From lake to lake across the Alps
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver.
Petit Futé
Where to stay - Evian-Les-Bains ?
The map of your stay "From lake to lake across the Alps"
Detail of the stay : From lake to lake across the Alps
How to get there - Evian-Les-Bains
The shores of Lake Geneva
Steps: Thonon-Les-Bains
Following an easily modifiable geographical logic (we can also start from the south and work our way up), our stay begins north of the Alps on the shores of Lake Geneva. A veritable inland sea between France and Switzerland, Lac Léman boasts an exceptional architectural and natural heritage. From the medieval village ofYvoire to the thermal springs ofEvian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains, via the shores of the lake and the nearby mountains of the Alps of Geneva, it's easy to vary the pleasures. Sailing on the lake, lunch of Lake Geneva perch fillets and an evening at the casino. Overnight at Château de Coudrée in Sciez-sur-Léman.
The edges of the lake of Annecy
Steps: Annecy
Direction Annecy and its famous lake with water so pure - one of the purest in Europe - that it is almost transparent. Visit of the old town and the castle, photos in front of the Palais de l'Isle bathed by the waters of the Thiou. Stroll along the Paquier, the Jardins de l'Europe and stop at the Pont des Amours. You can take a tour by pedal boat, paddle or cruise boat and stop in the different villages along the lake. The beaches allow you to take a relaxing break and the many restaurants invite you to sit on the terrace. It is also an opportunity to visit the famous Paccard bell foundry and/or to go up to the top of the Tournette to fly a paraglider. Night in Annecy.
The edges of the lake of Bourget
Steps: Aix-Les-Bains
Today's stage is not the longest, since less than 40 km separate Lake Annecy from Lake Bourget. A lake which offers a very different configuration, since it is difficult to go all the way around it by car. On the western shore, there are some beautiful viewpoints (one of which houses a gourmet restaurant), to admire the landscape. On this same shore, the Hautecombe abbey is an architectural jewel. The beaches and access to the lake are located on the other bank, on the Aix-les-Bains side. The beautiful spa town spreads its charms as far as its port with numerous restaurant terraces. Sailboat tour on the waters of the Lac du Bourget. Night in Aix-les-Bains, a lively city in the evening.
Lakes between Savoie and Isère
Steps: Chambéry
An intermediate day for a smooth transition from the Northern to the Southern Alps. We pass through Chambéry with a detour to the smaller but beautiful (and busy in summer) Lac d'Aiguebelette, then down to Grenoble, before taking the famous Route Napoléon. There are several lakes along the way: Lac de Laffrey, Lac de Pétichet, Lac de Pierre-Châtel and, above all, Lac du Sautet between the Isère and Hautes-Alpes regions. Exceptional panorama and activities at the water sports center. Overnight in Corps.
The edges of the Serre-Ponçon lake
Steps: Gap
Passing by Gap, we went to the Serre-Ponçon lake. The early risers will have had the chance to see a wonderful sunrise on this very large lake between the Hautes-Alpes and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. At the Muséoscope du lac de Rousset, it is an opportunity to learn more about the creation of the largest dam in Europe and about this lake which covers several villages. In Embrun, in addition to the beach, there are many water sports activities. Night in Barcelonnette.
