Hiking boots laced, a bag of essentials at the ready, I’m chasing sun-drenched skies and crisp Alpine air across Savoie in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. This is a destination where every day can feel like a mini-holiday—with friends or even a spontaneous solo twist—thanks to a mix of shimmering lakes, snow-packed peaks, charming villages, and a culture that makes you grin from ear to ear. From luxury vacation rentals with a view of Mont Blanc to flexible mobile accommodations tucked into villages beside turquoise lacustrine waters, Savoie is a playground for active travelers who crave new experiences, delicious food, and a little bit of flirt-worthy fun on the trail. If you’re planning your next break, this guide blends practical tips with the kind of local experiences that turn a trip into a story you’ll tell for years.
Why Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, wins for vacation rentals
Located in southeastern France, Savoie sits at the crossroads of dramatic alpine scenery and serene lake villages. It’s a region where winter sports meet summer exploration, where easy day trips multiply by the hour, and where the culture feels both quintessentially Savoyard and cosmopolitan. When you’re booking vacation rentals in Savoie, you’re choosing a home base that can morph from a cozy retreat after a day on the slopes to a chic apartment for a sunset aperitif with friends. Holiday rentals here range from alpine chalets with saunas to modern apartments perched above historic towns, and even flexible mobile accommodations that let you chase the sun along the valley roads. And yes, you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly, couples-friendly, and group-friendly options so you’re never stuck with a one-size-fits-all stay.
Destinations to explore in Savoie
Think of Savoie as a constellation of valleys, peaks, and lakes each with its own vibe. Here are some of the standout destinations where a vacation rental can become your launchpad for unforgettable days:
- Chambéry and the Lac du Bourget region: A walkable historic center, markets that sing with local flavors, and easy access to the largest natural lake in France’s Alps. It’s perfect for a culture-and-food-forward base with nearby day trips to vineyards and thermal spots.
- Aix-les-Bains: A lakeside haven with a refined spa atmosphere, thermal waters, and a promenade that glitters at sunset. It’s ideal for wellness-focused breaks and lazy lunches by the water after a day of sightseeing.
- Val Thorens, Les Trois Vallées (Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens): A legendary ski paradise in winter and a high-altitude playground in summer. Book a vacation rental here for doorstep access to world-class pistes or scenic mountain trails when the snow melts.
- Les Saisies and the Maurienne Valley: Quieter valleys that reward hikers, cyclists, and those who want a more intimate, authentic Savoyard experience. Expect charming chalets, local cheese farms, and winding roads with postcard-worthy views.
- Aix-sur-Savoie and surrounding villages: Rustic charm, hillside vineyards, and easy access to outdoor activities that can be tailored to groups of friends who want a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Where to stay: vacation rentals, holiday rentals and mobile accommodations
Choosing the right style of lodging can elevate your whole trip. In Savoie you’ll find everything from classic alpine chalets and bright lakefront apartments to innovative mobile accommodations that bring a touch of nomadic freedom to your holiday. Here are the main options you’ll encounter when you search for vacation rentals in Savoie:
- Chalets and mountain lodges: Traditional wooden architecture with cozy living spaces, roaring fireplaces, and balconies that frame the Alps in every direction. Ideal for groups of friends who want a shared space with a touch of rustic luxury.
- Apartments in lake towns and towns with easy access to gondolas: Modern comfort, kitchen facilities for entertaining, and short strolls to cafes, markets, and seasonal events.
- Gîtes and farm stays: A more rural, immersive experience where you can sample Savoyard cheeses, watch farm routines, and stay in properties that feel authentically local.
- Mobile accommodations and glamping: Glamping or mobile home stays near ski resorts or campsite villages offer flexibility and a sense of adventure—great for evenings under starlit skies after a day of exploration.
- Vast family villas and boutique hotels with apartment layouts: For those who want extra space, privacy, and services at a flexible price point, particularly during peak holiday seasons.
