French Alps

Daire

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French Alps

· Posted: 20.07.2014 · #1

Has anyone been to Annecy or Chamonix recently. Any advice would be much appreciated. We intend heading in that direction in September.

Hunters

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Re: French Alps

· Posted: 20.07.2014 · #2

We just drove past Annecy on Wednesday! (On our way to Mont Blanc) but unfortunately didn't stop.
We might be returning that way in a few weeks as we have friends live in Annecy & we might stay with them a night.
Will let you know if we do

Are you staying in aires/campsites?

Daire

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Re: French Alps

· Posted: 20.07.2014 · #3

Thanks Hunters. We intend to go to Mont Blanc. Have you any recommendations?

Challenger

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Re: French Alps

· Posted: 20.07.2014 · #4

Annecy is one of our favorite spots in France but unfortunately it is not as motorhome friendly as other parts of France. There last year and tourist office explained that the area is not really interested in "that" kind of tourism! Annecy town has one free aire with way too few places for demand, campers literally are queuing to get in but you could get lucky. Around the lake there are small pull in spots where we pulled up to spend the day and swim. We stayed in the pretty alpine town of Faverge where there is a decent sized aire and nice castle. There are also lots of campsites around the lake if you like staying in them. Its a really beautiful spot and worth checking out. Great for cycling and swimming.

voyager

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Re: French Alps

· Posted: 20.07.2014 · #5

We stayed in Annecy for a week in 2010 at a campsite in Doussard which is on the southern end of the lake. Bring bikes if you can - there are cycle paths around the lake to get you into the town itself. It is also very popular area for paragliding.
It is a stunningly beautiful area rather like lake Garda. In addition to the busy Aire there are ample campsites and one or two that are on the lakeshore itself.
A day trip to Chamonix ( approx. 80km) is well worth it. Choose your day however - don't go if it is overcast. There is a large car park at Chamonix and you can get the cable car from here to the Aiguille du Midi at 3800m from where you can see across to Mont Blanc ( hence the need for sunny day ). Its unreal going from ground level in shorts in 30 deg C passing mountain climbers on the snow. The air is quite thin up at the top - it becomes an effort just to climb a few steps at the viewing area at the top. There is also a train you can get from near the car park at Chamonix to bring you up to the Mer de Glace - also well worth the trip just to experience the train itself which climbs 1000m on a rack. Do the two together for a great day out

You will love it

Voyager

Daire

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Re: French Alps

· Posted: 20.07.2014 · #6

Thanks everybody for the kind comments. We usually prefer campsites, we feel more secure, but have used aires from time to time.

Hunters

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Re: French Alps

· Posted: 23.07.2014 · #7

Just put a few comments about Italy side of Mont Blanc on our blog, hope they help a little! & feel free to ask for more info if necessary! Jill

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