In summer too, the mountains are synonymous with fresh air, wide open spaces, wild flora and fauna... Hiking, horse riding, donkey trekking, mechanical, electric or mountain biking, swimming, caving, tree climbing, golf, climbing and mountaineering... There are plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. Here's an overview of the resorts you won't want to miss!
Where to go on mountain vacations in summer?
Pralognan-la-Vanoise, or "Pralo" to its friends, is an authentic village in Savoie. Here are our 11 best walks, a winter/summer resort full of charm and activities to discover and enjoy. It's an endearing place. Nestled in the heart of the Vanoise, with its many hamlets, mountain pastures and glaciers watching over the village, Pralognan is a place on a human scale. Today, Pralognan-la-Vanoise is a family-friendly ski resort in winter and, in summer, offers the chance to hike through its mountain pastures where its beautiful cows graze in complete peace. You'll still come across the last remaining alpacists working in the mountains, as well as a whole host of wildlife including the ibex, Pralo's emblem, marmots, chamois and a multitude of wild flowers. Climbing, trail running, touring the Vanoise glaciers - there's plenty to do! Discover our Top 11 of the most beautiful hikes to do in Savoie.
Located in the charming Tarentaise valley, the famous ski resort of Les Arcs is part of the world's second largest ski area, Paradiski. This resort, one of our top destinations for summer mountain vacations, is distinguished by its innovative architecture, which combines modernity with harmonious integration into the mountain landscape. Les Arcs comprises five villages perched at different altitudes: Arc 2000, Arc 1950, Arc 1800, Arc 1600 and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. A funicular links the Bourg-Saint-Maurice SNCF railway station to the heart of Les Arcs in just ten minutes. In summer, take the gondola up to the Aiguille Rouge and enjoy the panoramic footbridge offering exceptional views of the surrounding Alpine massifs. You can also try your hand at electric mountain biking, paddleboarding and canoeing. Food lovers beware! A visit to the Coopérative laitière de Haute-Tarentaise is also an opportunity to discover the secrets of Beaufort cheese-making.
The many possibilities offered by the Dolomites in the Italian Alps make almost any sport accessible. While the major resorts welcome winter sports enthusiasts, in summer the mountain is also the goal of hikers, who come from all over the world. A high-mountain ascent, stopping off at one of the many refuges or high-altitude bivouacs, is the perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Italian Alps, whose natural heritage is accompanied by precious testimonies to the past. Water sports enthusiasts can indulge their passion on the lakes, with canoeing, rafting, windsurfing and sailing. Last but not least, there are numerous spas where you can recharge your batteries in summer and winter alike.
Discover our Top 11 of the best walks in the Dolomites!
Where to go on a family mountain vacation this summer?
Samoëns, perched at an altitude of 720 metres on the Giffre plain in Haute-Savoie, is the perfect image of an authentic mountain village, with its traditional architecture, chalets, fountains and sundials. Samoëns, one of our 10 mountain destinations where you can spend the summer in the fresh air, is the land of craftsmen and stone masons, the Frahans, who helped build churches, monasteries and major public buildings in France and Europe. The resort is the only mountain resort to be classified as a "Pays d'art et d'histoire" by the Monuments Historiques. In winter, you can ski in the Grand Massif ski area, but in summer the village offers a host of advantages for a holiday combining heritage visits in splendid surroundings and outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, rafting, canyoning, fishing, paragliding, horse-riding... Warm up!
Super-Besse is one of the Puy-De-Dôme 's winter sports resorts. In summer, however, the resort is totally transformed, as winter sports activities give way to hiking, grass skiing, mountain biking and pedal boating on Lac Pavin. All year round, the more adventurous can try a zip-line descent. The atmosphere is friendly and family-friendly. In the evenings, at the foot of the slopes, the restaurants welcome visitors with local dishes: of course, truffade is on the menu all year round. Epicureans and big appetites beware!
Where to go on a mountain vacation in summer with a baby?
In the Vosges, where we've listed our 11 best hikes, perched at just 670 meters above sea level (perfect for baby's ears), Gérardmer is enveloped in a forest of fir trees. Essayist Abel Hugo dubbed it "the Pearl of the Vosges". Of course, the star of the winter season is downhill skiing. But in summer, there's no shortage of activities and entertainment in the heart of the Vosges. There are walks between lakes, waterfalls, forests and high-altitude meadows, as well as opportunities for summer tobogganing, climbing, fishing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing and diving. And in Gérardmer, the tourist office has set up "Stroller Routes".
In the heart of the Mercantour National Park, the Val d'Allos, at around 1,400 meters altitude (a reasonable altitude for a baby), is built around the ancient village of Allos. This is where the town hall, tourist office and most of the year-round resident population are located. 200 m south of the village is the church of Notre-Dame-de-Valvert, listed as a historic monument in 1846. This 13th-century Romanesque chapel (with remains from the 9th and 10th centuries) stands at the confluence of the Chadoulin and Verdon rivers. But families will especially enjoy lounging around the leisure park's water feature, with its large slide and superb view of the surrounding mountains. Horse riding, mountain biking, hiking, summer tobogganing - there's plenty to do!
Where to go on mountain vacations in France?
