Top 5 itineraries in Savoie

Which itinerary to choose in Savoie, depending on the season and duration

You were looking for our motorhome itineraries in Savoie. They're still here, reorganized and expanded. This page doesn't repeat them: it helps you choose the one that best suits your week, your season, and the vehicle you'll be driving. The six detailed routes, with maps, distances, and rest areas, are on our "Six Itineraries in Savoie" page.

Choose by duration

A weekend, two to three days

Over two nights, the rule is simple: one base, minimal driving. The circuit around Lake Bourget from Aix-les-Bains can be completed in a weekend without ever driving for more than an hour at a time, and the rest areas are open for a good part of the year. It's also an excellent first route: little driving, no mountain passes, and plenty of time to get your bearings.

Four to five days

This is the timeframe at which the mountains become manageable. The hike to the 3 lakes via the Col de la Croix de Fer takes four days, allowing time for walking, which is the whole point of the route. Plan for one day of actual driving out of the four, no more.

One week

Over seven days, two approaches are possible. Either you link up different locations, and the route from Lake Annecy to Chamonix Mont-Blanc is the most obvious choice. Or you stay in one mountain range and explore it thoroughly, which is what the Tour de la Vanoise via Tignes allows. The first option is more tiring than you might think, while the second often surprises you with what it reveals.

Choose by season

Summer

The mountain passes are open, but the mountain rest areas fill up early in the day. The lake route remains the most flexible, as it offers alternative parking at lower elevations when a rest area is full. Plan to arrive before 5 p.m. in July and August.

Autumn and spring

These are our favorite seasons, by far. Fewer crowds, brighter light, and mountain passes still accessible until the first snows. Be aware, however, that some high-altitude rest areas close their water points as early as October. Our pre-departure checklist details what to pack for this time of year.

Winter

Winter changes everything: heating, insulation, protecting the water system from freezing, and parking at the resort requires advance planning. The 7-day ski trip through the 3 Valleys was written for this purpose, and our article on going skiing in a campervan covers the three key technical points that make all the difference.

Choose by vehicle

Our eight vehicles cover all six routes. No route is reserved for a specific size: the question is not where you can go, but how many people you travel with and how much living space you have.

• Campervan. Compact size, sleeps two to four, very easy to park. See our campervans .