French Alps (1 Month)

I took the Eurostar out of London St Pancras, and within hours, I was stepping onto Parisian cobblestones. Two nights in the City of Light served as the perfect prologue to my month-long French Alps adventure, just enough time to wander the streets, sip café crème along the Seine, and remind myself why Paris is so highly rated.

From Paris, I trained to Geneva to collect my rental car, the key to unlocking the Alpine wonderland ahead. My first proper stop was Annecy, where I spent three nights exploring the "Venice of the Alps." The old town's pastel buildings and flower-lined canals were undeniably beautiful, though the throngs of tourists reminded me I wasn't discovering any hidden gem. Still, watching the turquoise lake shimmer beneath the mountains made the crowds worthwhile.

Grenoble offered a quieter two nights. While the city itself didn't captivate me, the cable car ride to Fort Bastille delivered spectacular panoramic views across the valley, a glimpse of the dramatic scenery to come.

Then came Briançon, and everything shifted. Four nights in France's highest city felt like too few. The fortified old town, perched at altitude with crisp mountain, was enchanting. But Parc National des Écrins was the real revelation. My glacier hike pushed me physically and rewarded me with some of the most stunning vistas I've ever witnessed, pristine ice fields, jagged peaks, and that profound silence you only find at altitude.

The drive over Col du Galibier to Courchevel ranks among the most spectacular roads I've traveled. Hairpin bends revealed endless Alpine panoramas. Courchevel stirred nostalgic memories from a childhood ski trip, though summer stripped away much of its magic, the resort felt oddly bare without snow.

Chamonix commanded a full week of my itinerary, and deserved every day. Yes, it's the mecca of mountain tourism, packed with hikers, climbers, and Mont Blanc enthusiasts. But standing in the shadow of Western Europe's highest peak, with trails branching into wilderness in every direction, I understood why people flock here. The hiking was simply world-class. I recommend the Lac Blanc, L'Aiguillette des Posettes and Aiguillette des Houces, 3 unreal hikes, all around 4 hours long.

Samoëns provided a welcome change of pace. Four nights in a quintessential French countryside chalet, my best Airbnb find of the trip, allowed me to catch up on work between gentle nature walks. Sometimes the best travel moments happen when you slow down.

I finished in Morzine with four nights at a hotel, La Montana, with a spa, the perfect way to soothe hiking-weary muscles. More excellent trails beckoned, but I balanced exploration with relaxation, savoring that satisfying exhaustion that comes from a month well-spent.

Beyond the mountains, French culture wove through every day, the unhurried café mornings, the pride locals take in their regions, and those pastries. Mon Dieu, those pastries! Every boulangerie became a necessary stop, and it's a good job I was hiking a lot as I never bought just one...Chasson Aux Pommes became a favourite (pastry with apples inside) and the Choco Suisse.

The French Alps delivered everything I'd hoped for: dramatic landscapes, charming villages, challenging hikes, and that intangible Alpine magic that makes you feel simultaneously humbled and exhilarated. One month felt both endless and far too short.