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The French Alps: Annecy to Chamonix – Route Guide

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Aiguille du Midi Mont Blanc — The French Alps: Annecy to Chamonix
Photo: Christian David · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Travel from Annecy’s old town and public lakeshore to Chamonix beneath Mont Blanc. The route uses the direct valley road, then separates Aiguille du Midi and Montenvers into properly timed, weather-dependent mountain days. It does not promise high road passes, glacier walking or an Italian detour.

The French Alps: Annecy to Chamonix is a 100 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 4–5 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for July, built from 57 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

4–5
days
100km
distance
2
Stops
57
curated stops

Plan your own version → 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Annecy→ 100 kmChamonix & Mont Blanc

What you'll see

Annecy Castle
Enjoy panoramic city views and discover medieval and contemporary art.
Annecy
Musée Alpin
Discover the history of alpinism through paintings, photos and maps.
Chamonix & Mont Blanc
Saint Peter's Cathedral
Admire Baroque art and a splendid 19th-century organ inside this chapel.
Annecy
Aiguille du Midi reserved summit visit
Use only with a confirmed timed reservation, suitable weather and altitude eligibility. Allow for arrival, the Plan de l’Aiguille interchange, summit facilities and return; no glacier walking.
Chamonix & Mont Blanc
Museum of Animated Film
Discover original animation cels and storyboards in this small museum.
Annecy
Montenvers and Mer de Glace railway visit
Use the passenger railway and currently operating visitor components only. Check the train, gondola, ice-cave and last-departure calendars separately; no glacier travel.
Chamonix & Mont Blanc
Parc des Sports
Watch FC Annecy soccer matches in Ligue 2 at this lively stadium.
Annecy
Les Houches
Find family-friendly slopes with the best low-altitude conditions.
Chamonix & Mont Blanc

Choose your length

4-day plan8 stops · 2.0 h transit2 stops/day · 0.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan9 stops · 2.0 h transit1.8 stops/day · 0.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: June, July, August, September

This reviewed summer journey pairs Annecy’s public lakefront with Chamonix mountain excursions. Every lift, train and high-altitude visit still depends on its dated operating calendar, reservation and weather.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →