Destination 4 of 5 – The French Alps
Some of you will have a destination in mind but others will follow the wind in the hope of creating interesting and memorable experiences. A motorhome gives you the freedom to roam with all the home luxuries and without constraints. There’s so much to see and do throughout the UK and across mainland Europe, which often means it’s difficult to decide where to spend your time away. We’ve compiled a list of our 5 favourite places, as recommended by staff and past customers. We’ll be posting one destination a week, along with our suggested route in the form of an interactive map.
4. The French Alps – 3/4 days – 170 miles (272km)
The natural starting point for this trip is at one of the oldest ski resorts and the "gateway to the European Cascades;" the mountain Mecca of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. In 1741 two Englishmen, Windham and Pococke, discovered the ‘Chamouny’ valley and its glaciers. Their expedition was met by a rural population of mountain farmers and a humble monastery. This community lived off animal husbandry and a sparse harvest of oats and rye. The stories of their exploits, published in literary journals throughout Europe, started a craze to find out more about Chamonix.
In 1924 Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic Games, after skiing was introduced at the end of the 19th century by Dr Payot. Things to do include La Brevent Cable Car, which ascends to 2,525m and offers incredible panoramic views over the Chamonix Valley. If you’re interested in trying out one of the many sports offered here (some more extreme than others!) check out ‘Chamonix Sport Aventure’ who operate throughout the year.
From there you have the Alps at your disposal, there are many resorts and fantastic campsites throughout the whole region. If you’re prepared for a bit of hiking or mountain biking (or skiing in the winter) you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’re in the Alps to follow the tour de France a motorhome is the perfect vehicle as you can join the cyclists on every stage and explore the local towns on the rest days. You’ll have to make sure you allow a few days to relax and take a boat out onto the idyllic glassy Lake Annecy. You can opt to stay in Annecy itself or if you would prefer somewhere a bit quieter a smaller town like Duingt would suit you well.
On your way back west stop off in Lyon, which sits proudly at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its centre reflects 2,000 years of history, with a huge variety of Roman, medieval and Renaissance architecture, which can be found in Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon). This vibrant cosmopolitan city is know for its cuisine, gastronomy and architectural landmarks so it’s well worth a visit. If you have enough time, we recommend you combine this trip with the Tuscany or Wine Country trip as they link up well.
If you’re planning to embark on this trip during the winter season please ensure you're carrying snow chains and suitable winter equipment. Always check if roads are open because some mountain passes remain closed over the winter months.
If you've got any more travel suggestions throughout the French Alps please feel free to send them over!