The 10 Most Beautiful Natural Sites in the French Alps
Escape to France's Most Beautiful Mountain Landscapes
Lovers of nature and the open air will be seeking out the most beautiful natural sites in the French Alps, from glacial lakes and snowy peaks to glorious plateaus and valleys. This area is determined to preserve its exceptional biodiversity, so boasts lots of national and regional parks, making it a great place to see an incomparable variety of wildlife and plants.
And there’s no shortage of sporting excitement either. Skiing, climbing and water sports are all available for your adrenaline fix. And if culture is your thing, the villages are as interesting as they are welcoming.
1. The Galibier Mountain Pass
The Holy Grail of Cycling
Ideal para: Foto, Aventura
The Galibier mountain pass (Col de Galibier) is one of the highest in France and a favourite with cyclists. It’s not just legendary, it’s incredibly beautiful too. This 2,645-m high pass, which often features in the Tour de France, basks in the sun of the Maurienne valley.
The effort you’ll expend getting up there will be more than rewarded by the sensational panorama including a view of La Meije mountain and the glaciers around it and even, if you’re lucky, Mont Blanc in the distance. One piece of advice, it’s better to do this in the summer as the snow often makes it impassable from October until the end of May.
The Galibier Mountain Pass
2. The Cirque du Fer à Cheval
The Alpine counterpart of the famous Gavarnie
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto, Econômico, Aventura
The Cirque du Fer à Cheval is a marvellous limestone theatre in the Alps created by glaciers and great for hiking. Five km (3 miles) long and 700 m high, it is punctuated by more than 30 superb waterfalls falling from fabulous peaks like the Corne du Chamois. The forests and slopes shelter an exceptional variety of plants and wildlife.
But if you prefer activity to botany there’s also the via ferrata, mountaineering, rock-climbing and mountain biking. In winter you can enjoy the cross-country skiing or just admire the fairy tale icicles on those famous waterfalls.
The Cirque du Fer à Cheval
3. Vanoise National Park
France’s first-ever National Park
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto, Econômico, Aventura
Vanoise National Park (le parc national de la Vanoise) is known for its outstanding natural beauty and the incredible variety of plant and wildlife it shelters. Straddling the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys in Savoy, its primary purpose has always been to protect its unspoiled biodiversity.
Imagine mountain treks that could include magical glimpses of marmots, chamois, ibex, ptarmigan and black grouse or even golden eagles or vultures. And the good news is that the Vanoise National Park also includes lots of valleys and easy to reach mountain passes. So, are you ready to give it a go?
Telefone: +33 (0)4 79 62 30 54
Vanoise National Park
4. Lake Bourget
The biggest naturally formed lake in France
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto, Econômico, Aventura
Lake Bourget (Lac du Bourget) and its glistening water, formed from glaciers, is surrounded by mountain scenery. There are lots of different activities to do, depending on which side of the lake you are. The shores are gentle at Aix-les-Bains and much wilder at Bourget-du-Lac but wherever you are, there are lots of water sports to try.
Rowing, kayaking, water skiing, rafting and sailing are all possible, or you could just enjoy a little fishing or swimming on a summer day. You can also cycle round the lake or opt for a hike to admire the views from the heights of the Grande Mollière belvedere (Belvédère de la Grande Mollière).
Lake Bourget
5. The Platé Desert
A lunar landscape in Haute-Savoie
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto, Aventura
The Platé desert (désert de Platé) is a spectacular limestone landscape that’s only accessible on foot and stands at 2,500 m above sea level. This unique place was formed by glaciers and melt water, creating a magnificent limestone landscape that stimulates the imagination, bearing witness to the presence of sea water many years ago.
While you are visiting these amazing rocks, don’t forget to keep an eye out for the marmots, ibex and other species that live there. When you arrive by cable car, the panoramic views, particularly of Mont Blanc, make this one thing you absolutely should not miss if you are in the area.
The Platé Desert
6. Dévoluy
A family friendly mountain resort
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto, Econômico, Aventura
The Dévoluy mountains (Le massif du Dévoluy) will amaze you with natural light and magnificent scenery. The vast wild areas sown with parcels of agricultural land also include, for the amateur astronomers among you, the famous astronomical observatory on the Pic de Bure.
This chain of mountains is famous for its unusual geology, including the natural cave system known as the chourum, for speleologists, and the Pellafol Canal (le canal de Pellafol) dug through the rock. Here, nature combines with escapism and many sporting activities. There are 2 ski resorts in Dévoluy, as well as hikes, bike trails and other outdoor activities, not forgetting the local wellness areas.
Dévoluy
7. Mercantour National Park
Beauty personified
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto, Econômico, Aventura
The Mercantour National Park (parc national du Mercantour), where the Alps meet the Mediterranean, is very proud of its biodiversity. At least 3,000 different species of animals and plants enjoy life in an area as beautiful as it is varied. Whether you’re hiking for a holiday or for just a day, expect to see stags and chamois among the orchids, as well as wolves and golden eagles along the valleys and fast flowing rivers.
This area is much favoured by walkers but is also great for families, who absolutely must visit Lake Allos (lac d’Allos). If you’re a climber you’ll want to go up Mont Pelat or you could just have a look round the picturesque local villages.
Telefone: +33 (0)4 93 16 78 88
Mercantour National Park
8. Mont Aiguille
Where mountaineering was born
Ideal para: Foto, Econômico, Aventura
Mont Aiguille, known in the middle ages as the ‘Inaccessible Peak’, attracted endless legends and was a source of fascination to those who saw it. Whatever else it may be, Mont Aiguille was first climbed in 1492 by Antoine de Ville, on the orders of King Charles VIII, representing the beginning of the sport of mountaineering.
At 600 m long and 100 m wide, this well-known peak looks more like a tooth than the needle (aiguille) it is named after but is still a fascinating sight in the Alpine countryside, green in summer and snow-covered in winter.
Mont Aiguille
9. Écrins National Park
Beautiful, protected nature
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Écrins National Park (le parc national des Écrins) is a kingdom of glaciers and valleys created through erosion. There are many peaks that are more than 3,000 m high and a huge network of hiking paths. This wild landscape is home to a variety of plant and animal life including the famous purple mountain saxifrage whose colour will stay in your memory for a long time.
And if you are interested in Alpine flora then don’t forget the Lautaret botanical garden (Jardin botanique de col du Lautaret) on the mountain pass of the same name. It is one of the oldest in Europe and has an outstanding view over the surrounding Écrins National Park.
Telefone: +33 (0)4 95 40 20 10
Écrins National Park
10. Queyras Regional Natural Park
A rich natural heritage
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, História, Foto, Econômico, Aventura
Queyras Regional Natural Park (le parc naturel régional de Queyras) is over 160,000 acres of forests, gorges, mountain lakes and villages, providing a haven for hikers. Embrace the opportunity to enjoy the cool larch forests or pit yourself against the elements with steep passes, wild pathways and fast flowing streams.
Just imagine if you had to take your pack as well, like the pedlars of old. When you need to rest and eat, there are little villages offering cheese and honey. If you like to combine culture with your nature, then you could go to Saint-Véran, one of the highest villages in Europe, or visit Fort Queyras. Along the way you’ll see ancient sundials, fountains and little chapels.
Telefone: +33 (0)4 92 46 88 20
Queyras Regional Natural Park
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