France travel guide · live
French Alps
Chamonix, Annecy, Lyon — how to connect them, how long to stay, and the realistic itineraries inside each stop.
Trip at a glance
How I’d plan it.
This page is the big-picture guide. The individual itineraries below are the day-by-day plans for each stop.
Ideal length8–10 days
Best forScenery + towns + food
Main stopsChamonix · Annecy · Lyon
TransportTrain + bus friendly
Jump to
Getting there
How we got around.
- Fly into Geneva: we flew into Geneva Airport, which was the easiest gateway for starting in Chamonix.
- Geneva Airport → Chamonix: we booked a bus from the airport directly to Chamonix.
- Between Chamonix, Annecy, and Lyon: we took buses between the stops.
- Overall: the buses were easy to navigate, and we did not need a rental car for this route.
Full route
8–10 days in the French Alps.
This is the route I’d use if you’re coming from the U.S. and want the trip to feel worth the flight: mountains first, lake time in the middle, then finish with food and city time in Lyon.
- Days 1–4: Chamonix
- Days 5–7: Annecy
- Days 8–9: Lyon
- Optional Day 10: keep one flexible weather day for the mountains or lake.
Itinerary
4 days in Chamonix.
Day 1 · Arrive + settle into the mountains
- Check in and walk around Chamonix town.
- Keep the first day intentionally light after travel.
- If timing works, head to Parc de Merlet for your first big valley views.
Day 2 · Lac Blanc hike
- Take the Flégère lift up and continue toward Index.
- Hike to Lac Blanc and give yourself plenty of time for the views.
- The altitude is noticeable if you are not used to hiking high, so pace yourself and bring layers.
Day 3 · Aiguille du Midi + Grand Balcon Nord
- Start early at Aiguille du Midi.
- Continue into the Grand Balcon Nord.
- Finish with Montenvers / Mer de Glace.
- Book the major mountain access in advance and keep an eye on weather.
Day 4 · Brévent + paragliding
- Spend the morning around Brévent for one last big mountain experience.
- Leave some flexibility in the day in case weather shifts.
- I ended up paragliding even though it was not originally in my plan — exactly why I like leaving room for the unexpected.
Paragliding
Wing Over Chamonix was the operator. They offer tandem flights from several Chamonix takeoff points, and flight timing depends heavily on weather and conditions.
Wing Over Chamonix ↗Where I ate in Chamonix
La Maison CarrierTraditional Savoyard/French mountain dinner in a rustic farmhouse-style setting.
La TabléeClassic mountain comfort food and a good option for fondue / Savoyard dishes.
La Fine BoucheOne of my food stops in town.
Le Panier des 4 SaisonsAnother dinner stop from the trip.
Itinerary
3 days in Annecy.
Day 1 · Old Town + lakefront
- Wander Vieille Ville and the canals.
- Stop for food as you go instead of over-scheduling the day.
- Spend time along the lake and keep the evening relaxed.
Day 2 · Lake day
- Do a pedal boat or lake cruise.
- Leave time to swim, walk, or bike the waterfront.
- If you want a boat at a specific time in summer, book ahead instead of assuming you can decide last minute.
Day 3 · Talloires day trip
- Take the boat to Talloires and make a full day of it.
- Book the ferry in advance — ours sold out on the day we originally wanted, so we had to move the trip to the next day.
- Bring a bathing suit because the swimming areas are a big part of the day.
- Stop at Le Fournil de mon Père for something from the bakery.
- Cottage Bise is right by the popular swimming area if you want a cocktail by the water.
Where I ate in Annecy & Talloires
RavigoteOne of my dinner spots in Annecy.
Les Chineurs de la CuisineAnother Annecy dinner option from the trip.
Le Petit ChaletCozy Alpine-style meal in Old Town.
Les Caprices d’ÉmilieSweet stop from the trip.
Le Glacier des AlpesIce cream stop in Annecy.
Le Fournil de mon PèreTalloires bakery — we liked it enough to go back.
Cottage BiseGood for a drink by the water near the swimming area.
Itinerary
48 hours in Lyon.
Day 1 · Vieux Lyon + the historic center
- Walk Vieux Lyon.
- Stop at Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
- Explore the old streets and traboules.
- Build in plenty of time to eat along the way — food should be part of the itinerary here, not squeezed in around it.
Day 2 · Food + Presqu’île
- Spend time around Presqu’île and Place Bellecour.
- Add food stops throughout the day instead of planning one huge meal.
- Use the rest of the day for churches, viewpoints, and anything you missed in Old Town.
Where I ate in Lyon
PralusKnown for the pink praline brioche — an easy bakery stop while exploring.
Les Halles de Lyon Paul BocuseGo hungry. It is an entire indoor food market rather than one restaurant.
Bouchon Comptoir BrunetTraditional Lyon bouchon experience.
Café du JuraAnother classic Lyonnais food stop from the trip.
Le MercièreCentral dinner option in the Presqu’île area.
Where to stay
The hotels & areas I’d choose.
Chamonix · Chalet Hôtel Le Prieuré & Spa
This is the Chamonix hotel I had in mind. It is central, chalet-style, and only a short walk from the Aiguille du Midi cable car — a very convenient base if you are trying to do a lot without renting a car.
Hotel website ↗
Annecy · Hôtel Le Pélican
Right on the lake and still walkable to Old Town. It has a heated outdoor pool, which makes it especially nice if you want the hotel to be part of the trip instead of just somewhere to sleep.
Hotel website ↗
Lyon · Presqu’île
This is the polished central area between the Rhône and Saône that you were thinking of. It is ideal for a first trip because you can walk toward both Vieux Lyon and the newer shopping / restaurant areas.
InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu
Best splurge option on Presqu’île. It sits directly on the Rhône inside the historic Grand Hôtel-Dieu complex and is extremely central.
Le Royal Lyon – MGallery
Another very central option directly on Place Bellecour — good if location matters more than staying in Old Town itself.
Cour des Loges Lyon · Vieux Lyon
If you want to wake up inside Old Town, this is the atmospheric splurge. It is a historic 5-star Radisson Collection property right in Vieux Lyon.
Book ahead
What I would reserve before the trip.
Chamonix: Aiguille du Midi, mountain lifts if your dates are busy, and paragliding if it is a must-do.
Annecy: the Talloires boat / ferry, especially if your trip depends on a specific day, plus any lake activity you want at a prime time.
Lyon: dinner reservations for the places you care most about; the city is too food-focused to leave every meal to chance.
I keep my bookable tours and experiences in one place so you can browse without digging through a dozen tabs.
Browse my GetYourGuide picks ↗