Have you always wanted to discover the spa town of Aix-les-Bains? We'll take you to the naturally warm baths of the town's thermal baths, on the shores of Lac de Bourget. After a moment of relaxation, you'll spend the night in Aix-les-Bains before setting off for La Compôte-en-Bauges the next day. This small village in the heart of the Bauges massif is as charming as it is tranquil. It's a wonderful starting point for a whole host of walks with panoramic views. We suggest a hike to the Mont Julioz ridge. If you wish, you can then spend the evening at the Palace de Menthon, a sumptuous building and spa not far from Annecy. An itinerary around the Bauges massif that combines relaxation and sport in a wonderful setting.
Early in the morning, we set off from Annecy for the famous town of Aix-les-bains. But before that, we stop off at the town's best café for an excellent brunch.
Haven
Under the vaults of the medieval town lies Haven, an Australian-inspired café. Here, coffee is an art and brunch a tradition.
Haven, restaurant à Annecy
Get ready to feast on legendary brunch favourites such as eggs benedict, pancakes, avocado on toast and much more. The plates are plentiful, the staff are attentive and the coffee is delicious. We recommend the eggs benedict aussie and a latte with oat milk.
Address: 5 Rue Filaterie, 74000 Annecy Opening hours: 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 8.30am to 2pm on Sundays. Closed on Tuesdays.
From Annecy, it takes 33 minutes to get to Aix-les-Bains, famous for its natural hot springs. It is a well-known seaside resort and spa in France, attracting tourists and spa visitors all year round. Lac de Bourget is 18 km long. It adjoins Aix-les-Bains and has 11 beaches all around the lake. Like Lake Annecy, it is an unspoilt lake teeming with beautiful biodiversity. We stroll around the town for a while before visiting a few monuments.
Aix-les-Bains lies on the shores of Lac de Bourget.
- © Lamax / ShutterstockThe national thermal baths at Aix-les-bains, or the old thermal baths, were built in 1873 on the ruins of Roman baths. In the 1980s, the establishment welcomed 53,000 spa visitors a year, was extended several times over the following years and then closed in 2008.
Today, the old baths are home to the tourist office and a beauty school. From inside, you can still see signs reminding you that "showering is strictly compulsory". From the glass lifts, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the old baths, an interesting building to visit because it is unique in France. In fact, you'll find all the layers of the spa's history in the same place, from the Romans to the present day.
Les bains thermaux d' Aix-les-Bains étaient déjà utilisés par les romains.
- © L.Kora / ShutterstockThermal baths are pools, jacuzzis and other facilities filled with natural hot spring water, generally enriched with minerals from the rock. The water temperature is at least 20°C. Thermal baths are recommended for people with rheumatism or osteoarthritis problems.
The Chevalley thermal baths
The Chevalley thermal baths are the new thermal baths in Aix-les-Bains, following the closure of the national thermal baths. We tried out the relaxation area, which is equipped with whirlpool baths, saunas, hammams and several indoor and outdoor pools. If you would like to take a spa cure, Chevalley offers 18-day medical cures or mini fitness and well-being cures lasting from 6 to 12 days.
⏰ Opening days and times :
Open daily from 10am to 7.30pm and Fridays from 10am to 9.30pm Wellness area: €19 weekdays, €15 after 5.45pm, €21 weekends, €18 after 5.45pm.
L'Ardoise
L'ardoise is a French restaurant that carefully prepares seasonal dishes made with local produce. The 5 main courses have been thought through to perfection. Our favourite? Fish from the market.
📍 Address: 20 Rue des Bains, 73100 Aix-les-Bains
⏰ Opening times: 12.15pm to 2pm and 7.15pm to 9pm, Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Aix-les-Bains est très connu pour ses eaux thermales.
- © Feta-Photo / Shutterstock
Savoie
After one of the most relaxing nights of our stay, we set off from Aix-les-Bains in the morning. The thermal baths have done us good and given us energy for a hike, and after a 42-minute drive along winding mountain roads, we arrive at La Compôte. Take the D 1201 from Aix-les-Bains towards Grésy-sur-Aix and follow the signs to Saint-François-de-Sales then La Compôte. The Bauges massif is a UNESCO World Geopark, thanks to its 54 identified geosites. As such, it is an exceptional hiking area.
Dominated by Mont-Colombier to the south, the village of La Compôte rises to an altitude of 662 metres. The highest points are at 1964 metres, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains and villages. La Compôte is a small, peaceful village in the middle of the Bauges mountains, the starting point for a host of beautiful walks.
Le massif des Bauges et un géoparc mondial UNESCO.
- © Michel PERES / ShutterstockThere are many walks within 30km of La Compôte:
We chose to climb Mont Julioz.
We park the car in Châtelard-en-Bauges in the hamlet of Les Garins. The hamlet can be reached via a small road that climbs to the right just after the southern entrance to the village.
Once on foot, we climb up to the Garins gîte, then follow the Mont Julioz route on a well-marked path.
The hike lasts 5 hours and the difference in altitude is 700 metres.
Once you reach the crest of Mont Julioz, the view of the surrounding mountains and Lake Annecy is absolutely marvellous.
For a detailed itinerary, visit the Altituderando website.
La Vipérine
This mountain restaurant offers all the best Savoie has to offer: raclette, reblochon or morel sauce for meat dishes. Address: Le Pont, 73630 La Compôte
Back to Annecy
You can return to Annecy after your hike. The journey takes an average of 50 minutes.
Le Palace De Menthon
This palace on the shores of Lake Annecy is a marvel for the senses. The gourmet restaurant offers refined French dishes in a hushed, all-glass dining room, while the sumptuous bedrooms, bar, spa and huge swimming pool are all yours to enjoy.
Menthon-Saint-Bernard
