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Motorhoming in Haute-Savoie
Motorhoming in Haute-Savoie
The Haute-Savoie is the most north easterly of the eight departments of the Rhône Alpes. At the heart of the Alpes and bordering on both Italy and Switzerland, the department has the reputation of being ‘chic’, as it has always been a destination for a wealthier clientele. The wealth of the department has grown from its ski resorts and its ‘villes d’eau’, its mineral water sources found in certain towns such as Evian-Les-Bains and Thonon-Les-Bains.
From the small town of Chamonix there is a wonderful view of the mythical Mont Blanc. The highest summit in France, even in Europe, is very accessible to everyone from the most casual walkers to the most adventurous mountain climbers. At the foot of the mountain, Chamonix was created by two Englishmen who discovered the glaciers of Mont Blanc in 1741. The first tourists arrived in 1770 and the area has never looked back. To the south west is Megève, a very popular resort which lives by its ski tourism. It has kept however all of its charm, little streets and pretty wooden chalets and is worth a visit.
In the west of the department is its capital Annecy, so use the Aires de Service in Haut-Savoie if you need to stop over. Annecy has a bit of everything: lakes; rivers; planes and mountains. The origins of the town go back as far as the Romans, but it really developed in the middle ages due to its proximity to Geneva. Just north of Annecy you will discover the Bridge of Caille, one of the first suspension bridges. Built in 1839, at 147m high and 192m long with its castle towers, it’s very original.
Motorhome travel in France wouldn’t be complete without tasting one or two of the local specialities. The Haute-Savoie is perhaps best known for its cheeses. ‘Emmental’ is produced in the two departments of Savoie since the middle ages and is very popular. ‘Abondance’ is made in the mountains of Haute-Savoie using the techniques of the Monks in the middle ages. The Reblochon, one of the very few cheeses which takes its name from the method of fabrication and not the place where it is made, is used in one of the local specialities, the Tartiflette – potatoes with bacon and onions and melted cheese.
Use the Aires de Service in Haute-Savoie and take the time to sample the delights of the region before doing some more motorhoming in the Savoie to the south, or motorhoming in Ain to the North.
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