Lyon & the French Alps - Discover France: Experience the Best of France - page 470

LYON TO ANNECY BIG CITY, LITTLE CITY
No city demands a weekend getaway more than (1) Lyon , a place most travellers
arrive in unexpectedly, are pleasantly surprised by and yearn to return to.
You'll need at least a couple of days to do it justice. Devote the first to exploring
the Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon, and allow a leisurely couple of hours for that quint-
essential long French lunch in a homely Lyonnais bouchon such as the Café des
Fédérations.
With downtown Lyon under your belt, day two's for exploring further afield. Delve
into the city's insider heart in Croix Rousse, with its lush morning market, mysteri-
ous maze of traboules and vibrant café life. In the afternoon catch the funicular to
Fourvière for a peek at the Roman ruins and the basilica, before descending back
to the old town for an alfresco drink on one of the city's grand squares. Reward
yourself with dinner at one of the Michelin-starred establishments belonging to Nic-
olas Le Bec.
On day three, quit the big city for the altogether more-tranquil setting of (2) An-
necy , a chic lakeside town with a sparkling lake to swim in and another beautiful
old town to get lost in.
ANNECY TO CHAMONIX ALPINE ADVENTURES
(1) Annecy makes the ideal springboard for venturing into the spectacular peaks
and valleys of the French Alps. In winter France's main playground for skiers and
snowboarders, come summer it's a paradise for hikers and mountain-bikers. The
following trip traverses some high Alpine passes, so it's a summer-only adventure.
From Annecy, head straight for the source - (2) Chamonix , renowned as one of
Europe's top spots for mountain sports. Don't miss the télécabine up to the Aiguille
du Midi, where you can enjoy a high-altitude lunch with views over Mont Blanc.
Another key Chamonix sight is the Mer de Glace, the aptly named 'Sea of Ice',
where you can step inside an ice cave that has to be recarved every year due to the
movement of the glacier.
After a couple of days trying out the activities in Chamonix, head out of town via
the (3) Mont Blanc tunnel . Detour briefly into Italy before crossing back into