The Very Best Scenic Drive:
Nice to Annecy and Thereabouts
Trip Summary & Constraints
This route is designed to maximize picturesque stops while ensuring the total trip time remains **under 8 hours**.
**Total Estimated Driving Time:** 6 hours and 38 minutes
**Stops Included:** 4 (scenic, with amenities)
**Stop Duration:** 20 minutes each (4 x 20 mins = 1 hour 20 minutes)
**Total Estimated Trip Time:** 6 hours 38 minutes + 1 hour 20 minutes = **7 hours and 58 minutes**
Recommended Road Trip Itinerary: 4 Picturesque Stops
| Stop No. | Location | Why It’s Picturesque | Time from Previous Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Nice, France | 0 | |
| 1 | Castellane | Gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, known for its dramatic cliffside setting and the rock formation “Roc de Castellane.” | ~1 hour 45 minutes |
| 2 | Sisteron | Famous for its spectacular citadel perched between two mountain peaks, guarding the Durance River valley. | ~1 hour 30 minutes |
| 3 | Grenoble | A beautiful alpine city surrounded by mountains (Vercors, Chartreuse, Belledonne), offering grand views and city amenities. | ~1 hour 50 minutes |
| 4 | Chambéry | A historic town and former capital of the Duchy of Savoy, featuring the iconic Fontaine des Éléphants and a charming old quarter. | ~55 minutes |
| Destination | Annecy, France | Known as the “Venice of the Alps,” with canals, pastel-colored houses, and the stunning Lake Annecy. | ~38 minutes |
Note on Amenities: All four suggested stop locations are established towns/cities and are situated directly on or very near the primary route, making it easy to find clean public facilities, service stations, or cafés for a quick bathroom break and snacks.
FROM CHATGPT, ALTERNATE ROUTE
Big picture: the route
Main roads: A8 ➝ A7 ➝ A49 ➝ A41Style: fast autoroute most of the day (with good, clean “aires”), plus 4 short dives into beautiful old towns / landscapes:
Antibes (Old Town & ramparts)
Aix-en-Provence (Cours Mirabeau cafés & fountains)
Tain-l’Hermitage / Tournon-sur-Rhône (vineyards over the Rhône)
Chambéry (Savoyard old town)
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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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.
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.
View Route on Google Maps
Note on Amenities: All four suggested stop locations are established towns/cities and are situated directly on or very near the primary route, making it easy to find clean public facilities, service stations, or cafés for a quick bathroom break and snacks.