Are you planning a trip to the Alps? Here you will find the best things to do and see, as well as some unusual activities to do with friends, family or just as a couple of you.
Table of Contents
What to see in the Alps in summer?
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
This village in Haute Savoie is known for the architecture of its buildings as well as for the protected natural sites that surround it such as the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, the Cascade du Rouget, the Gorges des Tines, and the 12th century Abbey.
As beautiful in summer as it is in winter, take advantage of the good weather to go for a walk in these natural sites.
Chamonix and Mont Blanc
This resort which is closely linked to the conquest of Mont Blanc, attracts many visitors every year.
In summer, it’s the perfect place to set off on an adventure to explore the surrounding mountains, lakes and peaks and, for the more adventurous, the Mont Blanc itself.
Annecy
Annecy (link in French), A.K.A. the Venice of the Alps, due to its canals running through the town, is a great holiday destination in the Alps.
Along with its famous lake, you can explore the old town, the Pont des Amours, the castle and the old prisons before going out for a tartiflette in one of the town’s restaurants.
The Beaufortain
This is a paradise for outdoor sports activities (link in French). The many natural sites (link in French) surrounding the area offer a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails as well as canyons and kayaking and canoeing rivers.
The Ecrins National Park
One of France’s ten protected national parks, the high mountain massif of the Ecrins (link in French) is located between the Northern and Southern Alps with its 150 peaks over 3000m and some 10,000 hectares of glaciers.
More than 700 km of trails are marked to allow you to discover the park through hiking.
Briançon
Let yourself be charmed by the highest fortified town in France.
You can visit the Vauban fortifications and the town full of history and enjoy the Serre Chevalier valley which offers magnificent landscapes for hiking or mountain biking.
The Rocher Blanc (White Rock) will also allow you to discover 300 million years of geological layers out of 300m of height.
The Dévoluy
A natural setting ideal for sportsmen and family holidays.
Get a breath of fresh air on a hike or mountain bike ride, try your hand at caving in the 600 or so caves or climbing in the 7 different difficulty zones.
For more information, please visit the Dévoluy tourist office website.
The Mercantour National Park
A very beautiful park which is biologically rich and with a preserved cultural character, classified since 1979.
Situated next to the Italian, the park is ideally located for a holiday with family, friends or two.
Take an adventure hike in the heart of the mountains while respecting the regulations in the park to continue to preserve the Mercantour territory (link in French).
The Vercors plateau
One of the largest plateaus in France (17,000 hectares), the Vercors plateau is located in the Vercors Regional Park, a nature reserve.
Even if the animals remain quiet, you can go and meet chamois, marmots, golden eagles and other wild mountain animals.
The Mont Ventoux
Fascinating, frightening, the Mont Ventoux A.K.A.or the “Giant of Provence” will attract the eye for a hundred kilometers.
The most daring sportsmen can attempt to ride it by bike. But beware, the mountain is regularly one of the decisive stages of the Tour de France and its ascent can be very difficult.
For the less athletic, 3 accesses by car are possible to enjoy the view from the top of the mountain.
Think of the windbreaker when you arrive at the top, even in summer, the temperatures drop very quickly because of the wind.
The sea of ice
Located in the Chamonix valley, the Mer de Glace is one of the most famous glaciers in the Alps as well as the largest one in France. It is known internationally since 1760.
Firstly feared during the Middle Ages because it kept growing, then studied and explored, it is now protected because it is melting at an impressive rate and could very well disappear quite soon.
Take a ride on the little cogwheel train to reach the sea of ice after a breathtaking 20-minute journey.
The Aiguille du Midi
Also in the Chamonix valley, the Aiguille du Midi is a once in a lifetime experience.
The ascent by cable car is already a breathtaking experience and the view from the top is breathtaking as well.
A must-see: “Pas dans le Vide”. It is a glass box, glazed on 5 sides with more than 1000 meters of void under your feet.
Don’t forget to dress up warmly because even in summer, it can be very cold in the mountain.
Evian-les-Bains
One of the most famous spa towns in France, which, even now, has maintained its cultural richness.
Numerous cultural sites await you as well as the thermal baths (link in French) and Lake Geneva in the vicinity of the town.
A relaxing stay that is rich in visits and hikes awaits you.
For more information, the city’s website can be found here.
What to do in the Alps in summer?
Rent a boat with Click & Boat
You can rent a boat, even in the mountains! With Click & Boat, you can rent boats with or without a license to explore Geneva Lake and enjoy breathtaking views.
If you like water sports, then François-Damien’s 7-seater boat is just for you. It is equipped with wakeboard, wakeskate, ski and mono-ski equipment for maximum thrills on Lake Geneva, and doesn’t charge any extra for the equipment.
You can ask the skipper to pilot the boat for you, or take the helm yourself if you have a boat license.
Hiking
Hundreds of kilometers of hiking await you across the Alps.
What better way to discover the landscape and enjoy the fresh mountain air than to walk through forests, plateaus, passes and valleys.
You may even encounter wild animals on some routes.
Summer sledging
If there is no snow to slide with a sledge, you can find several summer sledging sites in the Alps.
A sledging system on rails or tracks will allow you to enjoy the thrill of sliding even in summer.
You can find them near Chamonix, Montgenèvre and in the Alpes d’Huez.
You will find here (link in French) a list of sites offering a summer sledging system.
Paragliding
If you’re looking for a thrill, try paragliding. Many sites offer safe paragliding flights.
You can enjoy both the thrill and the view of the mountains.
Via ferrata
Another activity for sports enthusiasts.
Kilometers of climbing routes are planned throughout the Northern and Southern Alps.
Of course, one must be careful, check out the vias ferratas (in French) and take into account the weather conditions before setting off. However, the experience remains very interesting.
Rafting
These trips in inflatable boats (rafts) can be impressive and fun for the whole family.
The aim is to navigate in teams from point A to point B through a succession of calm water and rapids.
You will find many places to practice it in the Alps such as Briançon (link in French), Embrun or in the Verdon, so don’t hesitate to try the adventure.
Canoeing / Kayaking
For those who like to ride on rivers but are milder than rafters, you can go canoeing or kayaking.
This is an outdoor sport with a beautiful scenery.
You can find a list of places to enjoy them here (link in French).
Riding
For a change from walking or cycling, you can go to one of the many riding schools in the Alps, many of which offer horse riding through the forests and mountains.
For example, you can enjoy riding near the Chartreuse Massif (link in French) or in the Ecrins National Park (link in French).
Fishing
The many lakes throughout the Alps are perfect spots for fishing.
Don’t hesitate to bring your own equipment or go to an equipment hire center and sit by the water. Of course, always check the regulations.
Biking
Enjoy the scenery on a mountain bike tour. For thrill-seekers, there are also lifts for descending slopes of all levels of difficulty.
You can find more information here.
Canyoning
Explore the canyons formed by the rivers in the Hautes Alpes.
You will find courses for all levels and ages.
A real sporting activity in the middle of nature where you can test your adventurous skills.
Rent a boat with or without a license
Rent a boat with or without a license and with or without a skipper with Click and Boat.
Explore Lake Geneva and enjoy breathtaking views and an unforgettable outing.
Discover the shores of the lake on a short trip or a long excursion or stopover in the towns surrounding the lake.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
