1 week in the French Alps

The french alps are full of wonders that can be discovered in 1 week : typical villages, old castles, ancient abbeys, splendid panoramas, hikes on the heights, Mont-Blanc…

For some time now, I dreamed of being able to embark on this 7-day journey. Verdict? It will forever be etched in my memory and on my retinas! So I wanted to share my itinerary with you, hoping that it can inspire you for a future trip to this beautiful part of the France.

Must-see sites in the Alps

If you want to organize your own tourist circuit in the Alps, do not miss these stages from Grenoble which are essential:

  • Chambéry
  • Castle of the Dukes of Savoy
  • Hautecombe Abbey
  • Aix les Bains
  • Annecy
  • Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
  • Aiguille du Midi
  • Mer de Glace
  • The Mont Blanc
  • Beaufort
  • The Vauban fortress in Briançon

Tourist circuit map of the Alps

Here is the map of the complete itinerary that we did in one week.

Click on "More options" in the map to put you in GPS mode


From Grenoble to Chambéry - DAY 1

Alps in 1 week - Itinerary of day 1

Museum and Monastery of the Grande Chartreuse

The curious must be satisfied to observe the Monastery from the outside to preserve the tranquility of the monks. On the other hand, you can visit the Museum located downstream which will teach you more about the way of life of the monks, the Carthusian order and their 900 years of history.

Cirque de Saint-Even - Waterfalls trail

Our 2nd stage of the day takes us to Circus of Saint-Even. Located at an altitude of 900 m, this site offers the walker landscapes of rare beauty.

We park near the Drugey bridge for the first hike of our circuit: a small easy walk of 1h30 which will lead us to the big waterfall!

Caves of Saint-Christophe

The guided tour of the caves is worth the detour. It crosses a footbridge located on the side of the rock which offers a magnificent view of the surroundings.

Chambéry - Castle of the Dukes of Savoy and old town

Chambéry immediately seduces us with its small alleys and its elephant fountain. The essential castle brings together several buildings, built over the centuries. The exhibition in the medieval wing is interesting, but we recommend the guided tour, which allows access to more rooms!

What accommodation in Chambéry?

This is the hotel that I recommend for its geographical location in the old town of Chambéry and near the castle of the Dukes of Savoy.


From Chambéry to Aix les Bains - DAY 2

Alps in 1 week - Itinerary of day 2

Chambéry - Saint-François-de-Sales Cathedral

Before leaving Chambéry, you should not miss a visit to the Cathedral of Saint François de Sales, which is located in its historic center. This magnificent building dates from the 15th century: Superb trompe-l'oeil paintings and huge organ, classified as a historic monument!

Dent du Chat hike

2nd stage of the day more intense and sporty this time! This is an unmissable hike that will take you around 2h30 to reach the top of the Tooth Cat at 1390 meters. The effort is rewarded on arrival with a panoramic view of the Chambéry basin and Lac du Bourget.

THE ALPS IN 7 DAYS tooth of the cat in the Alps

The departure is a 25-minute drive from Chambéry by the N201
towards Le Bourget-du-Lac then continuing on the D1504. At Bourdeau, turn left towards the Cat Pass where you can park.

Hautecombe Abbey

We take the road again towards the 12th century Abbey located on the banks of the Bourget Lake. The visit of Hautecombe will take us to the splendid necropolis of the Princes of Savoy.

TOURIST CIRCUIT THE ALPES IN 1 WEEK STAGE Hautecombe Abbey

Aix les Bains

Last stop of the day: Aix les Bains where you can also spend the evening and the night.

The city is magnificent with its remains of the Roman baths and its pretty floral park.

Where to stay in Aix les Bains?

Just 5 minutes from the center of Aix-les-Bains, I recommend a superb hotel located on the shores of Lac du Bourget.


From Aix les Bains to Annecy - DAY 3

Today, after a journey of just over 1 hour, you will arrive in Annecy where you can rest until the next day to make the most of it.

Alps in 1 week - Itinerary of day 3

Annecy - The old town and the lake

The old center of Annecy attracts many tourists with its characteristic architecture, its canals, and its flowered bridges.

