Regional info

 

Alps

France

France

Though the Alps stretch over eight European countries, the highest peaks are in the west – the French section. There are 128 peaks in the Alps that reach an altitude of 4000m or more. On the border between France and Italy is Mont Blanc, which measures 4808,45m if you include the 32m-thick layer of ice at the top (yes, we can measure quite precisely these days) and this is the highest peak in Europe. In Chamonix, at the mountain's base, is a statue of Michel Paccard and Jacques Balmat who were the first two men that reached the top on 8 August 1786. Mountain climbing at this level is not for everyone, but mountain walking is. The healthy mountain air attracts many people to the routes that are to be found high up in the mountains. Also, more and more mountain passes are being discovered by amateur cyclists who want to follow their 'Tour de France' heroes. In the area south west from Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) water sports are practised by many on lakes like Annecy, Bourget and Aiguebelette. One of the larger cities in the French Alps is Grenoble, offering over 50.000 students education in natural science.

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Typical Alps

To many cycle race lovers there is only one Alp: l'Alpe d'Huez. The up mountain road from Le Bourg d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez has 21 hairpins and an average climb of 8% with sections of 12%. It's only 13 kilometres, but the 1141m lift makes every amateur cyclist to a hero when finishing within an hour. For those who want more there's another challenge: La Marmotte, a yearly amateur ride of 175 km over huge mountain passes like Glandon, Télégraphe, Galibier and (as a desert) Alpe d’Huez.

 

Starting at Chamonix a rack railway takes you to Mer de Glace, a huge glacier of around 40 km². Not far from here is another glacier near l' Argentière where you can also visit an old silver mine. A nice road to drive is the Route Napoleon to Grenoble. At Lake Annecy is the cosy city of the same name with the 'lover's bridge' (Pont des Amours) and the photogenic Palais de l'Ile.

 

Campsites in France Alps »
Kamperen op camping in Frankrijk, Alpen betaalbare kampeervakantie in stacaravan of bungalowtent Camping boeken met zwembad in Frankrijk, Alpen huur een tent of stacaravan voordelige gezinsvakantie