What to do and see in France, France: The Best Mountains

December 2, 2021 Osvaldo Hartline

– in Europe  (green & dark grey) – in the European Union  (green)
Restaurants in France

1. Mont Blanc

Chamonix France
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,521 reviews

Mont Blanc

A towering mountain range on the Italian border, the highest peak of which measures nearly 16,000 feet, making it the second highest mountain in Europe.

Reviewed By Montrose3 - Montrose, United Kingdom

Just amazing first time I've really been in the Alps and wow was it worth waiting for we had a great few days some ace views ace boarding and just a fab time will be back!

2. La Tournette

Annecy France
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 273 reviews

La Tournette

Reviewed By jurmas - The Hague, The Netherlands

We parked the car at the beginning of the trail. It is possible to drive to the restaurant le Chalet de l’Aulp where the trail begins. You have to be in good condition if you take the steep route. When you reach the shepherds shelter, the route will split left and to the right. We went left. It was a steep climb at 2/3 of this route but manageable if you are in shape and are a experienced hiker. Bring water, food and wear hiking boots or shoes with a good grip cause you’ll need it. It took 2,5/3 hours to get to the top en less than 2 to get down. We celebrated with a gigantic lunch at the restaurant Le Chalet de l’Aulp. 2x 3-course lunch with 2 cokes and 2 beers. Paid around €50. Highly recommend it!

3. Mount Perdu

France
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Mount Perdu

4. Point Sublime - Mont Faron

Sommet du Mont Faron, 83000 Toulon France
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 380 reviews

Point Sublime - Mont Faron

Reviewed By PDJLD123 - Watford, United Kingdom

I struggled to find any good information on a demanding day hike from the cruise port up to Point Sublime at the top of Mont Faron. I did read that you must not follow Google maps as it leaves you at the end of dead end path looking up at a sheer rock face! So we kind of followed the road and the following notes give you a safe tarmac road based route with a reasonable amount of shade as you wind up the Western side of the mountain. Cars do pass but not in any large numbers. It will get you to the viewing point in about 2.5hrs. We then came down on the cable car (€5 one way) and walked the 35mins back to the cruise port. The whole round trip took us 5.5 hours including a coffee stop (€2 each) at the cafe next to the cable car. Leave the cruise ship, put the “Zenith Omega” into your maps app. I think it’s a conference centre. It’s doesn’t matter how you walk there as it will take you though a tunnel under the railway. Once on the other side of the railway with the Zenith Omega in front of you, turn left and walk to Boulevard Bianchi, which is the start of a steep climbing road that changes name to Boulevard Emile Jacquemin. At the junction with Chenin du Fort Rouge turn right and then it’s all up hill on a one way road (cars going up only) into Route du Faron until you reach the cable car (Telepherique du Mont Faron). Staying on the road, keep walking past this to the zoo and then past that towards the Point Sublime. You will see a path with a barrier and no entry sign (for cars) on the right which you walk along for about 15 mins. The sign says 25 mins which is not true. The viewing point at the cross gives a wide open view of the harbour, the town and the mountain. It’s impressive. Then walk back to the cable car, take it down to the edge of town and it’s a 35 min stroll back to your ship through the old town. Overall 12 miles or 19 km and about 24,500 steps. Enjoy.

5. Serra Di Pigno

Bastia, Corsica France
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Serra Di Pigno

6. Aiguille du Midi

100 Place de l Aiguille du Midi Mont Blanc, 74400, Chamonix France https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/fr/aiguille-du-midi
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,182 reviews

Aiguille du Midi

From Chamonix (1035m), fly over the forest to reach le Plan de l’Aiguille in 10 minutes (2317m). On your right, the Glacier des Bossons, in front of you the Mont-Blanc (4810m), on your left the Aiguille Verte, the Drus and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. Then take a second cable car which, in just 10 minutes takes you up to 3777m, over the seracs, the glacier des Pelerins and the hanging glaciers on the north face of the Aiguille du Midi. . From the top, a sightseeing panorama unique in the world. Experience a very high altitude.

Reviewed By Saif-UK - Worcester Park, United Kingdom

Amazing views ( must visit ) Lots of areas to visit Stepping in the glass box are amazing Staff are nice and friendly

7. Les Grands Montets

65 Chemin de la Glaciere Mont Blanc, 74400, Chamonix France +33 4 50 53 22 75 [email protected] http://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/fr/domaine-ete-grands-montets
Excellent
62%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 506 reviews

Les Grands Montets

ENJOY THE GLACIERS ! Two altitudes with two environments: the Lognan pastures at 1 970 m and the Argentière glacier’s seracs at the 3 275 m summit. A whole universe to discover…

Reviewed By noela232 - Leeds, United Kingdom

The Grands Montets ski area in Chamonix has acess to some of the best off-piste terrain in the Alps, as well as some challenging, high pistes. The cable car is currently being repaired, preventing lift access to the highest pistes and off-piste glacier itineraries, but the Bochard and Herse lifts get you to 2800 and 2600m respectively. New (this year?) is the upgraded Tabe lift, now a fast 6-person chairlift, with improved access from two directions, effectively replacing two old slow lifts. Almost more welcome is a brand new kiosk serving good, cheap coffee, tea and snacks near the base of the Tabe lift, because the prices elsewhere on the mountain are increasingly eye-watering!

8. Montagne Sainte Victoire

13100 France
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,119 reviews

Montagne Sainte Victoire

This majestic mountain was the subject of several Paul Cézanne paintings.

9. Mont Ventoux

84390 Brantes France
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,252 reviews

Mont Ventoux

Reviewed By johnmN5785EK - Lyon, France

Mont Ventoux (‘windy”) is a barren mountain rising a steep 2,110m (over 6,000 ft) into the sky, near Carpentras and nicknamed the “Giant of Provence”. Worth checking out if you're in the Provence region and also if you're a Tour de France cycle race fan, as it forms one of the stages of La Grande Boucle, as the race is nicknamed in France. It was originally forested but was stripped of most trees from the 12th century on to supply the shipbuilders of Toulon. Some areas have been reforested since 1860 with a variety of hardwood trees (oaks, beeches) as well as coniferous, such as cedars and larches. A little higher, junipers are common. The drive was spectacular when we did it by car, but the vast numbers of discarded energy gel wrappers was noticeable. This is a challenging climb for all cyclists especially due to the gradient, the lack of hairpins on what is largely a straight road up a mountainside, and the moonscape after leaving the treeline. The weather can change very rapidly, from 30-degree at the foot where one enters the oak trees, to five degrees and low cloud whipped by winds across the limestone between the twin summits, named Col des Tempêtes (Hill of Storms). We entered the cloud just after the memorial to Tom Simpson, an English cyclist who died during the ascent of Mont Ventoux, during the Tour of 1967. Lots of cycling paraphernalia are deposited on his polished granite memorial which recalls “an Olympic medallist, a world champion, a British sporting ambassador”. it was hard to find parking once we got to the peak, as it was a bit crowded – we admired the stunning vista of Provence. A touching and memorable experience, especially for fans of the Grande Boucle.

10. Semnoz

Annecy France
Excellent
63%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 774 reviews

Semnoz

Reviewed By kkiyer13 - Paris, France

We took bus number S2 which is right outside Annecy Gare/Station. One hour journey by bus and it was full of snow.We enjoyed above and there were lots of other families enjoying their Skiing. Remember to cover up well with snow boots and hand gloves. Clean toilets available.

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