french alps photo tour

2024 Swiss & French Alps Photo Tour

The best of the alps in the fall.

Join us for a Swiss & French Alps photo tour to capture some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the highest mountains in Europe. From massive peaks, impressive glaciers, and epic valleys to photogenic waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and beautiful alpine villages, this region of the Alps is one of the best natural wonders in Europe.

We are running our  Autumn Alps photo tours in  October & November   2024 , during the best time of year to photograph the forests’ fall colors and the first snowfall on the peaks.

Our Swiss & French Alps photo tour will mainly focus on capturing the most iconic landscapes in Switzerland , along with some magical locations in France , during the best moments of light. This moment of the year the fall colors paint everything in hues of yellow and red, making it one of the most beautiful seasons to visit this region.

Over 8 days , we will visit quintessential locations in Switzerland, such as Lauterbrunnen Valley, Oeschinensee Lake, and the famous village of Zermatt; and other stunning, little-known locations in France, such as Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval and some hidden waterfalls surrounded by golden fall colors. We will go up to different viewpoints by cable car and take trains and funiculars to access some of the most dramatic views in the Alps .  If the weather is good, we will also take an optional-not included helicopter flight over Zermatt or the Aletsch glacier. That’s one of the most incredible experiences in the Alps.

We will personally help you capture the best possible images during our Swiss and French Alps photography workshop and show you the best techniques to shoot any subject in different light conditions: sunrise, sunset, midday, twilight, etc.

Swiss & French Alps Photo Tour highlights

• Photo tours in October & November 2024
• Group size: 10 participants + 2 instructors .
• Main topics: Landscape photography – Mountains, forests, and waterfalls.
• Main areas: Switzerland and French Alps
• Accommodation included in top hotels close to the best locations
• Transportation included in two vehicles to travel comfortably with all the luggage/camera bags.
• All cable cars, railway, and funicular tickets included.
• Two optional helicopter flights in Lauterbrunnen & Zermatt

Download the official Swiss & French Alps Photo Tour Brochure

Is this Alps Photo Tour the Right Trip for me?

Before you continue reading, it’s important to note that this Alps photo tour requires a very good  level of fitness .

While this is not a pure hiking photo tour, we take moderate hikes to reach the different locations almost every day.

Most hikes vary between 1 to 5 miles and 200 to 1000 ft elevation gain, sometimes in uneven paths.

Before booking this trip, we recommend reading the itinerary and the hiking chart below. Being in good physical shape is fundamental so that you can enjoy the experience.

2024 Swiss & French Alps Photo Tour Itinerary

The itinerary of our Alps photo tour can be flexible. We know the area very well, so our goal will be to photograph the alpine landscapes in the best possible conditions, depending on the weather forecast.

We will try to make the most of the morning and evening light, but the Alps also provide plenty of photo opportunities for landscape photography, even on overcast days.

DAY 1: Alps Photo Tour

This Swiss & French Alps photo tour will begin near  Geneva Airport (GVA),  where we’ll meet at 8 AM with the rest of the group. From Geneva, we will drive about 2 hours to the Bernese Alps in western Switzerland, where we will spend the next three days shooting some outstanding landscapes.

As we get closer to the mountains, the landscapes will become more impressive. Our first stop will be Giessbach Falls , a 500-meter waterfall that drops into Lake Brienz at the foot of the historic Grandhotel Giessbach. The hotel can be reached by a funicular that holds the title of the oldest funicular railway in Europe.

After that, we will drive to Sustenpass , where we will shoot the sunset from different viewpoints along the road. We will then head to our accommodation near Rosenlaui Valley.

DAY 2:  Alps Photo Tour

On the second day of our Alps photography tour, we will wake up early to capture the sunrise at Rosenlaui , a green valley with majestic mountains, waterfalls, and rivers.

After breakfast, we will continue exploring the Rosenlaui valley by doing a beautiful 1-hour optional hike to a secret spot surrounded by massive peaks and glaciers.

Later we’ll drive to Grindelwald , one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, which is surrounded by massive, 13,000 ft-high peaks and glaciers. From there, we will take a cable car up to First , a breathtaking scenic overlook where we will spend the night in a very unique accommodation. Here, we will enjoy some of the trip’s most amazing views and take pictures of the most prominent alpine mountains, such as the Eiger and Schreckhorn.

From First, we will do a moderate 1.5-hour hike to the beautiful Bachalpsee Lake , where we will capture the sunset.

DAY 3: Alps Photo Tour

On the third day of our Swiss & French Alps photo trip, we will start by capturing the sunrise at First . We’ll be privileged to enjoy these fantastic views by ourselves since the cable cars will still be closed to the public.

Later, we will drive to the picturesque village of  Lauterbrunnen , one of the most impressive places in Switzerland.

Lauterbrunnen Valley , also known as the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls,” is a spectacular glaciated valley surrounded by huge mountains and 900ft waterfalls. Tolkien was inspired by this valley to create Rivendell in Lord of the Rings, and as soon as you see it with your own eyes, you’ll understand why.

Here, we will explore the town and its best photographic points. If conditions allow, we will take an optional and not included scenic helicopter flight to photograph the valley and surrounding peaks from the air. This flight includes a landing in one of the glaciers to take images of this majestic landscape from the ice.

After sunset, we will check into our hotel in the heart of the valley, where we will stay in a special room overlooking the church and the giant waterfalls.

DAY 4: Alps Photo Tour

On the fourth day of our Alps photo adventure, we will wake up early to take a funicular up to Wengen , a beautiful village located above Lauterbrunnen with stunning views of the valley. We will then walk to our sunrise shooting spot, where we’ll enjoy a majestic view of the area and, hopefully, the typical Autumn morning fog rolling across the valley.

Later, we will head towards the Pennine Alps in southern Switzerland to reach  Zermatt , the famous Swiss village with an imposing view of the  Matterhorn . To get there, we will take a quick train from the village of Täsch since Zermatt is a car-free town.

After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we will take the  Gornergrat Railway , the second-highest railway in Europe, to  Gornergrat , a breathtaking 360° viewpoint with views of the Matterhorn and the Gorner Glacier. There we’ll take plenty of images and panoramas of this surreal landscape.

If conditions allow, we will hike down to  Riffelsee Lake,  a beautiful lake where you can see the Matterhorn reflected. We will do our sunset session here before catching the railway back to Zermatt. 

DAY 5: Alps Photo Tour

On the fifth day of this Swiss & French Alps photo trip, we will wake up early to capture the stars over Zermatt , the magical blue hour with the lights in town, and finally, the alpenglow light hitting the Matterhorn, the fifth highest mountain in the Alps.

If the weather is good and the mountains are visible, after breakfast, we will take an unforgettable 45 min.   heli-flight over the Matterhorn and its surrounding mountains and glaciers. It’s an optional and not included activity, so you can also take a walk in town or rest in your hotel room if you prefer.

We will then leave Zermatt and drive to Fiesch , where we will take a cable car up to the largest glacier in the Alps, Aletschgletscher , which is 14 miles (23 km) long. The views are spectacular here, and we will spend a few hours shooting in the area until the last cable car leaves for Fiesch.

After this, we will drive for 3 hours and cross the border to France to spend the night in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval . If there is time, we’ll do a sunset stop around the French Chamonix Valley where we’ll photograph photogenic lakes, the popular French “Aguille”, and Mont Blanc, the second highest mountain in Europe.

DAY 6: Alps Photo Tour

On the next day of this Alps guided photo tour, we will shoot the sunrise at one of the most extraordinary gems of the French Alps: Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval .

We will spend the morning exploring different views in the area and will hike to some locations that look like they came straight out of a Lord of the Rings scene. In this valley, there are up to 30 waterfalls flowing from the tops of the mountains, some of which are among the most photogenic in Europe.

At the end of this hike, there will be an option to take the last steepest part and reach an upper spot where you can overlook the entire valley. The total walking distance and elevation are described in the hiking section below.

In the late afternoon, we will drive to Jura Natural Park in France, where we will stay for the next two nights. Depending on our arrival time, we may have time to visit one of the waterfalls next to the hotel.

DAY 7: Alps Photo Tour

On the seventh day of our Swiss & French Alps photography tour, we will be shooting a wide variety of waterfalls from Jura .

Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Jura, when the area is painted with beautiful yellow, green, red, and orange colors. Here, the abundant rainfall provides enough moisture for the vegetation to sustain itself, and the moss-covered beeches create a magical atmosphere in the forests.

We will start the day shooting in one of the closest waterfalls to town and then move to different forests and waterfalls in the Northern Area. 

At the end of the day, we’ll enjoy the tasty French cuisine in one of the local restaurants in town.

DAY 8: Alps Photo Tour

On the final day of this Alps photo workshop , we will capture the sunrise at one of the nearby waterfalls by Jura.

After breakfast, we will pack up and drive back to Géneve International Airport , where we will wrap up this photo adventure across the Swiss and French Alps. Expect to be at the airport no earlier than 12:00 PM, so you can take flights that leave at 3:00 PM or later.

PRICE: $5,090 USD 

Deposit: $1,500 USD

A $1,500 USD deposit is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. You can also pay in full at any time. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the start of the tour. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.

What does the price include?

• Drop-off at Geneva Airport (GAV).
• Transportation during the trip in two comfortable passenger vans.
• Fuel and parking fees .
• Accommodation in hotels in shared rooms with private bathrooms. (Private rooms available for an extra)
• 1-night accommodation at “Berggasthaus First Inn” in double rooms with shared bathrooms.
• Photo guide services from professional landscape and astrophotographers.
• Funicular to Wengen
• Aerial Gondola from  Grindelwald to First
• Train from Täsch to Zermatt
• Gornergrat Railway
• Cable car from Fiesch to Eggishorn
• Access to Dan Zafra’s full  Capture the Milky Way Course (valued at $299)
• Access to the recorded material during the expedition
• Access to David Aguilar’s  Moody Landscapes course

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights to/from Geneva Airport.
• Private room ($1,000 supplement)
• Meals except breakfasts
• Optional Heli flight in Zermatt & Lauterbrunnen
• Health/travel insurance (We can help you purchase the best travel insurance according to your needs).
• Telephone, personal expenses, tips etc. and any other service not mentioned in the “INCLUDED” section.
• 17 Oct. 2024
• 24 Oct. 2024
• David Aguilar
• Unai Larraya

• 25 Oct. 2024
• 01 Nov. 2024

What will I learn during this Alps Photo Tour?

This workshop is mainly focused on landscape   photography shooting mountains, forests, and waterfalls. We’ll also do some astrophotography when conditions align. 

What you learn during the workshop will vary according to your goals and skills. Your instructors are professional photographers with extensive experience who will help you take your photography to the next level.

During the tour you’ll have the opportunity to learn:

Photography basics

Some of the photography basics you can learn during the workshop are:

• Getting comfortable shooting different types of landscapes and nightscapes in manual mode .
• Adjusting to the best camera settings in each situation.
• Planning your sunset and landscape images.
• Shooting long exposures using ND filters .
• Improving your forest and waterfalls photography using a Polarizer .
• Enhancing your composition with the best techniques.
• Designing your own shooting workflow to be more efficient in the field.
• Basics of drone photography .

Advanced photography techniques

• Creating powerful compositions that tell a story and engage the viewer.
• Building a connection between your photography and your vision .
• Becoming a master of light : learn how to enhance it and keep it under control.
• Advanced landscape techniques like bracketing, focus stacking, or focal length blending.
• Advanced night photography techniques  like stacking and tracking.
• Advanced drone photography like aerial panoramas, vertoramas, and bracketing.

Post-processing techniques

Some of the post-processing techniques that you can learn with the included tutorials are:

• Basics of Lightroom and Photoshop .
• Preparing your images in Lightroom/Adobe Camera Raw.
• Stitching of panoramas using different software like Lightroom or PTGui Pro.
• Reducing the noise in your images with Denoise AI.
• Sharpening your photos with Sharpen AI.
• All types of Blendings (exposure, focal length, focus, etc.).
• Light shaping and Dodge & Burn in your landscape & night images.
• Post-processing of moody and atmospheric landscapes .
• Advanced Milky Way post-processing techniques.

Your Instructors on this Alps Photo Tour

David Aguilar will be the tour   leader  throughout this Alps photography workshop, and he will make sure that you get the best photography results and experience out of this tour. He will help you with your photography, technique, and composition in all your landscape and night images.

David is a real expert on the Swiss & French Alps after countless trips around this mountain range in all seasons. He has led photo tours here in the past, and he’s very knowledgeable about the most photogenic locations, the weather patterns, and the best techniques to capture breathtaking landscape images. He’s also a master drone pilot and can help you with your aerial photography on this trip.

David’s main passion is traveling and helping others with their craft. He’s traveled extensively, not only in Nordic countries like Iceland and Norway but also across vast areas in European Alps and South America. He currently leads photo tours in many different regions of Europe and South America.

He’s also a skilled post-processing editor and has helped countless photographers over the last few years with his online landscape editing courses.

Unai Larraya will be the co-leader on this Alps photo tour. He is an expert landscape photographer who will make sure you end up with the best possible images.

Unai is an experienced landscape and wildlife photographer based in Northern Spain. He has refined his photography skills while traveling around the world over the past few years and has taught many other photographers along the way.

Since Unai started his photography journey, he has won multiple awards in recognition of his outstanding photography and editing skills.

With Unai, you’ll learn about composition, shaping light, color theory, focus stacking, and more. He will also show you how to implement all these techniques into your workflow to take your photography to the next level!

What to Bring on an Alps Photo Tour?

Below, you can find a summary of things you might need:

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

• DSLR/mirrorless camera and a sturdy tripod.
• A wide-angle lens, such as a 14-24 mm lens.
• A medium zoom lens, such as a 24-70 mm lens.
• A telephoto lens, like a 100-400 mm lens.
• A camera bag to transport all your equipment.
• A 6-stop ND filter to shoot waterfalls and rivers.
• A CPL (circular polarizer filter) to shoot the forests.
• An L-bracket to take vertical images and panoramas
• A headlamp for the night shoots.

You will receive a complete list of recommendations before the tour.

The average temperature in the Alps in October is 46°F (8° C), but in the mornings or at higher elevations, it can drop below 32°F (0°C). You should come prepared for all kinds of weather and bring warm clothing. Rains and storms are also very common in the Alps. Some of the things that we recommend bringing on this Swiss & French Alps photography tour are:

• A system of layers to wear (base layer, fleece, windproof layer, shell).
• A good pair of breathable boots to keep your feet warm and protect your ankles while walking over rocks and uneven terrain.
• A wool hat, neck gaiter, and gloves.

You will find more items and details on the official list of recommendations that we provide upon registration.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The standard accommodation on this Alps Photo Tour is  double occupancy in shared bedrooms  with two individual beds.

The one exception is First, where we will stay at the “Berggasthaus First Mountain Inn” sleeping in double rooms with shared bathroom. This is the only option for accommodation there. Our reward will be having the opportunity to photograph the sunset, and sunrise in one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Alps.

We also offer  private rooms in all the accommodations  for an  extra supplement  of $1,000.

On this trip, most of the locations are next to the parking lot or the cable car station.

However, we are in the mountains, and therefore there are some moderate and long hikes that we’ll take and that you should consider:

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). In France, it is the Euro (EUR). We recommend getting CHF and EUR in your home country, although, if that is not possible, you can always purchase some at Géneve Airport.

In almost 100% of places in the Alps, you can pay by credit or debit card, so you won’t need much cash for the trip.

DOCUMENTATION

Please check if you need a visa to visit Switzerland and France. Both countries are part of the Schengen Area. We can help you with this process.

What expenses should you consider for this Alps Photo Tour?

You should book your flight to Geneva International Airport (GVA).

The price of round-trip flights to Geneva from Europe is $200-250 USD, and from the US, it’s approximately $500-800 USD

We recommend this article to find the best flights to Venice Airport from your current location.

Meals are not included, except for breakfast at the hotels. Most days, we will have breakfast at our accommodation and have a big dinner in one of the local restaurants.

During the day, we will eat snacks and picnic to maximize our time for photography.

Supermarkets and restaurants aren’t cheap in Switzerland, so we recommend preparing to spend about $60-$80 USD on food per day.

PARKING AND CABLE FEES

All the parking, tolls, cable car, railway, and funicular fees for locations such as First, Zermatt, Gornergrat, Wengen, Oeschinensee, and Aletschgletscher, are included in the price of the tour.

The only activity not included is the optional helicopter flight from Zermatt if conditions and visibility are good.

OPTIONAL HELI FLIGHTS

Taking a heli flight in the Swiss Alps is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The mountains, glaciers, and vast landscapes are simply breathtaking from the air. These flights allow you to take in the views but also to capture unique angles that are not possible from the ground or even with drones.

If conditions allow, we will take two flights in Lauterbrunnen and Zermatt, the two most impressive alpine areas in Switzerland.

The duration of these flights is around 45 minutes and they are optional and not included activities. Flying always depends on the weather and availability. Some of these flights include short landings in glaciers, so you can also capture images from the ground.

The price depends on the location and total number of people, but it usually varies between 200 and 400 USD.

What makes this Alps Photo Tour unique?

Unforgettable, frequent questions about our swiss & french alps photo tour, what level of photography knowledge should i have to attend this photo tour to the alps.

Whether you are experienced or just starting out in photography, you are welcome to join us, and I am convinced that you will progress very fast. Together, we will get you back home with a greater and deeper knowledge of many photography topics.

Once you sign up for the workshop, we will discuss your skills and goals for this tour, and I’ll organize a teaching plan so you can make the most of this experience. You’ll also receive access to Dan’s Capture the Milky Way course so you can start preparing your astrophotography before the trip.

WHAT PHYSICAL SHAPE DO I NEED TO BE IN?

Most locations are a relatively short walk from the parking lot. The longest hike we will do will be in Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval: a 2-hour walk from the parking lot and another 2 hours back, stopping in some spots along the way. The hikes to some locations, such as Bachalpsee Lake, take about 1.5 hours, and many other locations are next to the cable car station or parking lot. All hikes are moderate difficulty, with some gradual elevation gain. We do recommend checking the hiking section for more details.

We will be driving, walking, and shooting a lot during the tour, so we recommend being in good physical shape to be able to enjoy this experience.

AM I TOO YOUNG/OLD FOR THIS ALPS PHOTO TOUR?

There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone  over 18 years old who wants to photograph the Alps with us.

CAN MY NON-PHOTOGRAPHER COMPANION JOIN US ON THE TOUR?

Non-photographer companions are welcome to join the tour, and they need to book a spot under the same price and conditions as any other participant. (We don’t allow non-participant companions tagging along with the group). We have had plenty of non-photographer companions over the years and all of them enjoyed an amazing experience. As long as they enjoy nature, beautiful landscapes, and are a bit patient with the schedules of a photo tour, joining the trip can be a great experience regardless of the shooting.

CAN I USE MY DRONE?

Capture the Atlas is  drone-friendly . Both tour leaders are experienced drone pilots and can help you with your drone photography.