When you search for accommodations in Savoie, platforms like searchandstay.com can help you compare vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and mobile accommodations across towns and valleys. You’ll find filters to prioritize proximity to pistes, body-of-water views, or easy access to trails, so you can tailor your stay to the exact kind of holiday you’re after.
Seasonal adventures: winter thrills and summer chills
The Alps in Savoie are an invitation to move. Whether you crave powder days or lake swims, there’s a rhythm for every season:
Winter wonderlands and snowy thrills
The winter months transform the region into a glittering ski-and-snow playground. Val Thorens, Méribel, and Courchevel sit at the heart of the Trois Vallées, offering world-class skiing, snowboarding, and long, sunlit bluebird days when you take a break at a sunny terrace. For beginners or family groups, gentle slopes around towns like Chambéry and La Féclaz provide more forgiving runs and great snow parks. Don’t forget cross-country trails in Vercors or the Savoie’s high-altitude routes for a more tranquil glide. After a long day on the slopes, a soak in a spa, a fondue night, and an evening stroll through a snow-dusted village square are the kind of memories that make you crave the next trip.
Summer adventures and lake-length days
Summers in Savoie reveal a different kind of magic. The Lac du Bourget glistens under blue skies, inviting paddleboard sessions, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, or simple lakeside picnics. The hills around Aix-les-Bains offer scenic routes for road cyclists and mountain bikers, while the Vanoise National Park beckons hikers with well-marked trails and chances to spot chamois and marmots. For a more relaxed pace, you can rent a vacation rental with a private terrace and a view of the mountains and then explore local markets that overflow with cheeses, honey, berries, and artisan breads. If you’re traveling with friends, consider a multi-day route that pairs a day of alpine hiking with an easy afternoon by the water, followed by a sunset drink in a village square.
Seasonal experiences aren’t just about outdoors. Savoyard life includes markets, wine tastings, and culinary workshops. Learn to make fondue or raclette with a local from a mountain village, visit a cheese dairy to see how Tomme de Savoie is produced, and enjoy wines from Savoie appellations like Apremont and Chignin-Bergeron. These experiences add color to your itinerary and create memories you’ll want to recreate on your next trip.
Local flavors and culture: cuisine, markets, and storytelling
Food in Savoie isn’t just fuel; it’s an experience that pairs with every activity. Savoyard cheese is a hero here—Tomme de Savoie, Reblochon, and Beaufort carry stories of mountain pastures and centuries-old techniques. In markets and village bistros you’ll discover tartiflette—a hearty dish with potatoes, lardons, onions, and reblochon cheese—plus fondue and raclette that are perfect after a long day outdoors. When you pair the meals with a crisp white Savoy wine, the region reveals its simple, generous hospitality.
Beyond food, the culture of Savoie unfolds in lively towns where music, craft markets, and seasonal festivals fill the calendar. Chambéry’s medieval center invites wandering—it’s a place to admire ancient facades, sample local pastry specialties, and sip coffee in sunlit squares. In Aix-les-Bains the spa culture thrives, with thermal baths offering a soothing pause between activity-packed days. And in ski towns that turn into summer havens, evenings may feature live music on village stages or cozy wine bars where friends swap stories over a shared charcuterie board.
Planning your trip: practical tips for booking and getting around
Ready to lock in your Alpine escape? Here are practical tips to help you plan smoothly and make the most of your time in Savoie:
- Best time to visit: For skiing and winter sports, December through March is peak season, with powder days and festive alpine towns. For hiking, lake days, and culinary experiences, late spring to early autumn (May to September) generally offers milder weather and longer daylight hours.
- Getting there: The region is accessible by train from major French hubs, with connections to Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains, and nearby Grenoble. If you’re flying, Lyon, Geneva, and Chambéry-Savoie Airport are convenient gateways, with rental car options to reach remote valleys and mountain villages.
- Getting around: In many alpine towns, a car isn’t strictly necessary, but it helps to reach trailheads and lakes on your own schedule. If you’re staying in a village with limited public transport, choose a vacation rental with parking or a mobile accommodation near a bus route that serves the larger resorts.
