Geneva/Annecy/Chamonix
Discussion
In a few weeks time my son and I are flying to Geneva, picking up a hire car then driving to Annecy for a few nights by the lake then driving on to Chamonix for a few more nights before returning back to Geneva.
In Annecy we're planning on hiring some bikes to cycle around the lake, visit the town centre and possibly paddle board on the lake.
Then in Chamonix, visit the Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers, Mer de Glace, etc. Thinking of getting a Mont Blanc pass for a couple of days.
Any other suggestions on things to do whilst in the area?
I've ski'ed in Megeve before so may stop by on the way from Annecy to Chamonix.
Was tempted to drive into Italy but the cost of the tunnel is sort of putting me off. I don't think there are any mountain passes that might be fun to drive over into Italy? I ski'ed in La Thuille in February and there is a pass but I think that's quite a long drive.
I've also not driven in France for around 15/20 years so what do I need to know about the toll roads.
In Annecy we're planning on hiring some bikes to cycle around the lake, visit the town centre and possibly paddle board on the lake.
Then in Chamonix, visit the Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers, Mer de Glace, etc. Thinking of getting a Mont Blanc pass for a couple of days.
Any other suggestions on things to do whilst in the area?
I've ski'ed in Megeve before so may stop by on the way from Annecy to Chamonix.
Was tempted to drive into Italy but the cost of the tunnel is sort of putting me off. I don't think there are any mountain passes that might be fun to drive over into Italy? I ski'ed in La Thuille in February and there is a pass but I think that's quite a long drive.
I've also not driven in France for around 15/20 years so what do I need to know about the toll roads.
for routes check out the roadbook section of this website, most link to google maps so you can recreate the routes.
https://www.moto-plaisir.fr/en/
depending how much time you have you can go from megeve to beaufort, through bourg st maurice and into italy via the petit st bernard pass, through the aosta valley and then back into ch via the grand st bernard.
would mean an early start to fit into a single day but well worth it if the weather and visibility is good. if you do so, then trattoria le bourg in fenis [just outside aosta itself] makes for the perfect lunch stop.
ETA: you shouldn't be on a toll road on that route. you may have clocked this but its also cheaper to rent from the french side of the airport. only advantage of renting from the swiss side is that they have the peage and [in season] winter tyres, none of which you need.
https://www.moto-plaisir.fr/en/
depending how much time you have you can go from megeve to beaufort, through bourg st maurice and into italy via the petit st bernard pass, through the aosta valley and then back into ch via the grand st bernard.
would mean an early start to fit into a single day but well worth it if the weather and visibility is good. if you do so, then trattoria le bourg in fenis [just outside aosta itself] makes for the perfect lunch stop.
ETA: you shouldn't be on a toll road on that route. you may have clocked this but its also cheaper to rent from the french side of the airport. only advantage of renting from the swiss side is that they have the peage and [in season] winter tyres, none of which you need.
Edited by shirt on Thursday 20th July 11:14
Few recommendations for Annecy, it's a spectacular area with loads to do so i'm sure you'll have an amazing time.
- Head to the other end of the lake for a slightly quieter experience than Annecy itself, which can be fairly manic in the summer time, the village of Talloires is particularly nice and has a really good beach area with slides and diving boards into the lake (There is a small fee for entry I think but it's worth it). https://goo.gl/maps/3tv7XmT4ndKfffVJ6
- The Roc du Chere is one of the very few undeveloped areas that border the lake, it's a nature reserve with loads of nice forested shady walking trails (It could well be really hot when you're there so it offers some respite from the blazing sun), if you like jumping from a height into water there are also some good cliff jumps of varying heights where the reserve meets the lake. https://goo.gl/maps/rK67pqnosTvvN9cM7
- Col de la Forclaz is one of the most popular spots for Paragliding in Europe, there's a couple of decentish restaurants up there with spectacular views over the lake and you can either just enjoy watching the Paragliders launching and soaring through the air or do a tandem flight yourself which I highly recommend:
https://goo.gl/maps/M7XGThZNt8Gg8ceU6
- Paddle boarding is a really good shout, it's a great place to do that. I'd recommend going early when the water is usually much calmer, can often build up a bit of chop as the day progresses but is usually pond still first thing.
- La Sambuy is a tiny ski resort not far from the other end of the lake which again has amazing views and a few activities there, it's not usually too hectic up there, they run the lift in the summer too and you can walk to the summit easily enough from the top of that - Think they have a luge thing and is probably good for MTB too.
https://goo.gl/maps/Y39d7EZmKg27j8nj7
- If you fancy a relatively challenging (no idea on your fitness level etc) day hike then La Tournette is a good one, incredible views at the top of the Mt Blanc massif up there, and close to the very summit has some roped/chained sections, it does get busy in the summer months though.
https://goo.gl/maps/LmnPtji1FSRMULsc6
As I said, can't really go wrong, it's a place I love going back to.
