Frangy › Chanaz

📈 Elevation Profile

🗺️ Stage Map

📖 Stage Description

Leaving Frangy, the path enters the Avant-pays savoyard — the transitional territory between the Genevois hills and the broad Rhône plains. The terrain relaxes, the gradients ease, and the stage takes on a pastoral character. Mown meadows alternate with hedgerows, and walnut orchards — the emblem of Savoie — line the way at regular intervals.

The gradual descent toward the Rhône passes through several quiet villages with musical names: Seyssel, Culoz, Anglefort. At Seyssel, the river makes its presence felt with its grey-green waters and bleached pebble banks. The suspension bridge offers a striking view of the Rhône still in full Alpine force before beginning its final lowland stretch.

The Canal de Savières is the true surprise of this stage. Just 4 km long, it links Lac du Bourget to the Rhône — and it is unique in France in being able to flow in either direction, depending on whether the Rhône is flooding or the lake level is high. The shaded towpath makes for delightful walking, punctuated by wild irises and waterside birds.

Chanaz is one of the most charming villages in Savoie. Its inner canals, timber-galleried houses and restored mills have earned it the nickname "the Venice of Savoie." The walnut cooperative and local producers offer a fine opportunity to stock up for the road ahead.

🌄 Walking Conditions

Sun exposure and terrain type over 24,1 km

☀ Sun Exposure

🥾 Terrain

⏱️ Estimated Duration for You

Estimate your walking time based on your profile.

📍 Villages and Waypoints

• 0km

  Frangy · 373 m · Start

  Wine-producing town, AOC Roussette de Savoie. Shops and accommodation.

  💧 Water🛒 Shops🏕️ Hostel
• 7km

  Seyssel · 250 m

  Border town on the Rhône between Haute-Savoie and the Ain. Suspension bridge, shops.

  💧 Water🛒 Shops🏕️ Hotel
• 13km

  Culoz · 260 m

  Small town at the foot of the Grand Colombier. Train station — possible bail-out point.

  💧 Water🚉 Train station🛒 Grocery store
• 18km

  Start of Canal de Savières · 235 m

  Entry to the unique canal linking the Rhône to Lac du Bourget. Shaded towpath.

  💧 Canal
• 24,1km

  Chanaz · 232 m · End

  "The Venice of Savoie" — canals, mills, timber-galleried houses. Walnut cooperative.

  💧 Water🛒 Shops🏕️ Hostels🍽️ Restaurant

⚠️ Practical Information

• ⛰️
  Easy stage

  Moderate elevation change and mostly flat valley-floor terrain — ideal as a recovery stage after the earlier climbs.

  Beware of heat in summer along the banks of the Rhône and the canal.
• 💧
  Water points

  Frangy (km 0) · Seyssel (km 7) · Culoz (km 13) · Chanaz (km 24,1)
• 🛒
  Supplies

  Seyssel km 7 · Shops

  Chanaz km 24.1 · Walnut cooperative, grocery
• 🌿
  Heritage

  Canal de Savières km 18 · France's only reversible-flow canal

  Chanaz mills km 24 · Restored 19th-century walnut and oil mills
• 🚕
  Taxi / Emergency options

  Culoz train station km 13 · Annecy–Lyon line

  Taxi Seyssel — 04 50 59 26 26