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50 things to do around Chambéry and Aix-les-bains: day trips and activities within 2 hours
Nature or culture? Contemplative or hyperactive? Chambéry sits at the gateway to the Alps, less than two hours from the great cities of the Rhône-Alpes corridor — and in some sense on permanent holiday. Between two lakes, a short step from Italy, and with ski resorts within easy reach, there is always something to do.…
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National Parks and Protected Areas of the French Alps — Map and Guide
The French Alps are more than a mountain landscape — they are one of the last great refuges of European biodiversity, shaped over millennia and increasingly protected against the pressures of mass tourism and climate change. Since the 1960s, France has built a multi-layered system of environmental protection across the Alpine massif: three national parks,…
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When do alpine passes close? French Alps pass closing dates
Summer ends, the days shorten and the mountains turn golden. It is a magnificent season of transition — but also the moment when the great Alpine road passes begin to close for the winter, one by one, as snow returns to altitude. For cyclists, motorcyclists, road trippers and anyone planning a late-season mountain journey, knowing…
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When do alpine passes open? French Alps pass opening dates and guide
In the French Alps, most mountain passes close in winter — buried under snow and exposed to avalanche risk, they are expensive to clear and serve little strategic purpose out of season. Only a handful remain open year-round: the col de Larche, col de Vars, col du Lautaret and col de Montgenèvre. From mid-April to…
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Crossing the Alps from France to Italy: every option explained
Italy feels close from the French Alps — separated only by a handful of summits above 3,000 m. Crossing is straightforward enough, but the mountain dictates the terms: tunnels are expensive, passes are seasonal, and the train options are fewer than you might expect. Whether you want the fastest motorised crossing, a scenic road alternative,…
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The 10 best 5-star hotels in French Alps ski resorts
Luxury, calm and indulgence — at altitude. When winter covers the French Alps in snow, a handful of exceptional properties transform a ski holiday into a genuinely unforgettable experience. With over 64 five-star hotels across the French Alps — concentrated mainly in Courchevel, Megève and Val d’Isère — the choice is overwhelming. Some cultivate a…
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Top 10 luxury ski resorts in France (ranked)
In France, when it comes to luxury skiing, Courchevel leads the field — it has the highest concentration of 5-star hotels, palaces, luxury ski brand boutiques and Michelin-starred restaurants of any ski resort in the country. It also has a significant number of ulta luxury chalets and private accommodation options which can only be booked…
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Ski resorts near Annecy: the complete guide
Annecy is one of the best-placed cities in the Alps for skiing. With Le Semnoz just 25 minutes away and over 150 ski resorts accessible within 2 hours, the options range from small family slopes to some of the largest ski domains in the world. This guide covers the closest resorts for a quick day…
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Ski resorts near Nice and the French Riviera
One of the great surprises of living on the French Riviera: the mountains are closer than you think. The first ski slopes are less than an hour from Nice, and within 1h30 you have access to three proper Alpine resorts with over 100 km of pistes each. For those willing to drive 4 hours —…
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Ski resorts near Paris : the best options for a weekend on the slopes
Paris is further from the mountains than Lyon or Geneva — but a ski weekend is entirely achievable. The closest real snow resorts are around 4 hours by car, and several of the finest Alpine resorts are reachable in 5 to 6 hours by road or by direct TGV. Whether you are looking for the…
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Ski resorts near Geneva : the best options for a day or weekend on the slopes
Geneva is one of the best-placed cities in the world for skiing. French ski resorts start under 30 minutes from the city centre — and within an hour, you have access to some of the largest and most beautiful ski domains in the Alps. Whether you are looking for a quick morning on the slopes,…
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Ski resorts near Lyon : the best options for a day or weekend on the slopes
Lyon is one of the best-placed cities in Europe for a ski day trip or weekend, with small family resorts reachable in just over an hour, and some of the largest ski areas in the world within two hours. Whether you are an expat living in Lyon, a visitor passing through, or simply looking for…
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The French Alps in winter without skiing : what to do and where to go?