- Head to the other end of the lake for a slightly quieter experience than Annecy itself, which can be fairly manic in the summer time, the village of Talloires is particularly nice and has a really good beach area with slides and diving boards into the lake (There is a small fee for entry I think but it's worth it). https://goo.gl/maps/3tv7XmT4ndKfffVJ6
- The Roc du Chere is one of the very few undeveloped areas that border the lake, it's a nature reserve with loads of nice forested shady walking trails (It could well be really hot when you're there so it offers some respite from the blazing sun), if you like jumping from a height into water there are also some good cliff jumps of varying heights where the reserve meets the lake. https://goo.gl/maps/rK67pqnosTvvN9cM7
- Col de la Forclaz is one of the most popular spots for Paragliding in Europe, there's a couple of decentish restaurants up there with spectacular views over the lake and you can either just enjoy watching the Paragliders launching and soaring through the air or do a tandem flight yourself which I highly recommend:
https://goo.gl/maps/M7XGThZNt8Gg8ceU6
- Paddle boarding is a really good shout, it's a great place to do that. I'd recommend going early when the water is usually much calmer, can often build up a bit of chop as the day progresses but is usually pond still first thing.
- La Sambuy is a tiny ski resort not far from the other end of the lake which again has amazing views and a few activities there, it's not usually too hectic up there, they run the lift in the summer too and you can walk to the summit easily enough from the top of that - Think they have a luge thing and is probably good for MTB too.
https://goo.gl/maps/Y39d7EZmKg27j8nj7
- If you fancy a relatively challenging (no idea on your fitness level etc) day hike then La Tournette is a good one, incredible views at the top of the Mt Blanc massif up there, and close to the very summit has some roped/chained sections, it does get busy in the summer months though.
https://goo.gl/maps/LmnPtji1FSRMULsc6
As I said, can't really go wrong, it's a place I love going back to.
shirt said:
depending how much time you have you can go from megeve to beaufort, through bourg st maurice and into italy via the petit st bernard pass, through the aosta valley and then back into ch via the grand st bernard.
would mean an early start to fit into a single day but well worth it if the weather and visibility is good. if you do so, then trattoria le bourg in fenis [just outside aosta itself] makes for the perfect lunch stop.
Make time to do this, these are the best mountain passes I've ever ridden (BMW S1000R). Whilst singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgJuVOrXv68would mean an early start to fit into a single day but well worth it if the weather and visibility is good. if you do so, then trattoria le bourg in fenis [just outside aosta itself] makes for the perfect lunch stop.
Edited by shirt on Thursday 20th July 11:14
Powerkiter said:
In a few weeks time my son and I are flying to Geneva, picking up a hire car then driving to Annecy for a few nights by the lake then driving on to Chamonix for a few more nights before returning back to Geneva.
At least technically you should inform the hire car company you're planning to take the vehicle "out of country", be that collecting from the French side of Geneva airport (generally cheaper and you just need to exit baggage reclaim, go up to the departures level, then walk all the way to the end with the check-in desks on your left and scan your boarding pass - you won't get a Swiss motorway vignette though, so either buy one or just avoid Swiss motorways) then driving into Geneva or the Swiss side and later driving to France.Powerkiter said:
In Annecy we're planning on hiring some bikes to cycle around the lake, visit the town centre and possibly paddle board on the lake.
I'm not sure I'd recommend trying to paddle board using a hire bike... 
If going to Chamonix, Aiguille du Midi is probably number one tick. Cable car takes you up into the heart of the Mont Blanc massif and genuinely breathtaking scenery.
Once this is done, I'd recommend getting up in the Aiguilles Rouges so you can view the Mont Blanc
If you take the cable car and index lift up you can have a relatively gentle walk down taking in Lac Blanc and the views there
https://en.chamonix.com/activities/hiking/hiking-t...
Once this is done, I'd recommend getting up in the Aiguilles Rouges so you can view the Mont Blanc
If you take the cable car and index lift up you can have a relatively gentle walk down taking in Lac Blanc and the views there
https://en.chamonix.com/activities/hiking/hiking-t...
I wouldn't bother with Mer de Glace unless you have a fetish for climbing stairs or want to witness climate change and worry for the rest of the day. There are now hundreds of steps down from the train to the glacier...
If you like being outdoors then I would suggest a nice walk on the Petit Balcon Nord. You can access it from central Chamonix walking out of town behind the Richard Bozon Leisure Centre and along the river.
Take the left up on to the trail and then you get a really nice walk through the forest up off the valley floor. You can walk all the way to Argentiere and back on the Petit Balcon Sud or go higher up in the valley on other trails, depending how much exertion you want!
This follows some of the route of the UTMB races, speaking of which if you are there at that point it will be absolutely rammed.
If you like being outdoors then I would suggest a nice walk on the Petit Balcon Nord. You can access it from central Chamonix walking out of town behind the Richard Bozon Leisure Centre and along the river.
Take the left up on to the trail and then you get a really nice walk through the forest up off the valley floor. You can walk all the way to Argentiere and back on the Petit Balcon Sud or go higher up in the valley on other trails, depending how much exertion you want!
This follows some of the route of the UTMB races, speaking of which if you are there at that point it will be absolutely rammed.
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