On foot, by bike or in an electric car... there's no reason why you can't cross the Alps in summer and enjoy some sumptuous natural sites and unspoilt cultural venues. A turquoise lake, wild ibex, a legendary Tour de France pass, a magnificent mountain village... At the end of the road or footpath, there's always a good reason to stop, switch off and breathe in the fresh mountain air in summer!
Marvel at the great Alpine lakes
In the Alps, there are many lakes, each more beautiful than the last. Starting with the four wonders of Savoie and Haute-Savoie: Lac d'Annecy, Lac du Léman, Lac d'Aiguebelette and Lac du Bourget. White sandy beaches, turquoise waters (up to 25 degrees Celsius in summer), water sports... real little paradises that give you the impression of being at the seaside. A good way to discover them? By cycling the very first stage of the ‘Les Chemins du soleil’ mountain bike route, which starts at Lake Geneva and reaches Grenoble (350 km), via the Lacs du Bourget and Aiguebelette. Around Grenoble, the lakes of Paladru, Monteynard and Laffrey in the Matheysine region also offer well-deserved swimming breaks in a unique natural setting. Further south, other lakes await you as you cross the Alps, including Lac de Serre-Ponçon, Lac d'Allos, Europe's largest natural lake, and Lac de l'Orceyrette, with its breathtaking view over the Col d'Izoard.
Enjoy the scent of lavender in the Southern Alps
In June and July, the lavender fields in the Southern Alps put on a fabulous show. By bike or electric car, take the superb ‘Lavender Routes’ that cross the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department from west to east between Banon and Castellane, passing through Lardiers, Forcalquier, the popular Valensole plateau, Mézel, Digne-les-Bains and Saint-André-les-Alpes. Medieval villages of purple fields, as far as the eye can see, where you can discover this local know-how in distilleries or at lavender festivals.
An embarrassment of riches when it comes to crossing the Alps on foot (GR5, GR58, GR52)
Regional nature parks, national parks, nature reserves... in Savoie and Haute-Savoie alone, natural areas cover a surface area of 4,236 km². To discover this exceptional natural environment, take one of the many signposted hiking trails. The promise of superb views to capture on camera. A legendary hike? The ‘Grande traversée des Alpes’ (following the GR5 route), which takes mountain hikers from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. You are free to follow the entire route (620 km) or in small sections (around forty stages, from a few hours to a few days). In the Southern Alps, you can spend a few days discovering the unspoilt Queyras Regional Nature Park on the GR58, walk the last stage of the Traversée des Alpes (GR5) between Larche and Saint-Dalmas-Valdeblore in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, or explore the Vallée des Merveilles and its 40,000 rock engravings on the GR52.
Taking on the legendary routes of the Tour de France
The Galibier, the Madeleine, the Croix de Fer, the Aravis or the Col de l'Iseran... Every year, the peloton of the Tour de France takes to the winding roads of the Alps to conquer the most legendary passes! To follow in their footsteps, you can take the ‘Route des Grandes Alpes’ by electric car or by bike. Stretching for 720km between Thonon-les-Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva and Nice on the Côte d'Azur, this mountain route crosses no fewer than 17 passes. A great opportunity to come and cheer on the riders of the Grande Boucle as they make their efforts.
Route des Grandes Alpes by bike: Enjoying yourself whatever your level
In Savoie and Haute-Savoie, there are some 5,610km of signposted routes for cycle tourists, and you don't need to be as good as Tadej Pogačar to have fun. The more sporty will opt for a road bike or mountain bike. But others should not hesitate to opt for an electrically-assisted bike to enjoy the beauty of the Alpine landscapes in summer. To get your legs into shape, the best place to start is ‘Les p'tites routes du soleil’, an alternative route accessible to all (less difficult passes), stretching from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea.
