We wanted a few days by the water this summer. Somewhere with good views, fresh air, and a little luxury. We looked at Switzerland, then Lake Como, and somehow ended up in a small French lake town we’d never even heard of before, Aix-Les-Bains.
Welcome back! In this episode we’re showing you why this quiet town on Lac du Bourget might actually be the better pick over Como in the summer. Think belle epoque buildings, a Roman arch that’s 2,000 years old, two very different hotel stays, and a Michelin star lunch that turned into one of the best meals of the whole trip.
We start with an unplanned lunch stop in Beaune, right in the heart of Burgundy wine country, before checking into our first hotel in the city center. From there we explore Aix-Les-Bains on foot, stumble on a genuinely great specialty coffee shop we weren’t expecting, and try two different lakeside beaches to see which one actually deserves your time. We also walk you through a full four course Michelin lunch at L’Incomparable, room tours at both hotels, and our honest rating for each stay.
If you’ve been looking for a slower, less crowded alternative to the usual Italian lake towns, or you just want to see what a proper French lake town looks like away from the crowds, this one’s for you.
📍 CHAPTERS
00:00 – Why We Picked This Place Over Lake Como
01:00 – Lunch in Beaune, Burgundy
02:40 – Boutique Hotel: Room Tour
04:10 – Aix-Les-Bain City Tour
05:17 – Best Restaurant in Aix-Les-Dains
06:45 – Exploring Aix-Les-Bains & Lac du Bourget
09:11 – Michelin Star Lunch at L’Incomparable
13:15 – Beach Hopping Bourget Lake
17:12 – Second Hotel: Room Tour Lake View
18:35 – Hidden Gems and Final Thoughts
💬 Have you ever been to Aix-Les-Bains, or is this the first time you’re hearing about it? Tell us in the comments which spot you’d try first.
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