Eastern France

We toured that area many years ago, now. Alsace and down to the Jura.

We used to go from Hull to Zeebrugge then across to Luxembourg. 
Lots to see, villages and scenery and wine.

It’s hard to help with routes when we don’t know where you are starting from- but if you are going by Reims, Troyes, Dijon and Beaune they are all worth stopping for a full day to look around.

And when you have seen enough of Annecy take your caravan the extra 60 miles to one of the campsites at Chamonix and ride the big cable cars into the high mountains there. They are really spectacular.

We have had a few holidays in eastern France and my blogs of our trips might give you a few ideas for stops on the way. The one on Annecy also covers the area around Chamonix that eurotraveller recommends [ and so do I ] but we were there too early for the cable cars. We were lucky enough to go for six weeks at a time so had plenty of time to really explore an area.

https://jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.com/2017/06/19/2017-jura-alps-and-lake-annecy/

https://jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.com/2016/10/07/somme/

I agree about Chamonix, the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi is phenomenal. But wrap up warm - the temperature at the top is usually below freezing even in summer!

We spent a couple of nights at La Ravoire near Lake Annecy after glowing reports here and elsewhere but I'm afraid we hated it. Very cramped pitches and not the usual relaxed atmosphere we expect from French sites. And to cap it off, the "bread" sold at reception was that horrible warmed up frozen stuff. Maybe not surprising as the owners are (or were when we were there) British.

We had intended to spend a week or so but couldn't take more than the 2 nights. It is a lovely area though.

We haven't stayed in or around the lake at Annecy, covid getting in the way of a planned visit but have visited it from nearby. Biking around the lake is possible.

If you want somewhere close by to visit that is different after the mountains then head for the Dombes, an area just north of Lyon, about 50 miles west of Annecy. It's a flat area with large fishing lakes used by exotic breeding birds such as Black Necked Grebes, Purple Herons and Little Bitterns and an ideal place to cycle around as its relatively sparsely populated. A small town of Bresse is a decent place to cycle out from. Renowned throughout France for its chicken which have their own "AOC" type approval. 

We stayed near the lake, at camping Taillefer, a few years ago.

It’s a small campsite, with good pitches, a decent shower block and a small shop selling basics. Easy stroll down to the lake, or a very nice walk / bike ride into Annecy.

There’s a small boat that does a circuit of the lake, stopping at various places to pick up and drop off, a good option for linear walks / bike rides.

Also a very good bird reserve at the southern end of the lake, well worth a look.

A stunningly beautiful region, we certainly enjoyed it. 

We stayed at Camping Europa at St Jorioz. It's about halfway along the lake from the town of Annecy. There is a ferry boat that you can get that will take you down the lake to Annecy or you could cycle it. The cycle path is excellent and runs the full length of the lake.

We enjoyed sitting by the lake and watching the paragliders as they  jumped off from the other side and flew across the lake to their landing spot.

We did Annecy on our way back from the Med Coast at the end of May in 2017, the weather was perfect nice and warm with snow on the peaks.

Enjoy it, its a beautiful place. 

We visited the area a few years ago now,and loved it.We stayed at La Ravoire and loved it.I see from a previous post that someone had the opposite views.

My pitch further away from the road,and quite near the sliding barrier,which was large and very peaceful.Swimming pool was lovely and watching the parasailers from site was a sight to remember.If I remember correctly this site was part of the CCC overseas recommended sites ,there is another site quite near called La Taillifer,which was a site set in tiers.

There is a cycle path at the lower end (lake) allowing traffic free route into Annecy,but please check distance.

Area was lovely with restaurants nearby,visited Mont Blanc,and visited Chambery for a day out.

Certainly an area that needs a return visit.

This summer, we spent ten days at Au Coeur du Lac at Sevrier, a mile or two closer to Annecy than TG's site. An average ACSI site but a convenient distance to cycle into Annecy along the lake path accessible directly from the site. My new ACSI book shows the price is €21 for 2023. On balance, we preferred Lac de Bourget about 20 miles SW. Although we stayed on the adjacent aire, Camping Isle de Cygnes look quite reasonable.

I agree that the Annecy area is lovely, but be aware that some of the lakeside campsites aren’t.  Here’s a photo of one of them.