We will advise you on the areas where you are allowed to fly and show you the best aerial photography techniques.

Our Happy Students!

I’ve had the opportunity to work with and help countless photographers over the last years:

Join the expedition

Terms and conditions.

This tour is governed by these Terms and Conditions.

Massive mountains, impressive glaciers, alpine lakes, magical forests, hidden waterfalls…the scenery in the Swiss and French Alps is simply breathtaking.

Add gorgeous light, photogenic clouds, dark, starry skies, and the fall foliage in all its color splendor, and you have the recipe for a memorable trip.

The Alps is a region full of history. It’s the place where modern mountaineering was born, and it is one of the most accessible and photogenic mountain ranges in the world for good reason.

Are you ready to take an unforgettable Alps photo tour with us?!

Alps Behind the Scenes and Gallery

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Photography tour to FRENCH ALPS DATES: 28 JUNE – 04 JULY 2025

Guided by Award-Winning Photographers Robert Bilos and Kassem Kalo!

Robert has visited the French Alps numerous times, while Kassem, who lives there, began his photography career by discovering and drawing inspiration from this stunning region. Together, they possess an intimate knowledge of this part of the Alps, offering personalized guidance and tips to enhance your photography skills.

Join us for a seven-day photography tour through the picturesque landscapes of the Chamonix Mont Blanc valley, where you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the highest peak in Europe in all its snow-capped splendor. Discover the dramatic Cirque Fer à Cheval with its towering cliffs and waterfalls and explore the serene Vallée de la Clarée with its lush landscapes and the rugged beauty of Parc National des Écrins.

Immerse yourself in authentic French life as we visit charming alpine villages, savor local cuisine, and hike through verdant meadows. Limited to a small group of a maximum of seven people, this intimate tour ensures a personalized experience tailored to your photography interests and skill level.

LIVE THE HIGHEST EMOTION!

Who hasn’t dreamed of living an  exceptional experience  in the heart of the very high mountains? Dream no more, experience it at the  Aiguille du Midi ,  the highest cable car in France ! L’Aiguille du Midi is the absolute dream,  the place to see at least once in your life !

Bring your camera gear and hiking essentials and get ready to capture unforgettable moments in one of Europe’s most remarkable regions.

DAY 1 – Geneva Airport to Sixt Fer à Cheval

Meet us at Geneva Airport where we’ll pick you up by 11 am, then drive to our hotel in Sixt Fer à Cheval (approximately 1 hour) where we will stay for the night. In the afternoon, we will head to Sixt Fer à Cheval valley, a stunning treasure nestled in the French Alps, where we will shoot the sunset on this amazing peak. This area offers incredible foreground compositions with majestic mountains in the background.

DAY 2 – Sixt Fer à Cheval

On this day of our French Alps photo tour, we’ll start early to witness the sunrise at Sixt Fer à Cheval Valley. We will spend the morning exploring various viewpoints, reminiscent of scenes from a Lord of the Rings adventure. In this valley, you’ll discover up to 30 waterfalls cascading from the mountain peaks, some of which are among the most photogenic in Europe. After breakfast, we will head out to shoot some amazing waterfalls, capturing the magnificent spectacles they offer. In the afternoon, we will drive to Chamonix Mont Blanc, where we will stay for 2 nights. In the evening, we’ll head out for a photo shoot in the scenic surroundings of the Chamonix area, offering plenty of stunning landscapes and captivating scenes to capture.

DAY 3 – Mountain Peaks and Mont Blanc

On the third day, after breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start early by taking the cable car to ascend to incredible vantage points for shooting the majestic mountain peaks and the iconic Mont Blanc. From this spot, we will be able to see the highest peaks of the French Alps, including Mont Blanc (4809 m), Aiguille du Midi (3842 m), Aiguille Verte (4122 m), and many more. This excursion, which requires no hiking, promises to be a memorable highlight of our photography tour in the Chamonix area. In the afternoon, we’ll take another cable car to explore the other side of the valley and get close to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France and one of the most iconic glaciers in Europe. If open, we will also visit the ice cave.

DAY 4 – L’Aiguille du Midi and Pointe Helbronner

On day four, we will take the highest cable car in France to experience the heart of the very high mountains. L’Aiguille du Midi, standing at 3,842 meters, offers stunning panoramic views of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. From the 3,842-meter terrace, you can experience ‚Step into the Void,‘ a technological marvel that promises an unforgettable experience. Inside this glass box, with more than a thousand meters of emptiness beneath your feet, thrills are guaranteed. We will have lunch at the restaurant in the Aiguille du Midi, enjoying a meal at an altitude of 3,842 meters with breathtaking views all around. Afterward, we’ll continue our journey to the Italian side of Mont Blanc, heading towards Pointe Helbronner in Italy. This will give us the unique opportunity to capture Mont Blanc and its surrounding peaks from different international vantage points. At the end of the day, we will leave Chamonix Mont Blanc and head to the Clarée Valley, where we will stay for the rest of this trip.

DAY 5 – Vallée de la Clarée

We will wake up early to catch the sunrise at Vallée de la Clarée. Even though the night’s sleep was short, we will catch up on our rest after this sunrise shoot during the daytime! This spot does not require any hiking and is easily accessible by car. The valley itself offers plenty of different compositional options. We will be shooting and exploring here for a good amount of time. After this shoot, we will head back to the hotel for breakfast and a well-deserved nap. After lunch, we will head back again to Vallée de la Clarée. The numerous possibilities here will offer many compositions, and the sunset light will provide new perspectives and moods.

DAY 6 – Vallée de la Clarée

On this day, we will head back to Vallée de la Clarée to catch the sunrise from a different spot, which requires a short hike from the parking area. There are various compositions possible, making it perfect for a panorama shot with mountains in the background and endless trees and flowers covering the valley. There are also tele-zoom options from this location. At the end of the day, we will drive along the „Route des Grandes Alpes“ to catch the sunset at one of the most incredible mountain passes in the French Alps, Col du Galibier at 2642 m, where we will be able to shoot incredible peaks from the Parc National des Écrins.

DAY 7 – Col du Lautaret – Back to Airport

On the last day, we will catch the sunrise at Col du Lautaret, surrounded by green pastures and lush woods, easily accessible and requiring no hiking. The pass is located at the foot of the magnificent Pointe Piaget peak, which rises to about 3000 m elevation. After breakfast, we will depart and arrive at Geneva Airport at approximately 3 PM.

P.S. DURING OUR PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR WE MIGHT ADJUST OUR PLAN DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Order by phone-call +49 163 6781570

Order by e-mail [email protected]

Price: 3.890,- Euro per person (twin share, single room + 690€)

Deposit: 1.000,- € to book and hold your spot Fitness Level – Easy (with just 2-3 small hikes for a half hour without big elevation)

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Pick-up & drop-off at Geneva Airport
• Gasoline and parking fees
• All transfers are included in the price, including Airport transport
• Accommodation in a very good hotel in shared rooms with private bathrooms
• Post-processing Tutorials – worth 790€
• All Cable Car tickets.
• Post Processing (editing) seminar – Our workflow, tips & tricks, Lightroom + Photoshop
• Guided by 2 professional photographers (English, German, French, Croatian languages)

Not included in the price and paid additionally:

• Dinner / Lunch
• Air / train tickets
• Visa & Travel insurance
• Extra-alcohol
• Personal expenses (souvenirs etc.)

Photography gear:

• Wide-angle lens (11-24mm or 16-35mm)
• Middle-range zoom lens (24-70mm)
• Telephoto zoom lens (70-200mm or 100-400mm)
• POL filter to shoot waterfalls and rivers.
• Memory cards
• Extra batteries
• Shutter release

The average temperature in the Alps in Summer is 68°F (20° C), but in the mornings or at higher elevations, it can drop below 50°F (10°C). You should come prepared for all kinds of weather and bring warm clothing. Rains and storms are also very common in the Alps. Some of the things that we recommend bringing on this French Alps photography tour are:

• A system of layers to wear (base layer, fleece, windproof layer, shell).
• A good pair of breathable boots to keep your feet warm and protect your ankles while walking over rocks and uneven terrain.
• A wool hat, neck gaiter, and gloves.
• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof pants
• Waterproof shoes or rubber boots
• Casual clothing for dinners, visits to towns, processing sessions

WE WILL HELP YOU BRING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL:

• Post-processing
• Focus stacking
• Time Blending
• Panorama Photography
• Camera Settings
• Drone Photography
• And many other photography tips…

CANCELLATION, REFUND POLICY & PAYMENT:

• Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop. Full refund minus 200€ service
• 60 days or more – 50% refund
• Less than 60 days: no refund
• Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made

Robert Bilos

Kassem Kallo

Home » Itineraries » French Alps from Paris

Paris to The French Alps: 9 Day Itinerary

Private tours, free refunds & rescheduling, customizable itineraries, a private tour itinerary from paris to the french alps.

The French Alps are home to some of the most stunning scenery and natural landscapes in the country. Our 7-day itinerary begins in Paris, travels through Lyon, and culminates with private tours of Alps Aix -Les-Bains to Annecy, Chambery, and other iconic destinations from the Alps.

Tour highlights:

• Paris Sainte Chapelle
• Aix-Les-Bains

What is included:

• Certified English-Speaking Expert Local Guides
• Complimentary Bespoke Tour Itinerary
• Select Central Luxury Accommodations
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Day 1: Paris Sainte Chapelle

Usually, the Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame is at the top of everyone’s ‘must see’ list in Paris. Unfortunately for the next few years, tourists will not be allowed inside the cathedral until the renovations are completed following the disastrous fire. 

If you are looking to see impressive Gothic architecture look no further than the Sainte Chapelle, built by Louis IX to house Christian relics including Christ’s crown of thorns. This stunning gothic building was built in only 7 years and cost almost a tenth of the cost of the relics housed there. 

The chapel is made up of 2 parts – the Upper Chapel – for the king and his family and the lower chapel for servants of the king. As you would expect the upper chapel really has to be seen to be believed, such is the opulence and extravagance of the decorations which include exquisitely carved statues of the 12 apostles and beautifully painted ceilings. The main feature of this stunning building is the stained glass windows – the world’s largest display of Medieval glass with over 600 m 2 of stained glass.

Situated close to the Chappelle is the Conciergerie, a stunning Medieval building with a dark history. The building was used as a prison during the revolution and many famous prisoners were held here until their fates including Marie Antoinette.

The building has 4 main towers, one of which is the 47 M Tour d’Horloge which is home to the oldest working public clock in Paris. This heavily decorated gilt clock was commissioned by Charles V in 1371 and was created by Henry de Vic, one of France’s most reputable clock designers.

In the afternoon we head to the Pompidou Center which is universally recognized as Europe’s most important center for Modern Art. The building itself is steeped in controversy due to its polarizing very modern design and huge bill – It cost almost £60 Million and that was in 1977 when it was completed! Inside the building, there is also a library housing over half a million books as well as the main gallery itself that has 200,00 modern art exhibits. Your guide will plan your visit with you to ensure that your tour takes in all the works you want to see.

Day 2: Paris to Lyon

Today your chauffeur will collect you and take you directly to the Gare de Lyon so that you can get the TGV (high-speed train) to Lyon for the Alpine leg of your tour. Lyon is France’s 3rd city and has been an important city across the ages from Roman times through to today. During World War II Lyon was the command center for the South of France as well as home to the Gestapo. Ironically Lyon was also a stronghold for the Resistance during this period with many of the freedom fighters using the city’s secret underground tunnels to move about.

Spend the afternoon in the Vieux Ville and explore the magnificent cathedral that has both Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The cathedral of Saint Jean took almost 300 years to complete and is famous for its amazing lamb rose stained glass windows created in the 12th Century.  Enter through the huge oak doors and marvel at the incredible 16th Century astrological clock which features the automation of animals and people. Your guide will take you on a private tour of this wonderful building before visiting the archaeological gardens adjacent that contains remnants of a 4th-century church that was originally built on this site.

Finish the day in one of the bustling bars in the piazza and watch the world go round.

Day 3: Lyon

Today we spend exploring Lyon and its gastronomic heritage. Since 1935 Lyon has been recognized as the gastronomic capital of the world and today it has over 4000 restaurants, of which 20 have one or more Michelin stars. Your tour starts with a private tour of Les Halles de Lyon, a covered market with over 50 artisan farmers and producers.

Learn why Lyon is a culinary capital and sample local delicacies paired with wines from the region.

In the afternoon visit, one of the local award-winning wine farms and have a private tour of the estate. Learn from your specialist guide about the wines from the region and what makes this area so perfect for wine growing. Learn about pairing wine and taste exquisite vintage wine paired with local cheeses and charcuterie.

In the evening have dinner at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants and taste the finest Lyon has to offer.

Day 4: Lyon to Aix-Les-Bains

Aix Les Bains is a thermal spa town situated on the Eastern shores of France’s largest lake, Lac du Bourget. This spa town was hugely popular in the 19th Century –  royalty and noblemen were frequent visitors to the town in order to bathe in the restorative waters and are often called the Riviera of the Alps. Famous visitors include Queen Victoria who legend has it saw a donkey being mistreated and was so shocked she bought the donkey and sent it to live in Buckingham Palace.

Today we start our tour at this beautiful lake, with its clear turquoise waters and where the mountains literally seem to fall into the lake. Your guide will point out all the local flowers and fauna. For those more adventurous, have a kitesurfing lesson with an expert coach or hire a kayak to explore remote coves and beaches. Or simply have a ‘creme’ (this is what the locals call a white coffee) at one of the beach-fronted cafes and people watch.

In the afternoon we head into town and our first stop is the Temple of Diana – the historic Roman ruins located right in the town center within the town hall.

Your guide will share with you the secrets and mysteries surrounding this 1st Century temple. The next stop is the Musee Faure, a wonderful museum filled with artworks by artists such as  Cézanne, Sisley, Degas, and Pissarro. This museum also has the second largest collection of Rodin sculptures in France.

In the evening enjoy a tasting menu at one of the stunning restaurants situated on the shores of this magical lake.

Day 5: Aix-les-Bains to Annecy

Today we head towards Annecy, known as the Venice of the Alps. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in the whole of France nestled on the shores of Lake Annecy surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The old town is picture perfect, cobbled narrow streets and brightly colored houses line the canals of this pretty town.

Your private tour starts at the Palais de l’isle which is located on the Thiou canal and was built in the 12th Century. The building was originally built as a grand private house, then converted into a courthouse, and prison. Today it is a museum that charts the history of Annecy throughout the last centuries. Your guide will then lead you through the old town lined with art galleries, artisanal craft shops as well as lively bars and restaurants. Stop for lunch and have one of the local delicacies – tartiflette, fondue, or raclette, whatever you choose they are all delicious!

In the afternoon we head to Les Jardins de l’Europe, a beautiful park located in the town center – look out for the statue of the famous French chemist Claude – Louis Berthollet which has an English garden designed around planted in the 19th Century with over 600 deciduous trees planted.

Your day continues with a visit to the Pont d’Amour – let your guide tell you about the mysterious legend that surrounds this bridge. Our chauffeur will be waiting for us and he will drive us on the short trip to see the magnificent Gorges de Fier. Your guide will explain how the gorge was created and point out the various misshaped rock formations that overhang the path. Walk along the walkways through the narrow and deep gorge that leads to a freshwater pool and maybe have a swim in the crystal clear lake.

In the evening, dine at one of the sophisticated restaurants overlooking the lake.

Day 6: Annecy to Chambery

Chambery is the capital of Savoie, a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and this city is nestled in the heart of the Alps. The city has a very checkered past, switching hands between Italy and France, and even occupied by Spain. It was not until 1861 that Chambery was permanently ceded to France. 

We start our tour of this beautiful city at the Cathédrale Saint Francois de Sales, famed for having one of the largest collections of trompe l’oeil paintings in France and your guide will explain the significance of each painting. 

Your private tour continues to the Elephant Fountain, a strange site indeed in the middle of the French Alps. The Fontaines des Éléphants is a 17.6-meter high fountain featuring the front of four elephants, known affectionately by the locals as “quatre sans cul”.

The fountains were made in honor of Général de Boigne who donated some of the wealth that he accrues in the East Indies in Chambery.

Lunch in one of the many charming restaurants on the piazza and watch the locals play petanque.

In the afternoon your guide will take you on a tour of the old town with its narrow cobbled streets lined with bars and cafes as well as art galleries and artisanal bakeries and fromageries.

Day 7: Chambery to Lyon

Begin your day with a scenic 45-minute drive from Chambéry to Grenoble, nestled at the foot of the Alps.

Known as the “Capital of the Alps,” Grenoble offers a unique mix of vibrant city life and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Bastille Hill: Cable Car Ride

Begin your Grenoble adventure with a journey to Bastille Hill via the iconic “Les Bulles” cable car, which offers a seamless ascent to the historic 19th-century fortress.

As you glide upwards in the transparent bubble-shaped cabins, take in the expansive views of Grenoble’s cityscape set against the backdrop of the French Alps.

Exploring Bastille Hill

Upon reaching the summit, explore the fortress that has stood guard over Grenoble since the Middle Ages.

The site now serves as a fascinating blend of historical fortifications and modern leisure facilities. Wander through the alpine botanical garden, discovering a variety of mountain flora and fauna.

The panoramic terraces provide breathtaking vistas of the surrounding peaks, offering perfect photo opportunities and a moment to appreciate the region’s natural beauty.

Museum of Grenoble Private Tour

Continue your cultural exploration at the Museum of Grenoble, renowned for its extensive fine arts and antiquities collection.

This prestigious institution takes you on a journey through art history, from medieval masterpieces to modern and contemporary works.

Highlights of the museum include significant works by Matisse, Picasso, and Rubens, among others. Each room is meticulously curated, providing insight into different artistic movements and periods.

Historic Center: The Heart of Grenoble

Conclude your day with a stroll through Grenoble’s historic center. This area is alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life, set amidst a backdrop of medieval and baroque architecture.

Cultural and Culinary Delights

Discover the ancient cathedral, a testament to Grenoble’s rich history, and meander through the lively Place Saint-André. Here, the café terraces buzz with activity, offering a perfect setting to enjoy a coffee or sample local delicacies.

The pedestrian streets and quaint shops invite exploration, each turn revealing another aspect of Grenoble’s vibrant city life and its blend of history and modernity.

Day 8: Grenoble to Chamonix - Mont Blanc Adventure

Travel from Grenoble to Chamonix, a world-renowned alpine town offering spectacular views of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak.

Aiguille du Midi: A Gateway to the High Alps

Your Chamonix adventure reaches new heights with a cable car journey to the Aiguille du Midi, a pinnacle that stands as a sentinel over the valley.

As you ascend, the panoramic vistas unfold, revealing the Mont Blanc massif in all its glory, along with a 360-degree view of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps.

