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Driving from Nice to Annecy

We are doing a family trip (mom, dad & 9 yr. old boy) to France in early June. We originally intended to do the drive from Nice to Annecy in 1 day. However, after purchasing our airline tickets, we find ourselves in the enviable position of having 1 extra day in our itinerary. We are debating whether to spend this extra day breaking up the drive & spending a night along the way OR adding it to another location.

Our itinerary:
2 Nights Barcelona
4 Nights St. Remy /
2 Nights French Riviera - TBD /
2 Nights Annecy /
3 Nights Colmar /
End trip in Paris

As far as our likes & dislikes go, we generally prefer to weight our trips towards smaller towns & scenery, rather than big cities & museums. We are thinking we will rent a car from St. Remy to Colmar. Our 9 year old has no issues with long rides, so drive times are not a big concern.

So to sum up, we are seeking opinions on if there is a "must see" stop between Nice & Annecy or is the extra day better spent elsewhere? As a side note, this is our first family trip to France.

Posted by
11 posts

We were thinking we would keep this a French-focused trip and stay in France and follow La Route Napoleon and up through Grenoble to Annecy. However, we are wide open to suggestions if there is a more scenic route you would recommend. Thanks in advance!

Posted by
11 posts

Yes, we've found viamichelin.com a fantastic planning resource. The trip comes in around 7 hours, straight drive time. A long day of driving, but something we think is easily doable given past driving vacations. Our quandary is whether to stop at a site(s) along the way (and what would be the sites?) and break up the drive with an overnight stay, or add that night to another section of the trip.

Posted by
10344 posts

I would add the extra day to another segment of your trip. Just a guess, I haven't driven that route but am looking at a map.
Grenoble jumps out but it's too close to your destination, Annecy.

Would be nice if you heard from someone who has actually done that drive.

Posted by
141 posts

I am considering driving from Nice area to Annecy as well, to spend the next day at Chamonix/Mont Blanc. I am currently thinking of breaking up the drive into two days by visiting the Verdon Gorge and staying near Moustier St Marie, then driving to Annecy the next day. That might be something to consider? More hours of driving overall, but over two days.
If anyone has done either Nice to Annecy, or Nice to Verdon Gorge to Annecy, I'd also love to get your thoughts!

Posted by
16895 posts

It's been years since I drove the Grand Canyon du Verdon, but I was certainly glad that I did. Michelin Green Guide recommends Sisteron as a town to overnight in, with river, old town, and citadel view point. For instance, they don't give the same recommendation to Gap, which is described as a more commercial town (with a potentially interesting regional museum).