There is nowhere in the world quite like the French Alps. The stunning grandeur make it a most spectacular and fascinating place to visit. If you are seeking an exhilarating walking experience, combined with cultural and historical flavours, the French Alps have it all.

 

Come and join a small group of walkers (max.12-14) on a week of walking to many unspoiled places in the French Alps that most travellers miss! The bi-lingual tour leaders share their extensive knowledge and make your walking tour a truly memorable experience.

 

Savouring La Savoie, an Australian/French venture, commenced walking tours in the Savoie region of the French Alps in September 2007. Since then, particiapants have enjoyed walking in the French Alps, joining up with local French walkers and sharing the camaraderie of the mountains.

 

Our walks are conducted in late summer/early autumn when the temperatures are warm to mild and days are still long and sunny. We will take you to medieval towns and villages as part of the walking tours.  The walks are based in and around the regional Savoie towns of Chambery and Annecy and provide an opportunity to visit museums, archealogical sites, as well as enjoy the regional cuisine and wine from Savoie.

 

The day walks take in fairly gentle mountain terrain, through alpine pastures with the tinkling of cow bells, forests and cultivated fields of corn, vineyards and orchards. We come through villages full of character; with sunny balconies and narrow streets decorated with colourful flowers. We visit some of the village fairs, tasting local wine, cheese, honey and other farm produce.  Also to admire are baroque chapels, communal ovens and washing troughs, largely unchanged over the centuries.

  

On the walks, there is so much to see - colourful wild flowers, berries, fungi, butterflies and birds. We meet local farmers, and, because it is the start of the hunting season, we may also meet hunters. As we get into more remote areas, you may well be lucky enough to see the reclusive chamois or 'bouquetins', two kinds of mountain goats, or even small deer or wild boar.

 

As you walk above the treeline, the rock formations are dramatic - steep cliffs riddled with cracks where the water flows every spring after the winter snow melts; craggy outcrops flanked by hardy alpine trees clinging to impossibly steep slopes.

 

A feature of the tours is the warm welcome of local people who 'make us feel special' as one participant commented. Many of our walkers also take the opportunity to further explore the Savoie region before or after the tours.

 

We have lived in Savoie for many years and are passionate about the region which we want to share with you.  We are enthusiastic walkers and experienced leaders who are there to ensure everyone's expectations of the walks are met and that each participant has an enjoyable, memorable holiday.

Lived in La Savoie for 20 years. Inez is an experienced bushwalker and with a good knowledge of the area. Since 2007, she has led a number of walking tours with Savouring La Savoie in the French Alps.

 

Lives in a mountain village at La Feclaz in the Bauges mountains in Savoie. She is an active walker and skier, who has an excellent knowledge of the walking tours, and a passionate interest in the local history and culture of the Savoie region.

 

 

You need a comfortable day backpack, water proof jacket, walking boots, warm long sleeved top, tee shirts, long pants, shorts, warm jumper or fleece jacket, walking pole, socks for boots, sunglasses, sunhat, water bottle, woollen beanie and gloves. All these items are readily available at reasonable prices in Chambery and Annecy if you don't want to bring them.