Hello travelers! In third week of October we will be staying in Lyon for 3-4 days. We could drive or train to nearby outdoor sights in the alps on an additional day or 2. Any recommendations? Grenoble? Chamonix? We like to day hike but don’t want to have to pack snow boots because this is part of a 3 week trip. Suggestions? We have rented a car in France before, but not for only 2 days. Thx for any info.
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
Lyon is not as close to the Alps as you'd think, but a day trip by train or rental car to Annecy is feasible. Not sure you'd be able to fit a day hike there - maybe if you go by car.
Chamonix is too far. Grenoble itself shouldn't be a sightseeing priority, but the Vercors mountains make for some great scenic driving (but again, it's not that close to Lyon).
As for snow: there is no snow at usual elevations in October.
Posted by
Salt Lake City, UT (Previous Seattle, WA)
315 posts
Le Tour de France stage Macon to Brioude coverage on 07/14/2019 is west of Lyon today. If you have coverage take a look for the scenery west of Lyon.
Posted by
106 posts
You can easily drive from Lyon to Chamonix on one day. Enjoy Chamonix that afternoon, maybe visit the Musée Alpin to learn how the sport of mountaineering developed, have a nice dinner in Chamonix, and spend the night. The next morning, get up early and head to the téléphérique for stunning alpine views. Later, maybe take the train to Mer de Grace to see evidence of alpine glacial retreat first hand and -- if you feel like it -- walk inside and touch an alpine glacier. Once you return to Chamonix, head back to Lyon. It will take most of two days, but I believe it would be a very memorable experience.
Much, much better than Annecy, which is a ho hum town with a lake and some mountains in the distance.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
Annecy is spectacular, a fairly short drive, and worth a day trip if not more. You can also get there by public transportation, but it's a longer trip.
Posted by
106 posts
Annecy is spectacular...
Hmm...
It's pretty, in parts. It's also mobbed with tourists. But it's not spectacular.
Chamonix? Spectacular. Spectacular on a global scale, in that it would be difficult or impossible to recreate one's experience there anywhere else on Earth without an extensive amount of planning and physical effort.
Annecy? Zzzzz...
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
121 posts
Thanks to you all, and especially Matt for Chamonix info. We may do the overnight. Not sure yet. Susan