At the summit, step into the “Step into the Void” glass box, suspended over a precipitous 1000-meter drop. This unique attraction offers an adrenaline-pumping experience, allowing you to stand over the void with the Alps stretching beneath your feet.

Mer de Glace: Journey to the Heart of Ice

Board the Montenvers Railway, a timeless train that winds up the mountainside to France’s largest glacier, the Mer de Glace. The journey itself is a spectacle, offering glimpses of verdant forests and rugged terrain, culminating in the stunning expanse of the glacier.

At Mer de Glace, delve into the heart of the glacier by visiting the ice cave, carved anew each year to reveal the glacier’s deep blue interior.

The Glaciorium, a museum dedicated to glacial science, provides fascinating insights into the formation of glaciers, their role in the alpine ecosystem, and the impacts of climate change.

Chamonix Town

Spend a leisurely afternoon in the town of Chamonix, where the spirit of the Alps is palpable in every cobblestone and chalet. The town’s alpine architecture, with its wooden facades and blooming balconies, offers a picturesque backdrop for exploration.

Visit the Alpine Museum to deepen your understanding of Chamonix’s mountaineering heritage and the evolution of alpinism. Later, unwind in one of the town’s many restaurants, where the local cuisine and views of the towering peaks can be savored. Chamonix’s blend of cultural richness and natural beauty makes it the perfect place to reflect on your Alpine journey.

Day 9: Chamonix - Alpine Leisure and Adventure

Spend an additional day in Chamonix to fully immerse yourself in the alpine lifestyle and explore more of what this stunning region offers.

This day is dedicated to outdoor activities and relaxation, allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty and adventurous spirit of Chamonix.

Les Grands Montets: Adventure Awaits

Embrace the thrill at Les Grands Montets, where the slopes cater to the daring with challenging ski runs in winter. Come summer, these slopes morph into serene hiking trails, offering mesmerizing views of alpine peaks and icy glaciers, perfect for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Spa Indulgence: Mountain Serenity

After a morning of exhilaration, unwind in Chamonix’s opulent spas.

Treat yourself to holistic therapies that blend alpine herbs with traditional wellness practices. Immerse in the warmth of thermal pools or the tranquility of steam rooms, enveloped by the grandeur of the surrounding Alps.

Chamonix Valley

Elevate your perspective with a paragliding adventure over Chamonix Valley.

Glide alongside the majestic Mont Blanc, experiencing the landscape’s vastness and the serene beauty of the alpine world from above.

As dusk falls, meander through the valley’s picturesque villages like Argentière and Les Houches. These hamlets offer a glimpse into alpine life, with cozy eateries serving local fare and shops showcasing regional crafts set against the peaceful backdrop of the French Alps.

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Contact us for a bespoke French Alps itinerary

From the artistic treasures of Paris to the alpine wonders of Chamonix, every step of our nine day itinerary has been carefully crafted to provide an unforgettable experience that blends relaxation, exploration, and exhilaration.

If the allure of the French Alps calls to you, our team is ready to craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your preferences and interests. Contact us to embark on your personalized journey through France’s most iconic landscapes. Let the adventure begin!

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Meet your personal tour planner

Salut from France! I’m Debbie, founder of Luxury France Tours.

Having developed into a Francophile on a trip to the French Alps many years ago while still in school, I moved to France after a career traveling the world led to me meeting my (now) French Husband in Johannesburg. I created Luxury France Tours as a way of sharing my love of France & igniting this passion in others.

Email Debbie

[email protected]

+1 (856) 888-4286

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• ALL TOURS 2023 - 2024
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• DSLR PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES & WORKSHOPS

About Blue Tongue

2024 swiss & french alps photo tour (10-day).

SFR 3955.00 | Euro € 4200.00* | US$ 4580.00* Per person in twin-share

SWISS & FRENCH ALPS AT ITS BEST. Join us on this exciting photography journey, as we travel to some of the most breathtaking landscape of the Swiss & French Alps. Experience an unforgettable old-new 10-Day (previously 8-Day) Photography Adventure through the mesmerising landscapes of Switzerland & France, including 2-days capturing Lake Geneva and its picturesque Riviera, the Bernese Alps, Brienz, Grindelwald, Grimsel Pass, Zermatt and the Gornergrat 360 degrees view (Elevation 3,135 m / 10,285 ft) where you will experience a unique panorama encompassing 29 of the Alps’ mightiest peaks, as well as breathtaking photography locations such as Lake Riffelsee (Elev. 2,757 m), Lake Stellisee (Elev. 2,537 m) and the Klein Matterhorn (Elev. 3,883 m), the reknown Chamonix region and enchanted Six-Fer-a-Cheval valleys are just some of the locations we'll explore!

Autumn in central Europe is a fabulous time of the year to run photography tour, as the riviera and the lower valley landscape start to put on it's fall colours and the first snowfall on the mighty alpine peaks!

THE  BREATHTAKING  'LAVAUX' VINEYARD TERRACES, PICTURESQUE MOUNTAIN LAKES, HIDDEN WATERFALLS, MESMERISING  GLACIERS AND  TOWERING SNOW TOPPED ALPINE PEAKS PHOTOGRAPHY IN A NUTSHELL !

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SWISS & FRENCH PHOTO TOUR

A unique opportunity to work alongside (Suisse born) Australian professional landscape photographer Martial Fatton and LTG Global Awards Winner 2016 & 2017 Blue Tongue Photography Tours and guest tutor - seasoned local Master Landscape Photographer, Jacques Straesler.

SWISS & FRENCH ALPS 10-DAY LANDSCAPE PHOTO TOUR

• DATES & COST
• PHOTOGRAPHY
• REQUIREMENTS
• TOUR EXTENSIONS

Tour Highlight and Inclusions

This Exclusive small-group photographic adventure has been carefully put together, allowing you to experience a diversity of Alpine landscapes and lighting. We guarantee a wealth of photography opportunities, including small group tuition, practical notes and one-to-one support tailored to your individual needs while on-location learning the importance of image composition, available light and night photography techniques.

• 8x cosy nights at 3 & 4 Stars Hotels 
• Plus experience a unique overnight stay in a Swiss Mountain Cabin (Elev. 2606 metres)
• Twin-share room in specially selected accommodation
• Refer to 'Date & Cost' for single room supplement
• All breakfast during the duration of the photo tour
• Welcome dinner on our first night in the Lavaux overlooking lake Geneva
• Cable cars and train pass during the workshop
• All entrance fees to exhibits & locations that we visit for photography
• Train to the Gornergrat 360 degrees view (Elevation 3,135 m)
• Night photography & Sunrise session at Lake Stelisee
• Sunset & night photo session in at Lake Riffelsee
• A smorgasbords of Alpine sceneries throughout the 10 days
• Spectacular panoramic views over the Matterhorn
• Half day trip to the Klein Matterhorn (Elev. 3,883 m)
• Bernese Alps & the breathtaking Lake Brienz
• Chamonix & Six-Fer-a-cheval enchanted valleys
• Professional photography advise
• Fully escorted tour in French and English
• Photography group of 4 – 8 participants maximum

September 2 to 11 | 2024 (10-Day) Swiss & French Alps Photo Tour

Cost: AU$ 6980.00* | single supplement AU$ 1500.00*

SFR 3955.00  |  Euro € 4200 .00*  |   US$ 4580.00*

All prices have been calculated in Swiss franc, exchange rates between currency may vary from day to day.  

Take 5% off of the total costs of any tours when you sign up for 2 or more tours* (*conditions apply, not valid with any other offers, applicable only for direct online bookings).  SwissPass  discount applicable on demand.

This Swiss & French photo tour is offered as a stand-alone or post – Venice & Tuscany tour extension May/June & Oct. 2024 or Paris May/June & Aug/Sept 2024. It is a perfect tour to include a non-photographer companion

Non-photographers welcome.  (The single supplement fee also applies to the non-photographer participant). Observers/  non-photographers  companions can either tag along while you are out taking photographs, or do their own exploring of the surroundings and we’ll all meet up in the evenings to share a few stories of the day’s events.

A $1500 non-refundable deposit will secure your spot.  Click here to make your deposit »

What is included?

• 9 nights accommodations
• Daily breakfasts and 2 dinners (2x) during the duration of the Tour
• Transport in a 9 seater luxurious van
• All cable car & train pass required for the workshops for all 10 days
• Martial’s expertise in guiding and photographic instruction
• Second guest instructor

Level of physical difficulty: 3 out of 5

This 10-Day Tour / Workshop starts and finishes in Geneva and is suitable for beginners and experienced photographers of all ages. A moderate level of fitness is required (some walking).

Swiss & French Alps Tour Itinerary 2024/25 . Ever dreamed to spend 10 Days shooting Alpine Landscapes alongside an award winning professional landscape photographer and a local Master Landscape Photographer instructor wile holidaying in Switzerland and France?

This Workshop gives you the opportunities to learn all the inside tips and tricks you need to know on how to capture amazing landscapes and nightscape images. 

This new 10-Day Photo Tour itinerary replace the previous (2012-2023) 8-Day Photo Tour itinerary, as we felt 8-days was to rushed and didn't leave us enough time experience some of the more special and remote places we wanted to share with our guests. 

DAY 1: SWISS & FRENCH ALPS PHOTO TOUR

Our Swiss & French Alps photo tour will begin in the Swiss town of Geneva - Geneva Airport (GVA) , where we’ll meet at 8 AM with the rest of the group. From Geneva, we will take a short drive along Lake Geneva (Le Leman) to Lausanne before exploring UNESCO World Heritage renown region of Lavaux and the town of Montreux and Vevey, home of Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury . We’ll set-up for sunset at one of our favourite secret spots high up in the mountain, before heading back down to the Swiss Riviera to our hotel for the night.

On a clear day/night you can see Geneva at the other side of the lake, as well as all the snow-capped French Alps and the Jura .

DAY 2: SWISS & FRENCH   ALPS PHOTO TOUR

After breakfast we’ll drive about 2 hours to the  Bernese Alps  in western Switzerland, where we will spend the next three days shooting some outstanding landscapes.

On the way there, we will stop for lunch and visit the little Medieval town of Gruy è re, also known for its fresh cream and world-famous Gruyère cheese. Later we’ll check in our accommodation near Simmerfalle in the Bernese pre-Alps.

DAY 3: SWISS & FRENCH   ALPS PHOTO TOUR

On the third day of our Alps photography tour, we will wake up early to capture the sunrise at  Simmen Spring , a green valley with majestic mountains, waterfalls, and rivers.

Later, we will drive to Lake Brienz , home for the next 2 days. As we get closer to the mountains, the landscapes will become more impressive. Our first stop will be  Giessbach Falls , a 500-meter waterfall that drops into Lake Brienz at the foot of the historic Grandhotel Giessbach . The hotel can be reached by a funicular that holds the title of the oldest funicular railway in Europe.

On the way to Brienz, we will make a detour to photograph the picturesque village of  Lauterbrunnen , one of the most impressive places in Switzerland.

Lauterbrunnen Valley , also known as the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls,” is a spectacular glaciated valley surrounded by huge mountains and 900ft waterfalls. Tolkien was inspired by this valley to create Rivendell in Lord of the Rings, and as soon as you see it with your own eyes, you’ll understand why.

Here, we will explore the town and its best photographic points.

DAY 4: SWISS & FRENCH   ALPS PHOTO TOUR

On the fourth day of our Alps photo adventure, we will wake up early to make our way up to  Grindelwald , one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, which is surrounded by massive, 13,000 ft-high peaks and glaciers. From there, we will take a cable car up to  the Kleine Scheidegg , a breathtaking scenic overlook where we will spend the day. Here, we will enjoy some of the trip’s most amazing views and take pictures of the most prominent alpine mountains, such as the Eiger and Schreckhorn . Weather permitting we’ll embark on the new Eiger Express from Grindelwald Terminal to the Eiger Glacier, and from there continue to Europe’s highest railway station with the Jungfrau Railway to the marvel Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.

‘…Icy air brushes across your face, snow crunches under your feet, and the panorama almost takes your breath away: on one side the view of the Mittelland all the way to France, on the other the Aletsch glacier, lined with four-thousand-meter peaks. Anyone who stands on the Jungfraujoch, 3,454 meters above sea level, feels from the first step: This is a different world. One that you have to experience...’

DAY 5: SWISS & FRENCH ALPS PHOTO TOUR

This morning we’ll take it easy, sleep in if you like or take a walk along the mesmerising Lake Brienz . After breakfast we will leave the Bernese Alps via the Grimsel Pass and drive to  Fiesch , where we will take a cable car up to the largest glacier in the Alps,  Aletschgletscher , which is 23 kilometres (14 miles) long. The views are spectacular here, and we will spend a few hours shooting up in the mountain.

Later, we will head towards the Pennine Alps in southern Switzerland to reach  Zermatt , the famous Swiss village with an imposing view of the  Matterhorn , and one of our all-time favourite places to photograph in the whole world! To get there, we will take a short train ride from the village of Täsch as Zermatt is a car-free town.

From Zermatt Train Station we will get a group transfer to our hotel to drop off the excess luggage we won’t need for our first day/ night workshop at Lake Stellisee . Shortly after, we’ll make our way by foot to Zermatt’s Talstation Sunnegga ; you don’t want to miss the last cable car, as it will add an extra 1.5 hours steep walk to the upper station!  A short easy 30 – 40 minute walk will take us to Fluhalp , our ‘base camp’ for the night. (It does usually take us a bit longer with all the photo stops and adapting to the altitude!)

With a bit of luck, we will spot a few Edelweiss and hopefully get to meet some of the locals along the way; Marmots, Chamois, Alpine Ibex, Mountain Sheep, Chocards and Eagles.

We’ll check-in our accommodation late afternoon, and before dinner go through a few basic camera settings and ‘must do check list’ to be ready for our night photo shoot. We will have an early dinner at 7:00 pm to allow us to shoot the sunset lighting up the Cervin (aka Matterhorn) and then can catch on a bit of sleep, as weather permitting, we will wake up half way through the night to capture the Milky Way shining over the mighty Matterhorn!

DAY 6: SWISS & FRENCH ALPS PHOTO TOUR

For those game this morning, who wish to experience the early light, Martial will offer a pre-breakfast session and make his way down with the group (head torch on) to Lake Stellisee in time to claim a spot to capture the blue hour and immortalise the breathtaking reflections of the Alps in the iconic mountain lake at Sunrise.

After breakfast (8 – 9 am) we’ll make our way to the edge of the Findelgletsher (glacier) via the Grimdjibach Track . It is an awesome hidden gem away from the crowds, a fairly manageable hour hike, offering spectacular viewing spots looking out over the Alps and probably as close as you will ever get to the Ice Ages without freezing your bum off!

After lunch, we’ll check-in at Hotel Dufour and all going to plan, have time to recharge and catch up on a couple of hours sleep for the previous night. Mid-afternoon we’ll catch the iconic Gornergrat mountain train and make our way up to the world most famous 360 degrees panoramic view .

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a late afternoon picnic style dinner at Lake Riffelsee as we wait for the light to go down for our second twilight photography session and another great opportunity to capture some amazing images of the ‘King of the Mountain’ peaceful giant, the Matterhorn . We’ll catch the last train back down the valley to Zermatt around 10:30 pm from Riffelalp.

DAY 7: SWISS & FRENCH ALPS PHOTO TOUR

A well-deserved sleep-in this morning and after a leisurely breakfast we’ll make our way to a traditional little rustic Swiss Alpine village, typically build with rocks, wood and slate roofs, away from the busy tourists’ routes. After a well-earned rest and a taste of fresh local produce for lunch, we will hike down to Furi and catch a cable car to the Schwarzsee . This is a great place to spend the afternoon with a camera and make good use of those ND filters for waterfall and long exposure effects. We will get back in Zermatt late afternoon to explore the town and enjoy a typical Swiss meal all together. Optional free night to your leisure.

DAY 8: SWISS & FRENCH ALPS PHOTO TOUR

On the eighth day of this Swiss & French Alps photo trip, we will wake up early to capture the stars over Zermatt, the magical blue hour with the lights in town, and finally, the alpenglow light hitting the Matterhorn, the fifth highest mountain in the Alps.

We saved the really best for last, after breakfast we will make our way up to the Klein Matterhorn , a snow-covered peak of the Pennine Alps, with unobstructed breathtaking views over the Italo-Swiss Alps and Zermatt in the distance. At 3,883 metres above sea level, it is the highest place in Europe that can be reached by aerial cable cars, as well as by any other means of transport.

We will have the place nearly to ourselves at this time of day and will experience the magical early morning sun glowing on the surrounding Peaks. The perfect place to put in practice everything you’ve learned over the past 7 days and experience snow perhaps for the first time. Time and weather permitting we’ll adventure for a short walk in the snow before heading back to the hotel to collect our suitcases.

After this, we will drive for 3 hours and cross the border to France to spend the night near Chamonix . If there is time, we’ll do a sunset stop around the  French Chamonix Valley  where we’ll capture some beautiful mountain lakes, the popular French Aiguille Du Midi , and the Mont Blanc , the second highest mountain in Europe.

DAY 9: SWISS & FRENCH ALPS PHOTO TOUR

On the second last day of our fully guided Swiss & French Alps photography tour, we will spend the morning exploring the surround of Chamonix before heading the Haute-Savoie town of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval .

We will spend the day exploring different viewpoints in the area and hike to some locations that look like they came straight out of a Lord of the Rings scene. At times, in the valley, there are up to 30 waterfalls flowing from the tops of the mountains, some of which are among the most photogenic in Europe.

As we approach the end of valley, there will be an option to walk just a bit further and climb the last steepest part of the path to reach an upper spot where you can overlook the entire valley.

At the end of the day, we’ll enjoy some tasty French cuisine for our farewell dinner, in one of the local restaurants in town.

DAY 10: SWISS & FRENCH ALPS PHOTO TOUR

On the final day of this Alps guided photo tour, we will shoot the sunrise at one of the most extraordinary gems of the French Alps near  Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval .

After breakfast, we will pack up and drive back to  Geneva International Airport , where we will wrap up this photo adventure across the Swiss and French Alps. Expect to be at the airport no earlier than 12.30 PM, so you can catch flights that leave at 3.00 PM or later.

If you are travelling by train out of Geneva, you can also catch your train from the Geneva-Airport Train Station located underneath the airport. It will take you to all major cities across Europe from here.

* This is a sample itinerary, our itineraries are subject to change depending on weather and other circumstance beyond our control. Changes in the itinerary are always made to provide our guests the best possible experience, in a secure and professional way.

Photography Outline

Nature, Landscape, night and astrophotography

In addition to great daily photo opportunities and night excursions, we will also touch on the following photography topics, including:

• Understanding your camera
• Working with available light [read & understand the light]
• How to read your histogram, be in control
• Depth of Field calculation
• What lenses should you use?
• Camera settings to take the perfect shot everytime
• Image composition, the golden rules and how to break it!
• Filters, Neutral Density and Neutral Density Grads
• Photoshop/ Lightroom tips and tricks
• Night photography tutorial
• Capturing raw

Personal Items and Weather Conditions

Temperature range for this time of year: 2C to 25C but it can get very cold in altitude.

