Day Trips & Tours from Morzine

Before you’ve had time to blink, someone will tempt you into their bar with the offer of a cool refreshing pint and a platter of incredible cheese or you’ll be so inspired by your beautiful surroundings that you’ll pop on your hiking shoes and head for the hills. However, if you do fancy seeing some other parts of this beautiful alpine region, there are loads of things on the doorstep for you to try.

The shores of Lake Geneva are a mere 30km from Morzine, down the windy mountain road to Thonon. A day trip to the town is completely doable by car or bus, but if you think you might be tempted to have a glass of chilled wine in a bar on the waterfront, you can always contemplate staying the night. Thonon has a very popular beach area, with huts that my friend described as “cute with brilliant ice creams”. There’s also a popular outdoor swimming complex in Thonon, with three heated pools and in summer a beachside cinema. If you fancy staying the night, for a family of four, you’re looking at spending around 60€ for a budget hotel, rising from there for the more luxurious ones.

A little further round the shores of the lake, is Evian, the town made famous for its bottled water. It’ll take you around 2 hours to get there, but once there, you won’t be disappointed. With a feel somewhat like that of a Devon seaside resort, Evian is full of pretty fountains, pathways and gardens. You can fill your water bottle at the main spring in Evian for free which seems to be somewhat of a tourist attraction. The town’s also popular for it’s architecture, with many people visiting to see some of its grand buildings. There are plenty of accommodation options in Evian from hotels to campsites, many overlooking the lake. For a camping plot for 2, you’re looking at around 14.50€ for the night.

Heading a little further a field now but sticking with the water theme, Lake Annecy is most certainly worth a visit. We stopped off there on a long journey and fell in love with the place. The lake has a shoreline of around 35km with lots of beautiful French towns scattered around its coast. It’s famous for its offering of activities such as windsurfing, wakeboarding and diving. There are archaeological sites at the bottom of the lake, including the wreckage of an old ship, which sank in 1971. The romantic town of Annecy is known for its architecture, its castles and its cathedrals. Lots of couples like to visit the Pont Des Armours (Lovers Bridge) before indulging in dinner at one of the towns many restaurants.

If you fancy camping for the night, with a view out across the lake, you’re looking at spending around 8.50€ to camp and 16€ for a motor home.

The region is extremely popular with road bikers, and most of my suggestions would work if you were attempting your own mini tour de Haute-Savoie. None more than this last excursion. Why not cycle to Chatel across the Portes Du Soleil, via the famous climb to Avoriaz, which is often used as a stage in the Tour De France. At 14.6km and with an 860m climb, it certainly isn’t easy. But when you descend down the other side into Chatel and sit down for a bottle of Vin rouge, it’ll all be worth it. There are plenty of accommodation options, including at hotels, such as the Belalp, Choucas and Au Bois de Lune. Prices start at around 55€ for two people per night.

Again, these ideas only scratch the surface of what’s available in this beautiful region. Don’t forget a visit to the goat village of Les Lindarets, a trip to the pretty coastal village of Yvoire on the edge of lake Geneva, a hike to the stunning Graydon valley or a white water rafting experience down The Dranse. Geneva is just over an hour away, taking you on a journey through some beautiful French towns and villages and remember, other beautiful Alpine resorts such as Val d’Isere and Chamonix aren’t a million miles away!