- Choosing the right stay: For a group of friends or for a flexible itinerary, look for vacation rentals that offer spacious living areas, multiple bedrooms, and a kitchen to prepare meals after a day outdoors. If you want the thrill of mobility and the chance to swap mountainsides with a quick drive, consider mobile accommodations that let you move from a valley to a lakefront village with ease.
- Booking platforms: When you search for accommodations in Savoie, consider using a platform like searchandstay.com to compare vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and mobile accommodations. Filter by proximity to ski lifts, lakes, or hiking trails, and read reviews to get a sense of how well a property fits a fun, active travel vibe.
Sample itineraries for groups of friends
Whether you’re planning a long weekend or a full week, these itineraries illustrate how to mix adventure, food, and relaxation in Savoie:
- Weekend ski and spa: Base in Val Thorens or Méribel, mornings on the slopes, afternoons in a spa, evenings in a lively village with fondue nights and live music. Stay in a chalet with a hot tub and kitchen, perfect for group meals after a day on the mountain.
- Three valleys and a lake: Stay in a charming apartment near Chambéry, day trips to Lac du Bourget for paddleboarding, a visit to a nearby winery, and an ascent into the surrounding hills for panoramic photos at golden hour.
- Glamping and rustic charm: A mobile accommodation or glampsite in a valley for a close-to-nature vibe, with day trips to hiking routes in Vanoise National Park and a cheese-tasting evening led by a local producer.
Any of these can be tailored to a specific pace—whether you want non-stop activity or a lighter, social itinerary with evenings spent in village centers sipping regional wines and swapping travel stories with friends.
Why searchandstay.com is a good fit for your Savoie getaway
Planning a trip to Savoie starts with the search for the right place to stay. With a wide range of vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and mobile accommodations, searchandstay.com helps you compare options, read real reviews, and pick a property that aligns with your ideal Alpine escape. Whether you want a ski-in/ski-out chalet, a sunny lakeside apartment, or a flexible mobile abode that moves with your itinerary, you’ll find selections that meet your budget and your vibe. The platform’s filters let you prioritize features that matter—proximity to lifts, water views, pet-friendly options, or properties with a spacious communal area perfect for a group of friends. If you’re assembling a multi-location itinerary across Savoie’s valleys, searchandstay.com can help you coordinate stays so you’re not wasting time on logistics. For the Savoyard travel style that blends outdoor thrills with social evenings, this site is a practical partner in your planning process.
Tips for making the most of your Savoie stay
To maximize fun and minimize stress, keep these tips in mind as you book and travel:
- Book early for peak seasons. Ski season and major alpine holidays fill up quickly, and securing a well-located vacation rental with a flexible cancellation policy gives you peace of mind.
- Balance activity with downtime. Plan ski or hike days followed by relaxed evenings at markets, bistros, or your rental’s balcony—great for group bonding and photo opportunities.
- Mix in cultural experiences. Add a cheese dairy visit, a Savoy wine tasting, or a thermal spa day to diversify your itinerary beyond outdoor pursuits.
- Choose a home base that suits your group’s energy. If one night calls for a party atmosphere while another yearns for quiet mountain serenity, consider a compound of smaller apartments or a large chalet with multiple common spaces.
- Utilize mobile accommodations strategically. If you want to chase late-season sun or combine several valleys on one trip, a mobile stay offers flexibility without sacrificing comfort.
Plan your Savoyard escape today
From the blue-green waters of Lac du Bourget to the snow-kissed passes of Val Thorens, Savoie in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes invites you to mix adventure with indulgence, laughter with serenity, and unforgettable moments with friends. The region rewards curiosity and a willingness to wander—from tucked-away cheese shops to sunlit terraces above alpine villages. If you’re ready to start your vacation rental search, head to searchandstay.com to compare options across Savoie’s towns and valleys, including chalets with hot tubs, lakeside apartments, and mobile accommodations that fit your flexible travel style. Your next Alpine chapter could begin with a single click—just choose your dates, your vibe, and your group size, and let the Alps do the rest.