Unexpectedly have 7 days near Geneva... no idea where to go

[IfyouseeRitaMoreno]

A stay I'd arranged with friends in France fell through but I have the flights booked to Geneva and am thinking I should go anyway but I don't really know the area that well.

Does anyone have any ideas about towns within about an hour of Geneva?

Thanks in advance!

Annecy - lovely city, amazing lake, great mountains......... just google it.

Was just about to say Annecy but was beaten to it! It’s lovely though, the lake is stunning and it’s a good base if you want to see the alps in the summer.

Chamonix. Beautiful in the summer and loads to do. Go!

Was also going to say Annecy and Evian. The Alps are stunning in summer - Les Gets and Morzine are just over an hour from Geneva. Or get the train to Sion and explore the Crans Montana area.

Evian, Yvoire.

Chamonix as a base. If you feel adventurous, you can do the 7 day walk around Mont Blanc from there:- www.sherpaexpeditions.com/Guided-Walking/France/Mont-Blanc-Guided-Walk

I would get the Alpybus direct from Geneva airport to Chamonix, it's stunning, you can hike straight out, see the glaciers, get the train or lift up the peaks and walk down, drink beer in the microbrewery or shop for handbags in the boutiques..whatever you like, it's small enough to feel at home quickly and I could just eat delicious cake and gaze at the magnificent views from every cafe for a week!

If you have time a few days in Chamonix for the mountains and then get the train to Annecy for another few days by the lake. Both different but equally wonderful! They are busy and expensive towns though, there is a centrally located Ibis in Annecy which is great value. Don’t hang about in Geneva it is charmless.

Agree with all the suggestions here... or if you want more energy plus a bit more pricy for accommodation isnt too much, it’s three hours to Paris from the airport by train, can also go to Italy...

Vevey and the lavaux (Swiss wine region) is beautiful

France: If you take the train to Lausanne from Geneva, you can then take a boat to Evian (short journey). Both lovely places to visit. If you have DC, they will appreciate the huge lake-side pool in Evian, although it is also possible to swim in the lake there too. Annecy is beautiful, as is Yvoire. Abondance in the mountains is a great little place to visit.

On the Swiss side: Lausanne, Montreaux, Castle Chillon (particularly if you have DC. It's a real fairy-tale castle on the lake).