Great trip – knowledgeable guide, spectacular scenery , comfortable accommodation and good food.
French Alps Holidays
Four of the Most Beautiful Routes on French Alps Walking Holidays
French Alps Trips
Situated in southeast France in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Rhône-Alpes regions, the French Alps boast spectacular views. During our French Alps holidays you’ll discover cascading waterfalls, pristine forests, crystal clear lakes and the highest mountain peak in the Alps mountain range, Mont Blanc.
From gentle trails that climb along the Val Veny beneath the immense glacier de Mirage, to challenging ascents to the Col du Reidmatten, our French Alps walking holidays are designed to present you with the most stunning mountain vistas. Mont Blanc is undoubtedly the piece de resistance in the French Alps, soaring almost 5,000 metres above sea level and offering some of the finest walking trails. The series of tracks connects seven beautiful valleys, each with its own unique charms.
Alternatively, take on the challenge of walking along the famous Haute Route, which takes you along a lofty alpine trail from Chamonix to Zermatt. Stretching for around 100 miles, you can trek from Mont Blanc to the epic Matterhorn. While this is one of the most demanding walks on our French Alps holidays, you’re rewarded with incredible scenery made up of lakes, valleys and mountains.
With spectacular mountain trails, wildflower pastures and remote mountain villages to explore, walking in the French Alps allows you to truly discover the natural beauty this region has to offer. Come wintertime, you can explore snow-covered meadows and rugged peaks before returning to your accommodation to warm up in the Jacuzzi.
Our French Alps Holidays
Nancy Anne Hogue Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek
Sara Fox Tour du Mont Blanc Camping TrekThis is an excellent trek. Definitely a challenging hike as you are either going up or going down – both can be as tough! This tour is definitely worth the challenge though – the scenery is spectacular every day of the hike! Exodus have organised a great trek, with welcomed rest days in between hiking days. The campsites are great – a couple of wild ones with little amenities, however this gives you the opportunity to bath in the rivers to sooth those tired feet!
Tina Snodderly Mont Blanc HighlightsMont Blanc is truly spectacular. Our guide Adrian was exceptional and fun! He changed our hiking schedule as necessary to ensure the best experiences and amazing views . We stayed at Chalet Chalupa in Les Houches. The short bus or train ride into Chamonix was very easy, with our guide showing us all the necessary stops. Our hosts were kind and always helpful. The only improvement I would suggest is offering two dinner options.
When is the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc?
When planning your trip, you’ll need to take into consideration the weather as well as the length of daylight hours. Ideally, the best time to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc is between June and September. During these months the temperatures are at their warmest and there are more hours of daylight. Although there is generally less rainfall in the summer, this can change as the weather in the mountains is unpredictable. It can get extremely cold on the high peaks and there’s always a chance of snow. September tends to be less busy than in the summer, but the shorter daylight hours does mean you’ll need to begin your walks earlier in the morning.
How hard is the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Although it’s not essential that you’re a seasoned hiker to attempt the Tour du Mont Blanc, you’ll certainly need a good level of fitness to manage the daily long-distance walks and ascents. If you haven’t had much experience hiking long distances, we would recommend that you get some practice in before your trip. As well as being fit, you’ll also need a good amount of determination and stamina to cope with 8-9 hours of walking for several days in a row. Some days you will climb to heights of 3,000 – 4,000ft, following rough mountain paths.
FAQs on French Alps Holidays
Can you hike from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn?
Covering approximately 160km, the famous Haute Route is a long-distance trail that runs from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland. Punctuated by alpine huts, glacial lakes and lush valleys, this is the most scenic and exhilarating way to hike from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. In winter, the Haute Route is popular for skiers on French Alps holidays but in the summer months, most of the snow has melted and the lush meadows are strewn with wildflowers. Accompanied by an expert mountain leader, our guided tour takes you below 10 of the Alp’s highest peaks.
Where is the best starting point for the Tour du Mont Blanc?
Beginning and ending in the town of Chamonix, the Tour du Mont Blanc has several starting points. One of the most popular is Les Houche, just several miles from Chamonix where it sits at the foot of the mountain. Other starting points include Les Contamines in France, Champex in Switzerland or Courmayeur in Italy. The trail runs all the way round Mont Blanc and crosses through each of the three countries.
Where is the best place to hike in the French Alps?
World-renowned for their outstanding natural beauty, the French Alps are blessed with incredible scenery and wildlife and offer some of the finest walking routes in the world. Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, has several routes that guide you along its majestic peaks. Chamonix to Zermatt takes you from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn and even though it’s a demanding route, it showcases the best of the alpine landscapes. The Tour du Mont Blanc is another spectacular route which circumnavigates the massif. Alternatively, if you prefer to enjoy views of Mont Blanc, then Aguilles Rouges takes you among nature reserves and alpine lakes where you can soak up the mountain vistas.
What are the prettiest towns in the French Alps?
Made up of stunning mountain scenery, the French Alps are home to many villages and towns, all of which are exceptionally beautiful, and each has its own unique charms. Annecy lies in Haute-Savoie and is famous for its beautiful lake and colourful old town. Champex Lac, Orsières and Les Contamines are all equally as pretty and can be found on the Tour du Mont Blancs. Chamonix is arguably the most well-known town on French Alps holidays and is popular with the skiing crowd in winter.
Can you camp on the Tour du Mont Blanc?
If you prefer to get closer to nature on your hikes, camping on the Tour du Mont Blanc is a great way to immerse yourself in the wild landscapes and see the local wildlife. We offer the Tour du Mont Blanc with camping which provides stays at comfortable campsites where you can enjoy phenomenal views and star gaze below the dark skies – the kind of experiences you wouldn’t get when staying in a hotel. The tents are spacious and can sleep two people and if you would like extra comfort, you can hire mattresses and sleeping bags. You can even enjoy three-course meals in camp!
Danny Bell
French Alps – Product Manager Europe
“For the quintessential French Alps experience, join our best-selling Mont Blanc Highlights trip. You’ll sample some of the most iconic walks of the Tour du Mont Blanc and return to your unique chalet in Chamonix, providing a memorable summer hiking adventure.”
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