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The High

The High Savoia. Part 2

Bains.Evian Thonon-les-Bains-les-
Yvoire.Chamonix.Mont Blanc

sixth day. Annecy / Thonon-les-Bains


breakfast and got ready to go to Thonon. The road leads directly to Thonon, but worth the detour to visit La Roche-sur-Foron, interesting medieval town.
La Roche-sur-Foron is the second historical city of the department of Alta Savoia. It was the capital of the Counts of Geneva for nearly two centuries (XI - XIII) and became the largest trade center in the Duchy of Savoy the sixteenth century. This small city was the first European brand electric lighting in the streets (year 1885).

have to walk through the Quartier du Plain-Château, medieval lanes and in the background, a beautiful castle. Then scroll to the Tour des Comtes de Genève, remains of a fortification from the Middle Ages. The whole town is a delight. The plaza is designed with exquisite taste, with a fountain in the center and surrounded by flowers everywhere. Leave the village through the ancient Porte Saint-Martin.
Back to the car. Now, straight at Thonon-les-Bains. Just arrive and are overlooking the beautiful Lac Lemans. This is not a lake .... Is a sea!

Thonon-Les-Bains is located on the southern shore of Lac Leman, the Alpine foothills of Upper Savoy. This city of 30,000 inhabitants, is rated "4 fleurs" which means city florida. And really, enthusiastic flower arrangements.

The city has two distinct parts: the upper and lower. There is a small cable car to the dock but, as is nearly all downhill and it is better off on foot through ancient fishermen's cottages still remain, as if it were a museum, remains of ancient customs: a laundry room, an oil press, doors and windows with ancient thistles, etc. The fishing pier is lovely, full of yachts, boats, houses for storing fishing tackle and many, many storks resting on the poles of the pier. You can see an old mansion, very well preserved, with a dream garden, guarded by several dogs. To raise it is worth taking the funicular.

Seventh-day : Thonon-les-Bains

After breakfast, you can go visit the road Avoriaz 902. Passed by the Gorges du Diable. You have to walk a bit to get to the bottom. However, the waterfall across the road is superb. After several stops to admire the scenery, we arrived at Morzine, a charming ski village. You can stroll through the village, where luxury shops and elegant atmosphere. In the Tourist Information office, we recommend going to see Lake Montriond. It takes about 10 minutes, to get one is left with an open mouth: The sun illuminates it in its entirety, completely frozen surface with grass and snow and high mountains around marking their boundaries. Hundreds of frogs in their banks.

back to town, and headed Gets, another famous ski resort. Gets very nice, but Morzine has much more class. We arrived in Avoriaz. There are some cable cars take skiers to the summit. The people are not very excited. There are restaurants everywhere. If you want you will not get to eat here, returning to Thonon-les-Bains in the Valley of Plenty. Here are many farms and is the place to buy the famous cheese Reblochon. " Ask vacuum packaged it as the smell coming from is very, very strong.

After dinner you can go visit Evian-Les-Bains. Is almost at hand. In a moment will arrive. The road is very nice and there is no parking problem as the road turns, reaching to the city, the lake promenade.


The city has 7,000 inhabitants and is built in an amphitheater at the edge of Lac Léman and in front of Lausanne (Switzerland). Is completely attached to the solid pre-Alps Alps. Evian enjoys a terrific atmosphere to be between lake and mountains. Its natural mineral water, Evian, discovered in 1790, is known throughout the world. In 1826 he was already an economically prosperous city and an important trading port. Was the preferred place to spend summers Princes of the House of Savoy


The walk along the lake is wonderful. Floral arrangements with lots of flowers everywhere, the flower beds with suppliers, banks look at the lake ... all makes you feel like another world. There are huge statues made of silver and gold metal, representing animals: bull, giraffe, camel, gazelle, etc..

