a 10-day road trip from Lyon and Annecy to Chamonix

Welcome to Lyon! The route starts in the heart of France's gastronomic capital.

France's third most populous city (behind Paris and Marseille) is easily accessible on foot. Above all, it's a great starting point for this itinerary. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is surrounded by two rivers: the Saône and the Rhône. You can wander through the narrow cobbled streets in search of the famous traboules (hidden passageways). Take a walk to the Fourvière basilica for a panoramic view of the whole city.

When it comes to dining, you'll find yourself surrounded by hundreds of restaurants where you can choose from a range of cosy eateries serving traditional Lyonnais cuisine, brasseries and Michelin-starred restaurants such as the iconic Auberge de Collonges, founded by the famous chef Paul Bocuse.

Where to stay?

⭐ Hôtel Charlemagne

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll meet a local guide to explore Lyon's fantastic culinary scene.

This walking tour (3h30 hours) explores the historic bank of the Saône, known for its Renaissance-style architecture. The itinerary, which also includes tasting experiences, allows you to admire this bourgeois architecture greatly influenced by its neighbour, Italy. The charm of Lyon's squares and streets will probably transport you back to the Middle Ages.

At the end of the tour, you'll have free time to visit the city's exceptional museums (Fine Arts Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Printing Museum, Puppet Arts Museum), and enjoy the shopping and lively nightlife.

On the third day, you'll be taken on a private tour (see links below - to be chosen according to your budget and desires) that will introduce you to some of the traders who shape Lyon's gastronomic scene.

You can opt for a gastronomic tour of the historic Halles de Lyon - Paul Bocuse covered market. Meet the local producers and learn their insider secrets. You'll also have the chance to sample pralines, macaroons, cheese, charcuterie and quenelles.

Then drive to the Pilat regional park, where you'll have the chance to chat with a family who make goat's cheese and offer tastings of their succulent Rigotte de Condrieu.

After lunch, you'll head off to meet Lyon's artisans, including a local painter, a glass-blower and a local woodturner, followed by a visit to a farmer and baker who grows his own wheat and makes his own flour.

After the tour, you'll return to Lyon for a quiet evening, either at the hotel or enjoying the lively bars.

In the morning, you'll be accompanied by a guide on a tour of Beaujolais, a historic wine-producing province just north of Lyon.

Often compared to Tuscany, this beautiful countryside dotted with villages offers a gentle pace of life. Your cultural and gastronomic itinerary takes you to the southern part of the Beaujolais, famous for its golden stone, which lends a unique charm to the surrounding villages.

Along the way, your expert guide will reveal his passion for the region and teach you all the secrets about wine. You will then be treated to a wine-tasting experience. After the tour, you will return to your hotel in Lyon.

In the morning, head to Gare de Lyon to catch the train to Annecy. On arrival and after checking into your hotel, you'll set off to discover France's "Little Venice".

Annecy is one of the most popular towns in the French Alps, with forests, rugged mountains and a freshwater lake called Lac d'Annecy. The picturesque town is also home to a number of important French landmarks and monuments. Start by strolling through Annecy's Old Town, with its many 16th and 17th century buildings painted in peach and pink tones where you'll find restaurants and shops.

Here are a few suggestions for walks the River Thiou (one of the shortest rivers in Europe - 3.5km); the Palais de l'Isle (the old prison dating back to the 12th century - photogenic, it is the symbol of the town); the Château d'Annecy (former home of the Counts of Geneva, it houses a museum and exhibitions on the art and history of the region) ; St Peter's Cathedral, home to a number of 19th-century Baroque works of art; the Porte Sainte-Claire, with its 18th-century façade; and St Maurice, home to some interesting 15th- and 16th-century paintings.

A change of scenery for day six! We're off on an interactive tour of Savoie, an area in the western Alps not far from Annecy. This unique visit is devoted to the cuisine, local produce and natural environment found in this part of the country.

On this tour, you'll meet your host at a cheese cooperative, an adventure in itself. Here you can choose and taste the variety of cheese that will be used later for lunch, and then enjoy a delicious tartiflette in one of the many restaurants in the area.

After lunch, your afternoon will be punctuated by walks (just to digest the tartiflette!) in the surrounding forests and explanations about the local products of the region. Return to the hotel in Annecy after this excursion.

Today is a free day to explore Annecy and the surrounding area as you wish! If you're visiting in the warmer months, head to the lake where you can sunbathe on the beach, swim and enjoy water sports (sailing, kayaking) or cycle along the lake to the Imperial Palace (hire available in town too)!

For a little more culture, head to the outskirts of the town and visit the Basilica of the Visitation, built in the 20th century. This is the home of the tomb of François de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal, both buried in rich copper sarcophagi. The monument also offers a magnificent view of the city.

Leave for Annecy station to catch your train to Chamonix in the heart of the French Alps. After checking in at the hotel, you'll begin a two-hour guided tour of the region. Chamonix is famous for Mont Blanc, France's highest mountain, which lies on the outskirts of the town, as well as for its alpine ski resort.

Your tour guide will trace the history of mountaineering, which attracted the British and Americans in the 19th century. The town's history goes back 500 years. It was once a quiet village, then became a major tourist resort in the 20th century with the Winter Olympics in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

Chamonix town centre is a lively place with luxury hotels, outdoor shops and many restaurants, including a two-Michelin-starred restaurant called Albert 1er.

On this ninth and final day of your visit, get ready for an excursion to Montenvers, which includes an easy half-day hike.

You'll board a charming red train that takes you up to the famous Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier and one of the Chamonix valley's biggest attractions. To reach the cave, you'll have to climb 430 steps; the return journey from the top is by gondola.

You can then visit the Glaciorium. Created in 2012, this museum presents a comprehensive exhibition dedicated to glaciology, with interactive and educational displays on glaciers, their formation and history.