Routes · Europe

Los Angeles to eastern France: Lyon and Annecy

Los Angeles → Lyon → Annecy

Gastronomy & Alpine lake Best season (general guide): May–Sep

Lyon is often called France's food capital, and Annecy, in the foothills of the Alps, sits on one of Europe's clearest lakes. This route spends three nights in each. From Los Angeles you'll connect through Paris or another European hub to Lyon.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Lyon: day one, Vieux Lyon and the traboules; day two, Fourvière and the Roman theatres; day three, Les Halles and the Presqu'île. Then spend days four to six in Annecy: day four, train to Annecy, then the old town; day five, lake cruise or a swim; day six, cycle path around the lake.

Start in Old Lyon, on the banks of the Saône, a Renaissance quarter of courtyards and towers. Walk through its traboules, covered passageways that run through buildings from one street to another, once used by silk workers. UNESCO lists the historic site of Lyon.

Above the old town, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière looks over the city, and Roman theatres lie on the hillside nearby.

Lyon's bouchons are small, traditional restaurants serving hearty local dishes. Shop for cheese, charcuterie and pastries at Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, an indoor market named after the famous chef.

Then take the short train ride east to Annecy. Its old town is crossed by canals, and the Palais de l'Isle, a former prison on an island in the canal, is one of France's most photographed buildings. Lake Annecy is clean enough to swim in, and you can take a boat along its shores.

May to September is the best time. In summer, the lake is warm enough for swimming, and the mountains offer walks.

In Lyon, a bouchon lunch is the classic way to try the city's cooking. In Annecy, hire a bike for the flat lakeside path, and bring a swimsuit in summer for the lake beaches.

Practical notes: trains link Lyon and Annecy, but some routes involve a change. A cycle path runs along much of the lake, and bikes can be hired in town. In the evening, try Savoyard dishes such as fondue and tartiflette.

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