Where to visit near annecy

When we were staying in Annecy in September, we took a day trip to Chamonix.

There are many possibilities around Annecy. A car would be essential.

• All around the lake: you can bike if you'd like (there's a bike path all along the west side and along half of the east side), use the boats in season, or drive (but parking and traffic can be tough sometimes)
• The Semnoz: fantastic - but distant - views of most of the Northern Alps from the top (drive up)
• Chamonix, as mentioned
• Yvoire: beautiful (if a bit touristy) medieval village on the shores of Lake Geneva
• Geneva, why not
• The Aravis region:

a. Le Grand Bornand is a charming alpine village on a market day (Wednesday IIRC), and you can have lunch in one of the many typical restaurants in the surrounding mountains and valleys. For example up at Col des Annes or Les Glières (Chez Regina, Chez Constance) accessed by road, or up on Plateau de Beauregard above La Clusaz (accessed by gondola). Lots of mild hikes/walks.
b. La Clusaz is a hair less charming IMO but you can pop by, and if you go all the way to Col (pass) des Aravis you have good Mont Blanc views (also a worthwhile area for lunch). From the pass, an easy track takes you to La Tête view point (25' from the pass) and Plan Rebord (restaurant, 50' from the pass).
c. Beyond the Col de la Colombière, the Chartreuse du Reposoir is a beautiful spot

I echo the choice of Chamonix. Just an amazing town, and of course mountain life is fabulous! Lots of fondue and charm.

If you’re traveling Annecy-Lyon (or vice-versa) by car, I suggest visiting the Belvédère du Mont-Revard - a scenic viewpoint above Aix-les-Bains that offers spectacular views of its lake and the Alps. In-season, there’s also a restaurant up there.

I would not spend a week in Annency. Two days was more than enough for me. In fact, it is the least favorite of any European city I have visited.

I could spend 3-5 days in Chamonix, but we love the mountains and hiking. There is a nice farmers/flea market there on Saturdays I believe.

Personally, I live your idea of a week in Burgundy followed by one in Lyon.

I think a third week would be best spent in Provence going east from Avignon as you indicated. For me, I could easily spend two weeks revisiting Gordes, Menerbes, Rousillion and such.

hey hey soniahmorris
everyone has their own opinions of different places/towns they like or dislike, nothing is right or wrong, it's your decision. just to give other ideas others may want to do and research.
we spent 5 nights in annecy 6 years ago, late september, loved it, staying in an apartment above a grocery store, so convenient.
here's a few things we did and saw:
creperie ti mad 21 rue royale (yummy sweet and savory crepes)
rotisserie du thiou 17 passage de I eveche
hole in the wall fondue cafe, owned by husband/wife. sat outside table near canal. had their fixed price fondue lunch with wine
frenchmoments.eu (a stroll through the market of annecy)
stopped in small art shop & bought small framed picture of village
brasserie saint charles 46 rue du parmelan
bar/restaurant. had the best beef stroganoff lunch special & small charcuterie tray at outside table
annecycitytour.fr
small tour van, click our visits and see if something catches yout eye
taxi-massingy.com
hired gaelle "owner" for a private taxi tour about 5 hours. showed us places & things in annecy (annecy castle, basilica that the pope said mass, drove around lake seen small villages, saw the menthon-saint-bernard castle from afar. you can do a tour and gardens. this is the castle walt disney visited and designed snow white's castle in disneyland, colde la forclaz (one of my favorite places) seeing hang gliders soaring above you, the lake and snow top mountain passes, alp style homes, beautiful green pastures with happy cows wearing cowbells like a concert roaming the fields. reserved a lunch for us 3 at la ferme de la charboniere
it's a rustic dairy farm, glass floors to see cows below in their stall, take your pick of menus of the cheese froms the cows. they bring the food with anpizza like oven to warm the cheese to put on potatoes, bread, sausage, plus dessert. so so different and loved it and the countrysides.
aixplore-tourism.com
click guided tours "in the course of water and time" , tour to town of chanaz, history of the area, old mill still rumming, gourmet shop for tasting local honey, then a canal boat ride and ride on lake bourget. leaves from annecy, an all day tour
monument of elephants dedicated to general de boigne in chambery, take a walk through the main pedestrian street, take a train ride from annecy to chambery, away fro busy places. many always says chamonix.
if you are there in october, second saturday 2026. annecy-traditions.fr (return of the alpages)
the return of the animals from the mountains down to village to keep warm during winter months with a big parade/festival. we missed it by a week. headed back to paris for 9 days then back to california. was a fabulous trip. have fun & enjoy
aloha