A grand tour of Savoie and Haute-Savoie takes five to eight days and starts almost at the airport door: Annecy is only 44 km and about 40 minutes from Geneva Airport, Megève 75 km and Chamonix 90 km. The loop strings together two lakes, the Mont Blanc massif and a handful of mountain villages, and AirportsTransfers.ch can drive each leg so you never have to navigate French mountain roads yourself.
- Ideal length: five to eight days, three or four bases
- Starting point: Geneva Airport, with Annecy 44 km / 40 min away
- Highlights: Lake Annecy, Megève, Chamonix and Mont Blanc, Lac du Bourget, Chambéry
- Border crossing: the route crosses the border into France just outside Geneva
- Best seasons: late spring to early autumn for lakes and passes; winter for ski villages
Two departments, two characters
Haute-Savoie is the department that wraps around Geneva on the French side. It holds Lake Annecy, the Aravis range, the Chablais on the southern shore of Lake Geneva and the Mont Blanc massif around Chamonix. Savoie lies further south and takes in Chambéry, the old capital of the Dukes of Savoy, Lac du Bourget near Aix-les-Bains, and the high Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, home to some of the largest ski areas in the Alps. Together they were the historic Duchy of Savoy, which only became French in 1860, and you still see the red flag with its white cross on balconies throughout the region.
A grand tour works because the distances are short but the scenery changes constantly. In a single day you can go from a lakeside promenade lined with plane trees to a glacier view, then down into a valley of orchards and walnut groves. Planning the trip as a loop rather than a straight line means you finish close to Geneva Airport, ready for a relaxed departure.
Days one and two: Annecy and its lake
Begin with Annecy, where the canals of the old town, the Palais de l'Isle and the castle above the rooftops give the town its postcard reputation. The lake itself is known for its exceptionally clear water, and a cycle path follows much of the western shore. Spend a morning walking the old town before the crowds arrive, then take a boat across to Talloires or drive the eastern shore road with its views of the Dents de Lanfon. The lake beaches are busy in July and August, so early starts pay off.
From Annecy, the Col de la Forclaz above Montmin offers one of the classic viewpoints over the whole lake, popular with paragliders. Food here leans towards mountain cheese: reblochon is made in the nearby Aravis and turns up in tartiflette on almost every menu.
Days three and four: Megève and Chamonix
The road east climbs through the Arve valley towards Megève, a village of chalets, horse-drawn sleighs in winter and a car-free medieval centre around its church. In summer it becomes a base for gentle walking on the Mont d'Arbois and the Jaillet. Chamonix lies a short drive further on, in the shadow of Mont Blanc itself. The Aiguille du Midi cable car is the obvious excursion, rising to a terrace with a close view of the summit, while the Montenvers rack railway climbs to the Mer de Glace glacier. Book cable car slots ahead in summer and keep an eye on the weather: the high viewpoints are only worthwhile on clear days, so leave a flexible slot in your plan.
Days five to seven: Savoie, Chambéry and Lac du Bourget
Turning south-west, the route leaves the high mountains for gentler country. Lac du Bourget is the largest natural lake entirely within France, and Aix-les-Bains on its eastern shore has a long history as a spa town with belle époque buildings and a lakeside port. Across the water, the Abbaye d'Hautecombe sits right at the water's edge and is the burial place of many members of the House of Savoy. Chambéry, a short drive away, has the ducal château, arcaded streets and the Fontaine des Éléphants, a monument locals affectionately call les quatre sans cul.
If you have an extra day, the Tarentaise valley rises east from Albertville towards Courchevel, around 150 km and 2 h 15 from Geneva Airport, and Val d'Isère, about 180 km and 2 h 45. In summer the high road over the Col de l'Iseran is one of the highest paved passes in the Alps, though it is only open for part of the year and depends on snow clearance.
Practical tips for the loop
- Plan three or four bases rather than moving every night; unpacking matters on a mountain trip.
- Mountain passes such as the Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière and Iseran can close outside summer, so check before setting off.
- Saturday traffic in ski season can slow the valleys considerably; avoid moving bases on that day if you can.
- Markets are a highlight: most towns have a weekly one selling local cheese, charcuterie and honey.
Having a chauffeur also means you can enjoy a glass of Savoie wine, such as a white from Chignin or Apremont, with lunch instead of worrying about the drive afterwards.
Booking your Savoie chauffeur
With AirportsTransfers.ch you can book the arrival at Geneva Airport, each transfer between bases and the return, or reserve a chauffeur by the hour (minimum two hours) for a day of sightseeing. Prices are fixed per vehicle and shown in full before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign and tracks your flight, so a delay simply shifts the pickup. A Mercedes E-Class suits up to three passengers with three bags, the V-Class van takes up to seven with skis or bikes, and child seats are available on request. For a tailored multi-day plan, contact the team on +41 78 346 56 77, by phone or WhatsApp.
