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Lake Geneva, Chamonix & Mont Blanc

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7 days From £1,799 £1,699 per person
4.4 stars(123 reviews)
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Discover Switzerland and France’s stunning alpine towns including Chamonix, Montreux and Zermatt, and journey on the iconic Mont Blanc Express

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Save £100pp on selected Europe 2025 holidays when you book by 16th December 2024.

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Mobility Rating 3

2025 Tour code: GLL25

About the tour

Explore picture-book mountain towns bursting with traditional Swiss and French charm from a base in an idyllic village in the Alps.

Climb past snow-capped peaks on the elegant Mont Blanc Express to the historic resort of Chamonix, nestled beneath western Europe's highest mountain. Discover the glittering charm of the Swiss Riviera during a trip to Montreux on the sparkling shores of Lake Geneva and visit the peaceful village of Zermatt in the shadow of Switzerland's symbolic mountain - the imposing Matterhorn.

Unforgettable Experiences

Marvelling at two of Europe’s tallest peaks
Marvelling at two of Europe’s tallest peaks
Travel on scenic rail journeys to the popular towns of Chamonix and Zermatt, both providing incredible views of iconic mountains – France’s Mont Blanc and Switzerland’s Matterhorn.
Riding the Mont Blanc Express to France
Riding the Mont Blanc Express to France
Enjoy exquisite views of dramatic plunging valleys on a journey across the border to Chamonix in France, passing snow-tipped alpine peaks and gleaming lakes enroute.
Visiting the peaceful mountain town of Zermatt
Visiting the peaceful mountain town of Zermatt
After a beautiful trip through the Matter Valley, spend free time in this lovely car-free town, uncovering a fascinating history of alpine exploration amid its scattering of traditional, timbered chalets.
Indulging in Swiss produce on the Chocolate Train to Gruyères
Indulging in Swiss produce on the Chocolate Train to Gruyères
Uncover two of Switzerland’s most revered products on a gastronomic journey aboard vintage carriages, savouring coffee and chocolate croissants before tours of a Gruyère cheese dairy and a chocolate factory.
Staying in the Swiss mountain resort of Champéry
Staying in the Swiss mountain resort of Champéry
Wake up to breathtaking scenery each morning in our base of Champéry – one of Switzerland’s oldest mountain resorts – surrounded by the Chablais Alps and the toothlike Dents du Midi.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - From London to picturesque Champéry

Meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras early this morning, your holiday begins by boarding the Eurostar to Paris.

Changing trains in the French capital, we continue by rail to Geneva. From here, we join the Swiss rail network to journey along the glistening shores of Lake Geneva, passing through the famous shoreline resorts of the Swiss Riviera. In the Rhône Valley town of Aigle, we continue by rail up to the mountain resort of Champéry. Our home in Switzerland for the next six nights is a charming 4-Star hotel with beautiful alpine views across to the sharp, toothlike summits of the seven peaks of the Dents du Midi, part of the Chablais Alps.

Tonight, and each evening of our holiday, we enjoy a three-course dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - A day to explore Champéry and its alpine surroundings

Today you're free to get to know Champéry at your own pace. One of the oldest mountain resorts in Switzerland, Champéry's picturesque main street features traditional chalets displaying carved balconies and pitched roofs. It is here you can find many charming shops and restaurants in which to relax and soak up the views.

High up in a valley just across the mountainous border from the famous French ski resorts of Avoriaz and Morzine, amazing alpine views surround our charming base. There are many walking trails in the area, but an easier way to bask in the incredible scenery is by taking the iconic red-and-white cable car to Croix-de-Culet. At a height of 6,350 feet, this is a ski area in winter but in summer provides breathtaking panoramas across the region's impressive peaks. A regular train service links the station immediately outside our hotel with Champéry's centre and the town of Aigle, which boasts a stunning medieval chateau set amid a backdrop of beautiful Alps.

Returning to our hotel this evening, we enjoy a three-course dinner in the restaurant.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Across the Alps to Chamonix on the Mont Blanc Express

A highlight of our trip awaits after breakfast as we travel by train to France. After journeying down the valley to Martigny, we board the Mont Blanc Express for a stunning ride through the Chamonix Valley on a picturesque line that dates back more than a century. This route winds past dense forests, azure mountain lakes and stunning peaks on the way to Chamonix.

On arrival, you're free to explore this classic alpine resort with glorious mountain panoramas, the jewel in the crown of which is Mont Blanc, the highest in western Europe. Travelling in the vintage carriages of the Montenvers rack railway, you could climb even higher and see the fantastic Mer de Glace glacier and enter the ice cave, an amazing sight!

In Chamonix itself, there are many beautiful churches, shops and restaurants. You may be tempted to tuck into a delicious sweet or savoury crêpe with a café au lait, before we return across the mountains to Champéry for dinner tonight.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Chocolate Train from Montreux to Gruyères

Hopping aboard a train after breakfast this morning, we travel to stylish Montreux, on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. From this popular lakeside town, we board the delightful 'Chocolate Train' for an excursion into the world of two of Switzerland's most revered products: chocolate and cheese.

