French Alps 10-Day Itinerary

Delicious Food and Beautiful Scenery

Thinking of mapping out an incredible journey around the French Alps? If you're feeling a bit lost on the starting point, the must-visit spots, the budget, or the ideal timeframe, then this itinerary is for you. This trip will let you experience the museums, delicious food, beautiful locations, and small town charm along the way. Consider this guide your compass and roadmap for your upcoming adventure, providing all the details to craft an extraordinary 10-day trip in the region.

The reasons to visit the French Alps are plentiful. You'll find stunning mountain vistas, delicious cuisine, outdoor activities, and historic towns. Below we'll start with some of the highlights of the area before working through the specifics of the route, budget, things to do, where to stay, and more.

This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:

1. Lyon (1 day)
2. Annecy (3 days)
3. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (3 days)
4. Geneva (3 days)

Lyon, France, as viewed from the Saone River

Itinerary Highlights

• Great for couples
• Family-friendly
• Good for backpackers and budget travelers
• Delicious Food
• Small Town Charm
• Historic Sites
• Skiing
• Hiking
• Beautiful Locations

Delicious food is one of the main reasons why many people travel, and a trip to the French Alps is no exception. You'll find so many amazing restaurants and local dishes worth tasting on this trip, so throw that diet plan away when you come. Dining opportunities in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Annecy, and Lyon are particularly amazing, so plan ahead.

You're not going to want to miss the beautiful and charming small towns of the region. They will provide a great chance to experience the local culture. You'll find plenty of small town charm in Annecy.

the French Alps is a treasure trove of history waiting to be discovered. Make sure to soak in the richness of the area through its historic architecture, museums, and charming atmosphere. It's an experience you can't miss.

the French Alps offers a variety of skiing and snowboarding options in the area. If you love winter sports, this itinerary provides a great chance to hit the slopes. For example, the skiing around Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is especially popular.

Hiking in the French Alps is an absolute must, so don't even think about skipping it. Take the time to hit the local trails for panoramic views, rejuvenating fresh air, and a healthy dose of physical activity. Some of the best hiking trails are found around Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Lyon, and Annecy.

The stunning scenery of the French Alps is one of the main reasons visitors come to this region. Bring your camera, as it's even better in person. You don't want to miss Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Lyon, and Annecy for the beautiful scenery.

Annecy, France

When is the best time to visit?

With so many winter activities, visiting the regions during the colder months is fairly popular with tourists. You'll find plenty of cold-weather activities, winter sports, and fun things to do.

Summer is a very popular time of year for a trip to the French Alps. While you might experience plenty of crowds, everything will be open and accessible.

Who is this itinerary for?

Let's make sure to talk about the romantic aspects of the French Alps. It's known to be such a great couples' destination. If you're traveling with your loved one, you're in for a treat. For romantic charm, Annecy, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and Lyon especially should not be missed.

the French Alps makes for a terrific family-friendly trip. You'll find a good number of kid-friendly activities on this journey. In the sections below, we'll cover this in more detail so that the entire family has an amazing trip. For example, families love all of the activities in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Lyon, and Annecy.

Plenty of budget-friendly and backpacker-friendly travel options are available in the area, too. From affordable hostels and budget-friendly hotels, to free activities, affordable food options, and a great social vibe, you can have a great trip if you're on a shoestring budget. For example, the range of hostels and low-cost activities in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Lyon tend to favor budget travelers.

Geneva, Switzerland

Transportation

Getting around between these destinations in the French Alps isn't too difficult. Most of these places are around 2 hours apart.

We've planned this as a one-way journey from Lyon to Geneva because it covers a lot of distance and the transportation options are good in both places. However, you could always loop back to the beginning if it's easier. Also, you can do this route in the opposite direction if you find better tickets into Geneva instead of Lyon. To get to Lyon, you can see flight prices and schedules here.

Exploring with this itinerary is a blast if you've got a car. If you can't bring your own, just rent one. Having your own set of wheels in the French Alps is the ticket to total freedom and flexibility. Cruise at your own pace and pull over whenever the mood strikes.

Efficient and budget-friendly, train travel through the French Alps is a breeze, swiftly linking major cities while smaller destinations may require a bit more time, possibly involving transfers to local buses. Stick to the primary routes, and you'll find it easy to navigate, offering ample opportunities to sit back and appreciate the picturesque scenery outside your window. Don't forget to check ticket prices and schedules ahead of your trip.

Is 10 days enough time in the French Alps?

Yes, 10 days is generally enough time to see the major destinations of the French Alps. We have planned out this itinerary in such a way so that you can take in these destinations in 10 days while having a relaxing and enjoyable trip. You could always spend more time in the area if you want to visit more of the local sights, or spend even more time in each destination. Plenty of day trip options are available, after all. On the other hand, if you have less time, you can modify this suggested itinerary to make it shorter. Cutting out a few places would save you time, although we don't recommended it as you really need around 10 days to see everything.

How much does a 10-day trip to the French Alps cost?

Below is a budget breakdown for this exciting 10-day journey across the French Alps. Our cost estimates are based on the average daily expenses of real travelers, coupled with data from major companies. Keep in mind, these costs are per person and exclude transportation between destinations. Consider this a helpful guide, because opting for mid-level hotels, regular dining, and covering main attractions will keep you on par with these averages. For those on a tighter budget, hostels and budget hotels, along with more affordable dining options, can keep you below these estimates. Conversely, indulging in luxury accommodations, upscale dining, and private tours might push you well above this budget.

The anticipated expenses for this 10-day journey in the French Alps tallies up to $2,559 per person. Keep in mind that this figure excludes the cost of moving between destinations, as that will depend on the transportation option you use.

Accommodation Costs

Trying to figure out how much you'll pay for hotels on this trip? Below is the expected cost for accommodations for this trip through the French Alps based on calculated averages.

Hotel Prices

The average price for a hotel room in each destination is outlined below. Calculated from Kayak's hotel data, please note that taxes and fees are not factored into these figures. Consider these prices as a gauge for mid-range hotel experiences. Yet, keep in mind that it's easy to spend more or less, especially if you opt for budget-friendly stays or treat yourself to high-end luxury hotels. During peak travel season, these prices will also be higher.

Hostel Prices

If you're looking to save some money on your trip, hostels are a great option for younger travelers or solo travelers. The prices below represent the average cost for a dorm bed in a hostel for each place. While you give up privacy in a hostel dorm, the atmosphere is usually very social and offers a great opportunity to make new friends along the way. Many hostels also offer private rooms for higher prices than dorms. Many also offer kitchens, social activities, and prime locations. These average prices are calculated from available hostel data provided by HostelWorld.

The French Alps Itinerary

1. Lyon

1 Day

Lyon is a beautiful city with a long history. It has one of Europe's best old towns, which climbs the hills above the River Saône and is filled with character. There are many traditional restaurants where you can try the local cuisine. The city is also known for its Marionette puppets and there is a museum as well as places to watch a production.

Lyon offers big city activities, museums, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations. It's also a great place for families and backpackers due to all of the activities.

Travelers visit Lyon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. You'll probably have trouble prioritizing what to see with so many options, so it's best to make a plan.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from.

Lyon has one of the best historic old towns in the country, so you should absolutely spend some time exploring the streets and shops.

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