Baguette Off CourseA practical guide for exploring France.HomePlan my trip ↗Begin with Annecy’s lake and old town, then choose an Alpine base for walking, mountaineering or skiing. Chamonix and the ski resorts are separate destinations with their own access and local guides.
Recurring cultural and folkloric traditions, followed by events announced for the next three months (30 September 2026 to 30 December 2026).
A week of skiing and live music in the resort, with performances and après-ski events.
Local meaning: A British-founded winter music week that brings an international audience to an early-season Alpine ski resort.
Audience: Ski visitors and music fans; ticket packages available
Usual attendance: The organiser does not publish a consistent attendance figure.
Photos are credited destination images used to illustrate the location, not documentary photos of the events. Attendance figures appear only when organisers publish them. Dates, access and tickets can change.
Browse the official local events calendar ↗Lakes, mountain scenery and an old-town base.
Geneva is a nearby airport option. Annecy has SNCF services; mountain villages need a final bus or car leg. Milan is a longer alternative.
An Alpine base for a dedicated ski holiday, with several ski areas across the valley and time to enjoy the mountain town.
Compare transfers from Geneva Airport. By rail, connect through Saint-Gervais-les-Bains–Le Fayet to the Mont-Blanc Express. Local buses link valley bases and ski areas; Milan is a longer cross-border alternative.
A central base in the world’s largest interconnected ski area, with village architecture and access to Courchevel and Val Thorens.
Geneva is the main international gateway; rail to Moûtiers followed by a pre-booked transfer. Chambéry and Grenoble can work seasonally by road.
A high-end 3 Vallées base combining extensive skiing, fine dining and several village levels.
Fly to Geneva or Chambéry, then book a transfer or rent a winter-equipped car to the correct Courchevel level. Rail ends at Moûtiers.
High-altitude skiing, snow reliability and a strong international reputation for piste, freeride and mountain culture.
Geneva is the practical long-haul gateway; rail to Bourg-Saint-Maurice then a transfer up the valley. Allow extra time for the final road section.
Two major ski areas linked by the Vanoise Express, useful for families, groups and skiers seeking variety.
Geneva, Chambéry and Grenoble are airport options; Bourg-Saint-Maurice gives direct rail access to Les Arcs, while La Plagne needs a road transfer.
A Franco-Swiss domain with a lively village scene, broad family appeal and convenient Geneva transfers.
Geneva is the natural gateway. Book a shared/private transfer or rent a car; rail to Cluses or Thonon requires a final road leg.
A sunny, high-altitude domain known for long runs, varied terrain and a strong sports identity.
Grenoble Alpes Isère is the closest seasonal airport; Grenoble station needs a separate road transfer. Geneva and Chambéry are longer alternatives.
A high-altitude, glacier-linked resort with a youthful, sporty atmosphere and extensive off-piste culture.
Grenoble is the most direct airport and rail gateway; arrange a road transfer from the city or airport. Check glacier and lift operations for your dates.
Compare resort guides for ski access, passes, equipment hire, transport and local addresses.
The Alps have linked Savoy, France, Switzerland and Italy through passes, trade and mountain communities. In modern times, mountaineering, rail access and winter sports transformed towns such as Chamonix into international destinations.
Annecy’s lakeside streets, Savoyard food traditions, mountain guides and purpose-built ski villages offer very different ways to experience the same mountain landscape. Check the season and the final transfer before choosing a base.
The first recorded ascent of Mont Blanc took place on 8 August 1786, when Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard reached the summit. Chamonix later hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924.
A mountaineering novel rooted in Chamonix’s guiding culture.
A lake landscape painted in 1896; the original belongs to the Courtauld in London.
Explore the reference ↗These are Savoyard mountain dishes rather than Annecy-only recipes. Beaufort, Tomme de Savoie and Reblochon are cheeses to look for.
Savoie wines are made around the foothills and lake country, including near Chambéry. Alpine génépi is an herbal liqueur; its producer and origin vary.