In stately Belle Époque Pullman carriages, the route climbs past hillside vineyards, providing wonderful views behind us while we enjoy coffee and chocolate croissants. From Montbovon, a coach transfer takes us to Gruyères. This picturesque medieval town in the Swiss Highlands is synonymous with cheese. During a visit to the Maison du Gruyère, we learn about how the world-famous cheese is produced, before there's free time to explore the town. Later, we continue to nearby Broc to visit the Cailler chocolate factory. The oldest Swiss chocolate brand still in production, the sweet treat has been produced on this site since 1898. After an engaging exploration, we indulge in a delicious tasting.

After returning to Montreux, we return to Champéry by rail in time for this evening's three-course dinner at our hotel.

*On departures in April and October, we will travel on the cogwheel railway from Montreux to Les Rochers-de-Naye instead.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Day at leisure to explore further afield

You are free today to explore using your included Swiss Travel Card. One option is to take the train back to Lake Geneva, where you can find Château de Chillon, an impressive fortress which resembles a fairytale castle.

Alternatively, you could visit the small valley town of Martigny. Surrounded by vineyards, the town has a fascinating culture and history, stretching back to the Romans and Celts. It also played a crucial role in Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power. Napoleon and his forces used Martigny and the nearby St Bernard Pass to launch a surprise attack on the Habsburgs, defeating them at the Battle of Marengo in northern Italy in 1800.

Situated in a fertile, sunny valley, Martigny is also known for its fresh produce and great food. There is a living museum allowing visitors to meet Saint Bernard dogs, endearing animals which are devoted to rescuing people in the mountains. If you're looking for a bite to eat here, the restaurants and cafés in Martigny are mostly around the Place Centrale in the heart of the town.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Tranquil Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn

A scenic rail journey after breakfast sees us travel along the Rhône deeper into Switzerland's stunning mountains. With lush wildflower meadows, thundering waterfalls and rugged mountains, the dramatic Matter Valley guides us to our destination - beautiful Zermatt.

You're at leisure to look around this idyllic, car-free town sitting beneath the peak of the mighty Matterhorn. With a remarkably serene atmosphere, this is the perfect setting for a relaxed stroll amongst historic, timber-framed chalets. To find out more about mountaineering in the area and its famous mountain, you could head to the Matterhorn Museum. Alternatively, make the most of the panoramas and take a journey on the vintage Gornergrat Mountain Railway, which leaves from the village centre, and rises into the clouds before emerging at the summit of the Gornergrat where you can admire wonderful views of the Matterhorn.

Returning to Champéry this evening, we enjoy a final dinner together at our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Homeward bound

The peaceful mountain town of Champéry is a great place from which to explore this part of mountainous Switzerland and neighbouring regions. The Mont Blanc Express carried us over the Alps into France, affording great views of western Europe's highest mountain from the charming town of Chamonix. A trip from Montreux aboard the stately carriages of the Chocolate Train took us to the Callier chocolate factory and the cheese-producing Maison du Gruyère, while a train journey to tranquil Zermatt provided the opportunity to get up close to Switzerland's most iconic mountain, the mighty Matterhorn.

Leaving Champéry this morning, we say farewell to Switzerland, travelling by rail to Paris, via Aigle and Lausanne, where we board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. On arrival this evening, your Swiss holiday comes to a conclusion.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Le White, Champéry

Hotel Le White, Champéry

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Trains

Chocolate Train
Mont Blanc Express

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Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 123 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (61)
  2. 4 stars
    (49)
  3. 3 stars
    (10)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

MR ROGER STACEY

4 stars

Submitted 14/Oct

Hotel was great as was our tour guide, with some of the trips there was not a lot of time to look around due to the amount of traveling to get there.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Stacey, Thank you for your review. That's great to hear! Your feedback is important too us so i will make sure to send this across to the relevant teams. Kindest regards, Sarah
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

David gentile

4 stars

Submitted 10/Oct

Journey to hotel very tiring,too many changes of train .excursions excellent ,tour guide Nick the best we have ever had .Good hotel ,would have given 5 stars but journey there and back spoiled the enjoyment

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Frank

4 stars

Submitted 9/Oct

This holiday could have been 5 stars, were it not for some currently booked travel times and routes. The journey out means a huge amount of time is wasted at Paris Gare de Lyon. Owing to a delayed departure from there, we did not arrive the hotel until after 9.30 p.m. Two of the excursion days included long walks between Monthey stations that could have been avoided by travelling out and back via Aigle. Apart from that, the holiday was excellent, with a wonderful hotel whose staff, rooms and food were first class. Great company on the trip and an affable and caring Tour Guide. Weather was varied - I still haven't seen Mont Blanc. On the Montreux or free day, Chateau de Chillon is well worth a visit. If the weather is good, go on the funicular to Rochers de Naye - fantastic views.

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SUE STANLEY

5 stars

Submitted 9/Oct

A wonderful holiday with splendid hotel and stunning scenery.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs Stanley, Thank you for your feedback. That is brilliant to hear! Kindest regards, Sarah
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Janet

5 stars

Submitted 1/Oct

Good itinerary, plenty of free time to be able to see the places I'd researched in advance. Fabulous hotel - only a few minutes' walk from the station, lovely big room, superb food, friendly staff. On a couple of days the itinerary involved a 10-minute straightforward walk between stations which didn't bother me but some in the group weren't happy about.

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Geem

5 stars

Submitted 30/Sep

A brilliant holiday, wonderful location and breath-taking scenery. Very enjoyable excursions. First class hotel in Champery. Excellent Tour Manager, Ian.

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