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10 largest ski areas in France — linked resorts ranked
France is home to some of the largest and most celebrated linked ski areas in the world. Of the country’s 250 ski resorts, nearly a hundred offer interconnected domains — allowing skiers to cover dozens of kilometres of pistes without repeating a single run. From the Three Valleys, the world’s largest linked ski area, to…
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Alternatives to the Mont Blanc Tunnel: free routes to Italy
The Mont Blanc Tunnel is a vital artery between France and Italy — but it is also synonymous with queues, maintenance closures and high tolls. At around €70,4 return in 2026, and with regular night closures for safety works, many drivers are looking for an alternative. Whether you want to save money, avoid the anxiety…
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Alternatives to the fréjus tunnel: free routes to Italy
The Fréjus Tunnel is the main route between Savoie and Italy — a 13 km bore connecting Modane (France) to Bardonecchia (Italy). But at around €55,5 one way (approximately £47) and up to €69,2 return, it is expensive — and when the Mont Blanc Tunnel is closed for maintenance, traffic backs up for hours. The…
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15 hotels at the top of a mountain
Sleeping at the top of a mountain is a singular experience — a sense of freedom and serenity that no valley hotel can replicate, with panoramas that stretch without limit and a proximity to the sky that changes everything. Whether for a winter ski stay or a summer escape at altitude, these mountain-top and high-altitude…
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Cycling around Lac du Bourget
Cycling around Lac du Bourget — France’s largest natural lake — is a beautiful and largely accessible circuit with just one real challenge: the Col du Chat, a 400-metre climb on a balcony road above the lake. The classic loop covers 50 km from Le Bourget-du-Lac, or around 70 km if you start from Chambéry,…
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15 highest ski resorts in the French Alps
In the French Alps, altitude is the single most reliable guarantee of snow quality, extended seasons and exceptional skiing. Eighteen resorts sit above 1,800 metres, and among them, iconic names like Val Thorens, Arc 2000 and Tignes exceed 2,000 metres. These high-altitude resorts offer the best conditions for skiing in autumn, spring and during low-snow…
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Best beaches on “Lac du Bourget” in France
Around twenty beaches line the shores of Lac du Bourget — France’s largest natural lake, set between Chambéry and the spa town of Aix-les-Bains in the heart of the Savoie Alps. From mid-June to mid-September, water temperatures regularly reach 20–25°C, and water quality has improved steadily in recent years thanks to concerted environmental efforts by…
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15 best beaches on Lake Annecy
Natural or urban, sandy or grassy, lively or peaceful — the shores of Lake Annecy have something for everyone. With water temperatures regularly exceeding 20°C in summer and water quality consistently rated as excellent (among the purest in Europe), this mountain lake is one of the finest swimming destinations in the French Alps. We cycled…
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15 most beautiful villages in Savoie
Beyond its world-famous ski resorts, Savoie conceals a quieter, more intimate soul — the soul of its villages. Tucked into valley floors, perched on sunny hillsides or nestled beside lakes, these villages are the guardians of Savoyard history and art de vivre. This is not an exhaustive guide but an invitation to explore: a selection…
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10 most beautiful villages in Haute-Savoie
In the far north of the French Alps — between Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and Lac d’Annecy — the Haute-Savoie department is home to some of the most picturesque villages in the entire Alpine range. Although only one village holds official membership of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” association, the others are no less…
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18 best value ski resorts in the French Alps
In 2026, day ski passes in the French Alps range from around €10 to €82 — reflecting the difference between a small 2 km family domain and the 600 km Three Valleys. While pass prices broadly track resort size, some offer excellent value for their acreage. The best strategy for affordable skiing in the French…
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Best campsites in the French Alps
Imagine waking up, unzipping your tent or opening the door of your lodge to a view of the snow-capped peaks of the Écrins or Mont Blanc. With nearly 400 campsites nestled between turquoise lakes and hanging valleys, the French Alps are a natural playground for those who love the freedom of camping. Today, mountain camping…
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15 most beautiful villages in the French Alps
The French Alps are home to an extraordinary collection of mountain villages — from medieval lakeside jewels on the shores of Lake Geneva to remote stone hamlets tucked beneath glaciers in the Vanoise. Whether you are drawn to the chic atmosphere of a prestige resort, the timeless authenticity of a Savoyard village, or the sun-baked…
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15 best French Alps resorts for a summer holiday
A summer holiday in the French Alps is a guarantee of wide open spaces, breathtaking scenery and a welcome escape from the heat of the plains. Temperatures are pleasantly cool even in July and August, with crisp mornings and fresh mountain air throughout the day. That said, not every ski resort translates well into a…