Annecy / Evian

Author
Discussion

BlueEyedBoy

Original Poster:

1,919 posts

197 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Thinking of going to one of these places this summer for family hols. Has anyone been to either place in the summer and how do you rate it or any recommendations for the area?
Cheers

Not Ideal

2,902 posts

189 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
I went to Evian for a day many many years ago. Was very tranquil and peaceful but a bit limited in actvities/things going on.

minimoog

6,900 posts

220 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Annecy's beautiful. Spectacular setting, lovely (if v. touristy) old town in Annecy itself. Lovely little grass beach with safe bathing for kids along the northern shore past the big hotel/casino. The lake has boating and is surprisingly warm to swim in. There's a cycle path all the way along the northern and eastern shore and some miles beyond to the south. A few nice villages dotted around the shoreline.

Then there's the encircling mountains for parasailing, walking, biking, etc. Chamonix/Mont Blanc is a day trip away by car.

We usually camp there. There are a lot of rubbish campsites on the eastern shore but some decent ones along the west. We use La Serraz in Doussard which isn't the most scenic village on the lake but the site is decent and less hectic than most.

Villages like Talloires on the east shore are very well-to-do and consequently can be expensive but are worth a visit.

I'd say it would be great for a week at least.

FPC

7,768 posts

223 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Have you thought about Morzine for the holidays? A drive into the moutains from Evian: beautiful place and loads of activities: mountain biking, walking, paragliding, olimpic sized swimming pool, luge etc.

mechsympathy

52,999 posts

256 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Morzine is a very good call. There's a stunning valley thereabouts with a campsite/cafe with a wood fired pizza oven, but I'm fecked if I can remember exactly wherecry

theboymoon

2,699 posts

261 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
minimoog said:
Annecy's beautiful. Spectacular setting, lovely (if v. touristy) old town in Annecy itself. Lovely little grass beach with safe bathing for kids along the northern shore past the big hotel/casino. The lake has boating and is surprisingly warm to swim in. There's a cycle path all the way along the northern and eastern shore and some miles beyond to the south. A few nice villages dotted around the shoreline.

Then there's the encircling mountains for parasailing, walking, biking, etc. Chamonix/Mont Blanc is a day trip away by car.

We usually camp there. There are a lot of rubbish campsites on the eastern shore but some decent ones along the west. We use La Serraz in Doussard which isn't the most scenic village on the lake but the site is decent and less hectic than most.

Villages like Talloires on the east shore are very well-to-do and consequently can be expensive but are worth a visit.

I'd say it would be great for a week at least.
yes

this is pretty much spot on - oh dont go in the first 3 weeks of August, it is uber busy to the point of being painful...

some pics...





go canyoning! Its a lot of fun!


Never made it over to Evian so can't help you there smile

prand

5,916 posts

197 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
Agree with Annecy - we stayed in a campsite in June 2006 and had a great relaxing time. We had driven up the Rue Napolean from Cannes the day before in 35C and arriving in Annecy for a dip in the cool blue water of the lake and beer served in 500ml glasses was heaven!

The interesting old medieval town centre had loads of bars & restaurants. We then went on to camp in Chamonix for a couple of nights which was also great for a summer destination. (Walking & mountainbiking in alpine meadows and forests).

minimoog

6,900 posts

220 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
Relax...




...or crap yourself



Marcellus

7,129 posts

220 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
if you're going to Evian a trip to the Fantasticable is highly recommended;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7IjXeo8m0k&fea...

taffyracer

2,093 posts

244 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
quotequote all
was thinking of a week there myself, drove through it on sunday and it just looks lovely. Morzine on the other hand is not the sort of place I would want to stay, been to Avoriaz twice and both times found Morzine to be awful

BlueEyedBoy

Original Poster:

1,919 posts

197 months

Friday 10th April 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for the info guys, looks like I might go ahead and book the hols smile

Marcellus

7,129 posts

220 months

Friday 10th April 2009
quotequote all
also check dates becuase the tour de france is in Annecy at the end of July (23rd iirc)!!