With its many mountainous massifs, France is a hiking country par excellence. From the Alps to the Pyrenees, via the Jura and the Massif Central, France offers a great diversity of hikes with diverse and varied landscapes. In the Alps, Haute-Savoie is a prime destination, with the Mont-Blanc massif and its unforgettable landscapes on the rock and snow giants overlooking the Chamonix Valley. On the other hand, the walker can also climb the Pyrenees mountains, with landscapes of exceptional quality maintained by traditional livestock farming. Further north, it is the Jura and the Vosges, a mountainous land that has passed through the ages. Finally, one should also mention the Massif Central, whose volcanoes have been extinct for several thousand years. All the hikes described on this page are also possible in winter with a pair of snowshoes or skis, which is an opportunity to discover the landscapes from a different angle.
5 August 2012 | by Pierre-Alexandre
We had a wonderful family holiday in the Alpes de Haute-Provence, in the surroundings of Esparron de Verdon, near the Gorges du Verdon, first in July 2005 and then in August 2012.
Here is a summary of the places visited, illustrated by these
6 February 2012 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Here is another aspect of Lake Geneva. These photos, taken on January 20, 2005, show the area around the lake after 6 days of freezing winds, blowing with gusts at 100 km/h, with temperatures not exceeding
12 January 2012 | by Pierre-Alexandre
From the ski resort of Sommand, many summer hikes are possible in winter. For a discovery of the snowshoe outing, I propose the Col de Cordon that is an easy and safe route. The elevation gain of 230 m is climbed in about one hour depending on the snow conditions
25 December 2011 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The itinerary proposed here is an easy winter stroll starting from the ski resort of Praz-de-Lys and allowing to reach Sommand by the Col de la Ramaz.
It can be an initiation to the practice of snowshoeing as there
30 August 2011 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Lac des Chambres, nestled at the foot of Pointe Rousse and Roches de la Couarra, is the objective of this walk.
Formerly covered with late névé and icebergs, the Lac des Chambres today is a real “observatory” on the direct consequences of global warming
7 August 2011 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Lac de la Vogealle, located just east of Haute-Savoie in the Giffre Massif, is a source of wonder for the hiker. Surrounded by Dents Blanches, this lake offers a magical spectacle on the rare summits of more than 3000 m of the department accessible without
16 July 2011 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Located on the heights of Sallanches, Crête des Bénés and its mountain pasture offer a magnificent destination for the hiker. Throughout the ascent, the eye is attracted by Haute-Savoie’s magic; On one side the imposing Mont Blanc Massif, on the other the Aravis Range
16 April 2011 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Pointe de Lachau is a stroll without any difficulty (if not the last part of the ridge a little steep when arriving at the summit), and feasible in half a day. Next to the imposing Mont Chauffé that will accompany us throughout the hike
13 September 2010 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Situated at the end of the Grand Balcon Nord, Tête des Prapators, a hill of moderate difficulty, allows the hiker to discover one of the most prestigious areas of the Chamonix Valley: the Mer de Glace.
Stuck between Aiguille des Grands Montets
9 September 2010 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Standing between the Plateau des Glières and Bornes Massif, and located at the end of Mont Lachat, Le Suet, despite its low altitude, turns out to be a splendid viewpoint on Lake Geneva area
15 August 2010 | by Pierre-Alexandre
Well visible from the Sallanches Valley, Mont Joly is a true observatory on the Mont Blanc Massif as well as the surrounding massifs, such as the Aravis Range or the Vanoise Massif.
Like the peaks of the Italian Val Ferret
20 June 2010 | by Pierre-Alexandre
The Lac de Lessy, the goal of this hike, is nestled in a combe at the foot of the Jallouvre, the Buclon, and Aiguille Verte. This itinerary located under the Plateau de Cenise is accessible to all and is easier than the one described by the Chinaillon because it is shorter and less steep