Welcome to Savoy—historic homeland of the House of Savoy, annexed to France in 1860, and one of Europe’s most dramatic mountain regions. Here, glittering lakes meet serrated Alpine peaks, medieval arcades shade market streets, and village bell towers punctuate pastures grazed by cows that give the world Beaufort and Reblochon.

Across three weeks you’ll savor Lake Annecy’s clear waters, Chamonix’s high-mountain theater beneath Mont Blanc, and Chambéry’s ducal Old Town. Expect cable cars and balcony hikes, vineyard tastings of Jacquère and Mondeuse, and detours to hot springs and monasteries. You’ll dine well—fondue savoyarde, tartiflette, diots in white wine—balanced by crisp mountain air and an espresso culture that hums from dawn to dusk.

Practical notes: mountain weather changes fast—pack layers and book major lifts in advance in peak season. Winter brings world-class skiing; late spring to fall favors hiking, cycling, and paragliding. If you arrive via Geneva (Switzerland), remember the Swiss motorway vignette; otherwise, rely on trains and buses, which are frequent and scenic.

Annecy

Nicknamed the “Venice of the Alps,” Annecy charms with teal canals, flower-decked bridges, and a radiant lake ringed by villages and cliffs. It’s the softest landing in Savoy: swim, cycle the lakeside greenway, then climb for panoramic sunsets above terracotta roofs.

Historic highlights include the Château d’Annecy overlooking the Old Town and the Pont des Amours spanning the Vassé canal. The Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday morning markets thread the cobbles with cheese wheels, cured meats, and mountain honey—prime picnic hunting.

Arriving in Annecy (Days 1–7)

Fly into Geneva (GVA) or Lyon (LYS), then continue by rail or bus. From GVA, buses take ~1 h 15 (about €10–20); trains via Annemasse run ~1 h 30–2 h (about €15–30). From Lyon Part-Dieu, TER trains to Annecy take ~1 h 55–2 h 10 (about €25–40). Search and book European flights, trains, or buses on Omio.

Where to stay

• Annecy vacation rentals on VRBO (Old Town for canal views; Annecy-le-Vieux for quieter, leafy lanes; Talloires or Menthon-Saint-Bernard for lakeside retreats).
• Annecy hotels on Hotels.com (look for lake-view rooms or boutique stays in pedestrian streets).

Highlights for a 6–7 day stay

• Lake Annecy circuit by bike: rent bikes (about €18–30/day) and follow the 42 km voie verte through Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz, and Duingt’s lakeside château. Pause for swims at grass beaches along the way.
• Old Town and Château d’Annecy: explore the castle museum (about €7–8), drift along the Thiou, and catch golden hour at the Pont des Amours.
• Lake cruise and Talloires: take a 1-hour cruise (about €16–20) or a shuttle to Talloires for abbey gardens and footpaths to Angon Waterfall.
• Hike and viewpoint: Semnoz ridge drive or bus for easy trails and sweeping views, or tackle Mont Veyrier/Mont Baron for balcony panoramas over the lake.
• Paragliding from Col de la Forclaz: tandem flights (about €95–150) launch above Talloires—classic Savoy exhilaration.
• Gorges du Fier and Lovagny: a wooden footbridge clings to limestone walls above a roaring torrent (about €6.50–7.50). Combine with the secret-garden atmosphere of Château de Montrottier.
• Day trips: Yvoire (medieval flowers-and-stone village on Lake Geneva), Evian-les-Bains for Belle Époque architecture and waters, or Abbaye de Tamié for monastic cheese.

Coffee, breakfast, and sweets

• Philippe Rigollot Pâtisserie: MOF pastry chef—grab a Saint-Honoré or seasonal tart with your morning espresso.
• Brumes Coffee: specialty roasts and slow bar; a quiet stop between market strolls.
• Le Bar Roux d’Heure: wholesome brunch plates, good for late risers after a lake swim.