Cycling in Savoie and Haute-Savoie
Cycling in Isère
Cycling in Hautes-Alpes
Cycling in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Cycling in Alpes-Maritimes
Stopping off at magnificent mountain villages
Whatever route you take across the Alps, you'll always come across a charming little mountain village where you can cool off and meet the local craftsmen. Some of these nuggets of French heritage have even been listed among the most beautiful villages in France, such as Bonneval-sur-Arc in Haute-Maurienne, Yvoire on the shores of Lake Geneva and Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, at the gateway to the Vercors massif. In the Southern Alps, Saint-Véran, the highest inhabited village in Europe (2000 m), Entrevaux and its imposing citadel, and Sainte-Agnès, a veritable eagle's nest with a bird's-eye view of the beaches of the Côte d'Azur, are among the hilltop villages to explore if you're crossing the Alps this summer.
Watching wild animals in the Alpine national parks
The unspoilt natural areas of the Alps are home to many wild animals, including marmots and ibexes. A little silence and attention, a good pair of binoculars (or a telephoto lens for the best-equipped photographers) and you're sure to spot them without straying from the paths! The Alpine national parks (Les Ecrins, la Vanoise and le Mercantour) and tourist offices offer outings led by mountain guides to discover the flora and fauna of the Alps and raise families' awareness of the need to protect biodiversity.
In the Vanoise National Park, there's also every chance of spotting four pairs of bearded vultures circling near the Nant Putors waterfall in Peisey-Nancroix. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, you can stay nearby at the Refuge de Rosuel.
Observe the flora and fauna of the Southern Alps
Meet the animals of the Alps in Isère
Admire the protected species in La Vanoise
Fill up on thrills and spills
The Alps are also a fantastic playground for thrill-seekers: cliff-climbing, canyoning, via ferrata, paragliding... Make the most of your trip across the Alps this summer to take part in some unusual and sporting activities in the mountains. You can also take part in sporting events organised in resorts across the Alps, such as Le Double8 at La Pagne, with mountain bike and draisienne courses dedicated to children, or attend the Climbing World Cup in Chamonix.
Thrill-seeking activities in Savoie and Haute-Savoie
Thrill-seeking activities in Isère
Thrill-seeking activities in the Southern Alps
Tasting exceptional cheeses
As you cross the Alps, don't forget to take a break to savour the specialities of the Alps, including the many cheeses that have been awarded the ‘Tomme de Savoie’, ‘Abondance’, ‘Reblochon’, ‘Beaufort’, ‘Tome des Bauges’ label... Don't hesitate to stop off at a farm along the back roads, visit the website of the Bienvenue à la ferme farmers' network or follow the “Route des Fromages de Savoie”, which brings together 70 farms, cheese dairies and maturing cellars.
Taste the products of Isère
Taste products from Savoie and Haute-Savoie
Taste products from the Southern Alps
Recharge your batteries at altitude
Want to breathe or meditate? Then this is the place for you! Not to be missed this summer, the yoga sessions organised in Val Thorens at the top of the Caron peak at an altitude of 3,200! These sessions will be given by Anita, a hatha yoga teacher and founder of Escale Zen. From up there, there's a breathtaking view of over 1,000 Alpine peaks. La Clusaz also puts gentle practices in the spotlight every summer: at the beginning of July, the Alpine resort near Annecy organises a dedicated event called the La Clusaz Yoga Festival. On the programme: an introduction to different yoga practices outdoors, meditation and vegan cuisine... A great reason to take a break on the route of the Grande traversée des Alpes.
To find out more
When is the best time to cross the Alps?
Whether you're on foot, by bike or in an electric car, summer is the ideal time to cross the Alps, when the mountain passes are clear and the high-altitude refuges are open. In winter, on the other hand, weather conditions such as snow and cold and the closure of certain passes can make travelling more hazardous. For greater peace of mind during your trip, choose the months from June to September.
How many days does it take to walk the GR5?
On foot, it takes around 3 to 4 weeks to cover the 620 kilometres of the GR5. By bike or electric car, the route can be adapted over 7 to 10 days, depending on your pace and the stops you wish to make. Plan breaks to savour Alpine specialities, explore mountain villages, contemplate the flora and fauna or enjoy a thrilling activity before continuing your itinerary.
Tips and recommendations
Whatever your preferred activity, remember to choose your equipment from eco-friendly French brands! So whether you're hiking or cycling, you can be sure you're helping to protect the environment.
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
