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Top times and places to go to the mountains

Les mountain destinations are essential for holidays with family, friends or as a couple. France is home to numerous mountain resorts, with magnificent landscapes and activities galore. Lovers of skiing or hiking, you will find what you are looking for! You still need to know Where and when to go to the mountains. Discover our favorite times and places to discover French mountainous regions.

The top moments and places in the mountains

When to go skiing in winter?

 

If you want to fill up on thrills, we recommend that you Going to the mountains in winter to enjoy winter sports. The opening of the season in December is the ideal time for family vacations. In fact, all ski areas open in mid-December, often with low-cost packages for those who want to do Christmas skiing. You can also Going to the mountains At New Year to start the year in the middle of magnificent landscapes.

 

Going skiing in January and February generally allows you to have excellent Snow conditions. You are sure to have regular and quality snow for a maximum of sensations on the ski slopes. However, it is a period when prices are at their highest. To save money, waiting for Mars can be interesting, especially on the cost of equipment and ski lifts.

 

And off-season skiing?

 

To pay less on your vacation rentals, you can also go to the mountains in the off-season. During the spring, prices fall and the mountains begin to be adorned with flowers. Les ski resorts in France regularly make special offers to attract customers at this time of the year. In terms of activities, you will not be left out during the summer season since there are many tourist places and magnificent hikes to do. Visit the mountain On foot or by bike and recharge the batteries in a beautiful and preserved environment.

 

The best places to go to the mountains

 

There are a multitude of places where Going to the mountains, with breathtaking landscapes and numerous activities in summer and winter. However, we can name a few places that are totally essential to visit during a mountain vacation in France:

  • The Galibier pass in Savoy : known thanks to the Tour de France, it is a mythical summit rich in history.
  • The Cirque de Gavarnie in the Hautes-Pyrénées : it is a wall 1,700 meters high that extends over 14 kilometers. Listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, it is home to the largest waterfall in Europe.
  • Mont Aiguille in Isère : Mont-Aiguille is one of the Seven Wonders of Dauphiné.
  • The Aiguille du Midi in Haute-Savoie : it is the most visible peak from the city of Chamonix. Located at an altitude of 3,842 meters, it is accessible from a cable car that leaves from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Mountaineers and pedestrians come here to admire the most beautiful panoramas of the Alps.
  • The Ballon d'Alsace in the Vosges : this summit at an altitude of 1,247 meters is classified as a Grand National Site. It offers a breathtaking view of the Black Forest to the East and of the Crests of the Vosges to the North. It is renowned for the quality of its air and its varied fauna and flora.
  • Lake Geneva : it is the largest of the alpine lakes since it extends over 582 km², between Switzerland and France. In the same way as the lakes of Annecy and Bourget, it was created following the melting of the Rhône glacier 15,000 years ago.
  • Mont-Blanc in Haute-Savoie : the “roof of Europe” does not disappoint anyone. It houses the famous Chamonix ski resort at its feet. Cradle of mountaineering, it is one of the most beautiful views of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
  • The Col du Tourmalet in the Hautes-Pyrénées : it is the highest road pass in the Pyrenees, with an altitude of nearly 2,115 meters. In winter, it is the junction point between the La Mongie and Bareges resorts.
  • The Valley of Wonders in the Alpes-Maritimes : this valley is located in the Mercantour National Park and very well known for its rock carvings. There are 40,000 prehistoric engravings and 100,000 historical engravings.

 

Chamonix, world capital of mountaineering

 

When you think Where to go to the mountains, impossible to miss Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the Vallée Blanche. The mountaineering capital of the world is a major ski destination that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime.

 

With its four ski areas, 90% of which are areas above 2,000 meters above sea level, French ski resort benefits from optimal snow cover in winter and offers breathtaking views in summer. We can even sometimes Skiing in April with a good quality of snow in the morning!

 

Take advantage of your presence at Chamonix To go for a stroll around Montenvers and the Mer de Glace, go to the Aiguille du Midi and be inspired by the typical Alpine lifestyle. There are even numerous summer music festivals to take advantage of the long summer evenings.

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