. The Route de Napolean sounds great but I wonder how many hours it is to end up in St. Tropez where we spend the rest of the time. ViaMichelin recommends going south through Italy!. Thinking of now going to Courmeyeur for the ride up Mont Blanc. But getting to see Le Tour de France is now becoming a priority. Thanks for your help.

In Briancon we stayed at the Auberge Mont Prorel, literally right across the road from the Mont Prorel ski station--perfect for our "adult children" skiers. This was in 2000, and I understand the Auberge, owned and run at that time by a local family, is now owned by some folks from UK. It was a very comfy, home-y two star hotel, and the owners were very friendly and helpful. It was my son's first time to Europe, and it was a wonderful introduction for someone who prefers wide open spaces to cities!

I imagine that whole area is getting spiffed up for 2006 Turin Olympics, because it is not all that far away from that part of Italy, and I imagine that some of the visitors will be staying in Briancon.