FrenchAlps
3
Day Itinerary •
France
Three days in the French Alps gives you the essential high mountain experience, from the extraordinary summit of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps at 4,808 metres, to the magnificent Aiguille du Midi cable car giving the most extraordinary vertical ascent in the world, the glaciers of the Mer de Glace and the finest mountain town of Chamonix. This route covers the heart of the French Alps. The extraordinary Chamonix valley beneath Mont Blanc, the dramatic Aiguilles Rouges opposite, the finest alpine villages of Megeve and Les Contamines, the extraordinary Gorges de l'Arve and the most beautiful lake in the Alps at Annecy with its extraordinary turquoise water and medieval old town.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for hiking, December to March for skiing
Getting There
Geneva airport (GVA) 1 hour, or TGV to Sallanches then bus
Getting Around
Rental car recommended, some bus connections in summer
Budget Per Day
Approx 110 to 180 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some high-altitude walking
DAY 1
CHAMONIX AND MONT BLANC
MORNING
AIGUILLE DU MIDI, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CABLE CAR IN THE WORLD
The Aiguille du Midi cable car rises 2,807 metres in 20 minutes from Chamonix to the extraordinary summit at 3,842 metres, the most spectacular vertical ascent in the world. The extraordinary summit terrace gives a face-on view of the entire Mont Blanc massif, the Matterhorn and across to the Bernese Oberland. The step into the void glass-floored platform is extraordinary. Book online weeks ahead. Return ticket approx 67 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
MER DE GLACE, THE LARGEST GLACIER IN FRANCE
The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier in France and the most extraordinary river of ice in the Alps, 7km long and 200 metres deep, flowing down from the flanks of Mont Blanc above Chamonix. The extraordinary Montenvers rack railway climbs to the glacier viewpoint in 20 minutes. The ice grotto carved inside the glacier each year is extraordinary. Return train approx 34 euros. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
CHAMONIX TOWN AND THE MONT BLANC MASSIF WALK
Chamonix is the finest mountain town in France, its extraordinary pedestrian centre filled with the world's finest mountain equipment shops, cafes and climbers. The extraordinary walk along the Arve river through the town to the Biolay district gives the most extraordinary face-on view of the Aiguilles de Chamonix. The Maison de la Montagne with its climbing and weather information is extraordinary. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lac Blanc above the Flegere lift in Chamonix is the finest viewpoint in the entire Mont Blanc massif, its perfect reflection of the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Verte and Mont Blanc itself in the mountain lake an extraordinary sight. The 2-hour hike from La Flegere lift station is the finest day walk in the Alps. Cable car to Flegere approx 18 euros, hike free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Chambre Neuf, Chamonix Coffee at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi lift before the morning ascent. | Lunch: Le Monchu, Chamonix Outstanding tartiflette, fondue savoyarde and local Roussette de Savoie white wine. | Dinner: Le Bistrot, Chamonix Extraordinary Savoyard cuisine. Local raclette, charcuterie and Mondeuse red from the valley.
DAY 2
MEGEVE AND THE ARAVIS
MORNING
MEGEVE, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ALPINE VILLAGE IN FRANCE
Megeve is the most beautiful and elegant alpine village in France, its extraordinary medieval church, cobbled squares and timber-framed chalets entirely unchanged in character despite its status as one of the finest ski resorts in the Alps. The extraordinary Wednesday and Saturday morning market sells the finest Reblochon, Beaufort and Tome des Bauges cheeses. The views up to Mont d'Arbois are extraordinary. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
COL DES ARAVIS AND THE FINEST MOUNTAIN PASS IN THE ALPS
The Col des Aravis at 1,486 metres is the most extraordinary mountain pass in the northern Alps, its extraordinary views of the Mont Blanc massif to the west and the Aravis range to the east among the finest in France. The pass road from Megeve to La Clusaz passes through the finest alpine cheese-making country in France. The village of Saint-Jean-de-Sixt below is extraordinary. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LA CLUSAZ AND THE ARAVIS CHEESE ROUTE
La Clusaz is the finest traditional ski village in the Aravis, its extraordinary 12th-century church and surrounding mountain farms producing the finest Reblochon in France. The extraordinary Aravis cheese route connects farms where Reblochon, Beaufort and Abondance are made by hand. Visit a fermier producer directly for an extraordinary tasting. The alpine meadows above the village are extraordinary in summer.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gorges de l'Arve between Cluses and Sallanches is the finest hidden natural feature in the Mont Blanc massif approach, its extraordinary vertical limestone walls rising 300 metres above the river in a narrow gorge entirely invisible from the autoroute above. The D1205 through the gorge is extraordinary. Free. Almost entirely unknown to visitors heading for Chamonix.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Megeve Coffee and croissant in the finest alpine village in France before the market opens. | Lunch: Les Enfants Terribles, Megeve Extraordinary mountain lunch. Local Beaufort cheese fondue and Savoie white wine. | Dinner: La Scierie, La Clusaz Outstanding traditional Savoyard cooking. Local trout, Reblochon tart and Mondeuse red.
