French Alps — Destination Guide: Overview

The ancient French provinces of Savoy and Dauphiné combine to form the French Alps, a playground in both summer and winter. Bordering Switzerland and Italy, the Alps are crowned by Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak at 15,771 feet (4,807 m). The best center for exploring Mont Blanc is Chamonix, the historic capital of alpine skiing. Dedicated skiers all over the world know of its ten-mile Vallée Blanche run, the most rugged in Europe, certainly the longest. Daredevils flock here for mountain climbing and hang-gliding. But if alpine chic is your goal settle into the resort of Megève instead of Chamonix. The ancient ...

The ancient French provinces of Savoy and Dauphiné combine to form the French Alps, a playground in both summer and winter. Bordering Switzerland and Italy, the Alps are crowned by Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak at 15,771 feet (4,807 m). The best center for exploring Mont Blanc is Chamonix, the historic capital of alpine skiing. Dedicated skiers all over the world know of its ten-mile Vallée Blanche run, the most rugged in Europe, certainly the longest. Daredevils flock here for mountain climbing and hang-gliding. But if alpine chic is your goal settle into the resort of Megève instead of Chamonix. The ancient capital of Dauphiné, Grenoble is another major target for those exploring the French Alps. As the commercial, intellectual, and tourist center of the Alps, it is a logical stopping-off point for motorists traveling between the Riviera and Geneva. Grenoble is a sports capital in both winter and summer. In addition to its towering peaks, the French Alps also contain some of Europe's most beautiful lakes, especially Lac d'Annecy. The chief resort here is the chic lakeside town of Annecy, the capital of Haute-Savoie.

About the Expert

Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince have written many guidebooks for Frommer's, including Frommer's France and Frommer's Germany.