What if you went on an adventure without crossing half the country? For the Ascension Day holiday, Haute-Savoie transforms into a large-scale playground, perfect for a four-day trip between clear lakes, preserved hamlets, and blooming alpine pastures. We’ll take you on a ready-made itinerary, designed to dazzle you… without too many kilometers.
Day 1: Lakeside tranquility in Talloires
First stop: the shores of Lake Annecy. Rather than staying in town, head to Talloires, a little gem nestled between turquoise water and mountains. Here, time slows down. Walk along the bay, have lunch on a terrace facing the lake, and take a nap in the shade of a centuries-old plane tree… Savor the moment.
To do: swim at Angon beach, hike up to the Saint-Germain hermitage, dine with a view at the Abbaye de Talloires.
To read: The beaches of Lake Annecy
Day 2: Cheese and alpine pastures around the Glières plateau
The next day, we climb. Head to the Glières plateau, on the border between raw nature and historical memory. Up there, cows are not the only ones grazing: you’ll also find excellent mountain dairies.
The suspended moment: tasting an artisanal tomme cheese in a high-altitude dairy, with bells ringing in the background.
To see: the Resistance monument, traditional chalets, paths lined with rhododendrons.
To read: The Glières plateau
Day 3: Secret villages of the Giffre valley
On the third day, take the road eastward, passing through La Roche-sur-Foron, then turn towards the Giffre valley. This is where you’ll discover Samoëns, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, and Verchaix, villages where wood, stone, and balcony geraniums set the tone.
Not to be missed: the Fer-à-Cheval cirque, the Rouget waterfalls, and a sunset walk through the suspended hamlets.
To read:
Day 4: Wild morning by Lake Vallon
To finish in style, head to a discreet lake: Lake Vallon, near Bellevaux. Less frequented than the local stars, it offers an almost unreal alpine setting. Perfect for a last picnic with your feet in the water before hitting the road again.
An easy, flexible… and unforgettable road trip
In 4 days, you will have seen:
- preserved villages clinging to the mountainside,
- delicious alpine pastures,
- peaceful lakes ideal for first swims,
- and a diversity of landscapes that almost feels like a miniature world tour.
And all this without spending your days in the car: each stage is less than 90 minutes from the next.
The author’s impression
I thought I knew Haute-Savoie since I live here. But this road trip opened other horizons for me, more confidential, more real. I keep in mind a sunrise over the lake, the smell of hay in the barns, and the taste of still warm reblochon cheese. It was not just a long weekend, it was a timeless escape.
