The French Alps are home to some of Europe’s most exciting outdoor adventures. Circumnavigate Europe’s highest peak—the spectacular Mont Blanc, where you can choose to hike its gentler lower stages through alpine meadows and charming ski villages, or tackle the classic Tour du Mont Blanc.

Another spectacular hike in the French Alps is the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. It is a challenging trail steeped in mountaineering legend that will see you trekking across glaciers and high passes with an ever-changing backdrop of the French and Swiss Alps, including the dramatic jagged peak of the Matterhorn.

Facing the French Alps, across the broad valley of the Rhone, the limestone plateaus and deep canyons of the Massif Central give way to more Mediterranean landscapes as you head south in the Cévennes. Find rolling fields dotted with granite boulders and medieval stone villages; valleys of chestnut forests, wildflowers and ruined castles; and the twisting reaches and breath-taking gorges of the Tarn, one of France’s prettiest rivers. Here you follow on foot the 'GR70', part of Europe’s network of major hiking trails.

Explore staggering alpine landscapes and historic, French villages by day, and relax and regroup in cosy mountain refuges or quality hotels each night.

Join us as we explore these incredible French mountain regions on foot.

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Find your French Alps trip

French Alps highlights

 

Why travel with us

Local Connections in the French Alps

We place great emphasis on researching, planning and crafting innovative itineraries to ensure you get the very best experience out of your French Alps hiking trip. We believe relationships are important and have been working with many of our hoteliers and local suppliers for years. This means that they know exactly what our travellers expect.

Personal Experience of the French Alps

Our team have been walking in the French Alps for over 5 decades. We are passionate about mountains, active holidays and delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of the UK & Europe and bring a multi-disciplined, multicultural and whole-hearted love of all things travel.

Great Value & Quality French Alps Holidays

Our hiking holidays in the French Alps are well priced offering great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and independent accommodation. When you book, your trip will be fully organised by a dedicated member of our in-house team, so you will always know who you are dealing with. We take the stress out of organising your alpine hiking trip.

Travel with Experience Mountain Guides

Our guided Alps walks in France are led by bilingual, experienced professionals who know the region well. Every guide is first-aid trained and carries appropriate communication devices with them in case of an emergency.

Accommodation

Handpicked hotels

On some Mont Blanc walks we use a range of 2-4* hotels, often family run. The hospitality is generous and their local knowledge is invaluable. Where possible, we choose hotel locations that add to your experience.

Refuges or Gite hostels

Used mainly on mountain walks, these convivial places add to the atmosphere of your journey through the mountains. Dorms may sleep up to 40 people and the beds are often bunk beds. Linen and blankets are provided and bathrooms are shared. Private rooms maybe available, while private gite rooms still use shared bathrooms.

B&B's or guesthouses

Simple yet rich in local character, the B&B’s and guesthouses chosen are clean, comfortable and run by hosts that help add to your experience.

Trip reviews

Essential information

Currency

Euro

International Dialing Code

+33

Electricity
Type C plug

Electricity in France is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.