The lake, the town, the tourism infrastructure including for lake swimming and fantastic safe cycling most of the way round the lake, and the campsite I’m on
could not be better for me.
Definitely a place for families, and this 4-star Camping Europa, which I had understood would cost me approx 35eu per night turned out to be in the ACSI out of season scheme. So I count myself fortunate to end up here because targeted other sites cheaper than the 27eu per night scheme cost I have now happily paid for 4 nights for the pitch, 2 adults incl electricity, were all fully booked. The really spacious pitches are under the trees, with their own water supply. Every time I go into the toilet block I am impressed. Not bling, just quality with more than enough showers, sinks, toilets, washing up and laundry points etc. The swimming/splash pool for babies upwards is great for children, and there is a smaller pool just for adults. What’s needed in the heatwave. It’s about 1km from the municipal beach on the lake at St Joriaz, and we are 10kms along the for much of it road-sized cycle route to the town itself.
-
- If you build it in a joined-up way, ie from where people start to where they want to go, they will come.
Everyone, all ages and types cycle up and down the lake on the flat route certainly on the west side, and probably mostly on electric. But I did the 30 miles perimeter on the brompton, so electric is absolutely not needed here. I am seeing loads of lycra-clad females of all ages on their road bikes and in their clubs, including loads of people in their 70s & 80s, as well as using their bikes for transport or leisure.
-
- Swimming places all the way along the lake
-
- Definitely a bit of a hill climb to get to this point & beyond at Talloires, but the 12 gears of my bike enabled me to do it.
-
- Free provision of beach areas, nice toilets
I feel the density of population in England is a big factor in the lack of cycling provision due to the competition for space, as well as certain vested interests with an agenda to pit car against bike. But nevertheless well done to my european neighbours for their political will to take space from the car in many cases to enable cycling for transport as well as leisure. I hope my grandchildren will be able to experience the joys of this type of freer environment at least on holiday, and I can try and help make that happen.
I will be sorry to be leaving tomorrow, but looking forward to meeting up with friends and family over the next two weeks.