Not a skier? You are in excellent company — and the French Alps in winter have far more to offer than the slopes. An increasing number of resorts have transformed themselves into genuine destinations for non-skiers: thermal spas, glacier cable cars, snowshoe trails, dog sledding, ice climbing, Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the most beautiful…
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10 car-free ski resorts in the French Alps
In most ski resorts, the car is king — useful for unloading luggage at your apartment, unavoidable for getting around. But a number of French ski resorts, mostly built in the 1960s and 70s, made a different choice: they kept the centre for pedestrians and skiers, and pushed cars to the periphery. The result is…
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Learn to ski in the French Alps : complete beginners guide
In a week on the slopes, a complete beginner can progress from the nursery slope to comfortable blue runs. But ski resorts are not like theme parks — they involve multiple separate operators, specific equipment and a vocabulary that is not self-explanatory. This guide covers everything you need to know before your first ski holiday…
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The highest villages in France
Saint-Véran is widely known as the highest village in France. The reality, however, is more nuanced. Several ski resorts — inhabited year-round and technically constituting communes — sit at higher altitudes, displacing Saint-Véran to second or even third place depending on the criteria used. If you are looking for charm and authenticity, Saint-Véran remains the…
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Driving to the French Alps from the UK
Driving to the French Alps from the UK is one of the great European road trips — and for many families travelling with skis, bikes or a full boot of luggage, it remains the most practical option. The journey involves two stages: crossing the Channel, then driving south through France to the Alps. Here is…
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Top 22 giant zip lines in the French Alps, summer and winter
Imagine launching at 120 km/h, suspended on a wire above a breathtaking panorama. That is the experience offered by the 22 giant zip lines of the French Alps — in solo or tandem, seated or head-first, ranging from a few hundred metres to over 2.6 km long. Most are open in summer and winter, giving…
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Summer sledging in the French Alps — alpine coasters, rail luges and tubing
While winter sledging takes place on snow at ground level, summer sledging in the French Alps happens on rails, in wheeled pods or in rubber rings — think bobsleigh meets theme park, in a mountain setting. Over the past decade, ski resorts have invested heavily in summer sledging to diversify their warm-weather offer. The result:…
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10 Essential Hikes in the Northern French Alps
The French Alps are an extraordinary hiking destination — and what makes them special is the existence of objectives. When you walk in the Alps, you are going somewhere: a lake, a summit, a waterfall, a chapel, a viewpoint. These ten hikes reveal the full diversity of the Northern French Alps. They are often beautiful,…
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Best via ferratas in the French Alps
The French Alps have nearly a hundred via ferratas. These itineraries — somewhere between climbing and hiking, fully equipped with iron rungs and cables — allow anyone to access otherwise inaccessible terrain: cliff faces overlooking lakes, valleys and mountain villages. While all of them are enjoyable in their own right, some stand out for their…
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Glamping in the French Alps — Domes, Tipis and Unusual Stays
Glamping — the fusion of glamour and camping — is the perfect way to reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort. The French Alps lend themselves magnificently to the experience: imagine sleeping in a wood-heated dome facing the mountain peaks, a tipi nestled in the snow, or a Huttopia unusual tent open even in winter. Whether…
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15 most beautiful landscapes in the French Alps
The Alps are far more than just a collection of ski resorts; they shelter geological and botanical treasures that transform every hike into a unique sensory journey. From the towering peaks of Mont Blanc to the turquoise waters of the Verdon, this mountain range offers a diversity of panoramas unmatched in Europe. Whether you are…
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The 10 most beautiful gardens to visit in the French Alps
Far from the wild, rugged image of rocky summits and sheer cliffs, the French Alps shelter true havens of biodiversity. Here, the harshness of the mountain climate meets the sheer delicacy of high-altitude blooms. To visit an alpine garden is to embark on a unique sensory journey: you can breathe in the scent of edelweiss…
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Italian lakes: which are the closest to the French Alps ?
If you are currently staying in or based around the French Alps and fancy a spontaneous change of scenery, you do not need to drive all the way down the Italian peninsula to experience the dolce vita. The Great Lakes of Northern Italy are the perfect destination for a long weekend or a short summer…
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The Italian Lakes: which are the most beautiful?
Northern Italy has some of the most beautiful lakes in the Alps — but choosing between them can feel overwhelming given their diversity. Lake Garda is the most majestic and the one that offers the greatest sense of escape. Lake Como seduces with its mountain character and exceptional villas. Lake Maggiore has an absolute charm…
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Top 10 best cheeses from the French Alps
The French Alps are extraordinary cheese country — high alpine pastures, raw milk traditions and a cheesemaking culture that goes back centuries. Our top three: Beaufort, the “Prince of Gruyères”; Saint-Marcellin with its liquid heart; and the Vacherin d’Abondance, the oldest cheese in the Alps. Here are the ten best alpine cheeses, with tasting notes…
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French Alps in november: where to go and what to do
November in the French Alps is a secret month — suspended between the last fires of autumn and the first signs of winter. The mountains fall quiet, the first snows transform the landscape and the alpine towns reclaim their everyday character. For those who know how to appreciate it, November may be the most luxurious…
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French Alps in october: where to go and what to do
October in the Alps is a metamorphosis — a well-kept secret for those who love the mountains at their most authentic. Summer is over, the larch forests ignite in gold, the trails empty out and the villages reclaim their quiet rhythm. From the first snows dusting the high peaks to the half-term school break inviting…
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10 best campervan spots in the French Alps
Van travel in the French Alps is one of the great overlooked road trip experiences in Europe. Sleep one night above the Roselend reservoir with Mont Blanc on the horizon; the next at 2,400 m on the Col du Granon facing the Écrins glaciers; wake to marmots at the Col de Larches on the Italian…