recommended time out: 7 am. Pass by Montpellier, Nîmes, Orange and Valence output, we must take the A-49 that will lead us, direct to Grenoble. If the weather is good, the journey can be fabulous. We make several stops along the highway Relay for food. It can be prepared with some snacks, nuts, fruit and a drink. All this fits neatly into a cooler and less time lost waiting in a motorway restaurant where the food all tastes the same. We have the option of taking a nice café where we see espresso machines.
We can come to Grenoble to 5 pm. There is a wide belt bordering the beautiful little town. Here are "Planners" where you can check the status of the hotels. We only need to look where the hotel we booked. Grenoble, Olympic city with more than 200 years of history, is the capital of the Alps. Surrounded by mountains and located between the highlands of Dauphiné, Belledonne, l'Oisans, la Chartreuse et le Vercours, is unique in that at the end of every street, there is always a splendid view of a great mountain. Also, thanks to technology, has become a landmark in these matters European. It also was the birthplace, in 1783, the great writer Stendhal.
Grenette Square, where the source always comes in the pictures and all the major fashion stores can be considered the center of the city. The numerous pavement cafes are crowded youth. Everywhere there is an incredible atmosphere.
From the Quai d'Isière, walk along the river, you can admire the Bastille, situated on top of a mountain on the opposite bank. A cable car as Easter eggs make the trip from the river to the fortress. When it is windy, normal in this region, the cabins are moved enough. From above, the view is spectacular: you can see the whole city and the first contact with the challenging mountains of the pre-Alps. You can visit an exhibition of old photos, giant black and white (some like wall), the time of resistance. Second day: Grenoble / Aix-les-Bains
We're going to head for Aix-les-Bains avoiding roads and highways and cross the National Park of "La Chartreuse "which is one of the wonders of the region. As we climb in altitude, the snow will appear (we made the trip at Easter). The views are beautiful, and charming small towns. We stopped in Saint Pierre for taking photos and filming. The view that we can see the pre-Alps leaves us speechless. More and more snow on the sides of the road: about half a meter. By fall, the snow disappears and the landscape changes dramatically. Chambery and begin to see the Lac du Bourget. 
stopped at Chambery and parked in the parking lot where you install the weekly market at a crossing of the boulevard de la Colonne and the famous Fountain of the Elephants. We kicked the little town. The old, masterfully restored is a marvel. Mansions of the Middle Ages can be found everywhere. Chambery was, once capital of the Savoy. There are beautiful buildings, a lovely square with a fountain in the center that is the emblem of the city and many elegant shops. The Cathedral is decorated in trompe-l'oeil , Gothic style troubadour, that makes it completely different from other cathedrals.
Aix-les-Bains is a spa and tourism, is a "ville d'eau". Located on the banks of Lac du Bourget. It has all the advantages of a large tourist resort, casino, race track, golf and water sports.
start by visiting The Thermes Nationaux, 2000 years old. Initially there were some caves and have now become a beautiful building. They are located in the square where the town hall and a large fountain where the flower arrangement is combined with a cascade of water: is a marvel. The whole square is filled with flower beds round, especially thoughts. There is also a small train that circles around the center. 
At that time, all royalty and more affluent middle class were to take the waters at Aix-les-Bains. There are many palaces, mansions and hotels that had to be very elegant, are now in decay or converted into apartments. However, the opulence of those dark days still can be seen.
la Verdure Theater in the center, is a marvel. It's full of flowers everywhere. Thousands of thoughts making compositions surprising: the dark blue sky blue, yellow .... until the garnet Towering ancient trees. The building of the Theatre de la Verdure was built in 1934 and has a capacity for 3,000 spectators. 
continue in Aix-les-Bains. We take the car and we go around the Lac du Bourget which just arrived, and has captivated us. It is the largest natural lake in France, as an inland sea: 18 km. long and 3.5 km. wide. It is 85 m. average depth, but between Hautecombe Grésine and the depth reaches 147 m. Has 3 rivers: the Leysse him and he Sierroz Tillet. The birth of the lake dates back to 19,000 years ago after the glaciers receded slowly in this area. The first settlers began to inhabit about 3,500 years ago. 
Inside, the chapels happen with mausoleums, all beautiful. The roofs are made of finely crafted wood. Great "vitraills" unheard compositions. The toilets are located on the bottom, near the edge of the lake, and look like a small chapel. Very close to the Abbey, and continue along the same road, you climb the Col du Chat Dent to skirt the lake to Chambery. This Col is the only roughness of the Alps mountain de l'Epine: has a cat and dog, hence comes its name. We stopped at the Belvedere and admire a beautiful view across the lake and its shoreline. Beneath it from the belvedere, l'Abbaye d'Hautecombe Royal.
