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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland

Eight-day Alps escape from London through Annecy, Chamonix, and Geneva by rail.

Illustration of Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland

Great Rail Journeys' Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland is an eight-day escorted tour that departs London and ends in Yvoire, linking the Alpine lakes and peaks of two countries by Eurostar, TGV, and the storied Mont Blanc Express. Over seven nights in three 4-star hotels, travellers spend three days in Annecy, known as the Venice of the Alps, where a guided tour and a lunch cruise on the lake occupy the first full day; two days in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, with the highlight a cogwheel train to the Mer de Glace glacier and a free day for optional exploration; and two days in Geneva, centred on a guided Old Town tour and a lake cruise to the medieval village of Yvoire. The package includes all rail and coach travel, a UK Tour Manager throughout, most breakfasts, three dinners, and guided access to two châteaux. The tour runs in May, June, July, and September and suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and those seeking guided comfort without heavy hiking.

What to know before you look closer

  • Two of the three dinners are included; dinner on Day 3 and most meals on Days 5 and 8 are not included.
  • The optional cable car rides (Mer de Glace and Aiguille du Midi) are not included in the tour price.
  • Single supplement is £1,300 (priceSingleFrom £4,099 versus double from £2,799), a significant upcharge.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Annecy

    From London to Annecy

    Holiday begins at London St Pancras. Board Eurostar in Plus class to Paris with a light meal at your seat. Switch trains in Paris and travel First Class to Annecy. Check in to hotel and enjoy a welcome drink and dinner in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Annecy

    Sightseeing in the 'Venice of the Alps'

    Guided sightseeing tour of Annecy Old Town including the Palais de l'Île, Pont des Amours and the well of Saint-Jean. Relaxing lunch cruise on Lake Annecy. Afternoon and evening free to explore independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3overnight: Annecy

    Château de Menthon-St-Bernard & lakeside Talloires

    Coach to Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard for a guided tour of its ornate interiors and gardens. Visit the lakeside village of Talloires, the 'Pearl of the Lake'. Return to Annecy for an afternoon at leisure. Dinner independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chamonix

    Journey to Chamonix & Mer de Glace

    Coach from Annecy to Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc. Board the historic red cogwheel train to the Mer de Glace (1,913m), France's largest glacier. Optional cable car down to the glacier and ice caves. Afternoon free in Chamonix. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Chamonix

    A day at leisure in Chamonix

    Free day in Chamonix. Optional iconic cable car to the summit of Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) with panoramic views across Mont Blanc. Evening free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Geneva

    Mont Blanc Express, Château de Chillon & Évian

    Board the Mont Blanc Express from Chamonix to Martigny, then continue to Montreux. Coach to Château de Chillon for a guided tour. Continue to Évian-les-Bains for free time and lunch. Coach to Geneva and check in to hotel. Evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Geneva

    Touring Geneva & medieval Yvoire

    Guided tour of Geneva Old Town including St Peter's Cathedral, secret passages and Place Bourg-de-Four. Lake cruise to the medieval village of Yvoire. Visit the Garden of the Five Senses. Return to Geneva. Farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Depart hotel after breakfast. First Class train from Geneva to Paris. Board Eurostar in Plus class back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Relaxing lunch cruise on Lake Annecy after a guided tour of Annecy Old Town and the Palais de l'Île.
  • Day 4Historic red cogwheel train climbs to Mer de Glace glacier at 1,913 metres, with an optional cable car descent to the ice caves.
  • Day 6Mont Blanc Express departs Chamonix and crosses into Switzerland; guided tour of Château de Chillon follows.
  • Day 7Lake Geneva cruise to the medieval village of Yvoire and the Garden of the Five Senses.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class (London St Pancras to Paris and return)
  • First Class rail travel on continental services
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch (Lake Annecy cruise)
  • 3 dinners (welcome dinner, Chamonix dinner, farewell dinner)
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Optional cable car ride to Mer de Glace glacier (seasonally permitting)

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package covers Eurostar Plus class from London to Paris and return, TGV First Class Paris to Annecy and Geneva to Paris, the Mont Blanc Express from Chamonix to Martigny and Montreux, and the Mer de Glace cogwheel railway.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. Most activities are guided, though some afternoons are free.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (Plus class), TGV and French intercity rail (First Class), the Mont Blanc Express (Standard class), and the Mer de Glace cogwheel railway.
What are the hotels?
Rivage Hotel & Spa (Annecy, 3 nights, 4-star), Lykke Hotel & Spa (Chamonix, 2 nights, 4-star), and Hotel N'Vy or Hotel Royal (Geneva, 2 nights, both 4-star).
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided walking tours of Annecy Old Town and Geneva, visits to châteaux, and leisure time in lakeside villages. The cogwheel train and optional cable cars reach high altitude; no major hikes are required.
What is not included in the price?
Cancellation and travel insurance, dinner on Day 3, most meals on Days 5 and 8, the optional cable car to Mer de Glace and Aiguille du Midi, and London hotel stays before or after the tour.

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