Welcome to our exhilarating 12-day journey that will take us from the majestic Alps of France to the picturesque Italian coast and back. We will begin our adventure on the shores of the enchanting Lake Geneva, then head to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Here, we will ascend the Aiguille du Midi, descend to the Mer de Glace glacier, and visit the ice caves of Mont Blanc. Next, we will head to Liguria to enjoy the unique beauty of the five villages of Cinque Terre. On our way back, we will take a scenic drive from the coast to Lake Iseo, where we can relax and enjoy the scenery.
ITINERARY
Day 1:
Saarbrücken – Colmar – Excenevex, France
Our journey to Lake Geneva took us through the charming town of Colmar, located near Strasbourg. Colmar is an enchanting town known for its beautifully preserved medieval buildings and canals. One of the main attractions is the Little Venice district, where houses built in the traditional Alsatian style create a unique atmosphere. Also worth noting is the Unterlinden Museum, which houses the famous Isenheim Altar.
The town captivated us with its unique atmosphere. We will definitely return here for the Christmas market, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Here we enjoyed a cup of coffee, and fresh French pastries filled us with a wonderful mood. After walking along the canals and narrow authentic Alsatian streets and visiting the farmers market, we moved on.
We rented a small house at the Camping La Pineda campsite camping-lapinede-excenevex.com under the pine trees. The name of the campsite fully justifies itself: tall pine trees hide the campsite in a cool shade, and the oily pine aroma fills the air. The campsite has access to the lake shore, but the crowded city beach did not impress us, and we went in search of a secluded place, which we found in 15 minutes.
Parking – La Châtaignière – Domaine de Rovorée (1741 Rte d’Excenevex, 74140 Yvoire, France)
La Châtaignière, located in the Domaine de Rovorée, is a nature reserve on the shores of Lake Geneva, on the French side. This 24-hectare area includes an ancient forest with centuries-old chestnut trees, the remains of a medieval fortification and diverse landscapes, such as meadows, lake shores and forests. It is one of the largest natural public spaces on the French shore of the lake, offering magnificent panoramas and rich biodiversity.
Day 2: Yvoire
We started our day with sunrise on a deserted beach and headed to Yvoire.
The picturesque village of Yvoire is over 700 years old and is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and its floral displays in the summer. For more than 20 years, the village has been listed as one of the most beautiful in France.
Free parking: map
Yvoire is known for its narrow cobbled streets, stone houses, and the remains of 14th-century fortifications, such as gates, ramparts, and the square tower of the castle.
Château d’Yvoire, located in the picturesque village of Yvoire on the shores of Lake Geneva, is one of the most impressive medieval castles in the region. Built in the 14th century by order of Count Amadeus V of Savoy, the castle played an important role in the strategic defense of the Savoyard region due to its advantageous location on the shores of the lake. Today, Château d’Yvoire is privately owned and is not always open to the public. However, its exteriors and gardens are accessible to tourists.
Here you can enjoy a walk through the Garden of Five Senses, inspired by the poetic atmosphere of medieval labyrinths. There are different gardens with names that evoke the senses: the Garden of Taste, the Garden of Smells, the Garden of Touch, and others.
The village’s waterfront offers stunning views of Lake Geneva, and a variety of excursions, such as lake cruises, make a visit to the village even more enjoyable. From the shore, you can watch cormorants, which sit in flocks on the rocks and spread their wings to dry them in the sun. These birds create a picturesque picture, especially against the backdrop of the crystal-clear waters of the lake and the surrounding landscapes. The sight of cormorants, their wings spread majestically, complements the natural harmony of the place, creating a unique opportunity for photographers and nature lovers to enjoy this spectacle.
We always try to have our swimsuits with us, because you never know where you might come across a cozy beach with inviting water. After our walk around Yvoire, we descended from the parking lot to the lakeshore. There are small pebble beaches where you can leave your clothes and plunge into the clear water of the lake in complete solitude.
