#26: French Alps And A Short Visit To Switzerland

French Alps Plan de l'Aiguille
French Alps Plan de l’Aiguille

First Stop: French Alps

In July 2016 I visited the French Alps to do some hiking and to visit friends who lived just across the border in Aigle, Switzerland. My posts for July and August 2016 will give you more detail about the experiences and sites.

Route: Lyon to Switzerland via French Alps
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To make my journey easier, I flew to Lyon and picked up a car. On the way to my first accommodation, Chalet Savoie Faire in Naves La Léchère, located southeast of Annecy, I stopped in Chambéry and Albertville, which hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics. Chambéry has many pedestrian-only streets, a medieval section and is a beautiful town that I am glad I visited.

Tour de FranceAlbertville had a large Tour de France t-shirt sign as “Le Tour” was to go through this town. The best part of Albertville, however, was walking around the Cité Medievale de Conflans, located on the other side of the river, high up on a hill. I loved the signs for all the stores and the views of Albertville.

I stayed at Chalet Savoie Faire on the recommendation of friends of mine who stayed there for a wedding. The pictures speak for themselves. The food was also fabulous! I also did an amazing hike nearby where I got a great view of Mont Blanc.

Chalet Savoie Faire French Alps
Chalet Savoie Faire
Chalet Savoie Faire French Alps
Chalet Savoie Faire

Chamonix

After 3 nights, I headed to Chamonix for one night. I had visited there many years ago and wish I had stayed for longer this time; however, the weather wasn’t great. A lot of rain. For those who have never been to Chamonix, I highly suggest taking the cable car (téléphérique) to the Aiguille du Midi which is a mountain in the Mont Blanc massif. You will have stunning views and the opportunity to “Step Into The Void”, which is a 2.5 meter glass cage.

French Alps Plan de l'Aiguille
French Alps Plan de l’Aiguille

As I had been to the top previously, this time I decided to stop off at Plan de l’Aiguille and hike back down to Chamonix. The signs say it will take 4 hours; however, it took me about  2 3/4 hours. It’s rocky and you really have to watch your step as there aren’t any railings. I wish I had had hiking poles.

Switzerland

After Chamonix, I drove to Aigle Switzerland to stay with friends. The whole area is mountainous but beautiful. And it was only a short drive to Montreux and Vevey. Highlights included:

  • attending a free concert at the famous Montreux Jazz Festival
  • visiting the Charlie Chaplin museum (“Chaplin’s World”) in Vevey
  • getting insight into the band, Queen at the free museum in the Montreux Casino
  • going to a spa (Grand Hotel Spa) in Lavez-Les-Bains, Switzerland

On The Way Back To Lyon

Switzerland to Lyon French Alps
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As I was flying home from Lyon, I decided to travel via Évian-Les-Bains back in France (think Evian water) and a town near Lyon named Sainte-Julie. Évian-Les-Bains is another spa town but I chose it as it was near Yvoire, located just west of Évian-les-Bains. Yvoire is a small medieval town and fishing village on Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). It is well known for it’s beautiful flower decorations.

After Évian-les-Bains, I went to Nurieux to catch up with the Tour de France. This was one of the highlights of the trip. Timing was crucial as “Le Tour” passes by so quickly. I got there about 45 minutes ahead of the caravans, press cars and bicyclists and it was over in about 10 minutes.

2016 Tour de France French Alps
2016 Tour de France

Before I headed home from Lyon I stayed at an amazing renovated chateau. My accommodations were lovely at Les Chambres de la Renaissance and although the location is remote, in the town of Saint-Julie, it is only 10 minutes away from another medieval town, Pérouges (identified as one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages).

Perouges, France
Perouges, France

I was disappointed with my visit there from a photography point of view as many buildings were blocked by tents and booths. It was market day and pretty crowded. Perhaps on a week day it would have been better.

Itinerary:

Day 1– Arrive in Lyon and drive to Chambéry, Albertville, Naves La Léchère (Savoie department-French Alps)

Day 2– Naves La Léchère

Day 3- Naves La Léchère

Day 4-Chamonix

Day 5– Aigle, Switzerland

Day 6– Vevey, Switzerland

Day 7-Lavez-Les-Bains, Switzerland

Day 8-Montreux, Switzerland

Day 9-Evian-les-Bains and Yvoire, France

Day 10-Nurieux (Tour de France), Perouges, Sainte-Julie

Day 11-Fly home

Trip #26_ French Alps and a short visit to Switzerland