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Paris + Chaminox ... or Annecy? or Lyon? Itinerary advice

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My 12 year old and I are embarking on a 5 week trip. We begin in Toronto, head to Edinburgh for 2 days, then London for 5 days. We then plan on taking the Eurostar to Paris. We currently have reservations at the Astotel Joke from July 4-9. A friend has offered his flat for the 9-11 in Paris. We are returning to the US from Geneva on July 20.

  • Jun 22-25 Toronto
  • June 26- 28 Edinburgh (Wilde Hotels Grassmarket) *Sleeper train to London at 11 pm
  • June 29- July 4 - London (Clubquarters Gracechurch)
  • July 4-9- Paris (Astotel Joke 4-9, we could stay in Paris two more days) *Fat bike tour of Versailles on July 6
    • July 18- 20 Geneva (visiting friends)
    • July 20- Flight home!

My son says he prefers mountains over beach. We are going to France due to French being his favorite class this year at school. Hoping to continue to foment that interest!

Should we head straight to Chaminox, and then do activities/relax for the week? Or should we stop for a couple of days in Lyon or Annecy? We originally had plans to go to Normandy as he's a history buff, but its in the opposite direction.

Was also curious as to where it might be fun to spend Bastille day since that is in the middle of the time I am trying to plan out still.

Should we head straight to Chaminox and chill after a month of travel? Go on hikes? Take the cable to Medici and Helbronner? Paragliding (him- not me!) or Mountain biking?

Advice welcome!

Posted by
265 posts

We are just returning from Briancon in the Alps, Annecy, and Lyon. Briancon is south of Chamonix - in hindsight I would enjoy a few days in Chamonix and use lifts and hike.

Annecy wasn’t as mountainous as I thought it would be. So bicycling better than hiking. Lots of paragliding. Hanging out at the beach on the lake.

We liked Lyon a lot, but we are older. Honestly, Not sure a younger person would find it terrific.

Posted by
6893 posts

A week in Chamonix sounds great! I wouldn't recommend Annecy as much, unless paragliding is an absolute must - there is a great spot above the lake.

Posted by
8 posts

OK- I've cross posted to the Switzerland forum. Should we go directly to Geneva from Paris, and then base our last week in Switzerland instead? We are active- but when it is just the two of us, it can become a bit repetitive. I'm concerned that Chaminox activities might not be enough for us if we were to spend a week?

Posted by
6893 posts

Daily costs will be about 30% lower in Chamonix than in Switzerland, but it is true that there is a bit more to keep you busy for a week in, say, Grindelwald than for a week in Chamonix.
This said, there is still plenty to do in Chamonix.

Posted by
8050 posts

I love all 3 of these places -- with a kid I might add a couple of nights in Lyon rather than Annecy. The Traboules of Lyon are fascinating -- and I think a kid might enjoy exploring them. And the Roman ruins above the city reached by funicular are interesting if he hasn't seen a lot of those -- both an arena and an odeon. Definitely get a guided traboule tour -- we did pretty well on our own but a number of the famous ones were no longer available and some guides have access.

If we had had more time in Chamonix we would have taken the gondola into Italy -- that looked like a pretty breathtaking trip. The Aquille du Midi was pretty spectacular and the hiking looks wonderful. We were not there long enough to do any of the trek around Mt. Blanc, but I think you make arrangements to do just a few days and have your gear transported -- then head back when you have completed as many days as you want.

Posted by
8 posts

We’ve just spent the week in Chamonix and thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities! We took the gondola into Italy which was fun and also went hang gliding. Great trip for as much adventure as you’d like to choose!

Now trying to decide where to go for our last three days. Italy? France? Switzerland?

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