Summary
- Saint-Gervais-les-Bains: A historic spa town famous for its relaxing and sleep-inducing spa experiences, with easy access to Chamonix and Geneva.
- Pralognan-la-Vanoise: A quaint town surrounded by green valleys and mountains, offering something for everyone, from relaxing vacations to thrilling activities.
- Evian-les-Bains: A beautiful spa town on Lake Geneva, perfect for relaxation and water sports, with incredible art and satisfying water to drink from Cachat Spring.
The French Alps are an incredible destination with so many things to love. This spot is overwhelmed with several gorgeous towns that make for great adventures year-round. Many of these towns are historic and some are even positioned on the shores of some of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
These are enough to make them great alternatives to larger cities like Paris and Marseille. Without further ado, here are the best French Alpine villages that offer relaxation, scenery, and exciting adventures year-round.
10
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Winter in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains France
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains beckons people from all over the world to come to enjoy an unforgettable spa experience and magical scenery. The town is one of the best spa towns in Europe and many of its hotels offer relaxing and sleep-inducing spa experiences.
In addition, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains features a lot of historic buildings, and the Mont Blanc tramway, the cogwheel train in France. Saint-Gervais-les-Bains is also close to Chamonix and Geneva which means they can easily be included in the itinerary.
- More attractions in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains: Mont Blanc Tramway, Les Thermes de Saint Gervais
9
Pralognan-la-Vanoise
A panoramic view of Pralognan-la-Vanoise France
Pralognan-la-Vanoise is one of the smallest towns in the French Alps with only about 700 people. The town’s charms lie in its gorgeous green valleys overlooked by pointy mountain peaks and its quaint atmosphere.
Whether travelers seek a relaxing vacation spent munching on delicious food and wine or an adventurous one involving thrilling activities like hiking, skiing, and horse riding, Paralognan-la-Vanoise has something for everybody.
- Top attractions in and around Paralognan-la-Vanoise: Courchevel
8
Evian-les-Bains
Hotel Royal in Evian-Les-Bains, France
Evians-les-Bains is a beautiful spa town positioned on the shores of Lake Geneva. The town is an amazing place to enjoy relaxation and witness incredible art. While here, be sure to check out Cachat Spring and drink the satisfying water.
Next, walk the streets and browse through an art gallery, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, or get on the water to enjoy some exciting water sports like sailing and boating.
- Top attractions in Evians-les-Bains: Cachat Spring, Evan Thermal Spa, Lake Geneva
7
Yvoire
The harbour in Yvoire France
Yvoire sits on the shores of Lake Geneva where it welcomes visitors from all over the world with incredible natural scenery and exciting adventures. The small town is characterized by cobbled stress, a crystal clear lake full of swans and rowing boats, and interesting attractions.
The town has shops, restaurants, and hotels to keep visitors comfortable, and it also has interesting attractions like the Garden of Five Senses, and Place du Thay, the town’s central square.
Yvoire dates back to medieval times as it was built in the early 14th century. Today the village seems stuck in the medieval ages as it has a 14th-century castle and cobbled streets. Activities offered here range from sailing to walking.
- Top attractions in Yvoire: Garden of Five Senses, Yvoire Castle, Lake Geneva
6
Saint-Veran
A panoramic view of Saint-Veran France
Saint-Veran stands at an elevation between 1,756 and 3,175 meters, making it one of the highest villages in Europe. The village is home to less than 400 people most of whom service the numerous attractions spread out across the village.
Visitors to Saint-Veran will be met with incredible mountain scenery and attractions like the Soum Museum, which offers interesting history about life in the mountains. There is something to do here year-round and the changing scenery even makes the village all the more magical.
- Top attractions in Saint-Veran: Soum Museum, Queyras Regional Natural Park, Saint Veran Observatory (one of the highest observatories in Europe)
5
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
An aerial view of Moustiers-sainte-marie France
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is easily one of the most charming towns in France. It’s like a hidden sanctuary for monks as it is positioned at a height of 100 meters on the side of towering cliffs from where it overlooks a turquoise lake and green mountainsides in all directions.
The town was indeed built by monks, and during sunset, it becomes particularly beautiful.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is also historic as it is home to churches, old village walls, and several residences designed with impressive architectural style. Chapel Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir is perhaps the most popular landmark here as it dates back to the 12th century and features a stunning Roman architectural style.
- Top attractions in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: Chapel Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir, Lac Sainte Croix
4
Valloire
A green valley in Valloire France
Valloire sits in the North French Alps where it is surrounded by stunning mountains and covered by trees and plants. Valloire is one of those places that looks like it’s been taken out of a fairytale novel.
Besides the natural scenery, however, this mountain village also features stunning architecture and exciting ski resorts filled with miles of marked trails. Winter is particularly exciting here as there are plenty of opportunities for downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and more exciting winter sports.
- Top attractions in Valloire: Galibier-Thabor Ski area
3
Beaufort-sur-Doron
A panoramic view of Beaufort-sur-Doron France
Beaufort-sur-Doron welcomes visitors with its charming natural scenery and exciting year-round adventures. In winter, it becomes a bubbling winter paradise, inviting people from all over the world to come to enjoy over 50 km of ski runs at the Areches-Beaufort ski resort. The resort also has restaurants, and bars to make the experience more exciting.
Summer is also an exciting time to be in Beaufort-sur-Doron as the town offers incredible natural scenery and activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and biking. When visiting, be sure to taste Beaufort cheese which is produced in the area and served in restaurants all over the town.
- Top attractions in Beaufort-Sur-Doron: Areches-Beaufort Ski resort, Saint-Maxime, Church of St. John the Baptist Areches
2
Briancon
Briancon France under a bright sunny sky
Located in the Hautes-Alpes department, Briancon is a gorgeous town where visitors from all over the world crave to be year-round. The town is full of art and history and at an altitude of 1,326 meters, it is the highest city in France.
There’s something to satisfy every type of traveler in this town whether they seek history, stunning art, adventure, or natural scenery. Events like skiing and snowboarding can be done in the Serre Chevalier Vallee ski resort during winter while summer is great for hiking and mountain biking.
But walking the streets and gazing at the historic structures while learning about the history of the town is not limited to any season.
- Top attractions in Briancon: Church of Notre Dame and Saint Nicolas, Serre-Chevalier, the Vauban Fortifications
1
Megeve
A view of snow-capped mountains from Megeve, France
Megeve is one of the most popular resort towns in the French Alps. Only about 2,000 people permanently inhabit the town but during winter and summer, the population increases, as the town gets a lot of snow and features incredible views of the famous Mont Blanc.
While there are exciting things to enjoy here year-round, winter is particularly exciting in Megeve, as the town features miles of uncrowded ski slopes that cater to the needs of all ski levels. When it comes to food and refreshments, the town has several options to choose from, and it also has hotels that would fit into most budgets.
- More things to enjoy in Megeve: The Megeve International Jazz Festival which is usually held annually in early April.