To visit Annecy on foot, here is an itinerary that allows you to discover the most beautiful sites of the city: Annecy in 1 day

Annecy stage of my 1 week road trip in the Alps

In the afternoon, we opt for a boat trip on the lake, followed by a small swim.

What accommodation in Annecy?

If you want to stay in the center of Annecy, I recommend:

If you want to stay in an exceptional setting in a legendary hotel, then here is:


From Annecy to Chamonix - DAY 4

Alps in 1 week - Itinerary of day 4

Cirque du Fer-à-cheval - Lake Anterne hike

As soon as we arrive at the Fer à Cheval cirque, we are already impressed by the immense cliffs that overlook us. We embark on the path to Lake Anterne: a long hike of 6 hours! For information, the departure is from Lignon car park above the Rouget waterfall (altitude 1180m).

Cirque du Fer-à-cheval - Cascade du Rouget

Before leaving, we stop at the Rouget waterfall.

Another trail called “The end of the world”Seems to start from this point, but we are already quite exhausted by our long walk!

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for 2 days

This pretty station at the foot of Mont Blanc, will be our resting place for two nights.

We booked our accommodation on Travelski. We recommend that you use a Travelski promo code to pay less for your rental even if you only go a few nights like we did.


Chamonix hiking - DAY 5

For this day in Chamonix, we decided to do an extraordinary hike that starts from the upper station of Chamonix.

This is an easy excursion, punctuated by splendid panoramas of the Aiguilles Rouges, the Aravis and the summits of Faucigny. We can take the train from Ice Montenvers and Plan de l'Aiguille cable car to relieve stress during this hike.

All the details of this hike on the website ofChamonix tourist office.

THE ALPS IN 1 WEEK - AIGUILLE DU MIDI

From Chamonix to Beaufort - DAY 6

Alps in 1 week - Itinerary of day 6

Seizures

Left early this morning towards the station Seizures, we couldn't wait to be there to test the toboggan on rail. It is a superb descent of 800 meters with passages reaching 8 meters in height!

To recover from our emotions, we stop at a bakery where we taste a delicious hot chocolate.

Roselend dam

After a very winding road and sensational bends, we pass Beaufort to discover one of the most impressive dams in the region!

I can only advise you to stop for lunch at the restaurant “The Pierra Menta”A small restaurant on the Col du Pré which offers a magnificent panorama of Mont Blanc, the lake and the dam.

On the menu: croziflette, tartiflette and Savoyard fondue!

Saint-Guérin lake

After lunch, we take the car in the direction of another alpine lake: Lac de Saint Guérin.

Lac de Saint Guérin stage of my Les Alpes circuit in 1 week

Le lake tour is a 2 hour circuit that goes through the top of the Saint-Guérin dam and crosses a high Himalayan footbridge stretched over the water.

Beaufort

It is in Beaufort that you will end this day. It is a charming typical Savoyard village, with its chalets, its wooden bridges and its emblematic cooperative of the famous “Beaufort”, a cheese to taste absolutely!

BEAUFORT stage of my 7-day tour in the French Alps

What accommodation in Beaufort?

From Beaufort to Briançon - DAY 7

Alps in 1 week - Itinerary of day 7

Briançon

Our trip ends in the beautiful city of Briançon with its small cobbled streets and its Vauban fortifications, classified as World Heritage of Humanity.

Located at an altitude of 1320 meters, Briançon is the highest town in France. It is a city of art and history that deserves to spend a day there!

lake near Briancon in the Alps for the end of my tourist circuit

What accommodation in Briançon?

Do you like the Alps?

Why not do the Grande route des Alpes by car ?

3 thoughts on “1 week in the French Alps”

  1. Thank you very much for your feedback which is very useful for me to organize my week in the Alpas!!
    There's nothing missing 🙂 Everyone can adapt it according to their desires.

    1. Hello Cécile,
      Thank you for this kind comment. I hope you will enjoy the Alps. Do not hesitate to make me suggestions or to send me good spots on your return.
      Have a good day !

  2. Ping: Driving the Great Alps by car - Itinerary with map

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