The Casino is also spectacular but inside is low class. It has given more importance to the gambling rooms that elegantly decorated. It has nothing to do with luxury and sobriety of Aix-Les-Bains. Climbing
the old one can find many houses, beautiful palaces (one of them is now a video store) is a shame!. In this upper part of the city there are many houses decorated with a "vitraills" precious.

Nearby Thonon-les-Bains is Yvoire. Consulting the map, is almost at hand. The reality is different: it takes a while to get on the road is crowded at the time of closure of shops and also by the fact that it passes through the belt Thonon where the industry is concentrated in the region. However, after 5 pm the parking lot is nearly empty. During the day is insufficient given the number of vehicles coming to admire this beautiful place.

Yvoire is one of the most beautiful villages of historic Savoia. Emana simple and quiet charm. In winter, when the sky is gray and cold temperature, Yvoire emerges from the mists of the lake with all its splendor. It is a charming medieval town. Narrow streets, cobblestone, balconies with flowers, ancient houses and protruding from all sides, the magnificent golden bell. In the early fourteenth century, the military architect of King Amadeus V the Great, Count of Savoy, made this beautiful town a "burg" fortress. In the sixteenth century suffered several attacks, most of its strategic location helps it to survive its enemies. Today is a tourist resort and where the visitor is captivated from the first moment of beauty of this village on the very edge of Lake Lemans. For the hardcore loyal fans, is his "favorite people" par excellence and the place where your dreams come true.


Eighth day: Thonon-les-Bains / Chamonix / Mont-Blanc

you ready to get to Chamonix? Sallanches We passed a small ski town like Morzine. Many shops, lots of fun, lots of flowers ...

continue to Chamonix (12 km-1042m). As we move more and more upon us this massive huge inospito and wild. In Chamonix we take the train that will take us to Montenvers (1913m.)

Within 20 minutes, and through incomparable scenery, we planted on the Mer de Glace. This magnificent glacier of 7 km. long, 1,200 m wide and 200m thick, moves inexorably to about 70-80 m. per year. The waves set by the ice have given its name: La Mer de Glace.

descended with a tele-cabin to the glacier. We visited the cave and went inside to hollow many photos. It is a unique experience. From Montenvers can go to l 'Aiguille du Midi and other summits. We strolled

Chamonix and admire its mansions, its streets and shops. Everything is beautiful. Tourism is of great class and the shops are very elegant. At the end of each corner there is always a majestic mountain. The view from any angle, are spectacular.

Chamonix is \u200b\u200bthe capital of mountaineering and skiing. From here, there are other cable cars to go to l'Aiguille du Midi (3.842m) The view from the top is huge and embraces the highest mountains in Europe. We left Chamonix with sorrow. Once on the road that leads us back, we stopped at a place where they sell the famous cheese Reblochon. " We do not remember to ask to be vacuum packed and when we lift the "hood" after a few hours, it seems we are rotten inside a cow. We again

Sallanches. Let's see a little town. We love it. There is a magnificent square. Many trees, many flower beds. We went up the walk to the top and admire the river that runs with great force. These mountain people have a special charm that makes them different and charming.

Ninth day: Sallanches / Barcelona

After a good breakfast, we leave these beautiful mountains with nostalgia. We climbed and climbed Sallanches leaving very, very low. We went through Praz / sur Arly, by Fumet by Ugine, all lovable people.

The return trip as always, very nice. We are lucky: last spring weather all day.

This trip, which takes a few days, may be one of the most memorable. Never before you have seen so many flowers, so much water, so breathtaking mountains, and much snow. The Mont Blanc is breathtaking, even from afar. It is one of the few mountains that the more you look, the more respect infused. To see it up close, to its eternal snow tread and into "La Mer de Glace" is an experience that will live long in the memory.

wish you enjoy this trip. For us it was unique.

If you have any doubt about any aspect of these routes, in the part of " comments" you can ask what you will and I'll answer with pleasure, the e-mail that I indiqueis.

can also check with: http://www.franceguide.com/ . where you will find suggestions and comments to further enjoy your trip to the neighboring country.

A hug

Magda