Average monthly snowfall for this time of year : 10%

Two pairs of shoes:  One sturdy pair for in the field that you can get wet if we have a rain day. One pair for evenings or the next day in case the first pair is not dry.

Light weight rain jacket and rain pants.  You don’t have to go all out here, but it will also help you to keep warm at night. * I really suggest a rain jacket if nothing else, the rain gear will keep you dry when walking in the mountain. I have a pair of Teflon rain pants & jacket, super light and perfect to keep in you camera bag in case of a sudden change in the weather.

A warm jacket, gloves, ‘woolly knickers’ and a jumper or light jacket for those early morning shoots.   It can get really cold at high altitude all year round, and specially at 4am as we wait for the sun to rise at 2’620 m over sea level.

Hat and high altitude sun screen protection.

Try to pack light on this Swiss & French Photo Tour, as you will have to transport your luggage between the train station and Hotel Dufor. You will also need to pack and carry a basic change of cloth in your camera bag for the overnight workshop at Lake Stellisee (Elev. 2,537 m)… our Mountain Cabin is a short 30-40 minutes walk between Sunnegga and Fluhalp. Drop off laundry service is available at most Hotels

Camera Equipment

Your favourite DSLR camera, a multi focal lens (i.e 18-70mm) or fix lens, the wider the angle the better (i.e 14, 18,20mm full frame camera and 10, 12mm cropped sensor camera), and a medium to long-range lens (i.e. 80-300mm), plenty of memory cards and fully charged batteries. A small steady tripod & cable release for long exposure is essential. Don’t forget to bring your camera manual if you are not 100% sure about your camera functions. Please note that for better results a recent DSLR digital camera is preferable (0-5yrs old) as technology changes. Polarizer filter, Neutral Density and grabs filters are not a prerequisite but are great tools to have for long exposure and colour saturation.

This workshop is suitable for beginners and advanced photographers of all ages, however a good sense of humour and minimum fitness is recommended. Sturdy shoes, suitable warm cloths, drink bottle, a head torch and a good camera bag… remember, you will be the one carrying your own photography gears!

Tour Extensions

A perfect add-on before your Swiss & French Alps Photo Tour is our popular Paris in the Spring Street photo tour in France or after your Zermatt Photo Tour to join us on either Venice & Cinque Terre or Tuscany photo tour

Take 5% off of the total costs of any tours when you sign up for 2 or more tours or participants.

Paris in the spring | Paris Photo Tour

May/June & Sept/Oct. 2024  (3 nights)

Click here for more information »

Venice & Cinque Terre | Venice Photo Tour

May /June & Sept/Oct.  202 4 (4 nights)

Toscana | Tuscany Photo Tour

October 2024  (6 nights)

Cancellations, Refunds, Guides & Weather Policy

Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellation Policy: A 25 – 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat depending on the tour that you have selected - refer to individual itinerary. Seats to be paid in full at the time of booking or within 4 weeks of departure on all Australian tours except all extended tours;  8 weeks for Karijini, Exmouth to Broome, Golden Outback & Southwest WA, Margaret River, Kalbarri Coral Coast 5-Day and Wave Rock, and 12 weeks on all extended European & USA tours including: Paris, Zermatt, Venice, Tuscany, Italian Dolomites, Swiss & French Alps tour and USA Canyons & National Parks . Cancellations less than 30 days on day tours no refund; 12  weeks for all extended tours, including: Karijini, Exmouth to Broome,  Golden Outback & Southwest WA, Margaret River , Kalbarri Coral Coast 5-Day and Wave Rock, it also includes all our international tours & workshops: Paris, Zermatt, Venice, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Italian Dolomites, Swiss & French Alps tour and all the North American tours . Deposits non refundable except tours cancelled due to sever weather, mechanical failure or minimum numbers not met; full refund will be given. Minimum and maximum numbers are at the discretion of the operator. Tours already commenced no refund. No refund for tours missed due to lateness & sickness. Travel insurance and public liability (in the even you accidentally damage someone else property) are mandatory on all our extended tours and highly recommended on day tours as well. Check-in 15 minutes prior to departure. Maximum 1 baggage* per person i.e. Camera bag water bottle jumper (Extra luggage* allowance on all extended tours (1 pp – personal effects) NOTE: We cannot guarantee that you will see kangaroos emus or any wild animals on our tours nor wildflowers as they are seasonal. For MasterClass workshops extended tours and international travel policy please check our website or individual tours.

Tour Guides

Our tours leader is Martial Fatton – Blue Tongue Tours Owner/ Operator, however we reserve the right to provide a photographer of our choosing, which we guarantee is competent of their position. Your assigned photographer might change from initial notification until the tour departure due to illness, engagements or any other reason deemed necessary by Blue Tongue Tours, not limited to the photographers listed on this site. While we do our best to match you with a photographer of your choosing if requested, for these reasons we cannot guarantee a specific photographer for an individual tour.

Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, before the tour commences, you have the option of a) continuing the tour as planned and we’ll do our best to concentrate the tour to areas sheltered from the elements. At prior request, we can provide an umbrella. Or b) rescheduling the tour at no additional cost (availability permitting). 

Itineraries are subject to change depending on weather and other circonstances beyond our control. Changes in the itinerary are always made to provide the best possible experience and safety of our clients!

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16 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in the French Alps

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lisa Alexander spent two years living in France and has traveled the country extensively.

For nature lovers, the French Alps are one of the best places to visit in France . This area boasts some of the most magnificent scenery in Europe: awe-inspiring mountains, crystal-clear lakes, rushing waterfalls, and pristine forests.

The French Alps correspond with the historic duchy of Savoy , as well as the Dauphiné region . The impressive Château de Ducs de Savoie is found in Chambéry. The old château in Annecy belonged to the Counts of Geneva, while Grenoble was the meeting place of the Estates of the Dauphiné.

Most tourists focus their visit on outdoor activities, such as hiking , biking, and mountain climbing in summer; skiing and snowboarding in winter. The ski resorts of Chamonix, Val d'Isère, and Portes du Soleil offer excellent facilities, a lively ambience, and regional charm.

Relaxation is another reason to visit the French Alps. For over a century, tourists have arrived here in search of the rejuvenating fresh air and leisure. Many Belle Epoque spa towns, including Aix-les-Bains, Evian-les-Bain, and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, are still popular today.

Tourists will be amazed by the wealth of cultural and natural attractions to discover here. Find the best things to see and do in the region with our list of the top tourist attractions and places to visit in the French Alps.

See also: Where to Stay in the French Alps

1. Chamonix

3. vercors regional natural park, 4. grenoble, 5. aix-les-bains, 6. val d'isère, 7. evian-les-bain, 8. cirque du fer-à-cheval, 10. chambéry, 11. route du galibier, 12. albertville and surrounding ski resorts, 13. portes du soleil ski area, 14. route napoléon, 15. saint-gervais-les-bains, 16. thonon-les-bains, where to stay in the french alps for sightseeing.

The village of Chamonix nestles in the peaceful Chamonix Valley at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps . Reaching an impressive altitude of 4,807 meters, Mont Blanc is covered in a blanket of snow during all seasons of the year, even in summer.

Surrounded by mountains, meadows, and rushing streams, Chamonix is a high-mountain town that draws tourists from around the world. Visitors come to experience the beauty of the Alpine scenery and to participate in outdoor sports, such as skiing, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, biking, and golf.

Chamonix is the base of an internationally renowned ski resort offering some of the best skiing in Europe . The resort area extends for 23 kilometers along the Vallée de Chamonix between Les Houches and Argentière.

Tucked away among farms, lush forests, and Alpine meadows, Les Houches (a group of little hamlets) provides a dreamy escape for vacationers. Families especially appreciate the traditional mountain-village atmosphere and the many children's activities. Les Houches has a wide selection of hotels, chalets for rent, restaurants, and shops.

One of the must-see sites in Chamonix is the Aiguille du Midi summit (at 3,842 meters high) with incomparable views of Mont Blanc and the Glacier des Bossons. From the center of Chamonix, the Aiguille du Midi is accessible by a 20-minute cable car ride over high-mountain forests.

Another way to admire incredible vistas is on the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola. This exciting, scenic route traverses above ice falls and crevasses, with vantage points towards Pointe Helbronner in Italy.

Set by a tranquil lake with snowcapped mountains in the background, Annecy looks like a scene straight out of a storybook. Graceful white swans glide around the narrow canals of the Thiou River, which flows out of the lake and through the old town.

The old town (historic center) of Annecy charms visitors with its beauty and old-world ambience. Many building façades feature balconies adorned with colorful geraniums. Winding cobblestone streets invite a leisurely amble, while water channels traversed by small foot bridges add to the fairy-tale look.

Within the old town, an especially delightful place to wander is along the Rue Sainte-Claire . This distinctive street features arcaded 16th- to 18th-century buildings that now house many shops and restaurants.

Tucked away on Annecy's medieval streets are many architectural treasures. Annecy has two historic churches, the 15th-century Eglise Saint-Maurice and the 16th-century Cathédrale Saint-Pierre .

Not to be missed in the old town is the 12th-century Palais de l'Île , on an islet in the Canal du Thiou. The building was originally a prison and later used as the Palace of Justice. Today the Palais de l'Isle displays a collection of exhibits about regional architecture and history.

Another of the top attractions in Annecy is the Château d'Annecy , which dates back to the 13th century and was once the residence of the Counts of Geneva. Today, the château is a museum devoted to local history, medieval sculpture, landscape paintings, and contemporary art.

For those who enjoy animated films, it's worth taking a short walk from the château to the Musée du Film d'Animation (18 Avenue de Trésum), which presents exhibits about the process of creating animated films.

When the weather warms up, the Lac d'Annecy draws many vacation-goers. Beginning in springtime, the lake awakens with activity and potted flowers decorate the lakeside promenade .

Visitors can stroll along the shores of the lake that runs parallel to the Avenue d'Albigny , shaded by plane trees, with a path for bikers and pedestrians. The avenue extends alongside the lake for approximately one kilometer (about a 20-minute walk), ending up at the Parc Charles-Bosson , a lakeside park with benches near the water's edge and a spacious lawn that's ideal for picnics.

Just past the Parc Charles-Bosson on the Avenue d'Albigny is the Impérial Palace , a legendary Belle Époque hotel set in beautiful leafy grounds with a rose garden. This four-star hotel offers contemporary-style guest rooms, elegant salons, a gastronomic restaurant, spa with wellness center, and concierge services.

The Vercors is a range of forest-covered hills in the Dauphiné region between the Rhône Valley and the Route d'Hiver des Alpes. The mountains rise to 2,346 meters at the Grand Veymont and are broken up by deeply indented valleys and gorges.

The natural park has numerous well-groomed paths and trails, allowing visitors to explore the Vercors on foot or on horseback. In winter, excellent facilities are available for a variety of sports. It is worth making a special trip around the Vercors to take in the unusual scenery of the region.

Through the Combe Laval , there is a mountain road constructed in 1897, originally for the transport of timber from the Forêt de Lente to Saint-Jean-en-Royans. The finest stretch of the road begins at the wooded Col de la Machine on the way down to Saint-Jean, offering magnificent views of the countryside below.

Beyond Villard-de-Lans, the road descends into the Bourne Valley, which narrows into the Gorges de la Bourne, and continues through tunnels and over bridges. Beyond the little town of Pont-en-Royans is the Vernaison Valley and the picturesque Vernaison gorges. It climbs, with many bends, to the grandiose Grands Goulets gorge.

The old capital of the Dauphiné region, Grenoble lies in a basin of the Isère Valley surrounded by mountains rising to 3,000 meters. Grenoble is dominated in the north by Fort Rabot and the Fort de la Bastille, both on foothills of the Mont Rachais range.

Must-see historic landmarks in Grenoble's Vieille Ville include the Palais du Parlement du Dauphiné (Hall of Justice of the Estates of the Dauphiné), an opulent palace blending Flamboyant Gothic and Early Renaissance styles; and the Musée de l'Ancien Évêché , a 13th-century Episcopal palace that houses a museum of Grenoble's history.

The Musée de Grenoble is one of France's most important fine arts museums. The collection includes paintings by the great masters, including Rubens, George de La Tour, and Philippe de Champaigne, as well as 19th-century artists such as Delacroix and Monet. Modern art is represented with works by Picasso, Matisse, and Léger, among others.

In addition to Grenoble's cultural riches , it is blessed with a gorgeous natural setting and lush parks. Not to be missed is the Jardin des Dauphins, 30 hectares of terraced gardens with exceptional views. Shaded pedestrian paths and staircases make this park a pleasant place to stroll.

In the mountains by the Lac du Bourget, Aix-les-Bains is an internationally renowned spa town. The bucolic landscape, majestic views, and serene atmosphere make it ideal for a health retreat.

The town's natural hot springs have been used for curative purposes since Roman times. The ruins of Roman baths , the Arch of Campanus and the Temple of Diana, are open to the public.

Aix-les-Bains still welcomes visitors to bathe in its mineral waters and become immersed in restorative leisure time.

The modern facilities at the Marina Adelphia Spa and Hotel include a wellness center with therapeutic baths and an upscale spa with a sauna, Jacuzzi, and hammam. This four-star hotel also has a gourmet restaurant that serves traditional French cuisine.

Other thermal bath facilities are found at Domaine de Marlioz , which includes two hotels (3-star Ibis Styles and 4-star Hôtel Mercure ), two restaurants, therapeutic thermal baths, and a full-service spa. The property is set in a calm, verdant park shaded by hundred-year-old trees.

In a lovely spot with mountain views, the Thermes Chevalley offers spa treatments, saunas, and swimming pools filled with warm thermal mineral waters. The Thermes Chevalley waters are said to cure various health conditions including rheumatism, joint stiffness, back pain, and osteoarthritis. The facility's staff also provides relaxation programs, nutritional guidance, fitness courses, and physical therapy.

Much of the architecture in Aix-les-Bains dates back to the Belle Époque, when it was a fashionable spa destination. From an earlier era, the 15th-century Château des Marquis d'Aix (now the Town Hall) has a Renaissance staircase built of stone from Roman structures.

Art lovers will appreciate the Musée Faure (10 Boulevard des Côtes) housed in a stately villa, which has an interesting collection of Impressionist paintings, Rodin sculptures, and faience ceramics.

Val d'Isère has long been a favorite skiing area because it offers numerous ski lifts and cableways over an enormous terrain. The expansive Tignes-Val d'Isère ski resort is located in the Tarentaise Mountains at an altitude of between 1,550 meters and 3,500 meters.

The Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area is so vast and with so many options, both on- and off-piste, that it is possible to try a different run every time. The area offers 163 ski slopes on mountainsides that cover 300 kilometers.

The village of Val d'Isère is, at its heart, a traditional Alpine hamlet, with little chalets centered around a Baroque church.

The historic village has grown into a modern resort and boasts a lively après-ski ambience with an array of restaurants, from casual dining rooms that serve hearty Savoyard cuisine to Michelin-starred gastronomic establishments (including one-starred La Table de l'Ours and two-starred L'Atelier d'Edmond).

During summertime, Val d'Isère attracts many visitors with its vibrant mountain scenery and outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and climbing. It's also a marvelous area for taking nature walks to see wildflowers and bird life.

Nestled in the green mountain pastures of the French Alps, the spa town of Evian-les-Bains overlooks the crystal-clear blue waters of Lake Geneva . In this pristine location, Evian-les-Bains is a popular health resort and leisure destination known for its culture and entertainment options.

Evian-les-Bains has a rich history that dates back to the medieval era, but its heyday was during the Belle Époque when the town flourished as a spa resort. Elegant 19th- and early 20th-century architectural landmarks reveal the town's heritage as a prestigious destination for taking the waters.

Visitors still come to Evian-les-Bains to bath in the curative mineral waters. Les Thermes Evian spa facility offers therapeutic thermal baths and wellness programs as well as fitness courses. The facility's hydrotherapy spa treatments feature hydromassage jets designed to provide relaxation and muscle toning benefits.

An excellent example of spa architecture, the Palais Lumière was a thermal spa built in 1902 and now hosts art expositions throughout the year.

Listed as a Historical Monument, the Théâtre Antoine Riboud was built between 1883 and 1885 by a student of Charles Garnier. This lavish neoclassical theater hosts Estivales Théâtrales , a summertime theater festival focused on lighthearted comedies.

Evian-les-Bain also draws crowds for its classical music festival, Rencontres Musicales d'Evian , which takes place from the end of June through July.

For the simple pleasure of strolling in a rejuvenating setting, visitors can head to the town's lakeside promenade and Pré Curieux water gardens .

The Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval is a spectacular limestone mountain that was carved out by glaciers into a circular shape. This unspoiled nature reserve has wonderful trails for scenic walks and hiking. Visitors are enchanted by the peaceful Alpine environment of snow-capped mountain peaks, refreshing pine trees, and abundant waterfalls.

Nestled in this wilderness area, the picturesque village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is listed as one of France's "Plus Beaux Villages" (Most Beautiful Villages). The village is actually a collection of 24 small hamlets surrounded by the nature reserve and graced by the "Cascade du Rouget" waterfall.

Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is distinguished by its traditional Alpine architecture of high-pitched roofs and steepled churches. The town has an ancient abbey, the Abbaye de Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval , founded by Ponce de Faucigny in the 12th century, as well as an adjoining 13th-century parish church with a garden that is open to the public.

Nearby is a ski resort, as well as access to many hiking trails and other outdoor activities such as mountain biking and fishing.

Megève is another one of France's best ski resorts , with opportunities for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. The quaint medieval village of Megève dates back to the 14th century and offers an authentic Alpine experience.

As a typical mountain village, Megève has narrow cobblestone streets, a main town square, and a historic parish church. The atmosphere is charming and vibrant, and the village is also well-developed enough to handle the influx of seasonal visitors to the ski resort.

Travelers will appreciate the abundance of modern hotels, exclusive boutiques, and upscale restaurants.

Although the skiing at Megève is limited because of its low elevation, the extensive ski domain incorporates areas in the nearby towns of Combloux, Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, Saint Nicolas de Véroce, and Les Contamines Montjoie, with the skiable terrain encompassing eight mountain peaks.

Megève is also a popular vacation destination during summertime, for those who enjoy outdoor activities. Things to do include hiking, white water rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

On the banks of the fast-flowing Leysse River, in a fertile basin surrounded by hills and mountains, picturesque Chambéry has a rich history tied to the Dukes of Savoy. The town was the capital of the independent state of Savoy from the 13th to the 16th centuries and is dominated by the old castle of the Dukes of Savoy.

The Château de Ducs de Savoie is a fortified castle that was founded in the 11th century and designed as a walled village, although the edifice that stands today was mostly built in the 14th century.

