When to go to the French Alps?
→ The detailed month-by-month page, with real weather records
Best time: June to September (hiking) and January to March (skiing)
At a glance
Why go to the French Alps?
The Annecy-Chamonix duo condenses the best of the French Alps into an hour's drive. Annecy, nicknamed the Venice of the Alps, combines flower-lined canals, a medieval old town and a lake reputed to be among the purest in Europe, where you can swim from June to September. Chamonix, world capital of mountaineering since the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786, offers unique access to the high mountains without being a climber, thanks to its legendary lifts.
It is a destination that works all year round, with two faces. In summer, you hike to the Lac Blanc and its reflections of the Mont Blanc massif, cycle the greenway around Lake Annecy and paraglide above Talloires. In winter, the ski areas of Chamonix, Megève and La Clusaz line up kilometres of slopes for every level, from the legendary off-piste Vallée Blanche to the family runs of Les Houches.
Finally, access is unusually simple for the mountains: direct TGV to Annecy, motorway to Chamonix, and on the spot, shuttles and valley trains serving the lifts. So you can put together a car-free stay, something almost impossible elsewhere in the Alps, and alternate lake days and glacier days depending on the weather.
Map of the French Alps: what is where?
The map shows the 6 places covered in this guide, to picture the distances and plan your route.
- Annecy
- Talloires
- Megève
- Chamonix
- Aiguille du Midi
- Mer de Glace
How much does a trip to the French Alps cost?
The Annecy-Chamonix duo sits at the top end of French prices, especially in February and August, but huts, campsites and market picnics allow good savings.
| Style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €70-100/day | Hostel, camping or mountain hut, picnics, free shuttles, hiking |
| Comfort | €120-180/day | 3-star hotel, Savoyard restaurants, lifts, bike hire |
| Premium | €280+/day | 5-star chalet hotel in Megève or Chamonix, Michelin-starred restaurants, private guide, heli-skiing on the Swiss side |
Cards accepted everywhere; bring cash for mountain huts and some alpine farms.
Is the French Alps safe?
The region is very safe in everyday terms; the real precautions are mountain ones. When hiking, set off early, check the weather (storms are frequent on summer afternoons) and wear good shoes. In the high mountains and on glaciers, never leave marked routes without a guide. In winter, respect the avalanche bulletin away from open pistes. Swimming in Lake Annecy is lifeguarded at the main beaches in summer.
What to see and do in the French Alps
- Lake Annecy
- Annecy old town
- Gorges du Fier
- Aiguille du Midi
- Mer de Glace
- Lac Blanc
- Le Brévent
- Megève
Annecy
Annecy's old town tangles canals, arcades and pastel façades around the Palais de l'Île, a former prison sitting in the middle of the Thiou. The lake, exceptionally pure, can be followed by bike along 42 km of greenway or crossed by boat to Talloires. The Marquisats and Albigny beaches let you swim in summer in water at 22-24°C. The old-town market livens things up on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Don't leave without an ice cream from Glacier des Alpes and a stroll across the Pont des Amours.
Chamonix
At the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix has lived from the mountains for 250 years. The resort town lines up mountaineering shops, terraces facing the Drus and the statue of Balmat and Saussure pointing at the summit. It is the ideal base for the Aiguille du Midi, the Mer de Glace and Le Brévent. In winter, its four ski areas and the Vallée Blanche descent make it a world reference. The international atmosphere, among guides and trail runners, is unique in the Alps.
Aiguille du Midi 3 676 m
France's most spectacular cable car climbs from Chamonix to 3,777 metres in twenty minutes, before a final lift up to the summit terrace at 3,842 metres. Before you, Mont Blanc seems within reach, and the Step into the Void, a glass box suspended above a 1,000-metre drop, puts your nerves to the test. In fine weather, the Panoramic Mont-Blanc gondola continues to the Pointe Helbronner on the Italian side. Bring warm clothes even in August, as it can be -5°C at the top. Go up early, as clouds often roll in by late morning.
Mer de Glace and Montenvers
The little red Montenvers rack railway has been climbing since 1908 to the largest glacier in France, 7 km long. From the top station, a gondola and stairs lead down to the ice cave, recarved into the glacier every year. Markers showing the level of the ice over the decades give a striking lesson in climate change. The new Glaciorium explains the life of glaciers. Allow half a day from Chamonix.
Lac Blanc and the Aiguilles Rouges reserve
Facing the Mont Blanc massif, the Lac Blanc is the queen of hikes in the Chamonix valley. From the Flégère cable car, allow 1h30 to 2h of climbing to reach the lake at 2,352 metres, where glaciers and needles are mirrored in the water in the early morning. Ibex and marmots are often spotted in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Set off early to avoid the crowds and afternoon storms. The Lac Blanc refuge lets you sleep on site for the sunrise.
