This trip started with a Viking river cruise from Avignon to Lyon - very nice experience. They use great local guides and we met a lot of really nice and interesting people during the cruise.
We rented a car at the Lyon airport and drove to Annecy and spent 2 nights there. Beautiful city - rented bikes to ride along the lake very easy ride and picturesque. Stayed at the Allobroges Park hotel - recommend this hotel it was nice and quiet and great location. Found a real gem of a restaurant: Chez Ingalls - lots of locals, no problem with english language and good food!
On to Chamonix for 1 night at Hôtel Le Whymper - lucked out with the weather and had perfect day for the AIGUILLE DU MIDI - it was amazing. Didn't really have any outstanding meals but if you like cheese you will be fine.
Left for Burgandy but stayed overnight in Beaujolais in the tiny village of Fuissé at a small chateau: La Source des Fées
I can't say enough good things about this. Dinner and breakfast in the garden and a huge room in a restored chateau. Host was Philippe Greffet - super nice. Met a father and son from England going back that stay there all the time on their France trips. Was a wonderful dinner time conversations. This was the essence of a travel experience that Rick talks about.
On to burgundy with a lunchtime truffle experience at: La Maison aux Milles Truffes. Super interesting presentation about truffles and then got to watch a young truffle dog do his thing with his handler. Lunch was very nice with truffles on everything. Picked up a few small ingredients to take home. Did a wine tasting at Château de Pommard after lunch. Great presentation about burgundy wines and what makes them so different. Purchased some bottles to be shipped back to the states.
In Beaune we stayed at the Hotel de La Cloche. Just outside the city walls but easy access and a large public (free) parking lot across the street. This was Thursday and Friday and getting into restaurants was tough without reservations. Ended up eating at a restaurant virtually next door to the hotel: Brasserie au RenDez Vous that was fine (also busy). Did an e-bike tour on Friday with Bourgogne Evasion: https://www.bourgogne-evasion.fr/. 3 wine tastings and lunch included - highly recommend getting an e-bike unless you are a good cyclist. It was a great bunch of people that were on the tour - this is why you travel.
Finally back to Lyon for 1 night before the return. Stayed at Hôtel Bayard Bellecour on Bellecour square, another fantastic find. Really nice room and friendly staff. Get a courtyard room if noise bothers you since it's on Bellecour square and it's busy until late.
Final restaurant tip for Lyon - go to Rue Mercière just off of Place des Jacobins and take your pick. It was great.
Keep on traveling - we will!