Are you looking to make your next vacation a trip to the Alps? You have stumbled in the right place. Here we have all the best things to see and do on any holiday, whether it’s a romantic getaway, a trip with friends, or an escape with the family.

Get comfortable with the surroundings

On any trip to the French Alps, you will find that along the border of France, Italy, and Switzerland, a board of snow-capped peaks, cosy villages, and deep valleys are all well worth exploring. The best way to travel is via private jet charter, allowing you to soak up all this region offers. Activity lovers will be spoilt for choice with outdoor plans such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain climbing, backpacking, biking, trail running, skiing, and snowboarding, all readily available. However, if high adrenaline past-times aren’t your thing, there is still plenty of things to see and do. Ski routes and trails range from beginner to expert, many featuring convenient cable cars to manoeuvre people around, meaning that even the most casual of hikers can take in some of the most breathtaking views in the region.

Aside from taking advantage of the abundance of outdoor activities, you can enjoy the Alps in many ways. Take a trip to the charming alpine villages like Annecy and Chamonix. Trips to these villages should be filled with the indulgence of local fresh mountain cheese and delicious tartiflette. There are opportunities to visit the French Alps at all times of the year, with lots to see and do in both summer and winter. Absorb the spirit of Christmas in the November and December months by visiting the quaint Christmas markets. Feeling a little cold? Warm yourself up with a little mulled wine.

What to do in the French Alps

Here are some essential activities you should enjoy from the near-endless opportunities the French Alps offer. Everything from active adventures such as the hiking trails up Mt. Blanc, or the leisurely group excursions available in the small mountain towns. You can enjoy everything when visiting the Alps.

Cooking classes in Savoy

The scenic alpine landmarks of Savoy in the Western Alps, close to Annecy, are full of the area’s best food, drink, and nature spots. Stop and learn about the abundance of forests and pastureland from the ever-willing to teach locals. Taste the varying varieties of cheese from the local cheese shops that you may use later in a cooking class. At these cooking classes, you will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional tartiflette, A hearty dish of onions, potatoes, and reblochon cheese. 

Go hiking

The French Alps are known for Mt. Blanc and Chamonix, making a trip to the area complete with a visit to at least one of these beautifully scenic locations. To try and tackle both o these landmarks, you can indulge in a moderate hike to Lac Blanc, a stunning alpine wonder sitting at close to 8,000 feet, filled with serene panoramic views of the surrounding mountain range. You will begin your circular hike with a short cable car ride to Flegere, then have a picnic lunch lakeside, and later end with the many more scenic pools found in the area before hiking back into the valley. If you’ve got time to prepare for these excursions, brush up your knowledge about the Apls with guidebooks and local stories. 

Ride the Aiguille de Midi Cable Car

A trip on the cable cars completes a visit to the Alps, especially across the stunning Aiguille de Midi, one of Chamonix’s highest and most famous peaks. In just 20 minutes, you will be taken from the centre of Chamonix to the high mountains, climbing to altitudes of 12,604 feet. When you have reached the summit, take your time soaking in the panoramic views of the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps, especially the uninterrupted vistas of Mont Blanc. If you are daring, why not step out onto the glass viewing platform at the top?

The perfect French Alp itinerary

A trip to the French Alps is much easier to organise than you may have first thought, but as with any journey, you should have an idea of what’s out there rather than completely winging it. There isn’t a central hub that travellers gravitate towards, but the remote beauty attracts tourists yearly. You can combine a trip to the mountains with areas close to the region, such as Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and the Rhone Valley. The French Alps are close to large international cities like Turin in Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland.

The number of days you spend on your trip to the Alps will depend entirely on how you combine the regions in the area. If you’re someone who is looking to occupy their time majoritively in the Alps, plan for two full travel days and give yourself at least three or four days to explore the small mountain villages and the surrounding mountains. If you want to add a larger city to your trip, such as Chamonix or Lyon, your trip should last for around a week to have enough time or everything. Many travellers are not complete without a trip to France’s capital, Paris. If this is the case, give yourself around a fortnight to give yourself a chance to explore big cities in the region such as Nice.

There are many things to see, do, and enjoy in the French Alps, and we need help to fit everything on our list. Don’t feel guilty if you haven’t explored every corner. There are lots of opportunities to visit this stunning part of the world.