Our first long trip in an ev. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the fast chargers in the Uk were, we had no trouble finding one, even on a Sunday after New Year and by the time you’d had a cuppa and stretched your legs, it was charged and ready to go again. We crossed to France on Sunday evening on LeShuttle, which remains my favourite way to get over. No boats, no weather worries — just drive on, switch off for a short while, and reappear in France feeling surprisingly fresh.

Dinner came from the services — but not in the usual depressing sense. We picked up heated jar meals, they were brilliant. Proper food, hot and comforting, eaten late at night when you really need something decent but you’re not close to a restauarnt.

Our first stop was Reims, chosen simply because it breaks up the journey nicely. We stayed at a Sure Best Western, ideal for a one-night stop: comfortable, easy, and exactly what we needed after a late arrival, and it had a charging space free for the car overnight

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Day 2: Reims to Besançon via the Champagne region and Epernay

Driving through the Champagne region in winter feels understated and quietly beautiful. The fields were icy and pale, the vines stripped back to their bones, and tractors moved slowly between rows, working steadily in the cold. It felt practical and real — Champagne without the gloss.

We took our time, weaving through small villages rather than heading anywhere in particular. There was very little traffic, just narrow roads, frozen verges, and the sense that daily life was carrying on despite the temperature. Everything felt hushed, as though winter had pressed a pause button on the landscape.

We stopped in Épernay to charge the car and stretch our legs. A short walk along the Avenue de Champagne was enough — grand buildings lining a wide, empty street, all the more striking for being so quiet.

Onwards to Besançon which should have been straightforward. Instead, it was our first reminder that travelling long distances in an electric car still requires patience and flexibility — especially in winter since a few didn’t work as expected.

By the time we reached Besançon, we were already tired. Then came the parking issue. The hotel had no parking or charging left, so we hauled all our luggage inside — including ski gear — before we found the car park around the corner.

After a brief return to the hotel convinced we were trapped by the city-centre bollards, it turned out the solution was simple: we just hadn’t driven far enough forward to trigger them!

We were staying at Hôtel de Paris, which turned out to be a great base once everything settled.

That evening was redeemed completely by dinner at the restaurant next door, Le Bouillon du Commerce. Classic, unfussy French food, well cooked and exactly what we needed after a stressful travel day.

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Day 3: Besançon Cathedral, the Astronomical Clock & a Very Cold Detour

The following morning felt calmer. We walked into town to see Besançon Cathedral and the famous Besançon Astronomical Clock — I’m sure it’s fascinating and absolutely worth making time for, but sadly the clock was closed, the cathedral was beautiful however.

Back in the car, we made an impulsive decision to visit the Citadel of Besançon and a nearby monument. The views were stunning, but it quickly became clear as we headed towards Switzerland that the detour had cost us more battery than expected and there were very few charging stops close.

We decided the sensible thing was to head back to Besancon to charge in a supercharger. By now, the temperature had dropped to –11°C, the kind of cold that makes everything feel harder and slower, we walked 10 minutes to a bakery and once charged (and warmed up), we finally set off again through the Jura mountain range into Switzerland via Lausanne.

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Day 4: Switzerland Traffic, Alpine Roads & Arrival in Chamonix

Switzerland added one last challenge: an accident and a long traffic jam. Progress slowed to a crawl, daylight disappeared with a lovely view over the lake at a services stop where another charger refused to work for us.

We stopped at another services that appeared to have charging, but didn’t, before finally finding a roadside charger that gave us just enough power to reach Chamonix. After crossing the Swiss–French border in cold, slightly tricky road conditions, we arrived in Chamonix at around 9pm, tired but very relieved to finally be there.

We went straight to Le Chaudron for dinner, somewhere we’d eaten last year and loved. Thankfully, it was just as good — comforting, familiar, and exactly what you want after a long day on the road.

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Settling Into Chamonix: Skiing, Shops & Slowing Down

The next day was exactly what we needed after the long drive. Ed headed straight out to ski, while I took a slower route into town. I wandered, did a bit of shopping, and settled in with a coffee at Shouka, laptop open, catching up on a little work while watching the town go by.

Lunch was at Cafe Tartine, simple and relaxed, before heading back to the hotel for a proper afternoon reset — a pedicure and some time in the spa, which felt especially welcome in the cold.

We were staying at La Folie Douce Hôtel Chamonix, part of the La Folie Douce group that began in Val d’Isère and became known for blending mountain culture with music, performance and a slightly irreverent edge. The Chamonix hotel carries that same spirit — modern alpine design layered with playful touches — but by day it’s surprisingly calm, making it easy to forget the cabaret energy that takes over in the evenings.

We ate at the restaurant which was fantastic and enjoyed the cabaret, then headed to bed early, planning to set off first thing to beat the snow forecast for our final drive to Les Carroz, where we’re based for the week. Naturally, that plan was interrupted by a 3am fire alarm.

Sleep, as you might imagine, was brief and slightly fractured — but by morning we were packed, caffeinated, and ready to get on the road before the weather closed in.

More Travel Gannet adventures to come 🏔️