Hi all, had planned to go to Annecy this year but having read posts on here think the crowds may be a bit much n the traffic etc. can anyone suggest alternative ? We've looked at bourget which looks lovely. We are in camper van and last year stayed on Aires and municipal sites mostly, there's only me n hubby plus the dog. We really want to be near water and like quiet chilled out sites, not water parks etc!! We are taking bikes this time which was why I liked the look of Annecy . We are tied to august as I work in a school! Thanks in advance as I find the advice on here invaluable, especially last year when we did our first trip to France and fell in love with the country!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
In a camper van you can go and hunt out some of the other lakes in the area - such as Aiguebelette or Paladru.. Or stay in the hills above Annecy lake and just go down there for the lakeside cycle path - and retreat..
As well as the lac du Bourget I can heartily recommend the lac de Serre Poncon just south of the town of Embrun in the Hautes Alpes. If you want to see what the area is like first hand then just watch the Tour de France later this week.
The later in august you can leave it the better! We've gone UK Bank hol week and it has been much quieter in Annecy and less queues for things in Chamonix such as the Cable car and the train etc.
We stayed at a lovely site a couple of weeks ago - I have just entered it onto the site database and have completed a review awaiting publication. The site is camping champ la chevre - going to try a link, never managed to do this on here so here goes..... http://www.campingchamplachevre.com There seemed to be plenty of cycling, walking etc in the area, lovely village and the site itself has a small heated covered pool and is very clean and laid back. We only stayed one night on our way back up from the south but I would love to go back. Seemed a quieter part of the Alps. We also stayed at a lakeside campsite in Corps one year which was stunning and far from the Annecy crowds. Having said all of that I love Annecy and one year stayed at Camping Univers near St Jorioz - it was the most basic of sites (and I mean basic) situated almost on the shore of the lake but away from the crowds. The cycle track around the lake is fab and the wonderful town of Annecy you can get to by ferryboat or bike, st Jorioz has shops and bakery etc. In a camper you can afford to wander, even in August we rarely book anywhere whether in a motorhome or a tent. enjoy :-)
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks for help, think we are just going to head in the direction of the Alps and see where we end up! Hopefully will get to Annecy for a visit but have looked at other lakeside towns and they all look beautiful. Not booking anywhere, just using Aires n maybe a campsite if we decide to stay somewhere for a few nights. Leaving on the 4th for nearly 4 weeks. Can't wait!