Self catering Holiday Accommodation in Haute Savoie France

Haute-Savoie

Enter the world of lakes, waterfalls, caves, gorges, glaciers, nature reserves and of course the unforgettable Alps. Haute-Savoie is a department of the Rhone-Alpes in France with its beautiful natural landscape making it a top destination for tourists.

The major tourist industry in this region did not get going until the 1950s, but the English had a head start as they have been picking it as a tourist destination since the 18th century - they visited it to admire the glaciers.

Why you should visit Haute-Savoie for your next holiday in France

The Alps is a spectacular mountain range which comprises Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc which overlooks Chamonix - one of the best ski resorts in the world.

The capital of Haute-Savoie is Annecy, this fashionable town has a friendly ambience. The town’s canals give it a sense of romance and is often compared with Venice. But of course Venice does not have the magnificent French Alps bearing down upon it. The 15km long lake is a wonderful base for water sports as well as a great area for hiking, gliding or cycling through, taking advantage of the beautiful scenery.

What to see and do in the visit to Haute-Savoie  

Beside Lake Geneva, to the north of the department, you will come across the medieval stone village of Thonon-Les-Bains. It has its own port and is a great place to base yourself for activities on the lake. Just to the east you will find Evian, famed for its springs where the water is bottled and sent around the world. A visit to the factory is a must as you can sample the famous water at its source. 

Also in the north lies the Chablais area, situated along the French/Swiss border, it is known as 'Portes du Soleil'. In the centre is the village of Morzine which is France’s largest ski area.

Places to visit

• Glaciers in the Alps at Chamonix - Grotte de la Mer de Glace enables you to take a look at a glacier from the inside. Take warm clothes with the temperatures at -2 to -5°c.
• Mont Blanc - at Le Brevant take a cable car to the highest peak where you will be able to gaze on the awesome Mont Blanc.
• Relax in Evian-les-Bains - stroll along the shores of Lake Geneva or enjoy one of the many cutting-edge spa treatments offered here.
• Chamonix – this is probably one of the most popular Alpine ski resorts and is rooted in skiing history as the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924.  It is situated in a valley and is surrounded by some of the most stunning mountains you will ever see. There are nine skiing areas undoubtedly make for some of the best skiing in Europe. For those who prefer to look from a distance take the train from the Gare du Montenvers to the enormous Mer de Glace glacier. Do not over look warm-weather activities such as walking, canyoning, cycling, summer luge, parapente, ice-skating, riding and the list really goes on............

How to get there

By Air:

There is a lot of choice when it comes to flying to the Haute-Savoie. British Airways flies to Lyon Airport from Birmingham, Gatwick and Manchester. Air France has services from Heathrow to Lyon Airport. They also both fly to Geneva airport just over the Swiss border.

Plus there are a host of budget airlines making the trip to the French Alps. Ryanair flies to Chambery, Lyon and Geneva from Stansted. EasyJet travel to Geneva from Manchester, Gatwick and Liverpool. BMI Baby, Virgin Express and Aer Lingus also all fly to Geneva from the UK.

By Train:

The TGV service will take you all the way to Grenoble or Lyon from the Channel Tunnel (changing at Paris) in comfort and speed.

If you wish to travel via Eurostar from London St Pancras the journey will take 6 hours 24 mins. You will need to change at Paris Nord and depart from Paris Gare de Lyon taking TGV train. Then travel on to Null, Grenoble. Please note a reservation would be advisable.

By Car:

Annecy is a one-hour drive from Geneva in Switzerland and a two-hour drive from Lyon.