Lac du Bourget and Annecy Old Town

Start your road trip on the shores of Lac du Bourget, the biggest natural lake of France. Surrounded by hills and mountains, its stunning beauty inspired the greatest French poets and writers, such as Alphonse de Lamartine, Honoré de Balzac and Alexandre Dumas.
You can dip your toes in the pristine water or even experience a first swim if you like. Otherwise, walk along the lake towards the marina and enjoy the amazing view.

Aix-les-Bains is a famous spa town, worth visiting for seeing architecture Belle-Epoque and interesting Roman ruins. Start your visit with the Grand Circle Casino, a wonderful building Belle Epoque style. The interior decor contains lots of mosaics and sculptures.
Then wander around the city towards the Place Maurice Mollard. You will see from outside the Ancient Thermes (closed for renovation) and the Arc de Campanus, a roman funeral arch built in the first century. Aix-les-Bains was already a spa town in Roman times.
Open Hours: Monday-Sunday: 09:00-03:00

Welcome to one of the most beautiful lookouts from which to admire the Lac du Bourget. Take your time to enjoy a 360° view over the Alps and surrounding area. To get the best view, take the little path on the left of the restaurant. After a two minutes walk under the trees, you are at the best spot!

Have lunch at the restaurant on the viewpoint. Try the local fish from the lake: the lavaret.
Open Hours: Monday: 12:00 - 22:00 Tuesday, Wednesday: closed Thursday - Saturday: 12:00 - 22:00 Sunday: 12:00 - 18:00

After a 40 minutes drive, you have arrived in Annecy, the capital of Haute-Savoie, one of the most beautiful cities in France. Finding a parking spot there can be very triky. If you have booked a hotel with a parking, go park your car there, otherwise, try the Parking de l'Hôtel de ville. Then you can check in at your hotel.

The Palais de l'île is Annecy's most iconic façade, with its shape of a stone ship. You will take a nice picture with all the coloured flowers on the bridge. Build on an island in the middle of the canal, it is a former courthouse and prison.
Open Hours: Tuesday and public holidays: closed Wednesday - Monday: 10:30 - 18:00 (from 1st of june till 30th of september) Wednesday - Monday: 10:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00 (from 1st of october till 31st of may)
After the visit, take your time to wander around the historical center and its narrow medieval streets. Don't miss St peter's Cathedral, 15th-century Renaissance church.

On your way towards the lake, make sure you cross the canal on the "Pont des Amours" which means the bridge of Love, one of the most romantic place of Annecy. This bridge connects the lovely gardens of Europe and the parc "Le Pâquier".

Le Pâquier is a large green lawn by the lake. It's a very popular leisure place both for locals and tourists. You can walk around or rent a pedalboat to go for a tour on the turquoise water. If you are up for a swim, head to the beach "Plage de l'Impérial" or to the Albigny beach.
If you can, try to be there to watch the sunset on the mountains.

Have dinner in this nice restaurant, one of the best places in Annecy to eat cheese specialties from Savoy. It will be hard to choose between fondue savoyarde, raclette or tartiflette!

After walking back accross Annecy Old Town, it is time to rest in this very nice hotel.