The French Alps invite you to discover their breathtaking mountain landscapes. In winter, the massifs are covered with a thick blanket of snow, ideal for a wide range of winter sports. In fine weather, hikers can take to the trails of the Vanoise, Écrins or Mercantour national parks to discover the wealth of flora and fauna. The Alps are also home to towns and villages where it's a pleasure to set down your suitcases and discover the local heritage and special features. In the Alps, nature lovers have a rendezvous with some of France's highest peaks. Here are 15 places not to be missed, noting that each season has its own charm.
1. The Mont-Blanc massif, grandiose panoramas
At 4,807 m, Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps and the highest in Western Europe. Dominating the Chamonix valley, it lies at the heart of a massif boasting a whole series of mythical peaks. A multitude of trails invite you to hike among these giants of the Alps. Another experience is to take the cable car from Chamonix up to the Aiguille du Midi terraces, which offer a 360° view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. The summit terrace, at 3,842 m, offers a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc.
2. Chamonix, a charming mountain town
The gateway to many experiences in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif, Chamonix is a charming mountain town. Take the time to stroll its streets and discover its mix of architectural styles, with Belle Époque hotels, chalets and more modern buildings. Chamonix is home to the Alpine Museum and the Crystal Museum. And it's the ideal place to try some Savoyard specialities, based on sausages, cheeses, polenta or crozets. From Chamonix, one of the best destinations for spending the summer outdoors, we recommend taking the Mont-Blanc tramway. This cogwheel train traverses breathtaking mountain scenery.
Discover Chamonix's hottest activities:
3. Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval and its cliffs
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is an authentic villagenestled in the heart of the mountains. It provides access to one of the most impressive landscapes in the French Alps, the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval. This immense natural amphitheater takes its name from the shape of its cliffs, which form a semi-circle. The largest mountain cirque in the Alps invites you to discover its landscapes on hikes with family and friends. The walls of the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval also give rise to a multitude of waterfalls. In June, for example, more than 30 waterfalls gush forth to offer a breathtaking natural spectacle, making it a favorite destination for summer vacations.
4. Lake Geneva and the town of Évian-les-Bains
Lake Geneva divides its waters between France and Switzerland. It offers a privileged setting for strolling, with views of the Alpine mountains. Evian-les-Bains lies on the shores of the lake. The Jardin de l'Eau du Pré Curieux is a magnificent botanical garden with plants, fountains and sculptures. You should also take the time to stroll around Evian, to see buildings such as the Palais Lumière, or enter the boutiques and art galleries.
5. Annecy and its lake
Annecy is nicknamed the Venice of the Alps. Its old town is magnificent, with colorful buildings, canals and bridges to cross in a medieval atmosphere. Formerly a prison, the Palais de l'Isle is the town's landmark. Today, it is a showcase for the architecture and heritage of theAnnecy region. The city is inseparable from its lake, one of the most beautiful in the Alps, with its turquoise waters. The best way to enjoy it is to swim in summer, or take a boat trip on the lake. And then there's the nature to explore in the surrounding area. Hiking on the Tournette mountain range, for example, offers breathtaking panoramic views over the town and lake.
Find out more about our top things to see and do in Annecy and an idea for a 2 or 3-day trip around the city!
You can also try out some of the town's popular activities:
6. Grenoble, between history and nature
Lovers of an urban atmosphere just a stone's throw from the Alps will love spending time in Grenoble, Isère. Head to Place Grenette for its cafés and stores. Then take a stroll along the Saint-Laurent footbridge over the Isère, before visiting Notre-Dame de Grenoble cathedral and Saint-Hugues church. Grenoble is home to several museums. The Musée de Grenoble is a fascinating place, with works of art spanning a period from the 13th to the 21st century. To admire the city and its surrounding mountains, it's impossible not to hop on the Grenoble Bastille cable car! A stay in the city often goes hand in hand with nature walks. These include the Rocher du Baconnet, Col de l'Arc and Pic Saint-Michel.
Book your snowmobile tour near Grenoble here!
Planning to visit Grenoble? Take a look at our list of the city's must-sees.
7. Beaufortain, a paradise for outdoor activities
Situated between Albertville, the Vanoise and Mont-Blanc massifs, the Beaufortain is a picturesque, traditional region around the Doron watershed. Surrounded by majestic peaks such as Grand Mont and Pierra Menta, it offers breathtaking views of Mont-Blanc, particularly from the 1,941-meter Signal de Bisanne. The region is also rich in dam lakes, such as the popular Lac de Roselend. Criss-crossed by the Route des Grandes Alpes, Beaufortain values its mountain agriculture, particularly the production of Beaufort cheese, called the "Prince of Gruyères" by Brillat-Savarin. The region celebrates this cheese every summer with the Beaufort Festival. The capital, Beaufort, and the mythical Alpine resort, Arêches, charm with their landscapes and varied activities, summer and winter alike. Skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, climbing or whitewater rafting, there's never a dull moment in the Beaufortain!
8. Hautecombe Abbey, a heritage gem
We often think of nature when we think of the Alps, but we shouldn't overlook the richness of the region's heritage either. One of the finest examples is Hautecombe Abbey. Situated in an exceptional setting, on the shores of Lac du Bourget and at the foot of Mont du Chat, it was founded in the 12th century and houses the tombs of the Princes of Savoy. In pure troubadour Gothic style, the abbey church boasts a profusion of paintings, frescoes, bas-reliefs and statues. All buildings and gardens are open to the public during the Heritage Days in September.
