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French Alps beyond Annecy and Chamonix - charming villages like in Tyrol?

I know the (potentially snarky) standard response is "if you want Tyrol go to Tyrol." Which I do, as often as I can.

But as Tribe Called Quest queried "What's the scenario?" Good question!

Tighter trip this summer than normal, just 16 nights (with the family anyway, I'm there more than a month).

In Frankfurt, out London. This is set. Wife wants 3-4 nights London. Travel burden to London not so bad, under 2.5 hours from Paris by train. Wife also wants bicycle touring in either Burgundy or Brittany.

But 16 year old daughter, bless her sentimentally Teutonic heart just like dad, wants village Tirol or similar. Tannheimer Tal, Seefeld, Schruns, Zell am See, Gosausee, you get the vibe. Mountain hut hiking starting at your door, summer swimming lake or big pool complex, handy lift network, striking mountains, quaint village with unassuming but amazing church and graveyard, ag surrounds, cute cozy friendly interiors, etc.

Almost anywhere else in the Alps I could steer us toward some version(ish) of her desire. But even though I've passed through a few parts of the French Alps and have spent a little time, I can't top of head come up with an acceptable substitute for Tirol.

Like I said at the start, I know there's no exact match. But where should I be looking in the French Alps for places that might at least for the most part scratch the Tirolean itch?

Given our start in FRA and exit from LHR, shortish timeline, and desire to ride bikes in Burgundy or Brittany, I'd love to be able to start this trip at a nice mountain village in the French Alps.

Thanks!

Posted by
3528 posts

I was just about to suggest Megeve!

Full Disclosure - I've never been there, but I have a French amie whose family lives there, and the pictures are just incredible. An episode of Emily in Paris was filmed there.

Posted by
1986 posts

Thanks EP. A bit of researching and it does look a lot like what we like :)

Posted by
7357 posts

In the same general area, the Aravis region can have Tyrolean vibes. Le Grand Bornand is cute, and there is beautiful scenery around there, La Clusaz and Manigod.

Also the Beaufortain, but I do not know it as well.