The château houses the local government offices, however a few rooms in the medieval wing are open to the public and display exhibits about the history of the castle. Visitors may take a guided tour (available in French only) to see more of the castle.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts , which occupies a former grain barn, displays an impressive collection of masterpieces by the Old Masters including Uccello, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, Lorenzo Lotto, Giovanni Battista, and Georges de La Tour. There are also noteworthy landscape paintings by Albert Charpin, Xavier de Maistre, Jacques Barthélemy Appian, and Antoine Watteau.

An indication of the town's former grandeur and cultural influence are the regal old mansions , created by noble families in the 15th and 16th centuries. The finest of these " hôtels particuliers " are found along the Rue Croix-d'Or.

The Col du Galibier, in the sunny Maurienne valley of the northern Dauphiné district, reaches a height of 2,646 meters and ranks with the Col de l'Iseran (200 meters higher) as one of the highest mountain passes in France .

There are awe-inspiring panoramic views on both the ascent and the descent from the summit. The scenic drive is best planned during the summer, as it may be impassable from October until the end of May because of snow.

At the south entrance to the tunnel on this route stands a monument to Henri Desgranges, who initiated the Tour de France cycle race in 1903. The Col du Galibier is part of the Tour de France route but is also popular among recreational cyclists.

Albertville is a good base for a ski holiday in the French Alps and a worthwhile destination to simply enjoy the Alpine scenery. This bustling high-mountain town was founded by King Charles-Albert of Savoy in the 19th century and was laid out with a modern city plan.

On a hilltop spur above the town is Conflans , the oldest part of Albertville. This historic quarter is a relic of the past with its Gothic town gates, medieval walls, historic houses, and Baroque church.

Several top ski resorts are less than an hour away from Albertville. About 45 kilometers from Albertville is La Clusaz , a popular winter sports destination. La Clusaz ski area encompasses five interlinked mountain peaks, with 85 ski slopes covering 125 kilometers of groomed trails.

The charming historic village of La Clusaz , with its narrow, winding streets and splendid views, is a wonderful place to stay. Accommodations range from luxurious five-star hotels to cozy chalets and family-friendly rental apartments.

Another nearby option for skiers (60 kilometers from Albertville) is La Plagne , part of Paradiski ski area, which is one of the largest ski resorts in Europe with 425 kilometers and around 150 ski slopes. The resort area of La Plagne includes several small villages, and each has its own distinct high-mountain character.

Those looking for endless ski runs should head to Les 3 Vallées , just 27 kilometers from Albertville. Les 3 Vallées is the most extensive ski area in the world . This 600-kilometer domain has 166 lifts that provide access to 328 ski slopes.

Les 3 Vallées comprises several different resort areas, including the prestigious Courchevel area, which has six villages; the charming Alpine village of Méribel ; the more affordable resort of Brides-les-Bains ; and the family-oriented ski area of Les Menuires .

The Portes du Soleil ski area includes 12 different ski resorts in the Chablais mountain range. The resorts on the French side include Abondance, Chatel, Montriond, Morzine-Avoriaz, Saint-Jean d'Aulps, Avoriaz, La Chapelle d'Abondance, and Les Gets.

The bustling resort of Morzine-Avoriaz is sheltered in a forested valley with the Chablais mountains as a backdrop. Morzine provides a wide selection of accommodations in its authentic Alpine village. Avoriaz is a modern traffic-free resort that is popular with families.

La Chapelle d'Abondance enjoys a postcard-perfect setting in the sunny Vallée d'Abondance. This traditional Savoyard village offers all the amenities of a top-notch French ski resort . The nearby ski area includes downhill slopes and cross-country skiing.

In an idyllic lakeside setting, Montriond is an excellent choice for skiers who appreciate long runs. The nearby ski area boasts an almost eight-kilometer-long ski run, l'Abricotine, which extends from a mountain peak near the border with Switzerland.

The Route Napoléon is a scenic itinerary for a driving tour through the French Alps. The four lakes of Laffrey are the main features on the barren plateau of Matésine. Here, on March 7, 1815, Napoleon won against a battalion, which had been sent to prevent him from advancing any further.

The Route Napoléon runs between Gap and Grenoble and one of the best places to visit is Corps , a fetching historic town in the expansive Vallée des Drac. The rural landscape in this area is particularly scenic.

It's worth taking a detour from Corp to the Church of Notre-Dame de la Salette , perched at an altitude of 1,170 meters amid stunning Alpine scenery. The church was built after the Virgin reputedly appeared to two children in 1851, and every summer, it attracts many pilgrims.

In the foothills of the Alps, the town of Saint-Gervais has been renowned since the Belle Époque period as one of the best spas in the Savoy region .

The town offers an escape to nature where visitors may enjoy the beauty of the mountain scenery and take advantage of the thermal baths. Many hotels in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains offer bathing facilities and spa treatments.

The luxurious Armancette Hotel provides comfortable accommodations in stylish guest rooms, suites, or fully equipped chalets. This five-star hotel has an upscale spa with an indoor-outdoor pool, three Jacuzzis, a sauna, and steam room. The hotel's outdoor terrace overlooks Mont Blanc .

Saint-Gervais-les-Bains is also a popular wintertime destination as it's connected by a network of cableways to the skiing areas of Megève and Chamonix.

Perched above Lake Geneva, Thonon-les-Bains is a popular spa destination both in summer and winter.

A top place to visit is the 17th-century Château de Sonnaz, which offers glorious panoramic views of the Jura Mountains and Lake Geneva. The château houses the Musée du Chablais , which presents exhibits about the heritage of the Chablais Mountains region.

About 14 kilometers west of Thonon-les-Bains is Excenevex , a resort town on Lake Geneva with a large natural beach of fine sand bordered by pine trees. The beach has shallow waters ideal for swimming. Other things to do at Excenevex include boating, fishing, and volleyball. There is also a children's playground.

It's worth traveling a few kilometers farther to the medieval village of Yvoire , one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France." This enchanting lakeside village boasts a 14th-century château with fortified ramparts and an exquisitely landscaped garden (listed as a " Jardin Remarquable ").

For a French Alps ski holiday, the best areas to stay include Chamonix, Albertville, or one of the Portes du Soleil villages. During summertime, spa resorts such as Evian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains are especially pleasant, while Annecy delights with its fairy-tale ambience. Grenoble is a good base any time of year. Here are some highly rated hotels in convenient locations:

Luxury Hotels:

• Right in the center of Chamonix, the five-star Hotel Mont-Blanc is a legendary establishment with superb views of Mont Blanc. This elegant 19th-century property has been refurbished in sleek contemporary style. Amenities include a spa, gourmet restaurant, and outdoor swimming pool.
• The four-star Hotel Ermitage - Evian Resort in Evian-les-Bains has lovely gardens with an outdoor swimming pool, set on a 47-acre property overlooking Lake Geneva. Amenities include a thermal spa, several restaurants, and children's activities.
• In Grenoble's atmospheric Vieille Ville (old town), the four-star Grand Hotel Grenoble Centre is within walking distance of many restaurants and shops. This boutique hotel features sleek contemporary-style guest rooms.
• The four-star Hôtel Macchi is the ideal place to stay for a ski holiday at the Portes du Soleil area. This traditional chalet in the Vallée d'Abondance has a restaurant that serves seasonal cuisine and a spa with an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and Ayurvedic treatments.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• In a quiet area of Thonon-les-Bains, less than 15-minutes' walk to the town and lake, the three-star Hôtel L'Arc en Ciel has an outdoor pool, stylish modern guest rooms, and large suites that are great for families.
• Only steps from the chairlifts and a short walk to the quaint ski resort village of La Clusaz, the four-star Hôtel Beauregard has a cozy ski lodge feel. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool and sauna. Guest rooms feature old-fashioned Alpine décor and private balconies.
• The three-star Allobroges Park Hotel enjoys a perfect location in the heart of Annecy, near the old town and just a five-minute walk from the lake. Contemporary-style guest rooms are outfitted with flat-screen televisions and updated bathrooms.

Budget Hotels:

• The three-star Savoy Hôtel is sheltered by verdant hillsides in the spa town of Brides-les-Bains, less than 10 kilometers from Les Trois Vallées ski area. This cheerful hotel occupies a renovated convent building with modern guest rooms, a restaurant, spa, and outdoor swimming pool.
• The Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Les Terrasses du Lac stands on a hillside overlooking the deep blue waters of Lac Léman. This three-star hotel benefits from the tranquil environment of Evian-les-Bains, and the property includes an outdoor swimming pool and sauna. The hotel's apartments with kitchenettes are perfect for families and extended stays.
• Near Annecy's old town and just a five-minute walk from the lake, the Atipik Hôtel Annecy offers a friendly welcome and cozy rooms. Some of the guest rooms have canal views.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Nearby Attractions : About an hour and 30 minutes away by train or car from Grenoble, the UNESCO-listed city of Lyon offers cultural treasures and enchanting old-world ambience, as well as famous regional cuisine. There are many attractions that can be reached on a day trip from Lyon , such as the ancient Roman temple in Vienne and the medieval hilltop village of Pérouges.

Highlights of Provence : Several top attractions of Provence are within a two- to three-hour drive away from the French Alps, including Avignon , the medieval city of Popes, and Nîmes , with its fascinating ancient Roman monuments. In the Haut-Vaucluse area of Provence, must-see sights are Orange, an important town in antiquity; the perched hilltop village of Gordes; and UNESCO-listed Mont Ventoux.

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A Tour of the French Alps with Lukas Furlan

by twistedsifter

Photographer Lukas Furlan recently spent a few days hiking through the French Alps and shared an amazing series of photos from his travels on Behance .

The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland. [ source ]

At 4,808 meters (15.774 ft), Mont Blanc, on the French-Italian border, is the highest mountain in the entire Alps, and the highest mountain in western Europe. [ source ]

To see the complete gallery in stunning 1200 px width, check out Luaks’ French Alps gallery on Behance . For more from Lukas, check him out at the links below.

If you enjoyed this post, the Sifter highly recommends:

Categories: NATURE/SPACE , TRAVEL Tags: · hiking , landscapes , mountains , photo series , top

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14 top vacation destinations in the french alps.

Explore an array of options for your next family ski vacation or a romantic wine retreat.

14 Top Destinations in the French Alps

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Experience the French Alps by hiking in national parks, skiing at top resorts, exploring mountain villages and more.

The Alps are the largest mountain chain in Europe – and one of the longest and highest mountain ranges in the world. Their majesty stretches for more than 700 miles across eight countries, with the highest peak, Mont Blanc, sitting near France's border with both Italy and Switzerland . Combined with its proximity to Lake Geneva , the French portion of the Alps offers some of the most picturesque ski resorts, alpine villages and vacation opportunities in the world.

Skiing, while not required to enjoy your visit, is a huge part of the French Alps culture – as is the après-ski (literally "after-ski"), which is what happens when the skis come off. In the summer, it's all about the Tour de France, an annual men's cycling competition that passes through the Alps. Travelers can soak in natural hot springs to unwind after a day spent hitting the slopes, exploring by cable car or doing nothing at all. Strap on your skis and pack your hiking boots for these top destinations in the postcard-worthy French Alps, one of the best places to visit in France .

(Note: Some of the following activities, attractions and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

The first Winter Olympics were held in 1924 in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. The town, more commonly referred to as Chamonix, sits in the heart of France's Haute-Savoie department, a subdivision of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (like how the U.S. has counties within states). A century after those incipient Olympic Games, this scenic area in southeastern France – bordering Italy and Switzerland – continues to welcome visitors from around the world to take part in its premiere skiing and snow-gazing opportunities. You'll find the country's highest cable car in Chamonix at the Aigulle du Midi mountain. Advanced skiers and those simply brave enough to take the journey will venture more than 12,600 feet into the sky to the starting point for the Vallée Blanche. This "off-piste" area of the French Alps – where the snow is not specially prepared for skiing – offers up glacial skiing and celestial vantage points from the foot of the Mont Blanc massif mountain range.

For those more comfortable on rails rather than skis, book a ride on the Montenvers-Mer de Glace train. This cherry-red cogwheel train carries passengers from Chamonix to Montenvers for access to the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), the biggest glacier in France. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit an ice cave in the glacier and learn more about both its history and future amid climate change. When you're done exploring, warm up with a traditional meal at the Refuge du Montenvers restaurant before heading back to Chamonix.

Aix-les-Bains

Set on the eastern shore of Lac du Bourget – France's largest natural lake – Aix-les-Bains is an inviting Savoy resort town in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It once hosted the summer escapades of royalty, along with American author Mark Twain. The glacial waters of the Lac du Bourget set a relaxed ambiance, easily discovered by strolling the Esplanade du Lac, a lakeside park and walkway shaded by trees. The rugged mountain landscape can be glimpsed across the lake as well as the Hautecombe Abbey, a former monastery where many members of the House of Savoy are buried. Mont Revard is a prime example of the limestone cliffs found in Aix-les-Bains. The ski station at the top boasts an impressive network of cross-country ski trails for winter visitors, while in summer skilled cyclists attempt the ascent – including the competitors of the Tour de France, which has been held here numerous times. Visitors claim the views are stupendous, even if you arrive by car.

If you seek a more low-key vacation in Aix-les-Bains, while away the days at the Musée Faure, an art museum, featuring the works of Rodin and impressionist paintings, or take a daylong soak in the restorative waters of the spa town's thermal baths. Those who appreciate architectural aesthetics will be in awe of the Roman ruins here, like the Temple of Diana, found alongside belle epoque structures including the Casino Grand Cercle and the hotel Le Mirabeau.

Alpe d'Huez

At more than 6,000 feet above sea level, Alpe d'Huez is a year-round resort town in the French Alps. Its Pic Blanc glacier reaches nearly 11,000 feet and is accessible in winter or summer. Alpe d'Huez has earned the nickname "Island of the Sun" for its abundant days of sunshine on the slopes, which warm skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities.

You may start your stay by marveling at the Grotte du Glace, an ice cave at the top of one of the ski lifts that features sculptures. The lifts continue to operate even in July and August for hikers and mountain bikers looking to take advantage of 21 thrilling hairpin bends regularly employed in the Tour de France. The lifts also grant access to the smaller Alpine villages of Vaujany and Oz en Oisans from Alpe d'Huez. While most local restaurants in town are known for cream- and cheese-based cuisine, the newly renovated Le Génépi serves a menu of plates made with fresh, local ingredients. Recent patrons call the restaurant a much-needed infusion of culinary excellence in this French Alps town with its unique dishes and scenic views from the terrace.

Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark

The mountainous area known as the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark is set on the France-Switzerland border and spans more than 60 French towns. The Chablais' name means "head of the lake," referring to Lake Geneva. The UNESCO recognition acknowledges the area's millions of years of geological history alongside cultural heritage such as local cheese- and wine-making practices. The Chablais was designated a "geopark" to highlight the bond between people and nature here, something evident throughout the French Alps given the emphasis on water and natural springs. UNESCO offers a tourist map online that showcases some of the many places to visit throughout the Chablais – abbeys, castles, museums and more. Visitors to the Musée de la Musique Mécanique (Mechanical Music Museum) in Les Gets were surprised by the abundant instruments it displays, with plenty of quirky and antique contraptions to spend an hour ogling.

Évian-les-Bains

Within the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark, Évian-les-Bains is widely known for its mineral springs – you may also recognize it as the namesake for a popular water bottle company – but this quintessential French spa town quenches a thirst for beauty as well as water. Located on the southern shore of Lake Geneva, Évian-les-Bains was a favorite of the Lumière family: the very same Lumières credited with helping invent modern cinema. Villa Lumière was the family's summer residence, and self-guided tours of the now-hotel are allowed on weekdays. The Palais Lumière, which constituted the formal thermal baths during the early 20th century, houses cultural and art exhibitions today. The neoclassical-style theater, dating to 1883, was created by a student of Charles Garnier, the architect who built the Opéra Garnier in Paris .

The Pré Curieux water gardens in Évian-les-Bains, meanwhile, are a unique lakeside habitat used for research but open to guests who come by solar-powered boat with a guide from May through October. If you seek something to do around the winter holidays instead, check out Le Fabuleux Village des Flottins, a festival of magical creatures created out of driftwood from the shores of Lake Geneva and elevated with light displays. Past participants rave that the flottin sculptures are unusual and breathtaking – and advise not to miss the stalls of "vin chaud" (hot mulled wine) and pancakes along the parade route. Whenever you visit this quaint French Alps destination, don't miss a Michelin-starred meal at the restaurant Les Fresques.

Courchevel is a skiing enthusiast's dream, with one resort spread across six villages near Vanoise National Park, a nature preserve that was France's first national park . This French Alps ski resort is part of Les Trois Vallées (the Three Valleys), which is the largest linked ski area in the world. There are more than 100 ski runs – and plenty of moguls for snowboarders and snowmobilers – across a variety of experience levels. Skiers who prefer abundant off-piste territory should give nearby resort Val Thorens a try. Méribel, meanwhile, another ski resort in Les Trois Vallées that neighbors Courchevel, caters to families. Part of the appeal of ski culture is the offerings when you're done with the slopes; après-ski at Courchevel includes the bustling Le Tremplin restaurant and the Copiña Courchevel bar, where tapas, beer, wine and cocktails are served in a sleek setting. Guests say the friendly staff, delicious drinks and upbeat atmosphere – sometimes with live music – made them return to Copiña Courchevel again and again.

Serre Chevalier

Within France's Haute-Alpes department are four communes (the French equivalent of towns) that make up the Serre Chevalier valley and ski resort, where sunshine is plentiful throughout the year. In the valley of the Guisane river, between the Cerces mountain range and Écrins National Park, you'll find the commune of Le Monêtier-les-Bains, a former Roman city complete with thermal baths that today are open from May to December. Spagoers at Les Grands Bains du Monêtier note that the facilities can get crowded but a soak is a must, especially after a day spent skiing or hiking.

Another commune, Briançon, serves as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with plenty of history to explore; it's also one of the highest towns in Europe at an altitude of more than 4,300 feet. At the summit of Serre Chevalier, take in a panorama of Écrins from 3,600 feet up on your way down the summertime zip line. If you have younger family members in tow, kids aged 4 to 12 can make use of the valley's high-altitude wooden playground called Marmot Camp, named for the squirrel-like alpine marmot.

Val d'Isère

Festivals keep things lively year-round at Val d'Isère, a French ski resort town near the Italian border. In the summer, sporting and cultural events like races and festivals entertain locals and travelers alike. Val d'Isère is one of the top hosts of FIS Alpine Ski World Cup competitions, and it's famed for high-difficulty and off-piste skiing. But you don't have to know what you're doing to enjoy the skiing here, which visitors call seamless and user-friendly, with plenty of instructors for all levels of ability and reasonably priced lift tickets. The Alpine resort town also prides itself on its après-ski scene: The stunning Bar de l'Ouillette, for example, serves crepes lakeside. Les 3 Caves – comprising three locations at La Folie Douce – boasts a high-altitude wine cellar, a cave for cheese and one for cigars.

