French Alps vacation packages

How to reach the French Alps

• Flight time: Flights to the French Alps from London take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can fly into Geneva, Lyon, or Grenoble airports.

• Transfer time: From Geneva Airport, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car or shuttle to reach popular resorts like Chamonix and Morzine. From Lyon Airport, it’s around 2 hours by car or bus to resorts such as Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez. Grenoble Airport is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from most major ski resorts.

• Price: A shuttle from Geneva Airport to Chamonix costs around $32 per person one way, and a bus from Lyon Airport to Les Deux Alpes is about $48 per person one way. Car rentals start at around $43 per day.

Best time to visit the French Alps

Deciding when to take your vacation to the French Alps depends on how you wish to spend your time—is skiing your priority? Or do you prefer hiking or mountain biking?

• December to February: Winter is peak ski season in the French Alps, which means booking your vacation early to secure the best accommodation; ski enthusiasts should keep in mind the February school ski break. Expect plenty of snow, with temperatures ranging from 14°F to 41°F.

• March to May: Typically, the spring climate in the northern Alps is wetter, the southern Alps drier and warmer, with spring arriving sooner in the south. March and April are still good times for skiing at higher altitudes, while the best time to hike is May. Temperatures range from 23°F to 50°F, with increasing hours of sunshine.

• June to August: Summer transforms the French Alps into one big outdoor playground for hiking, mountain biking, and climbing, among other pursuits. Temperatures range from 59°F to 77°F, with 10-12 hours of sunshine daily. Be aware, however, of sudden storms in the mountains.

• September to November: Autumn offers much cooler weather, with temperatures ranging from 41°F to 59°F, although September is by far the best time of year to walk in the Alps. Rainfall is moderate, averaging 1.6-2.8 inches per month, and you can expect 7-9 hours of sunshine.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: French is the main language, but English is widely spoken here.

• Local habits and customs: You’re not obligated to leave a tip in France. Tipping is not expected in French culture as the service is already factored into the price of your meal.

• Health and safety: The region is safe, but your biggest concern is likely to be staying safe on the slopes. Emergency services can be reached by dialing 112.

• Currency: The Euro (€) is used in France. ATMs are available in towns and resorts, and credit cards are widely accepted.

• Getting around: Traveling around the Alps is relatively easy, with frequent trains between the major towns and resorts. During the skiing season of December to April and the summer months of July and August, more bus services become available. Drivers should remember that some high passes in the east of the region, including the Col du Galibier and the Col de l’Iseran, can remain closed well into June.

• Electricity and plug types: Voltage is officially 230V, using plugs with two round pins. UK travelers will need an adapter.

• Time zone: The French Alps are in the Central European Time zone (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. Daylight Saving Time is observed.

• Required travel documentation: UK travelers need a valid passport to enter France. No visa is required for stays under 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best things to do in the French Alps

The wild and rugged landscape of the Alps features some of Europe’s most stunning mountain scenery, including Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak. You’ll also find plenty of charming villages and towns to explore.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Aiguille du Midi: Take one of the world’s highest cable-car rides for a spectacular view of Mont Blanc.

• Col de l’Iseran: The highest paved road pass in the Alps offers breathtaking views.

The best districts

• Grenoble: Known as the capital of the Alps, this vibrant and cosmopolitan city is a quirky maze of streets packed with modern and medieval buildings.

• Annecy: Located on a sparkling turquoise lake, Lac d’Annecy is one of the most beautiful and popular resort towns in the French Alps.

Museums

• Musée des Charmettes, Chambéry: This country cottage focuses on Rousseau’s writings and domestic life. It is beautifully furnished in the style of the day, with Italian-style trompe l’oeil paintings adorning the walls of the downstairs dining and music rooms.

Parks and gardens

• Labyrinthe-Jardin des Cinq Sens: A magnificent display of formal gardens designed to engage all five senses, featuring around 1,500 plant varieties, including fruit bushes that tantalize your taste buds.

• Pré-Curieux water gardens, Evian: These picturesque lakeside gardens surround a colonial-style house and showcase various water-based ecosystems, each with different plant and animal life. The best part? You reach them by boat.

Historical monuments

• Citadelle, Besançon: Vauban’s vast and spectacular citadel dominates the old town below. There’s much to see and do, and you could easily spend several hours exploring the walls, turrets, and ditches.