9. What to do in the Alps Discover the Ecrins National Park
Located between the northern and southern Alps, the Parc national des Écrins is one of France's largest protected mountain areas. This high-mountain paradise is a delight for winter sports enthusiasts and summer hikers alike. This protected area boasts numerous glaciers and mythical peaks, including the Barre des Écrins, which rises to an altitude of over 4,000 m. No fewer than 740 km of trails criss-cross the landscape, some leading to the shores of magnificent high-altitude lakes. To make the most of all this, visitors can stay in La Grave, the "Most Beautiful Village in France" nestled at the foot of the Meije.
10. Saint-Véran, the pearl of Queyras
Saint-Véran is an authentic village in the Hautes-Alpes. Listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", it is the highest inhabited commune in Europe. Its narrow streets are full of charm, with traditional wooden houses, bread ovens, sundials and fountains. A visit to the Musée de la Soum will tell you more about life in the mountains. Saint-Véran lies at the heart of the Queyras National Park. This protected area offers hiking trails through alpine pastures, mountain biking over the Agnelle and Izoard passes, and trout fishing in the Aigue Blanche and Aigue Agnelle torrents. In winter, Saint-Véran is transformed into a pleasant ski resort.
11. Dévoluy, a little-known part of the Alps
The wild Dévoluy massif remains a little-known area. Yet it's a paradise in the French Alps. Located south-west of the Ecrins, it stretches across the Hautes-Alpes, Drôme and Isère. This eroded limestone massif boasts a varied landscape, with rock faces and verdant valleys. This natural environment is home to a wealth of flora and fauna, and traditional livestock farming is still practiced here. Famous for caving, Dévoluy boasts some 500 caves known as "chourums", including the Aiguilles and Olympic chourums. It's an ideal area for active vacations, with opportunities for climbing, mountain biking and hiking, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing in winter at Super Dévoluy and La Joue du Loup.
12. The Mercantour National Park, a bucolic area
The Parc national du Mercantour is an area divided between the Alpes-Maritimes and the Alpes de Haute Provence. A mountain area par excellence, with endemic plant species and the presence of animals such as deer, chamois, bearded vultures and golden eagles. There are numerous hiking trails within the park. You can try climbing Mount Pelat for splendid views from the summit, or reach Lac d'Allos, Europe's largest natural high-altitude lake. The Mercantour National Park is a succession of bucolic landscapes, as in the Fontanalba and Valmasque valleys. In winter, the hamlet of Casterino, with its authentic Alpine chalets, welcomes winter sports enthusiasts.
13. The Ubaye valley, the discreet Alpine village
Barcelonnette is the largest town in the Ubaye valley. This little gem harmoniously blends mountain and Provencal architecture. Here you'll find magnificent villas built by expatriates who left to make their fortune in Mexico in the 19th century. Once in the town, travelers can explore the Ubaye valley and climb 3,000 m peaks such as Brec du Chambeyron; hike while encountering marmots and chamois, or opt for mountain biking and climb cols such as Vars. The Ubaye river, with its natural flow, is the ideal playground for kayaking, canyoning and rafting.
14. Briançon and surrounding valleys
Briançon is a sublime town in the Hautes-Alpes. The town is a maze of narrow streets and colorful houses, where the Italian influence is immediately apparent. Don't miss a visit to the imposing collegiate church and a stroll along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ramparts, the work of the great Vauban. In winter, Briançon is a winter sports enthusiast's delight, thanks to its access to the vast Serre-Chevalier ski area. In summer, the Serre-Chevalier, Queyras, Clarée and La Grave valleys are a paradise for hikers. For those who'd like to try their hand at rafting, sporting sessions are available on the Guisane.
15. Vanoise National Park, exceptional flora and fauna
You'll have to travel to the high valleys of Maurienne and Tarentaise to discover France's oldest national park. The Parc national de la Vanoise boasts 400 km of signposted footpaths through its pastoral valleys, where you can observe the flora and enjoy incredible views of the hundred or so peaks that exceed 3,000 m in altitude. The park is a paradise for wildlife, with ibex, chamois, marmots, mountain hares, foxes, black grouse, bats, weasels and 125 species of nesting birds. Hiking is also an opportunity to observe high-altitude architecture and rock engravings.
What to do in the Alps in summer
In summer, the Alps offer a multitude of activities to suit all tastes! For hiking enthusiasts, picturesque trails lead through breathtaking landscapes, from verdant valleys to majestic peaks. The Vanoise, Écrins and Mercantour national parks, as well as the Vercors plateau, offer miles of hiking trails. You can also take advantage of the Serre-Chevalier ski area to cruise from hamlet to hamlet. For mountain bikers, the Beaufortain massif is the place to be in the Alps. For rock-climbing, the Savoie region offers La Clusaz, Megève, Chamonix, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt and La Plagne. In summer, Evian-les-Bains or Annecy offer water sports on the lakes. And there are plenty of resorts in the Alps for families in summer. Crévoux, for example, is the perfect place to enjoy nature, cycling or canoeing.
Are you taking your children away this summer? Here's a selection of the best destinations for family vacations in France.
What are the most beautiful villages in the Alps to visit in summer?
The Alps are synonymous with nature. But there are also some magnificent villages to explore. Combloux, a small resort-village, offers stunning views of Mont-Blanc and outdoor activities such as mountain biking. Then on to Samoëns, rich in history and famous for its stonecutters and the Mirolda chasm. Arriving in Saint-Véran, we discover a very authentic perched village, known for its sundials and wood crafts. Then on to Besse-en-Oisans, a charming village with picturesque stone and wooden houses. Then on to Pont-en-Royans, famous for its houses suspended over the river. The tour ends in Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur, a medieval village that has preserved its rich cultural heritage for centuries.
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