We are considering 2-3 day visit to Annecy and Chamonix in the 3rd week of October. Any suggestions on how to allocate our time, and with just a couple days, will it be worth the visit to either? We are traveling entirely by train or bus. And from there, we would plan to spend 3 days in Burgundy (Beaune).
Thank you for any thoughts/suggestions.
October is getting on towards winter in the Mountains so everything fun in Chamonix will be weather dependent. Likely rain in the valley and snowing in the mountains. Check Accuweather or other weather app for a Chamonix forecast. On a cold clear day it could be spectacular and no crowds.
hey hey fstuart24
we were there first week of october several years ago, the weather was great. a week later there was a festival/celebration "retour des alpages", this year is october 11, 2025. (annecy-ville.fr/ return of the alpine pastures). the cows/animals return down the mountains to their warm stables until the next summer.
have no clue what will be open/closed in chamonix haven't been there. absolutely loved annecy, the lake & beautiful mountain views with snow capped top, city center shops and market days, restaurants. it's up to you about worthiness, i go to make my own opinion of new places, this hit the spot,
it was quiet and not that crowded when we went but nowdays i'm amazed at how many people mention it as a place to visit. at top of page in search box type in annecy, filter by date and lots of info there, you decide. enjoy & have fun
aloha
please check lift maintenance info at montblancnaturalresort.com
When we visited in early October the weather was perfect in Annecy. We loved the town, and found it a perfect place to slow down and just enjoy the canals, flowers, picturesque medieval castle & prison in the middle of the Thiou Canal that is now an art & history museum, mountains, etc.
We next traveled to Chamonix, but unfortunately it rained, and was so cold we actually had sleet at times. We still are happy we visited as it was a beautiful place once the rain let up. We had a great dinner and while eating a Rick Steves tour group came in and ate there too.
Even a short visit to either of these two towns is worth it.
Both are very pretty towns. Each with a completely different feel.
Annecy has a beautiful old center, plus more to explore (ideally by bike in nice weather) around the lake.
Chamonix is small with an Alpine village feel. Chamonix's sights are the gondolas up to Mt. Blanc then another over to Italy. It's pricey (about 100 euro when I went) but, for me, was a memorable one-time splurge. There is also an ice cave and train ride in the immediate area, that were nice if you had the time in the area.
I ended up getting a rental car out of Lyon because the two aren't convenient, to each other, by train (it was possible, but took hours as opposed to about an hour by car). Using public transport out of Lyon to one or the other is fine.
If I had to choose one. I'd look at both and decide based on which interests you the most.
