A Private Journey Through the French Alps

Day 1

A Slow Start at High Altitude

Arrive in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and let the Alps take over quickly. A private transfer brings you from Geneva or Lyon to Hotel Armancette, where champagne on the terrace sets the tone. The village is small and sincere, so a slow walk works. Peak views between rooftops, church bells, a stop at La Ferme du Val Montjoie for your first slice of Savoie cheese. It feels lived-in, not curated.

Before dusk, wander up toward the Mont-Blanc Tramway viewpoint. Fresh air, clean lines of snow in the distance, nothing dramatic, just a quiet reset. Back at the hotel, the spa gives you warmth and calm in equal measure. Dinner stays close to the land at La Table d’Armancette. Truffled fondue, alpine herbs, good wine. The day ends softly, windows cracked open to mountain air, pillows that feel earned, and the comfort of knowing you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Overnight:  French Alps

Day 2

Up Where the Mountains Feel Alive

A short drive brings you to Chamonix. This is where the Aiguille du Midi cable car lifts you into crisp, high-altitude light. Take the Step Into the Void if you want that proud, shaky grin later. A coffee at Le 3842 Café tastes like a reward, not a habit.

Back in town, settle in at Le Panoramique for lunch with the glacier in sight before wandering through the Alpine Museum or Crystal Museum for a quiet look at the valley’s past. Stop by Maison de Savoie for handmade chocolates, and if the sky feels too close to ignore, choose the optional private helicopter flight over the Mont Blanc range.

Return to Saint-Gervais for warm water and mountain air at the spa, then sit down to dinner at Le Sérac: thoughtful cooking, steady hands in the kitchen, and plates that feel rooted to this landscape.

Overnight:  French Alps

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Easy Luxury at Annecy

Start the morning with a private drive to Annecy. Walk the old town, follow the canals, and head up to the Château d’Annecy for lake views and a quick look at the alpine art galleries.

Board your private boat and cross Lake Annecy with champagne chilled and ready. Step off for lunch at Auberge du Père Bise, known for clean flavors, quiet confidence, and a setting that makes you stay a little longer than planned. Spend the afternoon along Rue Royale. Gelato, small boutiques, and optional paddleboarding or a relaxed lakeside ride if the weather feels right.

On the way back, pause at Boutique du Fromage Fermier to pick up cheese and a bottle for later. Return to Saint-Gervais and sit down at La Table d’Armancette for a focused three-course tasting. Simple pacing. Quality ingredients. A calm finish to the day.

Overnight: French Alps

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

Hot Springs and a Glacier You Can Walk Inside

Take the Montenvers Railway to Mer de Glace. Meet your private guide and head into the Ice Cave and viewing area. It is icy, blue, and worth the early start. Lunch follows at Le 3842 Restaurant, seated high above the valley. Simple plates, big views.

Return to Saint-Gervais and visit Maison Forte de Hautetour for a quick look into Alpine history before heading to the Saint-Gervais Thermal Spa for the afternoon. Hydrotherapy pools, hot springs, and a massage set the pace, with the mountains right in front of you while you soak. Return to the hotel for an optional Savoie wine tasting, and end the evening at Le Sérac Bistrot for a relaxed dinner with regional staples and clean, modern plating.

Overnight: French Alps

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Plateaus and One Last Mountain Dinner

Drive to Megève and ease into the morning with a casual walk through the village. The streets feel polished without trying too hard, and the shops make browsing fun even if you are only window-shopping. Pause for coffee at Flocons Village and step into Chapelle Sainte-Anne for a look around. It is small, quiet, and a nice reset before the rest of the day moves.

Head up to the Megève Altiport for a short panoramic flight or a private picnic on the plateau when weather plays along. Nothing dramatic. Just space, clean air, and a real sense of height. Lunch is at Flocons de Sel. Three Michelin stars, and it earns them through subtlety instead of shock value. Afterward, continue to Combloux for a lake view that frames Mont Blanc completely. If you feel like moving again, stop at Le Palais Megève for wellness time or a skate session when the ice rink is open.

Return to Saint-Gervais and end with a slow dinner at La Ferme de Cupelin. Five courses, thoughtful Savoie wine pairings, and a little time to sit with everything you experienced this week.

Overnight: French Alps

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Departure Start slow on the terrace with breakfast and mountain views. Fresh bread, local butter that ruins supermarket butter forever, and time to breathe before travel mode clicks back in. Stop at Fromagerie de Saint-Gervais if you want one last tasting or a little cheese to bring home. It feels better than grabbing something at an airport shop. Then take your private transfer to Geneva or Lyon Airport. Easy timing, no rush, and plenty of space to replay the week in your head before real life resumes. Meals included: Breakfast