French Alps Holidays

Name: French Alps
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (612 reviews)

4 of The Most Beautiful Routes on French Alps Walking Holidays

Lac Blanc

Framed by panoramic views of the Aiguilles Rouges and the Mont Blanc Massif, Lac Blanc is one of the most picturesque alpine lakes in the French Alps. Its azure water reflects the shimmering mountain scenery which attracts seasoned walkers from around the globe. Begin the trek from La Flégère and take the popular circular route that leads to Lac Blanc, stopping off along the way to appreciate the mountain views. If you prefer to give your legs a rest on the way back down, ride the cable car from La Flégère to Les Praz.

Grand Balcon Sud

Sweeping along the western side of the valley and reaching around 2,000 metres, the Grand Balcon Sud is a fantastic hiking trail. Becausethe Grand Balcon lies on the opposite side of the valley to Mont Blanc, it affords unparalleled views of the Mont Blanc massif. The Grand Balcon Sud route in Chamonix follows a relatively flat trail before climbing more steeply up to Lac Blanc. From here you can take in the dramatic views of Aiguilles Rouges and Mont Blanc before heading back down to the hamlet of Les Frasserands.

Aiguilette des Posettes

Considered one of the classic and most breath-taking routes along the Tour du Mont Blanc, Aiguilette des Posettes combines views of the Chamonix Valley, the Aiguilles Rouges National Nature Reserve, and even across to Switzerland on a clear day. You can access the route either from Tré-le-Champ or Trient, however, it is easier to start from Tré-le-Champ and is just a few minutes from the station. On your return down from Aiguilette des Posettes, visit the Refuge du Col de Balme and enjoy something to eat and drink on the outside terrace as you soak up the views.

Haute Route

Occupied as a long-distance skiing trail during the winter, the Haute Route transforms into a spectacular walking track in the summer months. The route runs around 100 miles from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn and follows a high alpine trail overlooking beautiful valleys that lie beneath ten of the tallest peaks in the Alps. The landscapes are punctuated with glacial lakes and flower-strewn meadows that create one of the prettiest backdrops for our walking holidays in the Swiss and French Alps. You’ll also pass picture-postcard villages such as Zermatt, which lies at the foot of the Matterhorn.

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

8 Days from CAD 3513

CAD 3040

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Walk the best of Mont Blanc Circuit in France and Italy

Walking & Trekking

15 Days from CAD 7125

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Walk the classic circuit through France, Switzerland and Italy

Walking & Trekking

8 Days from CAD 4180

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

A fast and light way to complete the Mont Blanc Circuit.

Walking & Trekking

15 Days from CAD 4370

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Walk the iconic alpine trail through France, Switzerland and Italy

Walking & Trekking

15 Days from CAD 5985

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Trek the classic 'Haute Route' from France to Switzerland

Walking & Trekking

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What a trip, what an adventure, it was fabulous in every way, if you love walking, if you love the mountains, I’d highly recommend it. Firstly the scenery is epic, I don’t think I’ve ever said wow so many times!

The hotels like the food is a bit varied from the superb to the basic, but it all does the job and at the end of the day your often so tired as long as you’ve got something hearty to eat and some where warm and comfy to sleep that’s all you need. Yes, it would be nice if all the rooms had ensuite showers and toilets but on the few occasions they didn’t it was no big deal.

One thing that is a big deal is the weather in the Alps, which I can imagine can make or break a trip. I went near the end of the season (the last week in August first week of September) and fortunately it worked out great – The trails were quieter and we were so lucky with the weather – it was in the 20s virtually the whole time we were there and we only had one day of rain.

So in summary, if you’re thinking about it, if you’re on the fence go for it you won’t regret it.

John Boam Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek

Wow! What an amazing trip! Breathtakingly beautiful! Tim expertly led us through some stunning trails. Clare and Liz were perfect chalet hosts.

Seema Gadhia Mont Blanc Highlights

It was a challenging hiking trip but it’s worth every second of it. The scenery, the group and the accommodations are great.

Cita Wong Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek

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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.”