Why the French Alps make the perfect summer holiday destination

Katja Gaskell

Katja Gaskell

Once the preserve of skiers and snowboarders, the French Alps are reinventing themselves as a summer destination. With rising temperatures across southern Europe, more and more travellers are swapping beach holidays for Alpine ones.

But it's not just cooler temperatures that are tempting holidaymakers; mountain resorts are responding to demand with a growing range of summer activities, from new hiking trails to fair-weather tobogganing. If you, too, are tempted to run for the hills, then here is where you should go.

Where to stay: find affordable self-catering accommodation with Pierre & Vacances*, which offers a variety of different options in destinations across the French Alps.

Annecy

Home to what is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in France, this pretty town sits alongside sparkling Lake Annecy, surrounded by the snowcapped Annecy Mountains.

The lake, the cleanest in Europe, offers countless activities, from breezy ferry rides and eco-friendly electric boat cruises to kayaking, windsurfing, and even free diving. A 42km-long voie verte cycle path wraps around the lake and is a great way to discover the many beaches that pepper the lakeshore.

Hiking and biking trails criss-cross the encircling mountains, and there are six canyoning spots ranging from beginner-friendly to more challenging gorges. Admire it all from up high with a tandem paragliding flight; Annecy is one of the best paragliding destinations in the world.

Saint-Gervais-les-Bains

Perched in the shadow of Mont Blanc, this traditional Savoyard village is a popular gateway for climbing Europe's highest mountain. Even if you have no intention of conquering the peak, however, you can still head to the starting point of the Voie Royale summit route via the Tramway du Mont Blanc, the highest cog railway in France.

A new tramway extension deposits passengers at the Nid d'Aigle refuge at 2,340 metres. Novice climbers can find their feet at The Rock.

Located in the Thermal Park of Le Fayet, this is the perfect place to get to grips with mountaineering under expert guidance.

After learning the ropes, head to the town's famed thermal baths for a soak. Flowing at 39°C, the natural springs and their healing properties have been a favourite with visitors for over 200 years.

Morzine & Les Gets

Just over an hour from Geneva airport, Morzine and neighbouring Les Gets are a firm family favourite for a mountain summer holiday.

The excellent money-saving Portes du Soleil Multi Pass opens an abundance of experiences with 150 free or discounted activities, everything from swimming in the 50-metre outdoor pool and white water rafting along the nearby glacial River Dranse to treetop adventures, mini-golf competitions, summer tobogganing and more.

Les Gets is one of the best places in Europe to go mountain biking and hosts the annual MTB World Cup. With 650 km of trails, there are paths for every kind of rider from wobbly beginners to expert shredders.

For water-based fun, you can swim, fish and paddleboard along the stunning blue waters of Lac de Montriond (Lake Montriond), but kids will inevitably prefer the inflatable obstacle course at Lac des Écoles (School Lake).

Chamonix

The birthplace of modern mountaineering, Chamonix in the heart of the Haute-Savoie, has been a magnet for climbers ever since two locals, Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard, summited Mont Blanc in 1786.

Today, Chamonix remains the starting point for the more technically demanding Trois Monts Route to the tip of Europe's highest mountain. If that sounds too challenging, you can opt for a ride on the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which takes you to an altitude of 3,842 metres and offers magical mountain views from the terrace.

Nearby is the Espace Vertical, the world's highest museum dedicated to mountaineering. Other popular summer activities include hiking, particularly the world-famous Tour du Mont Blanc multi-day trek, and white-water rafting through the centre of Chamonix.

Arc 1950

Perfect for families is the purpose-built Arc 1950. One of four villages that make up the Les Arcs ski resort, this pedestrianised village has long held the "Family Plus" label and offers a jam-packed schedule of kid-friendly events throughout the summer.

There's a circus school and regular arts-and-crafts workshops; sports activities include beach football, pétanque, and table tennis tournaments; and there are regular family races, too.

Trampolines and slacklines are positioned around the village and are free to use with the Outdoor Card. The card also gives you access to a handful of complimentary sports sessions, from guided half-day hikes to introductory mountain biking classes.

When you're ready to explore more, there are over 200 km of marked hiking trails from gentle kid-friendly walks to more challenging glacial hikes.

Tignes

Sports and adventure are at the very heart of Tignes, and it's popular with elite athletes who flock to this high-altitude resort for training. But the village, perched at 2,100 metres in the Tarentaise Valley, is equally suitable for those of us who weren't always picked for the sports team.

In addition to mountain biking and trail running, Tignes offers paddleboarding and kayaking on its natural lake, Lake Tignes, as well as via ferrata climbing routes. You can even carve some turns if you want to; for one month every summer, Tignes opens the Grande Motte glacier for summer skiing.

But it's not all gung-ho activities; the resort is equally focused on well-being, with outdoor yoga sessions, ice-bath immersions at Le Lagon wellness centre, and local spas offering a medley of treatments.

Bonneval-Sur-Arc

Set at the head of the Maurienne Valley, Bonneval-sur-Arc is one of France's "plus beaux villages", a cluster of old stone-and-timber houses seemingly frozen in time.

It's a popular freeride destination in the winter months and a hiking and trail running idyll once the snow has melted. Climbing is another popular pastime, and the village has been recognised as a UNESCO "Terre d'Alpinisme" (Land of Alpinism) with qualified mountain guides on hand to lead everyone from casual beginners to professionals.

The other reason visitors flock to Bonneval during the summer months is to travel the length of the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps.

Closed for much of the year, the scenic route links Bonneval with Val d'Isére in the neighbouring Tarentaise Valley and can be explored by car or by bike; the latter requires navigating some seriously steep ascents.

Climate in the French Alps

The above guide shows the climate in XX. Find out more about conditions across the region in our complete guide to the climate in the French Alps.

Ready to explore the French Alps? Check out the current deals on holiday rentals with Pierre & Vacances.

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Katja Gaskell

Katja Gaskell

Posted in: Adventure Europe & the Mediterranean Nature Summer

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