In the Alps, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves is one of the village resorts in the Les Sybelles ski area. Nestled at an altitude of 1,600 metres, at the foot of the Croix-de-Fer pass, this village has preserved its traditional charm. If you opt for the Balcons de Saint-Sorlin walk, you won't be disappointed. It's a relatively short walk, with only 150 meters of ascent, and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's easy to get to, making it ideal for a family outing (but don't forget to wear shoes and bring water, as is always necessary in the mountains). At the top, your reward will be a magnificent view of the two valleys, and you may even want to visit the Beaufort cheese factory on the way back.
In summer, you can also go mountain biking or electric scootering, enjoy the lake or try your hand at accrobranche or mountain karting.
Discover our Top 13 of the best walks in the Alps.
In the heart of the Pyrenees, Saint-Lary-Soulan is a must-see destination for mountain lovers (check out our Top 13 hikes in the Pyrenees). Situated in the Aure valley, the village lies along the Neste d'Aure river, which flows into Spain. The cobbled streets of this village, which lives to the rhythm of the winter and summer seasons, offer a friendly atmosphere. The church of Saint-Hilaire, a jewel of Romanesque architecture, is well worth a visit. Thermal baths also play an important role. In winter, the slopes of the Pla d'Adet ski area are a delight for winter sports enthusiasts. As soon as summer arrives, cyclists tackle the legendary cols in the footsteps of the Tour de France, while hikers explore the mountain pasture trails and enjoy sublime panoramas. Paragliders fly over the village of Patou, the Pyrenean dog that once guarded the herds and has become the endearing emblem of Saint-Lary.
On a south-facing plateau, at the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, the resort ofAvoriaz, at an altitude of 1,800 metres, dominates the Morzine valley. Its wood and stone architecture, with sloping roofs, blends in perfectly with the natural surroundings. An unspoilt, car-free site! In summer, you can get around on foot, bike or rollerblades... in complete safety on the paths that wind through the resort, or even on the little train. In winter, horse-drawn sleighs replace cabs, and the paths become toboggan runs! This integrated resort is unique, with a strong architectural personality that has earned it a place on the Rhône-Alpes twentieth-century heritage list.
Where to go on summer mountain vacations near a lake?
In the heart of the Vanoise National Park, Tignes, one of our 17 top destinations in France this year, is a unique mountain resort offering an exceptional mountain experience. Whether you're a ski enthusiast, on a family vacation, looking for authenticity or ready to party the night away, this family-friendly resort reveals all its aspects to the full. In 1936, Tignes welcomed its first visitors to ski on its only ski lift. After the construction of the dam in 1952 and the submergence of the old village of Tignes, the resort reinvented itself and settled at an altitude of 2,100 metres, in the heart of an impressive 360° cirque. While Val Claret is the highest part of the resort, Tignes Le Lac is built around... a lake, of course! In summer, its waters, which flow straight down from the Grande Motte glacier, are ideal for stand-up paddling, pedal-boating, canoeing, kayaking, trout fishing, etc.
Situated between 1,120 m and 1,680 m above sea level, Les Rousses is the Jura's must-see ski resort. In fact, it's one of our favorite destinations for vacations in France with children. Larger, better equipped and busier than the other Jura resorts, it offers a multitude of services and shops while preserving its authentic family character. For downhill skiing, it offers 50 km of slopes spread over three French domains and one Franco-Swiss domain, the Dôle massif. In summer, these areas are transformed into dream spots for mountain biking or hiking through unique landscapes. Between Les Rousses and Bois-d'Amont, Lac des Rousses is home to cross-country ski trails in winter, and transforms into a water sports base in summer, with supervised swimming. Visitors can enjoy water sports while fishing in the clear, fish-filled waters. There's also a pétanque court, picnic area with barbecue and bicycle parking. Enough to make it into our top 5 mountain resorts for summer vacations.
Where to go on mountain vacations in winter?
Val d'Isère, an enchanting jewel nestled in the heart of the Haute-Tarentaise, rises majestically to an altitude of 1,850 meters. This picturesque village is a living canvas, a masterpiece of traditional wood and stone chalets, a dazzling Baroque church and lauze roofs. Despite its international renown, Val d'Isère has managed to preserve its authenticity, embodying a timeless soul that captivates every visitor. During the winter season, the resort boasts exceptional snow conditions, earning it the nickname "temple of skiing".
Located in Savoie, La Plagne is a family-friendly winter and summer sports resort with an international reputation. Spanning an altitude range from 1,250 to 3,250 meters, it boasts a 225 km ski area suitable for all levels. Part of the Paradiski domain, it is connected to the resorts of Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry. La Plagne has 10 substations, including 6 at altitude (Aime-La-Plagne, Belle Plagne, Plagne Soleil, Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne Centre and Plagne 1800) at the foot of the slopes. The resorts are linked free of charge from 8 a.m. to midnight, for car-free vacations. A benchmark resort that fills up every winter as soon as the first snowflakes arrive.
In the Swiss canton of Valais, Zermatt, perched at an altitude of 1,600 m, is one of Europe's most prestigious ski resorts. This pedestrian town, famous for its authentic charm, offers magnificent ski slopes and trails. Zermatt is distinguished by its state-of-the-art facilities, which provide access to spectacular peaks. Panoramic views are exceptional, including the imposing Matterhorn at 4,478 m, a majestic and emblematic peak. Chocolate lovers will recognize this iconic mountain on Toblerone bars! In short, it's off to Switzerland, one of our top 15 destinations for families.