Megève and the Val d'Arly
A resort created by the Rothschild family in the 1920s to rival St Moritz, Megève cultivates a discreet chic around its church square and horse-drawn carriages. In winter, its linked Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area offers 400 km of mostly gentle runs, perfect for families. In summer, the trails of Mont d'Arbois and Le Jaillet unfold superb panoramas over Mont Blanc. The food is exceptional, led by Flocons de Sel. Between Annecy and Chamonix, it is the gentle interlude of the trip.
How many days, and which itinerary?
Allow 5 to 6 days to combine Lake Annecy and the Chamonix valley, a week with Megève or more hiking.
🗺️ Day-by-day itinerary · 📓 Free printable French Alps guide (PDF) · 🌍 All of France
Lake and summits (4 days)
Two days in Annecy between the old town, cycling the greenway and swimming at Talloires, then two days in Chamonix with the Aiguille du Midi on the first fine morning and the Mer de Glace as a complement.
Great outdoors (6 days)
Two days in Annecy with the Gorges du Fier and a paragliding flight from the Col de la Forclaz, a stop in Megève, then three days in Chamonix: the Aiguille du Midi, a hike to the Lac Blanc and a day on Le Brévent with a head-on view of Mont Blanc.
Winter version (7 days)
Three days of family skiing in Megève or La Clusaz, then four days in Chamonix between the Brévent-Flégère and Grands Montets ski areas, the Aiguille du Midi in fine weather and, for experienced skiers, the Vallée Blanche with a guide. A stop in Annecy on the way back for the old town under snow.
Getting there and getting around
Direct TGV Paris-Annecy in 3h40, then bus or car to Chamonix in 1h15
Mont-Blanc Express train in the Chamonix valley, free with the guest card
Free shuttles in Chamonix and Annecy-Chamonix buses (Flixbus/BlaBlaCar Bus, from €10)
A car is useful for Megève, Talloires and trailheads, hire from €50/day
Where to stay in the French Alps?
Hotels in Annecy's old town: €110-180 for a double in summer, book early for July and August
Chalet hotels and lodges in Chamonix (Les Praz area or centre): €130-220
Mountain huts (Lac Blanc, Plan de l'Aiguille): €55-75 half board, booking compulsory
Palace hotels and luxury farmhouses in Megève: from €400 in season
Our places to stay, stop by stop, at three budgets →
What to eat in the French Alps?
Reblochonnade, tartiflette or fondue in alpine pasture restaurants, €18-28 a dish
Lake fish (féra, Arctic char) on the terraces of Talloires and Annecy, €24-35
Annecy market for farmhouse reblochon, tomme and saucissons (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday)
Michelin-starred tables: Flocons de Sel in Megève, Albert 1er in Chamonix, Clos des Sens in Annecy-le-Vieux
Entry requirements
Schengen area: an ID card or passport for EU citizens, 90 days visa-free for UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports.
Rules change: check your own government's travel advice before you go.
Cities and regions to discover
City🇫🇷 Annecy
Region🇫🇷 Savoie and Mont Blanc
Region🇫🇷 The Vercors
Frequently asked questions about the French Alps
When is the best time to go?
Mid-June to mid-September for hiking and swimming in Lake Annecy, January to March for skiing. September is the secret month: clear trails, the lake still warm and the crowds gone.
What daily budget should I plan for?
Allow €120 to €180 a day per person with a comfortable hotel, restaurants and lifts. The Aiguille du Midi (€75 return) and ski passes quickly weigh on the budget.
How do I get around?
The TGV serves Annecy and the Mont-Blanc Express runs the length of the Chamonix valley, free with the guest card. A car is still useful for Megève, Talloires and trailheads, but a car-free stay is entirely feasible.
How many days do I need?
Five to six days give a good balance: two days around Lake Annecy, three to four in the Chamonix valley. A week adds Megève or extra hikes.
Is the Aiguille du Midi accessible to everyone?
Yes, the cable car requires no climbing skills, but the altitude (3,842 m) can cause dizziness and headaches: go up in stages, stay hydrated and avoid taking babies. Book a time slot online and aim for the first departure in fine weather.
Similar destinations
Region🇮🇹 The Dolomites
Region🇸🇮 Lake Bled
Region🇭🇷 Plitvice Lakes
Region🇫🇷 The Verdon Gorge
Region🇫🇷 Corsica
Region🇫🇷 The French Basque Country
Region🇪🇸 The Canary Islands
City🇮🇹 Sorrento and the Path of the Gods
Region🇮🇹 Sardinia
Region