Lunch and dinner

• Le Fréti: the town’s fondue institution—order half-and-half (Beaufort + Comté) and raclette by the fire in cooler months.
• Le Denti: lake-fish specialists; try fera or perch meunière with crisp Savoie Jacquère.
• L’Etage: classic Savoyard cooking—diots in white wine and tartiflette baked until the Reblochon blisters.
• Le Clos des Sens (Annecy-le-Vieux): a destination tasting menu built on lake fish, herbs, and embers—reserve well ahead.
• Pierre Gay Fromager-Affineur: assemble a picnic board spanning Tomme de Savoie to Bleu de Termignon.

Chamonix

Chamonix sits in a granite amphitheater at the foot of Mont Blanc, a cradle of alpinism since the 18th century. Cable cars rise to knife-edged ridges, red trains chuff to glaciers, and footpaths thread larch forests to glassy lakes.

It’s an outdoor capital with a lively village core: gear shops on Rue Paccard, old chalets on Rue des Moulins, and café terraces rattling with trekking poles and espresso spoons. Even if you don’t climb, you’ll feel the mountain hum.

Annecy → Chamonix, then Days 8–14

Morning transfer: Annecy to Chamonix by direct bus takes ~1 h 45–2 h (about €10–20). By train, ride TER via La Roche-sur-Foron and St-Gervais, then the Mont-Blanc line to Chamonix; ~3–3 h 30 (about €20–35). Compare and book on Omio Trains or Omio Buses.

Where to stay

• Chamonix vacation rentals on VRBO (Chamonix Centre for walkability; Les Praz for a quiet base near La Flégère; Argentière for alpine village feel).
• Chamonix hotels on Hotels.com (prioritize properties with spa access or lift proximity).

High-mountain essentials for a 6–7 day stay

• Aiguille du Midi: two-stage cable car to 3,842 m (about €75–80 return). Walk the glass “Step into the Void,” watch climbers on the Vallée Blanche, and absorb the view to Italy. Book in advance in summer.
• Montenvers Railway and Mer de Glace: the scarlet cog train climbs to glacier views and an ice grotto (about €38–45). The changing glacier tells a climate story in real time.
• La Flégère and Lac Blanc: ride the lift, then hike to the mirrored lake with Mont Blanc reflected—bring layers; weather shifts quickly.
• Brévent–Plan Praz: vistas straight across to the Mont Blanc massif; good for a “balcony” hike and paragliding launches.
• QC Terme Chamonix: post-hike thermal circuit with mountain panoramas (about €54–58; evening slots are quieter).
• Courmayeur day trip (Italy): tunnel buses whisk you in ~30–40 minutes for gelato, Italian coffee, and the Skyway Monte Bianco if you fancy another cable car.
• Trail running and via ferrata: rent light gear and sample a segment of the UTMB paths, or clip into a beginner-friendly ferrata near Passy (guides available in town).

Coffee, breakfast, and treats

• Chalet 4810 Pâtisserie: mountain-chic cakes, great cappuccinos, and a terrace for people-watching.
• Bighorn Bakery & Bistro: protein-forward breakfasts, cinnamon rolls, and bottomless coffee before a big day.
• Aux Petits Gourmands: beloved for viennoiseries and hot chocolate on snowy mornings.

Lunch and dinner

• La Maison Carrier: heritage Savoyard dishes (pormoniers, polenta) and an indulgent dessert buffet in an old farmhouse setting.
• Munchie: Asian-fusion small plates on Rue des Moulins—ginger-lime salmon, steamed buns, and sake make a lively contrast to cheese-heavy days.
• La Calèche: a wood-paneled classic with raclette, fondue, and a vintage mountaineering decor museum’s worth of artifacts.
• Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (MBC): craft beers brewed in town—order the IPA and a mountain-sized burger.
• Le Panier des 4 Saisons: intimate bistro for seasonal French plates and a well-priced wine list featuring Savoie bottles.

Chambéry

Chambéry was the seat of the Dukes of Savoy—its Old Town curls around arcaded lanes, trompe‑l’œil frescoes, and the emblematic Elephant Fountain. It’s a perfect base for history, vineyards, Chartreuse foothills, and the big blue of nearby Lac du Bourget and Aix‑les‑Bains.

Spend mornings in museums and markets, afternoons on vineyard slopes tasting Jacquère, Roussette, and Mondeuse, and day trips into the Bauges and Vanoise for wildlife and glaciers.

