With the exception of the town of Annecy and the spa town of Thonon les Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva - called Lac Léman by the French - this is mountain and lake territory.

Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc with its alpine-villagey look is one of the many extra-fashionable ski resorts. During the summer it’s as much a playground as it is during the winter. Walkers, climbers, paragliders and other outdoor enthusiasts descend to enjoy the sun and the flowers unmasked by the melted snow.

	Chamonix

One of the longest cable car rides in the world goes up to Aiguille du Midi, rising to 3,800 metres by the famous glacier Mer de Glace. The ticket is expensive - around £20 - and the experience not for the faint hearted. The drop beneath the car is awesome, but the views are breathtaking - you may even spot a chamois amongst the crags. Don’t forget to take warm clothes. Close by at the Col des Montets is a nature centre with a guide to all the local plants like the alpine rhododendrons which cling so jealously to the slopes.

Fourteen kilometres long, Lac d’Annecy shares the same name as the town on its northern shore and is easily more attractive than its larger rival Lac Léman. The old town in Annecy is usually fairly packed but it doesn’t detract from the striking bridges, buttressed arcades and Savoyard style houses. The population is more than 50,000 and on clear days the views across the water are wonderful.

Evian les Bains

Another watery site to savour is the tiny village of Yvoire on the banks of Lac Léman. Its 14th century château sits proudly dipping into the water with the medieval fortified village behind.

A bit of exercise can be combined with a visit to the tiny village of Manigod about 30 km of Annecy. An added bonus is a drive up to Col de la Croix to see the peaks of Chaîne des Aravis.

The spa towns of Thonon les Bains and Evian les Bains still have a feeling of grandeur about them. Various treatments - such as massage and hydrotherapy - are on offer today, but there is the distinct feeling that the modern world has rather passed them by.