In Bourget du Lac, there are restaurants to eat. The dish is called "gratin Savoyard" and is delicious. In desserts, do not forget the cheese. Any cheese, of the four designations of origin which has the department, is exquisite. Also apple pie is a specialty of the area, especially if it is covered with hot chocolate!
Fourth day: Aix-les-Bains/Annecy
To address Annecy is better to take the road that runs through the Parc des Bauges and avoid any road. The first thing we find is the Pont de l'Abima. They are a "gorges" very deep, with a stunning river that goes under and a suspension bridge (moving enough) that crosses. You can cross the impressive bridge over the River. It's beautiful. The Parc des Bauges is not as spectacular as the Chartreuse, as this does not have snow, but the views are magnificent. In no time you come to Annecy.
Annecy is called the Venice of the Alps. One is left wondering just enter: Gardens with the most beautiful floral arrangements ever seen, parks, waterways and a splendid lake surrounded by the most incredible spread of grass you can imagine. The Lac d'Annecy is the purest of Europe, which feeds water from glaciers and perpetual snows of the Alps completely around him.
boats that go around the lake out at all hours. Check timetables in advance. Remember to take some warm clothes. The weather changes and you can easily catch cold during the trip. It pays to be on deck.
first passed through Annecy Le Vieux, a village located Annecy larger than the edge of the lake. Later at Menthon-Saint-Bernard, between two mountains and near the lake. Duingt Castle, situated in a sort of peninsula, is a wonderful work of art. 
The visit to the old part of Annecy Le Vieux Annecy "is an undeniable joy. Restored with exquisite tact, you have to admire a building by building and channel by channel. There are so many flowers, there is so much water, it's all so beautiful that the eye can hardly assimilate. The Island Palace, built on a small island in the river Thiou in the channel to the lake, XII century and has the shape of a ship plying the waters. It is also called "old prison" and is the monument symbol of the city. One of the most photographed palaces of France.
Royale Street is the heart of the commercial and political life of this city. Boutiques, gardens and the source of the San Juan Wells makes it the busiest street in Annecy.
Fifth day: Annecy
you can not miss the turn around the lake drive. Stop at the first village, Svriez. There is a resort by the lake impressive comfort for sunbathing, swimming, children playing and eating. In summer it must be a wonder and it has nothing to envy to a town on the Mediterranean.
tri-fold in Duingt take photos of the Castle from the edge of the lake. You can climb on foot through a path of the Cross to the Grotte de Notre Dame du Lac. From the viewpoint above the view you can see is splendid: the Lac d'Annecy, Duingt Castle and in the distance, the Castle Menthon-St-Bernard. Ideal place to take pictures and film. Continuing
with round the lake, are charming villages. It must stop to admire the beautiful floral arrangements that are everywhere.
In Menthon have to climb to the castle. Castle-St-Bernard Menthon dominates the lake of Annecy. This medieval fortress has been transformed over the centuries, a large palace. The most striking of his current story is that the Lords of Menthon are the descendants in direct line after century, of the lords who founded it. It is a fact and makes rare visit inside the castle is different from others. However, only in summer you can visit in April still is closed to the public. However, although your access to its interior, the view offered from its garden is amazing. You see the snowy mountains so close that it seems that you can play and view of Lake Annecy in the background, is picture postcard.
Back Annecy
not miss the many ancient churches in town. St. Pierre Cathedral is Gothic of the sixteenth century and has many works of art and a magnificent Baroque organ in the nineteenth century.
St. Maurice, also in Gothic style, was begun the year 1422 and was completed in 1491. The Monastery of the Visitation was the first Visitation monastery founded in 1610 by San Francisco de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal Fremyot. In his church, basilica are the relics of its founders.
in Annecy, very industrial past, there was a very important foundry was built where the "Savoyard" famous bell of the Church of Sacre Coeur in Paris.
Annecy It could be a whole week without getting tired. Just sitting with a book in one of the banks that are facing the lake and seeing the amount of people walking, skating, going cycling, etc. he spends his time flying. I think it's a city that one must return again and again ....
I hope you have enjoyed this first part of the trip. If disponeis of longer, do not hesitate to continue. What follows is magnificent. This part of France is not wasted. Everything we do is interesting. For lovers of the mountains and snow, Mont Blanc will be the culmination of their dreams. I hope that you please continue with this sequel.
View The High Savoia in Part 2: www.viajes en
coche.blogspot.comyou can also get information from your travels to the neighboring country on the website of La Maison de la France: www.franceguide . com
A hug
Magda
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