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The French Alps: Annecy to Chamonix: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 4-day version for July: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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4
days
100 km
distance
2.0 h
driving
8
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- 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.
- Light days: day 1, day 2, day 4 have one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill them — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Day 1 Annecy
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~14:00
- Temperature
- 14.0°C–23.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~13
- Daylight
- 15.2h
09:00
Annecy old-town and castle circuit en.lac-annecy.com map ↗
Use a bounded public old-town and lakeside walk with one currently open heritage interior. Confirm the castle or Palais de l’Île admission separately.
240 min · Annecy · Current admission may apply; confirm the named source
13:00
Glacier des Alpes glacierdesalpes.fr map ↗
Savor the city's finest hand-made ice creams in over forty flavors.
60 min · Annecy
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
Day 2 Around Annecy
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~14:00
- Temperature
- 14.0°C–23.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~13
- Daylight
- 15.2h
09:00
Lake Annecy public-shore circuit en.lac-annecy.com map ↗
Use public shoreline, gardens and viewpoints reached without promising a boat, private beach or swimming conditions. Check weather and local access.
240 min · Annecy · Current admission may apply; confirm the named source
13:00
Le Fréti lefreti-annecy.fr map ↗
Indulge in delicious cheese specialties like fondue and raclette.
60 min · Annecy
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
Day 3 Chamonix & Mont Blanc
- Transit
- 2h00
- Finish
- ~16:15
- Temperature
- 8.1°C–18.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~15
- Daylight
- 15.2h
11:15
Aiguille du Midi reserved summit visit aiguilledumidi.montblancnaturalresort.com map ↗
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.
240 min · Chamonix & Mont Blanc · Current admission may apply; confirm the named source
15:15
Le Délice le-delice.info map ↗
Indulge in good wine and food, including vegan options.
60 min · Chamonix & Mont Blanc
open: Tue-Sun 12:00-23:00
Overnight here
Day 4 Around Chamonix & Mont Blanc
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~14:00
- Temperature
- 8.1°C–18.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~15
- Daylight
- 15.2h
09:00
Montenvers and Mer de Glace railway visit montenversmerdeglace.montblancnaturalresort.com map ↗
Use the passenger railway and currently operating visitor components only. Check the train, gondola, ice-cave and last-departure calendars separately; no glacier travel.
240 min · Chamonix & Mont Blanc · Current admission may apply; confirm the named source
13:00
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.