Saint-Gervais-les-Bains

About 40 miles from Geneva, Switzerland , sits Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, a small French town that makes a pleasant jumping-off point for daytrips to Chamonix or longer sojourns to the Swiss city of Lausanne or Turin, Italy. Saint-Gervais, surrounded by Mont Blanc among other towering peaks, is also a top French Alps destination in its own right, with bountiful eateries and plenty of mountain air to inhale. Take a 70-minute ride on the Mont Blanc tramway for scenic views; a 30-minute walk from the top gets you to the Bionnassay Glacier. You can also head to the cable car on the western part of Saint-Gervais to ascend to Le Bettex, a small village in the mountains. Stop here to dine at La Flèche d'Or, a hotel and restaurant serving traditional Savoie dishes with local produce, then continue in the cable car to Mont d'Arbois for the best views. Back in Saint-Gervais, Les Bains du Mont Blanc is a world-class thermal spa making use of the region's naturally warm water.

Mercantour National Park

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, the most southeastern region of France, houses the iconic French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) alongside a stretch of the Alps. Spread across the region's Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments is Mercantour National Park, about 30 miles from Nice . Multiple valleys, including the Ubaye Valley, are part of this more than 250-square-mile national park, which is home to more than 2,000 species of flowering plants as well as thousands of petroglyphs from the Bronze Age. Park trails covering nearly 400 miles will expose you to the biodiversity of this unspoiled natural haven in the southern French Alps. Tourists may enjoy kayaking the turquoise waters of the Verdon River through the Verdon Gorge or hiking around the rim of the canyon. The wild and unspoiled Ubaye Valley draws outdoor enthusiasts, who find their way to its town of Barcelonnette to hike, canoe and ski.

Grenoble, France, is the European Green Capital for 2022, meaning this destination is an eco-friendly option for a French Alps vacation. The mountains and the metropolitan city work in harmony, offering visitors the restaurants and accommodations of a big city along with the natural sights of protected environments like the nearby Chartreuse Regional Nature Park. Speaking of green, the Grande Chartreuse monastery – situated in the Chartreuse mountain range north of Grenoble – is the home of the Carthusian monks who safekeep the secret recipe of green chartreuse liqueur to this day. The monastery isn't open to the public, but you can visit the nearby Grand Chartreuse museum to learn more about the Carthusian Order.

The Belledonne mountain range, meanwhile, is known for breathtaking vistas, including swirling sunsets. Beyond biking, hiking and skiing, thrill-seekers can paraglide here or take it slow in the winter with snowshoeing. In the city itself, La Bastille is a fort at the center of Grenoble, perfect for an afternoon spent above the city – a cable car will take you there, or you can hike to the top. About 10 miles south of Grenoble, the French-style gardens and chateau of Domaine de Vizille are so elegant you might not expect the Museum of the French Revolution is housed here, but art and artifacts combine in the castle's galleries to walk you through that historical period. Kids will love spotting the swans, ducks, deer and other animals that roam freely on the protected grounds.

Wine and cheese – some of the best you've ever tasted – are abundant throughout France. And according to La Clusaz, a commune roughly 40 miles west of Chamonix in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, these French staples are something to be celebrated. The annual Fête du Reblochon (Reblochon Festival) exalts cheese and the local farmers who produce it with demonstrations, tastings, a parade, and plenty of folk dancing and merriment. Aside from cheese, chocolate truffles, white vermouth and certain wine varietals are all local specialties.

Recent visitors to La Clusaz call it a lovely little ski town with ample restaurants and cozy bars to keep refreshed. If you want to burn off some calories du fromage, head to Col des Aravis for hiking trails with iconic French Alps views: the white-capped Mont Blanc, pine trees, mountain flowers, a glacial lake and even a tiny chapel. Adventure lovers visiting La Clusaz may want to try out equestrian skijoring, which is the sport of being pulled by a horse through the snow on skis – not for the faint of heart.

Megève has been the stage city for the Tour de France only twice, but its elegant atmosphere makes it a sensible choice for hosting events that draw crowds from across the country – and the globe – including the annual equestrian Jumping International de Megève. When there is not a prestigious sporting event in town, tourists in Megève can still find world-class dining and shopping. For example, chef Anne-Sophie Pic, the most Michelin-starred woman in the world, helms La Dame de Pic – Le 1920, the restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Megève. The village shops span antique furniture to local produce to popular fashion brands. When you need a rest from shopping, stop in for tea by day and Champagne in the evening at Le Georges in the luxe Hotel Mont Blanc. A variety of child and teen programming in Megève invites the whole family to vacation, with a variety of sports courses and cultural workshops.

Often considered one of France's most beautiful villages, Yvoire is part of the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark area for good reason, considering its 700 years of history and present-day charm. Like so many classic French Alps towns, Yvoire is nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva; its nickname is "gem of the lake." Built in 1306, Château d'Yvoire (Yvoire Castle) is a landmark in the medieval town that remains standing today; while not open to the public, it makes for an impressive photograph. On the other hand, the Jardin des Cinq Sens (Garden of the Five Senses) entices sightseers with gardens to explore through touch and smell. Visitors to the gardens mention that it is tucked away, but once you find it your senses will thank you. This romantic destination in the French Alps reserves its streets for pedestrians, so you can stroll hand in hand to your heart's content. What's more, flowers are so plentiful in Yvoire that it is often called the "French flower village."

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Hiking in the French Alps

French alps.

• Take on the Tour du Mont Blanc, Europe's classic long-distance trek
• Walk through valleys carpeted with wildflowers and clinking cowbells
• Immerse yourself in the iconic mountaineering culture of Chamonix
• Hike the first Alpine section of the GR5 trail from Lake Geneva to Chamonix
• Enjoy views of the Dents Blanches, Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc massif
• Embark on the classic Walker's Haute Route from Chamonix

There is no better way to discover the dramatic views of the French Alps than on foot. Hiking in the Alps is everything you imagine, and so much more, with stunning vistas, fresh clean air, wonderful meadows and the perfect food, drink and hospitality to round off each active day.

Since 2012, Macs Adventure has been offering self-guided tours in the French Alps. Read some of our 5-star reviews to find out why people love our tours! You can book the tour with the confidence that we have you covered, so all you need to do is pick your route and let us take care of everything else.

Perhaps the most famous and certainly our most popular of our alps holidays is the  Tour du Mont Blanc , with its 8 different itineraries allowing you to choose the level of comfort and grade to suit your interests. Alternatively, embark on the more challenging Walker's Haute Route or the quieter GR5.  

Featured Tours - French Alps

Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

Walker's Haute Route

The GR5: Lake Geneva to Chamonix

Highlights of the Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort

Classic Walks of Mont Blanc

Tour du Mont Blanc Short Break

Walker's Haute Route (West)

Complete Tour du Mont Blanc in Comfort (extended)

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Must-see attractions in French Alps & the Jura Mountains

Aiguille du Midi

The great rocky fang of the Aiguille du Midi (3842m), rising from the Mont Blanc massif, is one of Chamonix’ most distinctive features. The 360-degree…

Mer de Glace

France’s largest glacier, the 200m-deep 'Sea of Ice', flows 7km down the northern side of Mont Blanc, scarred with crevasses formed by the immense…

Ville Ancienne

Chambéry's medieval Old Town reveals its beauty gradually. Rush through its lanes and you risk missing hidden courtyards, murals and well-preserved 14th-…

Citadelle de Besançon

Dominating the city from Mt St-Etienne, more than 100 vertical metres above the old town, the 17th-century Citadelle de Besançon – designed by Vauban for…

Parc National des Écrins

One of the greatest summertime pleasures of the French Alps is hiking in France’s second-largest national park. The glacier-carved, 918-sq-km park has…

Parc National de la Vanoise

More than 100 mountain peaks tower above 3000m in this spectacular preserve. Between June and late September, 400km of walking trails grant access to the…

Chapelle de Notre-Dame du Haut

The Jura Mountains

Bringing to mind a ship's sail or a lighthouse summoning the faithful, modernist Chapelle Notre-Dame (1955) roosts hilltop above the small town of…

Musée de Grenoble

For lovers of European art, this museum is an uplifting place to get lost for a day. There's an even spread of artistic eras on display: an antiquities…

Château de Menthon-St-Bernard

Twenty-three generations of the De Menthon family have lived within 1000-year-old Château de Menthon-St-Bernard. The birthplace of St Bernard in 1008 –…

Musée Archéologique

This highly impressive museum unveils the secrets of a 12th-century church and cloister using light effects, a haunting choral soundtrack and an…

Lion du Belfort

Belfort's icon is a monumental lion statue that sits astride the citadel, scowling down on the town. Created by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, best known for…

Musée du Temps

Literal and figurative interpretations of time are woven together at the Musée du Temps, which places allegorical paintings about the passage of time next…

Vauban Fortifications

Situated at the confluence of five river valleys, Briançon was highly vulnerable to attack by France's Alpine arch-rival of the 17th century, the Duchy of…

Château de Joux

Clinging to a limestone outcrop, Château de Joux, 10km north of Métabief, used to guard the route between Switzerland and France. Its foundations date to…

Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors

Mountains, limestone cliffs and dense forests create a high-drama landscape within this 2062-sq-km preserve, a few kilometres southwest of Grenoble. The…

Saline Royale

These wondrously symmetrical early–Industrial Age saltworks were designed to be an 'ideal city' by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. Though Ledoux's plans never came…

Parc Naturel Régional de Chartreuse

Limestone promontories, dense forests and a powerful liqueur are the signature features of this 767-sq-km regional park. The 1300km of marked walking…

Fort de la Bastille

After a fun ride in the téléphérique, or a steep, hour-long climb, the reward is a magnificent mountain panorama from Grenoble's stocky fortress, built…

Cathédrale St-François de Sales

All is not as it seems inside Chambéry's 15th-century Franciscan cathedral, decorated with 6000 sq metres of trompe l’œil painting. The largest such…

Musée Dauphinois

This ever-evolving museum unleashes a century of regional history on visitors. Suits of armour are back-lit in brightly coloured rooms, 3-D family trees…

The highest peak on the western side of the Chamonix Valley, Le Brévent (2525m) has tremendous views of the Mont Blanc massif, myriad hiking trails…

Cité Vauban

Surrounded by mighty starburst-shaped ramparts, Briançon’s hilltop old town looks much as it did centuries ago, its winding cobbled lanes lined with…

Grottes de Baume

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7 Day French, Swiss and Italian Alps Hiking Photo Adventure

Description

Go on the adventure of a lifetime with this 7 day hiking photography workshop of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps!

This legendary mountain range is famous for its spectacular scenery, stretching all the way from southern to northern Europe. It is home to a number of towering alpine peaks, the likes of which include the mythical jagged Matterhon. Charming villages and towns, lush green meadows, rolling valleys, glaciers and crystal clear streams are just some of the magnificent sights that you can expect to witness as you immerse yourself in the spectacular mountainous landscapes on this unique photography and climbing adventure.

Throughout this tour, you'll be accompanied by expert photography educators, Arild Heitmann and Emma Svensson, who will ensure that you'll be at all the right places to take advantage of the best light. On-hand will be specialist IFMGA mountain guides, providing assistance as you climb to the peaks of three mountains – Castor, Pollux and Breithorn – all of which are around 4000 metres in height. While no prior mountain climbing experience is required, this tour is rated as moderate in difficulty and you should be physically fit enough to hike up to 6 hours a day with your backpack.

All of your meals, transportation and accommodation will be arranged for you, meaning that you'll have all the time in the world to focus on taking in the magnificent surroundings, improving your photography skills, experiencing the alpine culture and exploring to your heart's delight.

Do not miss out on the opportunity to capture the incredible beauty of the Alps! Check availability by choosing a date.

Attractions

Daily itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Chamonix

Day 2 - Lac Blanc, Aiguille du Midi

Day 3 - Ayas Rifugio

Day 4 - Mount Castor

Day 5 - Mount Pollux

Day 6 - Breithorn, Klein Matterhorn

Day 7 - Matterhorn, Departure from Zermatt

Fitness and experience.

You should be able to hike 6 hours per day with a daypack. To prepare for the tour, you'll need to do regular training if you want to have a chance of reaching the summits. We will help you out with a training plan if needed.

Experience in hiking is good but you don't need any experience in climbing. Our guides will teach you everything that you need to know to ensure your safety.

You will be walking on glaciers and steep terrain. There will be some exposure during the climbs but you will always be secured with a rope by the mountain guides.

Altitude Sickness

It's possible to feel the altitude when you climb 4000 metre mountains. We will acclimatise by sleeping in mountain huts at different altitudes before the climbs. Common symptoms that you may experience include headache, illness, loss of appetite and feeling tired (hard to sleep). Usually the symptoms go away with some paracetamol but if not, then you must go down to a lower altitude again. Keep an open and honest conversation with your mountain guides about how you are feeling.

What Gear Will I Need?

Hiking clothes like base layer, gore-tex and a thin down jacket. Gloves, hat and warm socks. 30-40L backpack and headlamp. Mountaineering boots that fit crampons, poles, helmet, harness and ice axe. You can rent the climbing gear you don't have in Chamonix (we will return it for you).

For camera, you'll want to go as light as possible because you have to carry it while climbing. We typically use one camera body with a 24-105 mm lens in the mountains as well as a phone.

Registration Deposit

500 EURO (full payment required 60 days prior to the tour).

We highly recommend that you get a travel and medical insurance. Your own domestic medical insurance and private health scheme will not cover you whilst you are overseas.

The tour is always dependent on weather, as the weather in the Alps can indeed be highly unpredictable. Likewise, summits of the peaks are dependent on favourable weather conditions.

Departure Schedule

22-28 Jun 2020 – Guided by Arild Heitmann & Emma Svensson

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Best of France Travels Guides You on a Magnificent French Alps Tour

Contact us to request information for our 2024 tours..

A Magical Medieval Town Located on Lake Annecy

Annecy is a magical medieval town located on Lake Annecy in the Valley of Thones, at the foot of the French Alps. We will be staying at the Splendid Hotel in Annecy for nine nights. The Splendid Hotel is perfectly located in the center of the medieval town, directly across from the lake. The breakfast buffet each morning is served in a dining room with views of the lake. There is also an outside terrace where you can enjoy your breakfast if you prefer. Each morning there are choices of regional cheeses and meats, along with eggs, fresh breads, pastries, fruits, juices, and croissants. A copious buffet of delights!

The food, the scenery, the town of Annecy itself, the mountains, the cheese (best in the country, maybe the world), the markets, the history…it is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. We will explore the villages, visit castles, taste the regional specialties, and be amazed by the natural wonders in this region of Haute Savoie.

Highlights of our Magnificent French Alps Tour

• All Transportation by bus throughout tour
• Airport transfers to/from Geneva on the starting and ending day of the tour
• All visits, tours, excursions and entry fees for activities in program itinerary
• Five “event” lunches
• Nine delicious buffet breakfasts
• Four special dinners at different restaurants in Annecy
• Nine nights at the Splendid Hotel Annecy with lake views
• Guided tour of the Chateau de Menthon
• Secret Gardens and the Gardens of Five Senses
• Visit Gorges du Fier
• Tasting day with chocolate, local specialties and regional wines
• Tour of the Plateau de Glieres place of resistance fighters
• Authentic Chalet lunch at Glieres
• Visit the most flowered town in France, medieval village of Yvoire
• Lunch by the lake in Yvoire
• Farm to table lunch at Col de la Forclaz
• Fondue night
• Boat cruise on Lake Annecy
• All tips are included
• Information booklet and luggage tags
• Pre-tour assistance as needed
• Luggage assistance

Day by Day Program for our Magnificent French Alps Tour

Day 0 - arrival day.

Arrive at Geneva airport and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a day exploring Geneva at your own pace. Your Best of France Travels – Magnificent French Alps tour begins in the morning!

You can admire beautifully furnished rooms, in particular the Countess’ Bedroom, 13th century kitchens and the great hall, decorated with pictures and antique furniture from Louis XIII and Louis XIV, and a Gobelins tapestry. The library contains ancient manuscripts written on parchment with painted illuminations from monks of the Middle Ages. Late afternoon return to Annecy. Breakfast and Lunch

Customers' Appreciation

“We have taken three tours with Best of France Travels and have enjoyed each immensely. Carol stays and travels with the group. It’s very relaxed and our groups have had a comfortable, friendly air. Not too much bus time, lots of interesting places to see. Really, enough activity to enjoy and relax, but not too much to overpower or bore. Carol had us shopping in pairs for picnic foods, and then enjoying a picnic at a beautiful spot. Carol is friendly, responsible, knowledgeable and competent. We’ve enjoyed being with her and traveling with her. As I said, we’ve been on three tours with her and look forward to more.” Bob and Barb O. – Potomac, MD

View Photos From Our French Alps Tour

• Photography tours & Workshops 2024

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Photo World Tours offers you the best photo tours and workshops to capture the best locations with your camera. Whether you are an amateur or professional photographer, our workshops are thought to enjoy the passion of photographing the most amazing spots on Earth. Photo adventures all around the world to photograph landscapes, architecture, wildlife, and cultures. With a complete logistic plan to make you enjoy it.

We do not offer just our travel photography workshops , also we share with you our blog tips for photo travelers. From the moment you start to like photography, you start to dream about traveling to your favorite spot. Our mission’s that you enjoy the trips since the first moment to your back home. Then you may look back in your memory and see that dreams come true.

Great accommodations, comfortable transports & all safety measures to make the trip a complete experience. Travel with professionals and experienced leaders and come back home with dreamy photos. Together with our award-winning photographers and as official tourist tour operators, you can trust us to enjoy a complete trip focused on photographers like you .

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Whether you join our trips or photo workshops, we will help you to improve your photography skills during your holidays. We will teach you from composition to techniques in the field. Our selection of the best photography tours in the world is your opportunity to learn & travel.

Also in our online photography classes, we can help you before and after the trip. In our online private lessons of post-production, we will teach you even when we are not traveling. Learn the professional techniques to process your pics. We are near you before, during, and after the trips!

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In conclusion, choosing from our  photo workshops will be your best choice to learn photography while you travel. Whether you travel alone or with friends, our photo tours will make you feel like to be always a family. Reserve your trip now and bring your photos to the next level!

Choose between your favorite photo workshop in Europe or Asia, South America or North America, the Pacific or Antartic, Asia Central or a Photo Safari in Africa. We have the most complete offer of professional photography workshops!

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There is a typical question to understand what are the differences between both types. All our trips are focus to teach all participants , but as you can see in our list of trips, you can find different kinds of trips.

For us, teach & travel is essential on all trips. But we differentiate the tour according to the conditions we can find. Basically, a Photo Workshop is more focused to teach you than showing you a place , so the itinerary can change according to great opportunities that can appear through the trip.  A Photo Tour is focused to follow the itinerary and visit all places always that weather doesn’t make us change plans.

