French Alps things to do
Chamonix
This is located at the foot of Mont Blanc, which is the highest peak in the Alps. Mont Blanc itself is constantly covered with snow, no matter what the time of year. The town is surrounded by running streams, mountains and lush meadows. It attracts visitors from all over the globe who want to enjoy the stunning scenery and take part in activities such as hiking, golfing, mountain biking and of course skiing!
Annecy
Annecy is next to a beautiful lake which is also surrounded by snow covered mountains. The town itself looks like something out of a storybook as swans serenely glide through the picturesque canals which flow out of the lake itself. During the summer months, there are colourful potted flowers along the lakeside promenade and the town is covered with cobbled streets and little magical looking footbridges. Rue Sainte-Claire is filled with 16th to 18th-century building with lots of shops and restaurants and there is the lakeside walk at Avenue d’Albigny which is great for cycles and pedestrians.
Grenoble
This is the old capital of the Dauphine region and it is located at the foot of the Isere Valley which has mountains all around it measuring up to 3000 meters. There are many stunning buildings here but one of the most famous is the palace de Justice which was built between the 15th and 16th centuries and features an early Renaissance façade. It also features natural attractions such as parks and gardens.
Aix-les-Bains
Located in the mountains alongside Lake Bourget, this is an internationally renowned spa town making it an ideal area to rejuvenate and relax. The town is famous for its natural spring waters and ruins of the Roman baths are open to the public. The town has some great artists including Musee Faure which is within a stately villa and has a revered collection of Impressionist paintings.
Cirque du Fer-a-Cheval
This is a huge limestone mountain which overtime was carved by glaciers into a circular shape. This nature reserve has some fantastic trails for walks and hikes where visitors can see snow-covered mountains, pine trees and lots of waterfalls. The village of Cirque du Fer-a-Cheval is listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages with a collection of 24 hamlets surrounded by a waterfall and nature reserve.
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