I’ve spent a lot of time in the Alps in my life (and not just in Europe’s—Japan’s and New Zealand’s, too), and so whenever I chart a new course into them, I wonder if I won’t feel let-down.
And yet as I sped away from the French city of Lyon during the hottest part of this past summer (relative to when I’m writing this guide, that is), I felt excited the moment I began to see snow-covered peaks peek up over the horizon. This is to say nothing of when I was actually standing at the base of Mont Blanc.
Now, I’ll be honest: As of this very moment, my French Alps itinerary is not comprehensive. But it will quickly get you on a path to an actionable, achievable trip of your own.
Lyon is the Gateway to the French Alps
Now, I’m not saying that you necessarily need to take a French Alps day trip. Many arguments exist for staying overnight, and not just if you plan to hit the ski slopes in winter. At the same time, the reality is that many travelers on their first (or even fifth) trips to France have not included dedicated space for this region. In most cases, however, they do plan to spend at least a couple of days in Lyon.
If you read this site with any regularity, then you probably know my feelings about Lyon. Still, even if you end up legitimately loving the city—and more power to you—its physical location is just too convenient not to take a bunch of day trip. And the reality is that, especially if you’re in the market for renting a car, a French Alps day trip that includes (at a minimum) Annecy and Chamonix might be the very best of these excursions.
How to Plan Your Trip from Lyon to the French Alps
Book your train tickets
It is possible—but not ideal—to go the French Alps by train from Lyon. Among other issues is that fact that two of the three train journeys—Lyon to Chamonix; Chamonix to Annecy; and Annecy to Lyon—require transfers. If this is your only way of exploring the French Alps for the day, I suggest going to Lyon Part-Dieu Station a day in advance, and working with a ticket agent to find your best train routing. Assuming, of course, that you don’t hire me to plan your trip!
Or reserve a rental car
To be honest, the best way to get from Lyon to Annecy (and elsewhere in the French Alps) is to rent a car. And I say this in spite of the agency I used attempting to charge me for a bogus repair, and generally adding a great deal of undue street to my trip. It’s an easy, straight shot between the two cities—well, once you escape from the controlled chaos of central Lyon, which is…fun to drive through.
Start in Annecy
Although I’d reverse the order if you’re going by train, I do suggest starting in Annecy if you’ve driving. Specifically, you’ll want to park near Musée Château d’Annecy (simply GPS this; the road that leads there will lead you into the parking lot) and walk down to Pont Perrière bridge and the lakefront. Once you’re in this general vicinity, everything you want to see will be within walking distance.
Continue to Chamonix
Next, get back in your car (or, if you’re going by train, make the multi-part journey from Lyon to Chamonix—again, this is a better first stop by train) and set your GPS for Le Brévent Cable Car. Depending on how close it is to lunch, you can either walk down into the town to find a proper lunch, or simply ride the cable cars (there are two, which require two separate tickets) all the way up to the Le Brévent Viewpoint. There are restaurants here, too, albeit with quite limited menus.
(And maybe beyond)
Another advantage of making this entire journey by car? Depending upon how early you set out and when you end up needing to return the car, you could continue beyond Chamonix. For some travelers, this will involve crossing over the border into Italy, while others will explore towns between Annecy and Chamonix, including Thônes, Flumet and Megève. It’s all customizable, again depending upon how much time you have, and your appetite for exploration.
Annecy vs Chamonix
Obviously, the French Alps is a sprawling region, particularly if you expand your view and see it as “The Alps”—Italy, Switzerland, Austria…oh my! And yet when it comes to many visitors to France, and especially those that plan to see the Alps on a day trip from Lyon, it really ends up boiling down to two destinations: The lakefront city of Annecy; and Chamonix, which is much further up in elevation, and sits right at the base of iconic Mont Blanc.
When deciding between Annecy or Chamonix, feel free to keep my impressions in mind. While both feeling effectively like enclaves of Switzerland in France, I strangely find that Chamonix feels more singular—dare I say, I might even prefer it to its Swiss cousin, Zermatt? Annecy, for my money, is like a smaller and more picturesque version of Geneva, without as much…Helvetica as the UN hub over the border and down Lac Leman.
Other FAQ About Visiting the French Alps
How do I get from Lyon to French Alps?
The easiest way to reach the French Alps from Lyon is to rent a car and drive. By contrast, you can go by train (I recommend first making the very long trek to Chamonix and then working your way back to Lyon via Annecy), although this is a much longer and more stressful day.
Is there a train from Lyon to Chamonix?
You can travel by train from Lyon to Chamonix, though there is no direct service. Rather, you will need to change at least once (and often twice), resulting in a one-way travel time approaching five hours. This is why, if you wish to visit the French Alps on a day trip from Lyon, I highly recommend renting a car.
What city in France is close to the Alps?
Lyon is the closest major French city to the Alps, and is the one best suited as a base for day trips into the mountains. With this being said, both Annecy and Chamonix are technically cities (albeit quite small ones) and are located squarely within the Alps; both make for lovely bases.
The Bottom Line
I hope my French Alps itinerary has informed and inspired you. For many travelers, the visiting the foothills of Mont Blanc is a surprisingly simple affair: An excursion from Lyon (whether for the day or overnight), and one that basically involves the Annecy-Chamonix corridor. For the more intrepid, however, options are much more varied and interesting, including the possibility of continuing into Italy, Switzerland and beyond. This is also to say nothing of how much more exciting les Alpes can be if you happen to be a skier (I’m not). Need personalized help putting your next trip to France together? Commission a custom France itinerary today!