Things to do in different parts of the region

• Lake Geneva: Enjoy the tranquil beauty of Évian and Yvoire on the French side of this grand lake, or take one of the frequent ferries to Switzerland.

• Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras: Walk or drive through the untouched mountain landscapes of the Queyras to St-Véran, one of the highest villages in Europe.

Activities for families in the French Alps

Whether tackling the mountains or exploring the region's charming towns and resorts, there's so much family fun to be had in the French Alps.

• Montenvers rack railway: In about 20 minutes, the little red train takes you to the "Sea of Ice," which, at 7 km long and nearly 2,000 m wide, is the largest glacier in the Alps.

• Lake cruises: On Lake Annecy, Compagnie des Bateaux runs several boats daily from the quai Napoléon-III, including a one-hour trip and a two-hour tour with brief stops at various points around the lake.

• Historical monuments: If mountains don’t intrigue the kids, perhaps exploring a fortress will. Consider the Château de Miolans, a medieval fortress offering guided tours and activities, or Vauban's splendid citadels in Briançon and Mont-Dauphin.

Free things to do in the French Alps

Located in the heart of one of the world's great mountain ranges, the French Alps offer plenty of low-cost activities.

• Hiking: A day in the mountains is a simple and enjoyable way to save money. Popular trails include the Tour du Mont Blanc and the Sentier des Cascades.

• Beaches: Yes, the Alps have beaches! If you've had enough of exploring towns, consider relaxing at one of Annecy’s two excellent, grassy beaches. The one on the western shore, just south of the port, is shallower and better suited for families.

• Festivals: The Alps host many annual events, often centered around the mountains. The World Climbing Championships in mid-July attract top climbers for a series of speed and technical challenges on a massive artificial wall. In mid-August, the Fête des Guides de Chamonix celebrates local guides with live music, folklore events, and climbing demonstrations.

Nature and outdoor activities

The French Alps offer some of the most thrilling outdoor activities, from world-class skiing and mountain climbing to excellent road cycling and peaceful valley walks.

• Hiking: All seven of the Alps’ national and regional parks offer gentle day walks and more challenging treks, including classic long-distance paths like the Tour du Mont Blanc, which requires one or two weeks of walking and quite a bit of stamina.

• Via Ferrata: Popular via ferrata courses use wires and ladders bolted onto the rock, allowing even inexperienced climbers (wearing harnesses and ropes) to ascend routes that would otherwise be impossible for them.

• Skiing: The French Alps boast some of the best skiing in the world with long, varied runs, extensive lift networks, and superb après-ski. Cross-country or Nordic skiing is also increasingly popular on gentler slopes, especially around Morzine and in the Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras.

• Water sports: For water enthusiasts, head to Lac du Bourget for activities like sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and kayaking or stand-up paddling.

Local dishes in the French Alps

Alpine cuisine is characterized by its generous use of cheese made from local cow, sheep, and goat milk. These cheeses are not only featured in the famous fondue but are also prevalent in dishes like raclette and tartiflette.

Some typical dishes

• Raclette: This mouthwatering dish involves melting Raclette cheese and scraping it over potatoes, pickles, and cured meats; it's perfect after a day on the slopes.

• Tartiflette: Another indulgently cheesy dish made with Reblochon cheese, potatoes, onions, and lardons.

• Fondue Savoyarde: A classic cheese fondue made with a blend of local cheeses, white wine, and garlic; chunks of crispy bread are dipped into the melted cheese.

Meat dishes

• Diots: Savoyard sausages cooked in white wine and served with polenta or potatoes.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Trout: Freshwater trout from the region’s rivers, often grilled or baked with herbs, is an excellent and lighter option compared to the usual meat-based dishes.

Street food

• Croques Monsieur or Croques Madame: Variations of the toasted cheese-and-ham sandwich that you’ll find at many street stands.

Sweets and desserts

Tarte aux myrtille is a blueberry tart made with wild blueberries from the mountains. There's also faisselle aux myrtilles, blueberries with a soft, creamy yogurt-like cheese, while bugnes are light and crispy, deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar.

Local drinks

• Vermouth: Chambéry is famous for its high-quality vermouth, including the unique Chambéryzette, flavored with strawberries.

• Chartreuses: Powerfully alcoholic herbal elixirs ranging from the more well-known green and yellow variants to a variety of gentler fruit and nut liqueurs.

• Génepi: A traditional alpine liqueur made from the génépi plant, which grows high in the mountains, usually enjoyed as a digestif after a meal.