The Very Best Scenic Drive:
Nice, France to Annecy, France

Recommended Road Trip Itinerary: 4 Picturesque Stops

Scenic Highlights & Practical Notes

Typical nonstop Nice–Annecy driving time is about 5h15–6h20 depending on route and traffic.Travelmath+2Rome2Rio+2
With four short stops you’re still safely under 8h on a normal day.





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Stop 1 – Antibes: old ramparts & coffee by the sea


Nice ➝ Antibes – ~30 minutes


• Take A8 west from Nice, exit for Antibes; follow signs to Vieille Ville / Port Vauban.
  
  
• Why it’s worth it:
  
  • Compact medieval old town with stone ramparts right on the sea and views back to the Alps and Riviera.
    
  • Lots of cafés and bakeries clustered around Marché Provençal / Cours Masséna for a quick pastry, sandwich, or coffee.
    
    
• Bathroom & snack: grab something in the market area or cafés just inside the old town walls – they’re used to quick in-and-out visitors and generally have decent restrooms.
  
  
• Time budget here: 20–30 minutes: quick walk along the ramparts, bathroom, espresso, back to the car.




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Stop 2 – Aix-en-Provence: tree-lined boulevard & fountains


Antibes ➝ Aix-en-Provence – ~1h30


• Back to A8 west, stay on it toward Aix-en-Provence and take a central exit signed Centre-Ville / Cours Mirabeau.
  
  
• Why it’s worth it:
  
  • The Cours Mirabeau is Aix’s famous plane-tree-shaded boulevard, lined with historic mansions, fountains and café terraces – a very “classic” Provence atmosphere.
    
    
• Bathroom & snack: cafés on Cours Mirabeau are perfect for a quick drink, snack, and clean WC.
  
  
• Time budget here: 20 minutes is enough if you park in an underground lot near the Cours, stroll one block, hit a café, and go.
  

Running total drive time so far: ~2h00
Stops used: 2 (≈40 minutes)





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Stop 3 – Tain-l’Hermitage / Tournon-sur-Rhône: vineyards & river views


Aix-en-Provence ➝ Tain-l’Hermitage – ~2h15


• From Aix, join A7 north up the Rhône valley.
  
  
• Exit at Tain-l’Hermitage; you can either:
  
  • Stay in Tain and walk up toward the hillside vineyards, or
    
  • Cross the bridge on foot to Tournon-sur-Rhône, a medieval town with a castle and great river views.
    
    
• Why it’s worth it:
  
  • This is the heart of the Hermitage wine region, with terraced vineyards rising directly above the Rhône – very photogenic.
    
  • A good mid-journey contrast: from Riviera and Provence into wine country.
    
    
• Bathroom & snack:
  
  • Tain has multiple cafés/boulangeries on the main street, and the big chocolate shop Cité du Chocolat Valrhona (if you fancy a quick look & a clean restroom).
    
    
• Time budget here: 20–30 minutes for a short riverside walk, snack, and WC.
  

Running total drive time: ~4h15
Stops used: 3 (≈1h total)





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Stop 4 – Chambéry: Savoyard old town gateway to the Alps


Tain-l’Hermitage ➝ Chambéry – ~1h45


• Continue north on A7, then follow signs A49 ➝ Grenoble and then A41 ➝ Chambéry / Annecy.
  
  
• Exit for Chambéry Centre.
  
  
• Why it’s worth it:
  
  • Charming old town in a valley between Alpine ranges, with narrow lanes, fountains and Italian-flavoured architecture; its historic centre is compact and easy to explore on foot.
    
    
• Bathroom & snack:
  
  • Plenty of cafés and ice-cream spots in the pedestrian area (Rue Croix-d’Or, around the fountains) with reliable facilities.
    
    
• Time budget here: 20–25 minutes for a short wander + bathroom.
  

Running total drive time: ~6h00
Stops used: 4 (≈1h20)





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Final leg – Arrive in Annecy


Chambéry ➝ Annecy – ~45 minutes–1 hour


• From Chambéry, get back on A41 north to Annecy; it’s a straightforward autoroute.
  
  
• Depending on traffic, your total day looks roughly like:
  
• Driving: ~6–6.5 hours
  
• Stops (4×20 minutes): 1h20
  
• Total: about 7h20–7h50, staying under your 8h cap in normal conditions.





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Practical tips to keep it smooth



• Start early from Nice to dodge Riviera traffic on the A8.
  
  
• Use autoroute “aires” between these stops if you need extra bathroom breaks – French motorway rest areas are generally clean and usually have fuel, snacks, and proper toilets.Rick Steves Community
  
  
• Parking: look for signs to “P” or underground car parks near:
  
  • Antibes: “Parking Pré-aux-Pêcheurs” (by the port)
    
  • Aix: any “Parking Rotonde / Centre-Ville” near Cours Mirabeau
    
  • Tain/Tournon: riverside lots
    
  • Chambéry: “Parking Château” or central garages
    
    
• If traffic is heavy: you can shorten the day by skipping either Antibes or Chambéry (whichever feels less interesting to you) and still have a beautiful route with 3 stops.