DAY 3
ANNECY
MORNING
LAC D'ANNECY, THE CLEANEST LAKE IN EUROPE
Lac d'Annecy is the most beautiful alpine lake in France and the cleanest in Europe, its extraordinary turquoise water surrounded by limestone peaks reflected in perfect stillness on calm mornings. The cycle path around the entire 40km lake shore is the finest cycling route in the Alps. The extraordinary Château de Duingt on its promontory in the middle of the lake is the most photographed sight in Haute-Savoie. Free to walk the shore. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
ANNECY OLD TOWN AND THE CANALS
Annecy old town is the most extraordinary medieval canal town in France, its extraordinary network of canals lined with flower-decked arcaded houses in extraordinary condition. The Palais de l'Isle on its canal island is the most photographed building in the Alps. The extraordinary farmers' market on Tuesday and Friday mornings is the finest in Haute-Savoie. The view from the chateau over the old town and lake is extraordinary. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
GORGES DU FIER AND THE LOVAGNY CASTLE
The Gorges du Fier 10km west of Annecy is the most extraordinary river gorge in Haute-Savoie, its extraordinary suspended walkway threading through a narrow slot of polished limestone above the roaring Fier torrent. The medieval Chateau de Montrottier above the gorge is the finest in the Annecy area. Entry to gorge approx 7 euros. The Château de Montrottier entry approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary village of Talloires on the eastern shore of Lac d'Annecy is the finest hidden village on the lake, its extraordinary 11th-century Benedictine abbey now converted to the finest hotel on the water. The walk from Talloires to the Ermitage Saint-Germain above the lake gives the most extraordinary panoramic view of the entire Lac d'Annecy. Free. Almost entirely unknown to day visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Lac d'Annecy shore Coffee on the lakefront at dawn before the boats arrive. The water colour at first light is extraordinary. | Lunch: Le Bilboquet, Annecy Outstanding fresh lake fish. Local fera, omble chevalier and Roussette de Savoie white in the old town. | Dinner: Le Clos des Sens, Annecy Two Michelin stars. The finest restaurant in the Alps. Extraordinary local produce and Savoie wine list.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Chamonix, Night 1 Hotel Mont Blanc or Le Morgane. Central, views of the massif. Approx 120 to 220 euros. Megeve, Night 2 Hotel Mont-Blanc Megeve or Les Fermes de Marie. Extraordinary alpine luxury. Approx 150 to 300 euros. Annecy, Night 3 Hotel du Palais de l'Isle or Villa Cécile in the old town. Approx 100 to 180 euros.
Top Tips
1. Book the Aiguille du Midi cable car online weeks ahead in summer. It sells out by 8am on peak days.
2. Annecy old town at dawn, before the tourists arrive, is the most extraordinary small city in the Alps.
3. The Mer de Glace has retreated dramatically. The signs marking its historic levels are extraordinary and sobering.
4. Megeve market on Wednesday and Saturday morning is the finest alpine food market in France.
5. Reblochon cheese is produced only in the Aravis mountains. Buy it directly from a farm in Thones.
6. The Lac Blanc hike above Chamonix gives the most extraordinary face-on view of the Mont Blanc massif.
Total Budget
110 to 180 euros/day