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Chamonix - Grenoble - Chambery

As previously posted on the Chamonix thread, we were looking forward to a visit in late August, but it looks like a lot of the hotels are already booked up. Out end goal after the French Alps is Annecy and Avignon then Nice. Obviously, we are not familiar with this part of France and looking for alternative suggestions. Should we consider Grenoble or Chambery? Chambery looks rather ordinary in online pictures. Should we skip this altogether and just go straight to Nice? Is Annecy or Avignon area a must-see, and if so, are they more desirable outlying areas? We have two weeks to visit the area and aren't keen on staying in any one place for more than a couple of days each unless it is something fabulous. This trip I want relaxation, scenery, wine, food and memories. My final destination will be Paris (probably flying from Nice to Paris) or we could train over to the Lakes Region of Como. We are so up in the air!

Posted by
1230 posts

So you have two weeks for Chamonix, Annecy, Avignon, Nice, and Paris? Do you fly in and out on day 1 and day 14, or do you have 14 full days? Even with 14 full days, that is a lot of travel. Chamonix can be a day trip from Annecy (only ~75 minutes), so you could see both from one location. If you spent 3 days in each, Annecy, Avignon, Nice, and Paris, that would be ok. More would be better (4 in Paris, at least) but enough. "Must see" is somewhat relative. These 4/5 places are all wonderful and worth visiting. I think adding Como is too much for 12-14 days. Save that for another trip. Have you read about each place? That could help you commit/narrow down your choices.

Posted by
1191 posts

We have 14-days in the South area, not counting travel days or days in Paris. We don't plan to see all those places, just listing the would like to see, and wondering opinions on save our time or stay here instead of there scenarios.