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Are you thinking to travel with family or friends ? Looking for a cheap trip ? We offer a 3% discount on our travels for your next photography holidays! Simply choose 4 or more persons on any of our trips, and the discount will be applied. Simple, easy, and fast. 

• Safe payment: Bank transfer, Credit card or PayPal
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You can choose any of our ready photo tours or upcoming, but also you can tell us where do you want to go. We are experts travelers & photographers, this way we have already prepared trips all around the world. We will study your dreams, to plan the tour in better conditions to take incredible photos.

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Tell us which dates adjust better to your schedule. We will help you to choose the best days for your trip, according to the photograph conditions in the destiny you want to visit. Northern lights, for example, can be viewed in several months, festivals in India have exact dates or Sakura & autumn colors if you want a trip in Japan according to the season, but also the weeks according to the place you want to visit. Together we will choose the best possible data, so your private group enjoy the destiny to come back home with the best photos.

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We prepare tours according to the best relationship price-quality: hotels, transports, duration… but we can improve the services including in the tours to give to your group a luxury service. Extra activities as balloon or helicopter excursions or ice caves, are possible to add according to your budget. Also if you look for economical tours, we can reduce the costs taking out services of our tours or looking for shared rooms that will make your group fill comfortable and enjoy the photographic tour.

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• French Alps Lake Geneva Itinerary

5-Day Lake Geneva and French alps Road Trip itinerary

Updated 15 January 2023 by  Leyla Alyanak  — Parisian by birth, Lyonnaise by adoption, historian by passion

When friends come to visit, this road trip is usually part of their stay, in whole or in part. I live nearby so this is my backyard, and I love sharing it!

This itinerary is close to my heart — because I live here, along the River Rhône, with Annecy my nearest town. If you come here, Annecy will have to be on your route; it has often been called "France's prettiest town" so you can't miss that...

But the region is much more than towns. This is a region of majestic Alps, fortified villages, cobblestones and cheese, a region of the outdoors. And if I sound enthusiastic, it's because I chose  to live here, for all of these reasons. If I were visiting France and wanted to see some of its most powerful scenery, this is where I'd come.

So let's get started.

NOTE: Pages on this site may contain affiliate links, which bring in a small commission at no cost to you.

COMING TO FRANCE? THESE RESOURCES CAN HELP!

🏨 Accommodation - I rent hotels quickly and easily through booking.com 🚘 Car rentals - I use  Discovercars , Europe's best car rental website 🚊 Train tickets - I book my train and bus tickets on  Trainline 🚌 Day tours - I take the best day tours with  Viator and GetYourGuide

This Alps driving tour is for...

• Anyone landing at Geneva airport.
• Lovers of great scenery, road trippers, those who like meandering through medieval towns and villages, lovers of great foods (especially cheese), lovers of mountains.

This itinerary is best undertaken between Easter and October, although many tourist attractions will be closed at the beginning and end of the season, and at the height of summer, it gets crowded.

Ideally, I'd come in May-June or September-October. And if you love winter... well, nobody does it better but beware, there can be snow on the roads. 

Suggested French Alps travel itinerary

• Day 1: Rent your car in Geneva (either in Switzerland or on the French side of the border) and head out to Yvoire for a leisurely dinner and overnight 
• Day 2: Drive to Evian via Thonon and sleep in Evian
• Day 3: Drive to Chamonix and spend the day and night
• Day 4: Drive to Annecy and spend the day and night
• Day 5:  Either spend an extra day in Annecy, or drive from Annecy to Aix-les-Bains and then onto Geneva.

YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS BEFORE YOU RENT A CAR

If you land at Geneva airport, you need to decide where to rent your car, in Switzerland or in France. The airport is on the border and both sides have rental car offices.

French rentals are far cheaper, but you'll have extra costs: the rental cost itself ( you can compare prices here ), and transportation from the Swiss to the French side of the airport to get your car. You may also need a Swiss autoroute sticker if your car doesn't have one (CHF 40, a bit more in USD). You could avoid this by cutting through town to get to France rather than taking the ring road but Geneva driving can be complicated, with many signs and lanes and is best left to residents.

If your flight originated outside France, you'll arrive on the Swiss side so you'll also have to take a cab/Uber/bus from the Swiss to the French side of the airport. They are connected via the terminal but sadly you cannot cross unless you have a boarding pass and are catching a flight. If you're flying from a destination in France , no problem, you'll arrive on the French side.

If you arrive between 1 November–31 March, check that your rental car has snow tires. They are compulsory, but not everyone follows the law.

And finally, make sure you tell the car rental you plan to cross the border – there might be additional insurance costs.

Read these driving tips for France  before you head off!

The Alps in France: Main stops and sights

This Alps itinerary provides a mixture — urban, village, lakeshore and mountain, so something for everyone. Just bring your walking shoes and your appetite.

Geneva, humanitarian city

If you have time to do a bit of sightseeing in Geneva, you might want to take a selfie in front of the Flower Clock or the famous Jet d'Eau (Geneva's iconic water spout).

You could also visit the world's largest particle accelerator or take a brief tour of the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (absolutely recommended, and it has a great cafeteria). If tours are open, the United Nations is right across the street from the museum.

For something more out of the way but still easily accessible, hop a tram to Carouge, an ancient city (now more of a neighbourhood) which has in turn belonged to Rome, Piedmont-Sardinia, France and eventually Geneva, a ray of Mediterranean sunshine in an otherwise Calvinist Geneva. 

NON-DRIVING OPTION : Take a Geneva City Tour

Yvoire, charming medieval village

When I say charming, I mean it, because I once lived in this tiny pedestrian village for several years. Yvoire is small, and a walk through it shouldn't take more than an hour. But there's plenty to do beyond a stroll.

An amusing visit is the garden labyrinth of the Cinq-Sens, built around our five senses. Yvoire itself is lovely and can get quite crowded, especially when the ferries from Geneva arrive.

You'll find plenty to buy – some useless souvenirs, but this village also happens to be crammed with artists' shops, original works from actual artists who create throughout the winter to sell in summer.

To eat (but reserve ahead – it's popular and always full) head for the Hotel Restaurant du Port, a great place to spend the night and relax once everyone else has gone back to Geneva. Order perch fillets, their specialty, which comes in a lemon sauce so good you'll want to lick the plate. (Please don't or you may be thrown from the terrace into the lake!)

It's a pedestrian village, so no cars. There's a large parking lot at one end of the village (just follow the signs) and walk back in.

Book your Yvoire hotel here.

NON-DRIVING OPTION : Visit Yvoire from Geneva

Thonon-les-Bains

You can park in the upper town and take the Funicular down to the port, a great place to have a coffee after your drive.

For lunch, there's plenty to choose from in Thonon or you can drive to the Chateau de la Ripaille, once the home of the Dukes of Savoy (and which produces its own wine). It has a lovely restaurant but be sure to reserve.

So many people have come through here... armies of the French Revolution were quartered here, as was one of Napoleon's generals. It was eventually taken over by an industrialist who shaped it into the  combination of gothic and Art Nouveau styles you have today.

Or you can push on to...

Evian-les-Bains

You've heard of Evian — if not the town, at least the water. But this is where it comes from and of course, it is a spa town.

Drop by the Art Nouveau Buvette Cachat to admire the building, but move on to the neo-classical Villa Lumière. If the name sounds familiar, it's because it belonged to the parents of the famous  Lumière brothers, who invented the cinema. It's now the town hall but you can at least ogle the lobby.

Throughout the city, you'll get a strong sense of Evian's Belle Epoque past .

Like other spa towns, the best thing you can do here is sample the spa treatments, either in a private spa or in the municipal thermes. The ultimate luxury will be in going home to boast your spa treatments all involved Evian water, the same one as in the bottles.

Book your Evian hotel here.

NON-DRIVING OPTION : Take a tour boat to Evian

Chamonix is an irresistible stop in France's northern Alps, for many reasons. If you're a winter sports fan, you do it all here — a world-class winter resort.

But Chamonix has the unusual distinction of also being a world-class summer resort for hikers who try short day hikes or the gruelling Tour du Mont Blanc, often on a self-guided tour .

One of my favourite places in Chamonix (other than walking around town and hopping from café to café and gazing at the Mont-Blanc towering over me) is the Crystal Museum, with collections from around the world. Chamonix is a world center for crystals and hunting for them has been a long-time activity.

This is one of the most beautiful settings on the planet so ride the cable cars, walk around, and know that you are seeing something sublime.

Just one thing: if you plan on taking the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car, don't just show up, but reserve through the tourist office . 

Book your Chamonix hotel here.

NON-DRIVING OPTION : Visit Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi from Geneva

Annecy is not a town you visit for its culture (that's not to say it doesn't have any - it certainly does) but for its breathtaking natural beauty , both in the city and around its lake. It has been called France's prettiest town , and with reason.

In the city, stroll under the arcades in the old town and stop off for a great meal in one of its many renowned restaurants (or for a pastry at Rigollot , who a few years ago won the Best Pastry Chef of France competition).

Go on a market day if you can: Tuesdays are mostly food and local visitors, with Friday and Sunday enlarging to include a brocante or flea market (and a lot more tourists).

Lake Annecy is stunning. If you're on foot, just head towards the lake and begin walking in either direction. The views are spectacular wherever you go. You can actually walk all around the lake, or alternate between walking and taking the boat (the tourist office can help). You can also cycle around the lake — most of it, anyway. Check with the tourist office to see if the full circuit is now completed.

Or you could drive to the Col de la Forclaz for some adrenaline and go paragliding for a bit (or sit in a café and enjoy the sight of paragliders flying past over your head).

Book your Annecy hotel here.

NON-DRIVING OPTION : Visit Annecy from Geneva

Aix-les-Bains

Aix-les-Bains is a lovely spa town set above the Lac du Bourget, France's deepest lake, of such beauty many French writers have extolled it in poetry and prose, from Lamartine to Alexandre Dumas.

But perhaps its most famous (albeit temporary) citizen was Britain's Queen Victoria, who loved the city so much she kept coming back, starting a trend of British visitors that continues to this day.

It's a sporty town, given its lakeside location, but most people come here for the thermal baths, which are excellent and relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to resorts in Brittany or on the Mediterranean.

It has a stellar collection of hotels for the spa-goer ( here are some of the best ) as well as a selection of thermal establishments.

You can also just enjoy these for half a day but book first! You'll find some info on the main site (in French only - but you can email them using Google Translate) about the half-day treatments and rates.

READ MORE:  Sensational Road Trips to Discover France

History and other interesting things

This entire area was once known as the Duchy of Savoy — it wasn't part of France at all. For many  Savoyards,  as the people of this region are called, those were the good old days and Savoy would be much better off without France.

Every so often, when you cross from one department to the next, someone will have painted a wishful line across the asphalt that will say something like Savoie libre , free Savoy. But it's wishful thinking, and it's a minority.

So the Duchy came into being in the early 15th century and in those days stretched south all the way to Nice. Over the centuries, ownership would bounce around from  France to Sardinia until in 1860, Savoy became French once and for all.

The Résistance

The Alpine region, blessed with difficult mountains and plentiful forests (not to mention the nearby borders with Italy and Switzerland) was a haven for resistance fighters during World War II, with some of the most spectacular coups staged right here.

This was also the first region freed from the Nazi stranglehold by the Resistance, and you'll find many monuments to fallen fighters along the roads as you travel.

Offbeat sights along the way

• In Geneva , if it's summer you'll be spoiled for choice. Play chess with experts on a giant outdoor board in the university yard (Parc des Bastions in the Old Town) or go swimming at the beach of the Bains des Paquis right downtown, surrounded by Geneva's luxury hotels and residences.
• In Yvoire , leave town. Yes, you read that right. To escape the crush of tourists, look for the Porte de Nernier (the gate closest to Geneva) and start walking towards Nernier, the village next door, what Yvoire must have looked like before it was 'discovered'. 
• In Thonon-les-Bains , ride the funicular (built in 1888) for a minute or two from the port to the upper town and look across to Morges in Switzerland.
• In Evian-les-Bains , if the weather is clear, stay at the Hotel Les Cygnes or eat in their friendly and delicious restaurant in the evening to watch the amazing sunset over the Jura Mountains across the lake.
• In Chamonix , if you have the time and you're in shape, take the Montenvers railway up to the station and learn all about the region's crystals. And walk back down!
• In Annecy , for cheese lovers only: after your lakeside sports, try a truffle fondue at l'Etage . Once you're full, amble over to the Fromagerie Pierre Gay and head for the back, and look down: you'll be standing over a thick glass window and watching hundreds of cheeses mature below. Then off to the counter to buy some!
• In Aix-les-Bains , visit the Belle Epoque Casino Grand Cercle to admire the 1880s stained glass ceilings. It's a casino so yes, you can gamble, but the décor is what this place is all about.
• In summer , the region hosts antique car rallies in style, and you'll run into them as you climb up towards mountain passes. Here's one of the several groups that organize these rallies.
• In winter , you can follow along the Grande Odyssée , or Great Odyssey, a week-long dogsled race that chooses a different alpine itinerary each year.

Food and drink of the Alpine region

• As with most Alpine regions, the Savoie and Haute-Savoie (the two departments that make up the Savoy region) are known for their cheeses , especially such typical cheese dishes as fondue and raclette.
• Other local specialties include air-dried beef and charcuteries , or cold cuts. In the mountains, preserving meats has become a high art. This is a region of excellent local sparkling waters (and yes, they do taste different from one another ). 
• Best time to visit the Alps: winter for snow sports and summer for hiking in the mountains. For Geneva, Annecy and Aix, late spring and early autumn are the loveliest seasons (and far less crowded than summer), with June and September topping the list.

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Bonjour! I’m Leyla! I was born in Paris and now live in the bucolic mountain foothills of Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy. 

I'm rediscovering my own back yard after years of living abroad in Canada, Spain and Switzerland as a journalist and a diplomat － and I'm loving every minute.

Passionate about history and culture, I’ve created Offbeat France to seek out my country’s mysteries and legends, less-traveled destinations, along with plenty of food stops and many castles － I am French, after all!

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Alps Tours By Moto-Charlie

• START HERE – TOURS, DATES AND BASICS
• FRENCH ALPS LOOP – The Highest of the High Passes
• ALPS SELECT (SWISS ALPS and ITALIAN DOLOMITES Tour)
• TOTALLY SWITZERLAND – The Perfect Escape
• ESSENTIAL ALPS – Must Ride Tour
• AWESOME AUSTRIA – Keep on Riding Tour
• TOP 10+ (10 Highest Passes + 50 to 70 More Passes)
• Customized and Self-Guided Tours
• About the Cost
• Motorcycles
• Testimonials
• Photo Album
• - START HERE - TOURS, DATES AND BASICS
• - FRENCH ALPS LOOP – The Highest of the High Passes
• - ALPS SELECT (SWISS ALPS and ITALIAN DOLOMITES Tour)
• - TOTALLY SWITZERLAND – The Perfect Escape
• - ESSENTIAL ALPS – Must Ride Tour
• - AWESOME AUSTRIA – Keep on Riding Tour
• - TOP 10+ (10 Highest Passes + 50 to 70 More Passes)
• - Customized and Self-Guided Tours
• - About the Cost
• - Testimonials
• - Links
• - Photo Album
• - Terms

FRENCH ALPS LOOP – The Highest of the High Passes

Quick links.

About This Tour Where We Go Tour Highlights Tour Cost Brief Tour Description Key Dates Minimum Number of Tour Members How To Book This Tour  

ABOUT THIS TOUR

The simple fact is that the French Alps are loaded with great passes, big and small. The Highest of the High are here including 5 of the TOP 10 or more accurately 5 out of the top 6 (#3 is in Italy). New Alps riders tend to gravitate to Switzerland, Austria and the Italian Dolomites, perhaps because they are better promoted as “Alpine” and as tourist destinations with a full support system of hotels, transportation and activities. The French Alps are a little more remote, the towns and villages more spread out and the services are further apart. But it also has the really HIGH stuff, good road surfaces, a motorcycle friendly culture and excellent dinner wine – basically everything you could ask for and then some.

It’s no wonder that prior Tour Members who tour the French Alps struggle thereafter to say which Alpine region they like best. The French Alps always take them by surprise. It’s where the Euro bikers go when looking for something different and they want to ride the Highest of the High .

WHERE WE GO

FRENCH ALPS LOOP

• Day 1 – Bourg St. Maurice (F)
• Day 2 – Guillestre (F)
• Day 3 – Guillestre (F)
• Day 4 – Guillestre (F)
• Day 5 – Le Bourg-d’Oisans (F)
• Day 6 – Le Bourg-d’Oisans (F)
• Day 7 – Areches Beaufort (F)
• Day 8 – Chamonix (F)
• Day 9 – Thun (S)

TOUR HIGH LIGHTS

• Special Places – Chamonix/Aiguille du Midi Cable Car up to Mont Blanc
• Major Passes – (#6), (#5) (#4) (#2) and Cime de la Bonette (#1) + more
• Smaller Passes – Col de La Madeleine, Lacets de Montvernier (like an intense mini Stelvio) + more
• More than 25 passes in total
• Numerous passes are part of the Tour de France
• Many of these passes are part of the Routes des Grandes Alpes, which runs from the Mediterranean up to Switzerland

MOTO-CHARLIE reserves the right to alter the exact route at his discretion.

The cost for this tour at the current exchange rates will be :

• Single rider in a single room
• $4,810 FRENCH ALPS LOOP Tour (9 days)
• $3,210 FRENCH ALPS LOOP Tour (6 days)
• Passenger sharing a double room
• $3,010 FRENCH ALPS LOOP Tour (9 days)
• $2,140 FRENCH ALPS LOOP Tour (6 days)
• Couple riding two-up sharing a double room
• $7,820 FRENCH ALPS LOOP Tour (9 days)
• $5,350  FRENCH ALPS LOOP Tour (6 days)

BRIEF TOUR DESCRIPTION

As the tour name says – we ride a big 6-day loop focused on hitting all 5 of the 6 highest passes in the Alps. Depending on the weather and my inclination we either ride the loop clockwise (if you are looking at a map) or counterclockwise . The tour runs twice a year, so I will likely alternate the orientation each tour. We hit a several smaller Swiss passes the first half of the first day as we head south to France. By the afternoon of the first day, we are already summiting famous high passes including #12 and we just keep on going higher for the next 5 days. We will ride a wide variety of passes on this tour – very cool.

Most people like to arrive at least one day ahead of time to help with jet lag, see the local sights or get acclimated to their motorcycle, the roads and Euro riding in general via the free 1/2 day   ORIENTATION DAY   offered to all Tour Members. I’ll be more than glad to help you plan whatever activity might be of interest to you .

NOTE: The 6-day French Loop follows the same route for Days 1 – 4  but forgoes the 3 nights in Le Bourg d-Oisans and Areches Beaufort . Night 5 is in Chamonix in order to ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car on Day 6 before heading back to Thun.

