The French Alps deliver Chamonix's Mont Blanc gondola to Aiguille du Midi at 3,842m, the lift-served Trois Vallées (the world's biggest ski domain), Annecy's lakeside old town, and the Vanoise National Park's ibex herds.
Highlights
Chamonix
Annecy
Val d'Isère
Megève
When to Visit
Dec-Apr
Trois Vallées, Espace Killy, and Paradiski connect across 600km+ of pistes, Chamonix's Vallée Blanche off-piste descent runs from the Aiguille du Midi, and Avoriaz Christmas markets fill the village.
Jul-Aug
Tour du Mont Blanc 170km circuit at peak, Annecy beach packed for the Festival International du Film d'Animation, and Chamonix climbing season around Mont Blanc itself.
Sep-Oct
Larch and beech turn gold through the Vanoise, Tour du Mont Blanc still walkable into early October, and Annecy's old town pleasant in autumn light.
May-Jun
Spring shoulder with high cols (Iseran, Galibier) still snow-bound, but Annecy lake activity picking up, and Tour de France passes the Alps in mid-July most years.
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