10 mountain destinations for summer in the fresh air

This is one of France's top destinations for family vacations in spring or summer: the resort of Les Angles, located at an altitude of 1,600 m in the heart of the Capcir valley, has managed to modernize while retaining its authentic charm. Start your stay with a stroll through the old village, before indulging in the many activities on offer in the area. Mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders can explore the countryside dominated by the Péric and Madres peaks. Take the kids to the animal park at Les Angles to see bears, bison, fallow deer and other roe deer evolve in the heart of 37 hectares of forest. It's a great way to learn more about the local flora and fauna. Another attraction of the Les Angles resort is that it overlooks the charming Lac de Matemale, a place of relaxation and tranquillity. In summer, you can enjoy mountain bathing in water that can reach 23°C, laze on the beaches and take part in water sports such as sailing, canoeing and pedal-boating.

Samoëns is one of those mountain villages that families love. In this village, everything has been designed so that parents and children can stroll peacefully through the pedestrian streets with strollers, and stop off at the stores that showcase the local gastronomy. With its leisure center, paintball park and swimming pool, Samoëns offers a wide range of facilities to help you have a great time. Beautiful, peaceful walks and bike rides are also available around the Col de Joux Plane and the Cirque du Fer à Cheval, all of which are great places to enjoy sublime mountain panoramas. In summer, the ski lifts offer the chance to soar to new heights, with the reward of breathtaking views of the mythical Mont-Blanc. And for the more adventurous and thrill-seekers, there's no need to miss out on other top activities such as caving in the Balme caves and rafting in the turbulent waters of the Giffre.

At the foot of the Puy de Sancy, Le Mont-Dore offers a prestigious playground for hiking, a key activity for summer mountain holidaymakers. Several trails offer superb walks that let you soak up the magic of the volcanoes and the special features of the area. Whether on foot, mountain bike or horseback, it's hard to get enough of the beauty of the landscape, and numerous guides are on hand to explain the rich fauna, flora and history of the dormant volcanoes. Thrill-seekers can enjoy trail running or rock-climbing, as on the Pic du Capucin. With the kids, summer tobogganing and tree-to-tree acrobatics, including zip-lining, promise 100% fun and adventure.

Located in the heart of the Vallée d'aire in the Pyrenees, Saint-Lary-Soulan boasts thewarm, authentic atmosphere of a high-mountain Pyrenean village. In summer, it's a great place for hiking, with views over the Rioumajou, Aulon and Moudang valleys and the unmissable Pyrenees National Park. In a place where the Tour de France has stopped many times in the course of its history, it's hard not to want to get on the bike and ride through the Plat d'Adet area and its superb panoramas. On another day, after a session of canyoning, archery or paragliding, a moment at the spa in one of the wellness centers is a delicate way to soothe aching muscles and take care of yourself.

Head for the Aravis Massif for a stopover in an authentic mountain village. The 400 century-old chalets and the softness of the wood give this village a certain charm and an exotic atmosphere. Heritage lovers can discover charming little chapels and go back in time at the Maison du Patrimoine to learn about daily life in days gone by. In summer, long walks take you to prestigious sites such as Lac de Peyre, or to the foot of the Pont des Romains, located on the ancient Roman road to the Col de la Colombière. Along the way, take time to contemplate the flora and fauna: ibex, marmots, chamois and bearded vultures populate the area, and the wild blackberries and bilberries are a call to gourmet breaks. In Grand-Bornand, the possibilities are almost endless, and sessions of mountain biking, Nordic walking, paragliding and golf can give way to a moment of relaxation and idleness by the pools of the aquatic center.

Every year, the commune of Gérardmer attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the various activities on offer around this "pearl of the Vosges". It's a paradise of varied landscapes, with coniferous forests, peaceful lakes and refreshing waterfalls. It owes its reputation in particular to the presence of Lac de Gérardmer, just a stone's throw from the town center. Holidaymakers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the coastline can take advantage of the Vosges' largest lake for fishing, swimming and a wide range of water sports, including rowing, canoeing, kayaking, electric rowing boats and diving. Hiking trails take you close to superb waterfalls such as La Pissoire and Saut du Bouchot. And don't forget to climb to the top of the Mérelle tower for a superb panoramic view of Gérardmer, its lake and the surrounding countryside.

Val d'Allos is a resort in the Southern Alps, and you immediately sense the meeting of mountains and a climate that smacks of the Mediterranean. It lies in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, and the hikes lead to landscapes that oscillate between mountains, trees, green areas, carpets of flowers and waterfalls. It's impossible not to visit Lac d'Allos, quite simply the largest natural high-altitude lake in Europe. The bluish reflections of the water, the surrounding mountains and the coniferous trees invite you to marvel and contemplate in silence. Other must-do vacation activities include walks along the Haut Verdon trails accompanied by donkeys, mountain-biking sessions to enjoy the diversity of the landscape, and time at the Val d'Allos leisure park with friends or family, for sunbathing, swimming and playing tennis, basketball or soccer.

Welcome to the Vosges mountains and enjoy a place of peace and quiet, where nature fascinates as much as the beauty of the villages. The Lac Blanc resort is indeed on the Alsatian side of the massif, and a stay here will inevitably lead you to some of the most beautiful villages in Kaysersberg and Orbey, which always captivate you with the beauty of their architectural heritage. In terms of nature, the Lac Blanc site has become a paradise for hikers , who after their exertions discover the magnificent undulating panoramas that line the shores of the lake. Fishing, mountain biking, climbing - there's something to satisfy every sporting desire, and the Lac Blanc barefoot trail is an incredible experience for several people, combining adventure and a moment of symbiosis with nature.

The resort of Vaujany is a splendid place to spend your vacations in the mountains. Facing the Grandes Rousses massif, on the slopes of the Rissiou, it has developed in a rational way, offering modern facilities while retaining its old-fashioned charm. Around the village, the high mountains await those who take the cable car to reach exceptional landscapes at over 2,800 m altitude. A little further down, it's the great lakes area that amazes walkers, with its emerald-colored bodies of water. The more adventurous often enjoy mountain biking on the Oz-Vaujany and L'Alpe d'Huez trails, while the fir forests around the village provide the shade needed for a picnic on a hot summer's day. Swimming pool, mini-golf, pony trekking, accrobranche, animal discovery on the farm - children are welcome too, and the whole family can have a good time. Are you a mountain lover? Here are 10 good reasons to come to Vaujany in the tranquillity of spring !

The village of Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves transports you to the heart of anauthentic mountain village. A simple, authentic place, typically Savoyard, where architecture enthusiasts will enjoy visiting its Baroque church and chapels. This religious heritage is also part of the Chemin d'Assise. In summer, you can take advantage of unmissable open-air walks, such as the Trois Lacs circuit, starting from the Col de Croix de Fer. Here you can observe the beauty of the environment, with its large lakes dominated by the Saint-Sorlin glacier, steep rocks and vegetation. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy via ferrata, trail running and canyoning, while families can enjoy mountain biking, horse and pony riding or milk tasting in the alpine pastures.