Cidade Turismo
France
French Alps

Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · France

French Alps

Annecy, on the shore of a lake between mountains, and Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, with cable cars that rise to almost 3,800 meters.

Leste

In the photo: Pont des Amours and Lac d’Annecy

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The French Alps occupy the east of France, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. This is where Mont Blanc is, at 4,807 meters, the highest point in the Alps. The region is part of Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes, whose capital is Lyon, and the department containing Annecy and Chamonix is called Haute-Savoie (Haute-Savoie).

Annecy is the quieter gateway. The town grew at the outlet of Lac d'Annecy, a glacial lake, and has a vieille ville (old town) crossed by canals, with the Palais de l'Isle in the middle of the Thiou river and a castle atop the hill.

Chamonix is the high-mountain town, about 100 km from Annecy. From the center depart the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi, at 3,842 meters, and the Montenvers rack railway, which goes up to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France. On the other side of the valley, Brévent and Flégère face the Mont Blanc massif.

The European winter is the ski season, usually from December to April; summer, from June to September, is the time for hikes and lakes. Between seasons many cable cars close for maintenance, and it can be cold up high even in July.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Annecy, Chamonix.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where French Alps is
AnnecyChamonix

Contornos: © IGN, ADMIN EXPRESS, Licence Ouverte 2.0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: French Alps

✈ Aéroport international de Genève (GVA), in Genebra (Suíça) · 45 km to Annecy

✈ Aéroport de Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS), in Colombier-Saugnieu · 125 km to Annecy

The most used airport is Genebra (GVA), in Switzerland, near the border: Annecy is about 45 km and Chamonix about 90 km away. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) is the other option. Check before booking. From Paris, the TGV goes to Annecy; for Chamonix, the train goes to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet and continues on the Mont-Blanc Express.

Suggested arrival point: Annecy

Annecy
Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · French Alps Suggested arrival point

Annecy

Annecy sits at the outlet of Lac d'Annecy, a glacial lake surrounded by mountains, in the department of Haute-Savoie. The vieille ville has canals from the Thiou river, colorful houses and the Palais de l'Isle, a former prison on a small island. Above are the Château d'Annecy and the Basilique de la Visitation; on the lakeside are the Jardins de l'Europe and the Pont des Amours. Nearby are the Gorges du Fier, Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard and the Semnoz.
Chamonix
Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · French Alps

Chamonix

Chamonix lies in the valley at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest point of the Alps at 4,807 meters, near the borders with Switzerland and Italy. From the town center departs the Aiguille du Midi cable car, at 3,842 meters, and the Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France. On the other side of the valley, Brévent and Flégère face the massif, and the trail to Lac Blanc starts from Flégère. In the center is the Musée du Mont-Blanc; nearby, in Saint-Gervais, is the Tramway du Mont-Blanc.

The local experience

Things to do in French Alps

Aiguille du Midi
Chamonix · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Observation deck

Aiguille du Midi

Peak of 3,842 meters above Chamonix, reached by cable car in two stages. At the top there are terraces, the Pas dans le Vide and a close view of Mont Blanc.

Vieille ville d'Annecy
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Historic neighborhood

Vieille ville d'Annecy

Annecy's historic centre, with arcaded streets, colourful houses and the canals of the Thiou and the Vassé. It's the starting point for the castle, the Palais de l'Isle and the lakeside.

Montenvers – Mer de Glace
Chamonix · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Glacier

Montenvers – Mer de Glace

Rack railway, in operation since 1909, that climbs from Chamonix to the Montenvers at 1,913 meters, with views of the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France, and a cave carved into the ice.

Palais de l'Isle
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Monument

Palais de l'Isle

A 12th-century fortified house on an islet in the Thiou River, which has served as a prison and a courthouse. Today it houses an exhibition space about the history and architecture of Annecy.

See 12 more places in French Alps
Lac d'Annecy
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Lake

Lac d'Annecy

Glacial lake about 14 km long, surrounded by mountains. You can take boat trips, walk along the shore and visit villages like Talloires.

Le Brévent
Chamonix · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Observation deck

Le Brévent

Peak of 2,525 meters on the opposite side of the valley, reached by gondola and cable car from central Chamonix, with a direct view of the Mont Blanc massif.

