Chamonix at end of March/early Aprl

There's enough for 2 full days, perhaps not 3. The lifts will be open, except the Panoramic Mont Blanc crossing. Some hiking in the valley might be possible without snow/ice, depending on the weather, but otherwise it should all be snowed in.

Thank you, Balso. This is helpful. I am also considering Annecy and might split my time between the two. I have four nights to play with, six if I decide to skip Lyon this trip.

Agree with Balso -- 2 days but not three. Annecy is a good choice for another day.

Annecy and vicinity are well below the snow line unless there is a severe weather event, so it is a good idea to spend 2 nights there.

Thank you TC and Balso. I do think Annecy looks nice.

Any thoughts on Annecy vs Lyon? We're not that big on cities anymore, but there are some sites in Lyon that sound interesting and the food sounds amazing. We like history, scenery, and historic towns/villages, and we love to walk. We like castles, cathedrals and museums, but not in large doses. My idea of great night life is being in bed by 9:00. : )

I have six nights to divide up between Chamonix, Annecy and Lyon and am paralyzed by indecision. Other places we are visiting on this trip are Alsace (4 nights), Burgundy (4 nights) Provence (4 nights), and Paris (2 nights - we've been there many times).

The basic theme of this trip is Places in France that I've never been but always wanted to see.

With the interests that you mention and the fact that you do not love cities, I would skip Lyon altogether. The food is nice (for meat-eaters), but so is Burgundy's in a similar vein, and I think that you are shortchanging Provence with only 4 nights. A 5th would be well-spent, and a 6th wouldn't be a waste - there is a LOT to see and do.

I think you are right, Balso. I have decided to skip Lyon and go to Annecy instead. I would like to spend more time in Provence, but since we won’t have a car, it will limit what we can see. Thanks for your help.

Hi - I have nothing to add 😁 but also have indecision about places to visit at the end of March/early April. Can you share the towns you are staying in Alsace and Provence?
We are planning to go for 8 nights starting in Paris. Thank you!

Even without a car, there is a lot to see in Provence!
Assuming a base in Avignon, you can easily visit Arles, Nimes, Uzès & Pont du Gard, l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Orange... and Avignon itself: that's a busy 5-day stay/6-night stay.

Danielle, We are staying in Colmar and Arles.

Balso, i am hoping the bus schedule will work for us in late March. I am concerned that they might be infrequent in March which could make it tricky to get around. I am wiling to supplement the bus with taxis if it’s not too expensive or difficult to arrange. Your feedback is very much appreciated.

Almost everything I listed is by train, the only exception is Pont du Gard + Uzès and that's a year-round bus (line 115). Season isn't an issue.

Great to know. Thank you!