• Day 1  – Our mission today is to get to France, so we take a direct route, while keeping autobahn riding to a minimum. To do that we ride through Swiss valleys, towns and over several smaller passes until we make our way to Martigny. From there we head up (literally) the valley that takes us to the Grand St. Bernard Pass (#12) and into Italy. From there we head back down into the Aosta Valley, up over another high pass into France. It’s all a long, long downhill viewing adventure as we make our way to our hotel for the night in Bourg St. Maurice.
• Day 2  – We don’t waste any time today as we start the route by heading to the top of the Col de l’Iseran (#2). On our way we pass through the town of Val de l’Isere, a major French ski area and site of the 1992 Winter Olympic Alpine events. The views into the valleys, towns and lake are pretty impressive as we get near the top. The weather is quite variable here and we’ve seen it all at the top of this pass from warm sunny days to snow and howling wind – great pass. From here it is the classic motorcycle touring regimen – down, up, down, up, down, up, down again (4 separate and unique passes today) before we ride into the town of Guillestre for our 3-night stay here.
• Day 3  – We have a couple of routing options today, either out and back or a big loop. Either way our primary target today is Col Agnel (#4). Like many high French passes the road to the top climbs deceptively as we ride a long meandering road through tiny village, with wide open valley hills on both sides, mostly grassy with the occasional tree(s). Next thing you know the grass has disappeared, the ground is mostly rock and gravel, you hit a series of steep switchbacks and then at you’re on the top at 2,744 meters (9,003 feet). The border into Italy is at the top and the ride down the Italian side is steeper with more switchbacks. From here our options include 3 more passes including tiny mountain roads as part of a big loop back to Guillestre, the frequently chosen option of an additional pass and then a ride back over the Col Agnel in the opposite direction (a completely different experience) and sometimes we visit the village of Saint-Véran, the highest village in France at 2,042 meters.
• Day 4  – After a hearty French breakfast, we turn our focus back to the mission at hand, the Highest of the High – that happens today. We head south and within 1/2 an hour we are heading up out first pass of the day. Like many French passes the road is free flowing, the switchbacks reasonably wide and the tar is good. This pass has roadside moto-photographers who take your picture(s) on the switchbacks, for sale a day or two later on their website. To the top and back down, a valley road and then we start up the Col du Restefond (#5) and from there it on up to #1 – Cime de la Bonette at 2,862 meters (9,390 feet).  The French “fudge it” a little bit here as the actual pass or col (Col de la Bonette) is actually at 2,715 meters (8.907 feet), which would be #5. But they built a 2 km loop road at the top that circles the Cime de la Bonette up to 2,862 meters and that is how they get the Highest of the High. After lunch can loop over several smaller passes or reverse course and ride the whole route back in the opposite direction for a completely different perspective. We have come all this way, may as well enjoy it.
• Day 5 – We head south towards Embrun for a nice ride around Lac de Sierre-Poncon with shoreline views and panoramic hilltop vistas before riding north towards Le Bourg-d’Oisans. Along the way we will ride several back road passes including one of my favorites – Col du Noyer. The route includes forest roads, expansive farm fields and a number of high views into deep valleys. We end with Col d’Ornon as our final pass on the outskirts of Le Bourg d-Oisans, where we spend 2 nights.
• Day 6 – Lost of great riding in the area around Oisans including Alp d’Huez, a famous ski area and frequent stop on the Tour de France. Weather permitting, we will do a loop ride over to Vercors where we will get to ride one of the most famous balcony roads in France, the Combe Laval, a mostly 1-lane road cut into the cliffs high above the valley below. You won’t soon forget this road.
• Day 7  – Today we start working our way back north. After an hour’s ride up and down valley roads we reach the start of today’s highest pass, the Col du Galibier. It’s #5 on the TOP 10 list at 2,645 meters (8,678 feet). The start of Col du Galibier is somewhat unique in that it starts from the top of another pass, the Col du Lautaret at 2,058 meters (6,752 feet). There is a tunnel near the top in case the weather is really bad at the very top. The views from the top of this pass are stunning and look very different depending on whether you’re looking north or south. We continue over 3 more passes before we lunch back in Bourg St. Maurice. We ride another 2 more smaller passes before we make it to our hotel in Areches Beaufort. The town sits in a picturesque village surrounded by mountains.  Great place to sit outside on the terrace while enjoying your favorite beverage. 
• Day 8 – Today we start by riding over the beautiful Col du Pre, a narrow 1-lane pass with beautiful views to the valley below. We then ride along part of the Routes de Grandes Alpes where we enjoy the final pass of the day over Les Saises before working our way down the valley to our overnight stay in Chamonix. Chamonix is a classic Alps town with a distinctly French flavor. The first winter Olympics occurred here, and it is considered the birthplace of the licensed Alpine Tour Climbing industry.
• Day 9 – We spend the night in Chamonix so that we can enjoy one more final High of the Highest adventure – Mont Blanc, which is the highest mountain in the Alps. Chamonix is right at the base of the mountain and the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car is in the center of Chamonix, within easy walking distance of our hotel. The cable car is the 2nd highest in the Alps and has the longest continual cable on the 2nd leg. The highest viewing platform is at 3,842 meters (12,604 feet). The air is thin, and you definitely feel it. The view and vistas are simply spectacular every direction you look – it’s all snow up there. You can watch various hiking groups and mountain climbing groups head out, parasailers gliding below and the occasional airplane just above. Every single Tour Member agrees that it is a great finale to this high Alps tour. Once back in Chamonix we head over 3 smaller French passes and 3 more smaller Swiss passes on our way to our base in Thun. We go back to the hotel, unload our gear and head to the rental shop to turn in our bikes. We wrap up a great tour with a group dinner at a lively old town riverside restaurant and say our farewells, until the next tour 🙂 to our newfound friends
• Next Day  – Many possibilities – Rest Day before next tour, continue on with other Euro travel plans, fly home
• If you would like to come sooner, or stay longer, hotel and motorcycle arrangements can readily be made to suit your schedule.
• When to book your reservation obviously depends on your schedule. As a rule, I suggest at least 3 months in advance to ensure that you get the motorcycle that you want and to secure a place on the tour . There is a limit of 7 motorcycles or 10 people, whichever comes first, per tour . 
• The final cut-off date is technically 30 days before the tour starts. If someone contacts me to sign up with less than 30 days to go every effort will be made to accommodate you. The issue will usually be the motorcycle availability .

MINIMUM NUMBER OF TOUR MEMBERS

5 riders or 7 tour members

HOW TO BOOK THIS TOUR

Please “ Contact Me ” by telephone or e-mail to book your spot on this tour . I am not a paperwork intensive person. So, the process of making a reservation and getting what I need for my records is pretty simple.

Feel free to contact me to ask any questions about my tours in particular, or the Alps in general. If I can be of help in any way, I’ll be glad to do so.

Final Thoughts – “FRENCH ALPS LOOP Tour” – The tour to pick if time is short and you want the real deal, the Highest of the High passes, the highest mountain and even the highest village in France. It comes with all the riding you can get, all the altitude you can handle and the fun and adventure that you will remember for a lifetime. You can gorge yourself on a frenzy of pass blasting, conspicuous croissant consumption and scenery overload but it is the riding that you will remember. That’s what this tour is all about .

Forget Paris! Here Are 14 Underrated Places in France to Visit On Your Next European Vacation

Posted: June 17, 2024 | Last updated: June 17, 2024

France is a popular tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors each year. Although Paris is iconic and timeless, the experience of visiting the city is different from other parts of France. Here are 14 alternative destinations to consider for your authentic French getaway.

Reims, Grand Est

Reims, though unofficially, is considered the capital of the Champagne region. The city offers numerous tastings and historic cellar tours daily, making it a perfect destination for champagne lovers. Visitors can also explore the city’s iconic Nôtre Dame Cathedral.

Camargue Regional Park

Camargue is a unique region in southern France, often called the Wild West of France. Where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll find pink flamingos, salt marshes, and the only rice fields in the country. Camargue is also famous for its white horses and traditional bullfighting events known as courses camarguaises .

Avignon, Provence

Avignon is a popular destination for its Provençal food, historical museums, and the Avignon Festival, which takes place every summer and features performing arts. The Palace of the Popes, the largest Gothic palace in the world, is one of Avignon’s most well-known landmarks, along with its beautiful gardens.

Baccarat, Alsace

Baccarat is well-known for its Art Nouveau culture and expertise in producing high-quality crystals. It is also a significant religious center and an ideal location for day trips around the Alsace region. You can tour the city’s renowned crystal factory and even take an exquisite piece home.

Strasbourg, Alsace

Strasbourg is found on the border between France and Germany. It boasts a rich cultural heritage, beautiful canals, and essential EU establishments. The city is also known for its initiatives to reduce carbon emissions by promoting cycling over driving, making it one of the most eco-friendly cities in Europe.

Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Annecy is a picturesque town surrounded by mountains. Visitors can also explore the historic old town, with its winding canals, narrow streets, and colorful buildings. Its crystal-clear lake is a popular spot for boating and other activities. In addition, Annecy is known for its delicious local cuisine, including cheese and wine.

Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Biarritz, located in the beautiful Basque region, is a popular destination for those seeking a mix of French and Basque cultures. Biarritz is also a surfer’s paradise with stunning beaches and great waves. For day trips, the nearby Spanish cities of Bilbao and San Sebastian are just a short train ride away.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Chamonix, which hosted the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1926, boasts exceptional ski slopes and breathtaking views of the French Alps. Its charming town is vibrant with color and alpine culture. The highest cable car in the country takes skiers up to an elevation of 12,600 ft, while trains departing from the city provide scenic journeys to France’s largest glacier.

Aix-en-Provence, Provence

Aix-En-Provence is a beautiful city in southern France that serves as a gateway to the country’s most iconic landscapes. From sprawling lavender fields to charming Provençal villages, there’s no shortage of breathtaking sights to discover. The city also boasts a lively art and culinary scene, with markets and events occurring all year.

Corsica is a stunning island famous for its turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Due to its breathtaking landscapes, it’s often referred to as the Isle of Beauty. Additionally, Corsica has a rich history and cultural heritage, being the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Burgundy Region

Burgundy is a top wine destination, famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You and your friends can tour the vineyards and taste the region’s delicious wines. In addition to wine, Burgundy boasts charming medieval villages and picturesque rolling hills. It is a perfect place for a relaxing and indulgent vacation.

Loire Valley,Centre-Val de Loire

The Loire Valley has classic French chateaux, beautiful riverside villages, and a rich heritage. It is famous for its vineyards and wine and offers a plethora of outdoor activities that any visitor can enjoy. Visiting this region perfectly blends history, culture, and natural beauty.

Located close to the German border, Colmar is a must-visit place if you’re heading to the Alsace region. This site is characterized by a strong German influence, evident from its architecture, and has plenty to offer. Head to the Bartholdi Museum, visit the Saint-Martin Church, or simply stroll through the old town and marvel at Colar’s ancient houses.

Parc De La Vanoise

Located in southeast France, this national park is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in nature. Parc De La Vanoise is perfect for discovering the French Alps. This area has plenty of hiking paths for all fitness levels, and here, you may even spot local animals, such as the majestic Alpin ibex. After visiting the park, you can head to one of the many picturesque villages and ski resorts surrounding this natural area.

France is a country full of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From Provence’s charming villages to the French Riviera’s stunning beaches, there’s something for everyone. So, if you’re planning a trip to France this summer, take some time to explore beyond Paris and discover all the wonders this country has to offer. You won’t regret it!

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Salt Lake City still on track for 2034 Olympics vote. French elections delay plans for 2030 edition

French President Emmanuel Macron reacts as he delivers a speech, Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in Paris. President Emmanuel Macron is addressing French voters on Wednesday for the first times since he has called snap national election following a crushing defeat of his party by the far-right in the European vote. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

FILE - The scoreboard at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium promotes Salt Lake City’s bid to host another Winter Olympics in 2034 as International Olympic Committee members prepare to tour the stadium and other venues on April 10, 2024, in Salt Lake City. Organizers of the Salt Lake City Olympic committee will reveal on Monday, June 10, 2024, the estimated budget for hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach speaks at the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

FILE - Karl Stoss, center, chairman of the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission, walks across the football field at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of University of Utah, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Salt Lake City. Organizers of the Salt Lake City Olympic committee will reveal on Monday, June 10, 2024, the estimated budget for hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

FILE - The 2002 Winter Olympic rings are shown outside Rice-Eccles Stadium on April 10, 2024, in Salt Lake City. Organizers of the Salt Lake City Olympic committee will reveal on Monday, June 10, 2024, the estimated budget for hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — While Salt Lake City is cruising toward being named the 2034 Winter Olympics host next month, the French parliamentary elections suddenly called by President Emmanuel Macron have created a bump in the road for the 2030 edition that the French Alps bid is expected to win.

Voting to confirm both expected Winter Games hosts is still the plan on July 24 in Paris, on the eve of the next Summer Games, the International Olympic Committee said Wednesday.

However, Macron’s surprise announcement Sunday of two rounds of national elections on June 30 and July 7 — and a possible change of government, if not the presidency — is delaying signing off paperwork that the IOC demands. Macron acted after far-right opponents made gains in European parliamentary elections.

The IOC’s long-scheduled executive board meeting that opened Wednesday aimed to lock down putting forward both the 2030 and 2034 candidates for rubber-stamping votes in Paris.

Instead, financial and organizational guarantees sought from national and regional levels of government will now have just over two weeks to be completed before the IOC holds its annual meeting for about 100 members.

A French bid uniting the snowy Alps region and the French Riviera resort Nice came together last year.

The timeline of barely 5½ years to prepare for a scheduled opening ceremony in February 2030 in the south of France is already the tightest any modern Olympic host has faced.

“Between the 7th of July and the IOC Session in Paris we will reach this confirmation about the guarantees,” said Karl Stoss, the IOC member overseeing the Salt Lake City and French Alps projects for the Olympic body.

“This is very clear for us. We are very confident with this one,” Stoss said at an online briefing.

Each candidate for 2030 and 2034 has had no rival since entering exclusive talks with the IOC last November. That move left competing bids from Sweden and Switzerland out in the cold.

Salt Lake City previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, after a bid campaign that became notorious for IOC members getting perks and favors. Several later were expelled or resigned.

France previously hosted three Winter Olympics at Chamonix in 1924, Grenoble in 1968 and Albertville in 1992.

AP Paris Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Smoky Mountain & Biltmore Tour 2024

Asheville, NC, USA

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About this trip

Print and complete the Smoky Mountain & Biltmore Tour Brochure 2024 and mail it to:

PO Box 751 Bellevue, NE 68005

You won't find this tour anywhere else! Focusing on the sights of the Smoky Mountains, you'll enjoy the Belle Mead Plantation, time in Nashville, a Gold Mine tour, and Looking Glass Creamery. You'll also take private cooking class making the famous Apple Stack cake, visit the Biltmore Estate, a moonshine tour, and the Woodford Reserve Distillery! A tour wouldn't be complete to without a visit to Great Smoky Mountain National Park for it's stunning views and interesting geography. Don't miss this amazing tour!

Smoky Mountain & the Biltmore Bus Tour

This unique, premium tour, is filled with adventures, history, sights, and beauty! Ft. Belle Meade Mansion, Accent Cellars , Looking Glass Creamery, the Biltmore Mansion & Gardens, Gold Mining, and Woodford Reserve, just to name a few! There is no better way to see Appalachia!

Day 1 >>Welcome Dinner

This is a tour like none other! Full of sights, amazing food, history and fun, the 8 days will go by so fast! Jump on your private motor coach and head southwest! Stop for an amazing BBQ lunch in Kansas City! The travel day ends in St. Louis, where you will enjoy a Welcome dinner with your fellow guests. You might want to check out Laclede's Landing for a beverage and great music! Your downtown hotel is right next door! (D)

Day 2 - >>Belle Meade Plantation & Winery

Today, drive along the rolling hills of Tennessee to Clarksville where you'll have lunch. Then, your off to Nashville! Visit the spectacular Belle Meade plantation for a tour followed by a visit and tasting at their winery! Tonight, you're in for a real treat. Dinner is included tonight! Then, you'll have free time in Nashville! (B,D)

Day 3 - >>Consolidated Gold Mine Tour >>Accent Cellars

Talk about fascinating, visit the Consolidated Gold mine for a tour deep underground! Established in 1880, at one time over 15,000 miners searched for gold here! You'll even get a chance to pan for gold yourself! After lunch, we will visit Accent Cellars! This family run estate winery features delicious wines from grapes sourced in Georgia! Enjoy a tour and tasting of their spectacular wine! Spend the night tonight in Dahlonega! (B)

Day 4 - >>Looking Glass Creamery

Continue on today through the great Smoky Mountains! The gorgeous mountains, formed millions of years ago, once were as tall as the Alps & the Rockies, before experiencing natural erosion. Lunch is going to be spectacular! A short afternoon drive will take you to Asheville! This wonderful town, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to a vibrant arts culture and historic architecture! You'll have time to explore tonight on your own as your hotel is right downtown! (B, L)

Day 5 - >>Biltmore Estate

This morning, you are off to enjoy the spectacular Biltmore Estate. Biltmore’s history, timeless beauty, and exceptional guest service make it an ideal setting. With over 178,926 sq feet of space, it is the largest privately owned home in the United States! Tour the mansion and then perhaps enjoy a wine tasting on the grounds of the estate or a tour of the fabulous gardens! It's surely to be an event you'll never forget! (B, L)

Day 6 - >>The Holler Moonshine Tour >>Museum of Appalachia >>Lexington City Tour

You've got a full day today! Start at the Holler Moonshine distillery where you'll learn about the deep history of Moonshine in this area and the unique way they made their hooch! Then, it's off to the Museum of Appalachia! It is a living history museum that interprets the pioneer and early 20th-century period of the Southern Appalachian region! Finally, make your way to Lexington, KY! After checking into your hotel, join the group for an amazing tour of Lexington! (B, L)

Day 7 - >>Woodford Reserve Distillery >>Rootbound Farm Tour >>Farewell Dinner

After a great breakfast head to the famous Woodford Reserve Distillery! The official sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, this Bourbon is pure USA. Enjoy a spectacular tour that includes a tasting and a cocktail! After lunch, visit the Rootbound Farm! They raise over 60 different organic vegetables and fruits, 700 chickens and 400 sheep! Tour this amazing facility and taste the difference their fresh produce makes! Finally, join the group for your farewell dinner with time to spend out with friends after your meal. (B, D)

Day 8 - >>Augusta Winery

The fun isn't over quite yet! On your way home, visit an amazing winery. Augusta Winery is set in the countryside of KC! A perfect way to end a perfect tour! (B)

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What’s included

• Hotel Accomodations
• Transportation Private Motorcoach
• Guide Service
• Activities Included in Itinerary
• Admissions Included in Itinerary

What’s not included

• Gratuities Guide & Driver ($4-$5 per day)
• Insurance www.travelexinsurance.com/quote/  location number 27-0165.

Available Packages

Your organizer.

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