Chamonix → Chambéry, then Days 15–21

Morning transfer: Chamonix to Chambéry by TER takes ~3–3 h 30 (about €25–40) via St‑Gervais and Aix‑les‑Bains. Direct buses run in ~2–2 h 30 in some seasons. Compare on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Where to stay

• Chambéry vacation rentals on VRBO (Old Town for arcades and cafés; around Carré Curial for cultural venues; near the station for easy day trips).
• Chambéry hotels on Hotels.com (look for period buildings with vaulted ceilings and inner courtyards).

Highlights for a 6–7 day stay

• Old Town and ducal sites: tour the Château des Ducs de Savoie complex, admire the cathedral’s trompe‑l’œil, and find the Fontaine des Éléphants—Chambéry’s quirky 19th‑century icon.
• Museum time: Musée Savoisien (regional history and folk art) and Les Charmettes (Rousseau’s countryside retreat) give context to Savoy’s identity.
• Wine route of Savoie: visit estates around Apremont and Chignin for crisp Jacquère and peppery Mondeuse; arrange tastings late morning or mid‑afternoon.
• Aix‑les‑Bains and Lac du Bourget: spa-town promenades, lakeside beaches, and boat trips to the lakeside Abbaye d’Hautecombe. Sunset from the Dent du Chat viewpoint is sublime.
• Bauges Regional Nature Park: hike Mont Revard’s balconies or loop through beech forests for views back to Mont Blanc on a clear day.
• Vanoise National Park day trip: aim for Pralognan‑la‑Vanoise or Champagny for glacier cirques and chance ibex sightings; summer buses connect from Moûtiers.
• Chartreuse heritage: the Musée de la Grande Chartreuse (by the monastery’s historic outbuildings) explains Carthusian life and the famous herbal liqueur tradition.

Coffee, breakfast, and sweets

• Au Fidèle Berger – Cédric Pernot: a historic pâtisserie (since 1832) known for Gâteau de Savoie, pralines, and precise viennoiseries.
• Maison Folliet: Savoy’s own coffee roaster—espresso bar and beans to take home.
• Colors Coffee Shop (centre-ville): reliable flat whites and light brunch if you’re between museums.

Lunch and dinner

• Local bistro circuit: try seasonal menus at intimate downtown spots; look for dishes featuring Tome des Bauges and river fish from nearby lakes.
• Wine bars around Place Saint‑Léger: graze on charcuterie and Savoie cheeses alongside glasses of Chignin‑Bergeron (Roussanne).
• Pizzerias and Savoyard tables near the station: low‑key dinners after day trips—order diots with crozets (buckwheat pasta) or a wood‑fired pie.
• Aix‑les‑Bains add‑on: lakefront brasseries are perfect for perch fillets and a cold Apremont after a swim.

Logistics and Getting Home

From Chambéry, frequent TER/TGV services connect to Lyon Part‑Dieu (~1 h 10–1 h 30) and Geneva Cornavin (~1 h 30–2 h via Aix‑les‑Bains). For flights home, compare fares and timings on Omio Flights, and stitch together your final train or bus legs.

Approximate costs to keep in mind (per adult): major Chamonix lifts €38–80, Lake Annecy cruises €16–20, bike rentals €18–30/day, QC Terme €54–58. Savoie wine tastings are often €10–15 and credited against bottle purchases. Always check day‑of schedules for mountain lifts and weather advisories.

Why this flow works: You acclimate and unwind in lakeside Annecy, tackle the highest highlights in Chamonix with fresh legs and good weather windows, then decelerate in Chambéry’s cultural heart with flexible day trips. It’s a complete Savoy story—water, rock, pasture, and the table.

Accommodations quick links again for planning:

• VRBO Annecy | Hotels.com Annecy
• VRBO Chamonix | Hotels.com Chamonix
• VRBO Chambéry | Hotels.com Chambéry

In 21 days, you’ll glide from canal-laced Annecy to glacier country in Chamonix and finish amid palaces, markets, and vineyards in Chambéry. It’s a French Alps itinerary that balances bucket-list moments with slow pleasures—fresh cheese, cold lake swims, and the glow of evening light on stone.