Mountains, Lakes, Thermal Springs, WINE; Puppy Pulling Power – and Passing up Petrol Power!
Campsite Highlights
Campsite Municipal Le Savoy – nestled between the beautiful Savoie lakes and the two Natural Regional Parks of the Bausges and Chartreuse mountain ranges is the thermal resort of Challes les Eaux. It has a rich architectural heritage and is surrounded by unspoilt countryside.
Our pitch was pleasant, segregated from our neighbours by hedges. However, the pitch was allocated by Reception and as we don’t have a motor mover, it was very tight to site our large caravan. It was also rather cosy had we wanted to put up an awning. We stayed only as a stopover for a couple of days; it was a last minute change of mind when we saw how commercial (and expensive!) were the sites around Aix Les Bains. The paid WiFi was significantly better than free and was the first on-site WIFi that we had been able to access in our entire trip to date! The laundry here was the best value at only €3 per wash.
For the Canine Crew
Off-lead Walking – there was a park next to the campsite and plenty of lovely off-lead walking nearby. For details of the walk that we did to the little chapel on top of Mont St Michel, click here.
For the Humans to Do
Cycling – there are cycle tracks straight from the campsite.
Human-Only Mountain Nature Reserves – the Chartreuse and Bauges Natural Parks are nearby. They offer walking and cycling trails, wine-producing villages plus dense woodland. Unfortunately, as with most French National Parks dog policy is strict; in parts of Chartreuse and Bauges, dogs are not allowed even on a lead.
WINE! – check out Wine Folly for a guide to the enigmatic wines of the Savoie. The Challes les Eaux Tourist Information Site is a comprehensive website which can be viewed in English. You can download a map with all the vineyards and it has details of all other leisure activities, including a visit and wine tasting in the castle of the Comte de Challes.
Sightseeing Don’t Miss
Aix les Bains – OK, it’s not my kind of town but a few notables (including Queen Victoria, Mark Twain and expat. Johnathan Wake) would beg to disagree, so I thought I had better give it a mensh! There is certainly plenty to do and see; I shall leave it to you to make up your own mind. See Aix les Bains – My Kind of Town by Jonathan Wake.
A Ripping good Read – Wandering Carol visited Aix les Bains to laugh at her husband. As good a reason as any…! Click here to find out what Carol found so funny.
You May Not Have Thought Of
Puppy Pulling – how about dog scootering and dog hiking & walking itineraries? If you want to get Over the Hill more quickly, why not can be propelled by a dog! Details are available on the Savoy Mont Blanc Tourist Information site, which is a very useful resource.
Adrenaline – Parapente (paragliding), Canyoning and Via Ferrata (rock climbs using a fixed steel cable as protection) are available through Face Oest.
Parapente Aerial Trekking – there are a number of Parapente (paragliding) schools in Aix. Aeroteam and Kdo get good reviews.
Gliding – how about rising on thermals like a hawk from the airfield just next to the campsite? With Savoie Mountain Gliding Centre you can experience a trial flight – or become a fully-fledged glider pilot over some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps!
Oh NO! Vulcanicity, the Debut Ding, Avoiding the Pains of Aix – plus Perceptions of Proper Peaks – we did the lot when we were En Route Again – Challes les Eaux
World Wide Walkies 
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