Château d'Annecy
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Castle

Château d'Annecy

Castle from the 12th to 16th centuries, former residence of the counts of Genebra and of the dukes of Savoie-Nemours, now a municipal museum with views over the town and the lake.

La Flégère
Chamonix · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Observation deck

La Flégère

Plateau at about 1,900 meters in the Aiguilles Rouges, reached by gondola from Les Praz, with views of the Mer de Glace and the Grandes Jorasses and the starting point of the Lac Blanc trail.

Jardins de l'Europe
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Garden

Jardins de l'Europe

Tree-lined park on the lakeside, next to the Pont des Amours and the Pâquier lawn, with views of the water and the mountains.

Lac Blanc
Chamonix · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Lake

Lac Blanc

Mountain lake at 2,352 meters in the Aiguilles Rouges, reached only by trail, with the Mont Blanc massif reflected in the water on windless days.

Basilique de la Visitation
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Church

Basilique de la Visitation

20th-century basilica on the crest of the Crêt du Maure above Annecy, associated with São Francisco de Sales and Santa Joana de Chantal, with views over the town and the lake.

Musée du Mont-Blanc
Chamonix · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Museum

Musée du Mont-Blanc

Chamonix valley museum, housed in a former central hotel, about the relationship between people and the mountain: the history of the valley, the conquest of Mont Blanc and artists' perspectives.

Gorges du Fier
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Natural park

Gorges du Fier

Narrow canyon carved by the river Fier, about 10 km from Annecy, traversed by a footbridge fixed to the rock about 25 metres above the water.

Tramway du Mont-Blanc
Chamonix · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Mountain train

Tramway du Mont-Blanc

Rack railway that departs from Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet and climbs to the Nid d'Aigle at 2,412 meters, the highest railway station in France, facing the Bionnassay glacier.

Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Castle

Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard

Castle with pointed towers on a rocky spur above the Lac d'Annecy, inhabited by the same family for centuries and furnished with period pieces.

Le Semnoz
Annecy · Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes · Observation deck

Le Semnoz

Mountain of about 1,700 metres south of Annecy, with a road to the summit and views of the lake, the Alps and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September for hiking, boat rides on the lake and cable cars operating. From December to April for skiing and winter scenery; snow usually appears in that period but varies year to year. April, May and November often have cable cars closed for maintenance: check dates before you go.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

With 4 days you can see the essentials: 2 in Annecy (old town, castle, boat trip and Gorges du Fier) and 2 in Chamonix (Aiguille du Midi one day, Montenvers and Brévent the next). With 5 or 6 days you can add Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, the Semnoz, the Lac Blanc hike and the Tramway du Mont-Blanc. In Chamonix, leave a spare day in case of bad weather.

Which city to stay in

In Annecy, the vieille ville and the lakeside, near the Pâquier and the Jardins de l'Europe, make everything walkable; the Gare d'Annecy area is convenient for those arriving by train. Annecy-le-Vieux, north of the lake, is quieter. In Chamonix, the center, between the Gare de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi departure, lets you do everything on foot or by local bus. Argentière and Les Houches, in the same valley, are quieter options connected by train and bus.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about French Alps

Can you go by train from Paris?

Yes. The TGV departs from Paris-Gare de Lyon and reaches Gare d'Annecy in about 4 hours. For Chamonix, the route is to go to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet and change to the Mont-Blanc Express, the mountain train that climbs the valley to Gare de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Check timetables and connections before booking.

Do I need a car?

Not for the basics. Annecy is explored on foot and by boat, and Chamonix has trains, valley buses and cable cars leaving from the center. A car helps for places like the Semnoz, Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard and villages around the lake. In winter, drivers in the mountains need snow equipment.

What is the best time: winter or summer?

It depends on what you want. The ski season usually runs from December to April. From June to September is the time for trails, lakes and cable cars with everything open. In April, May and November many cable cars close for maintenance. Bring warm clothing any month: at the top of the Aiguille du Midi the temperature is below zero even in summer.

Can you do a day trip from Genebra or from Lyon?

From Genebra, yes: Annecy and Chamonix are each about 1 hour by road, and many people do Chamonix as a day trip just to ride the Aiguille du Midi. From Lyon the distance is greater (about 140 km to Annecy and 220 km to Chamonix), and it's usually better to spend the night in the region.

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