Author: Romain Boisaubert

What if the finest summer memories could fit into a backpack? In the Swiss Valais, the Val de Bagnes invites you to slow down so you can better explore. Between alpine passes, high-altitude lakes, perched mountain huts and panoramic trails, escapism is experienced on foot or by bike, for a day, a weekend or several days. An overview of five getaways, from the accessible outing to the major trek for seasoned hikers. By bike, for a day or a weekend For a first immersion, nothing beats an e-bike day to the Chanrion hut. From the foot of the dam…

Wednesday 12 August, all eyes will turn to the skies. To celebrate the solar eclipse in an exceptional setting, Tignes is organising an extraordinary evening at Le Panoramic restaurant, perched at an altitude of 3,032 metres and accessible by funicular. The resort thus offers the highest accessible viewing point in France to admire the phenomenon, at the foot of the Grande Motte glacier. Facing a unique panorama of the French and Italian Alps, nearly 400 participants are expected for this gathering combining science, gastronomy and contemplation. Conceived as an immersive experience, the event promises a rare moment, where the observation…

While temperatures soar in the lowlands, the mountains keep their cool. In the Hautes-Alpes, Orcières Merlette is shaping up as an essential cool-air refuge for the summer of 2026. Between waterfalls, high-altitude lakes and water play areas, the resort promises a refreshing and active cocktail for young and old alike. From art trails to whitewater swimming, here is an overview of five spots for a real shot of coolness in the heart of the Champsaur. The deep end, at O2 Area and Aquaparc. First anti-heatwave reflex: taking a dip. With O2 Area, the former leisure centre is entering a new dimension…

At an altitude of 2,188 metres, between France and Italy, the Little St Bernard Pass is this summer becoming the setting for an extraordinary artistic experience. Until 20 September, the artist Natacha Rottier is taking over the Hospice with «Purple Solstice – Le Creuset du Petit Saint-Bernard», an immersive exhibition exploring the deep connections between light, landscape, memory and transformation. For this local of La Rosière, who now lives in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, it is the culmination of a journey. «It's a bit like the apotheosis of exhibiting in this place, because it's truly in situ, truly tailored to this location.» A phenomenon observed on a solstice evening Everything is...

In Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, at the foot of Mont-Blanc and just a stone's throw from the Valléen lift, the Nexhos group has laid the foundation stone for a new kind of sports and adventure hotel, set to become one of the most unusual hotel projects in the Alps. At the origin of the project are two enthusiasts: Pascal Martin, founder of Nexhos, and Marc Richter, associate general director. Skiers, mountaineers, trail runners, and cyclists, the two men have forged their vision through their own adventures, with a shared observation. Very few accommodations truly meet the needs of athletes – cyclists, runners, hikers, mountaineers – and even fewer...

While cities are suffocating under the heatwave, the mountains, on the other hand, keep a cool head. In Maurienne, Valloire presents itself as a true haven of coolness for summer 2026, with a series of high-altitude experiences that blend adrenaline and the sweet life. An overview of the unmissable events. A night suspended over the void Let's start with the most vertiginous. At the Col du Télégraphe, a night in a portaledge promises an experience as breathtaking as it is unforgettable. After a ten-minute walk on flat ground and a comforting Savoyard fondue on solid earth, it's time for the ultimate thrill: securely harnessed by a...

There are events that stand the test of time. On the 25th and 26th of July, the village of Courchevel Le Praz will be hosting one of the valley's most iconic festivals: the Fête de la Madelon. For one weekend, locals, artisans, producers and visitors will gather by the lake and in the narrow streets to keep alive traditions deeply rooted in local history. The heart of the event is the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine chapel. Dating back to the 15th century, it houses remarkable baroque works, testament to the village's rich religious and artistic heritage. It is held in honour of Saint Mary Magdalene, patron saint of...

There was a time when mules were shod on one side and gold hearts were forged on the other. In Séez (Haute Tarentaise), the Espace Saint-Éloi occupies a completely renovated old village forge, now shared between three worlds: ironwork, Savoyaard jewellery and Baroque art. A visit that the site manager, Isabelle De Pestel, never fails to make surprising. In the basement, the forge's hearth has not moved an inch since its origin. Here, mules and horses were still shod until the 1970s. «Tractors, not everyone had..."

Forty kilometres, eight hamlets passed, two glaciers in the background and a breathtaking descent: welcome to La Fario, the new e-MTB route imagined by the Haute Tarentaise Community of Communes and Bike Solutions. We've donned our helmets and taken the descent with Louis Billot, an instructor, to test this track that's already a hit with thrill-seekers. «The initial idea was to offer the valley a real long-distance cycling route, by creating a course that connects Tignes to Bourg-Saint-Maurice,» explains Dylan Giraud-Pontier, manager of Summit Bike, in Le Petit Montagnard.

It wasn't until 1987 that residents of the hamlet of Saint-Germain and volunteers from the municipality of Séez decided to raise an old flour mill from its ruins. Since then, it has regularly opened its doors to visitors. An adventure that Émilie Arnollet, heritage animator and site manager, tells us about with passion. The mill dates back to the late 17th century, at a time when people began to understand how to harness the motive force of water to drive gears. «They used to set up sawmills, spinning mills... Here, in this case, it's a flour mill,» she explains...

We've barely arrived and a little dog is already coming to greet us. Around us, the smell of cows, the constant murmur of the fountain, and suddenly, at precisely midday, the peal of bells that echoes through the alleys like an immutable ritual. Welcome to La Gurraz, one of the thirteen hamlets of Villaroger, a village where time seems to have stood still. Just a few hundred metres from the Route des Grandes Alpes, used by thousands of holidaymakers speeding towards Tignes and Val d’Isère, almost no one suspects the existence of this gem. A suspended village, facing south, perched at a height of…

It has seen centuries and travellers come and go. Perched at 2,188 metres, straddling the Franco-Italian border, the Hospice du Petit-Saint-Bernard (Haute Tarentaise) has watched over the pass for almost a thousand years. Destroyed, rebuilt, abandoned then resurrected, this massive building alone tells the eventful history of a strategic crossing point in the Alps. «The hospice was founded in the 11th century,» recalls Lou Julien, head of the information point. In the spirit of Saint Bernard, who established his hospices on the borders of the Alps. One here, between France and Italy, the other between Italy and Switzerland. But…

At an altitude of 2,188 metres, on the Franco-Italian border, the Petit Saint-Bernard Pass (Haute Tarentaise) is more than just a point of passage. A strategic location traversed by humans since prehistoric times, it concentrates millennia of history and an open-air discovery site within its few hectares. An information point reopens each summer to invite visitors to stop there. «Before, people used to pass by and wonder: what is this building? Now, there's a new dynamic,» observes Lou Julien, head of visitor services, with over twenty seasons under his belt. A calling to welcome visitors...

At the summit of the Petit Saint-Bernard Pass, on the border of France and Italy, on a pass crossed by humans since prehistoric times, a grand stone building has watched over travellers for nearly a thousand years. The Hospice du Petit Saint-Bernard, managed by the Communauté de Communes of Haute Tarentaise, long ruined then revived, reopened its doors on June 1st for the summer season. In charge of the inn-restaurant for six years, Sophie Bornet continues a centuries-old tradition of hospitality, with a resolutely family spirit. «What's interesting is that it brings together several..."

Les 3 Vallées – In the summer, the world's largest ski area reinvents itself as a vast open-air playground. From Courchevel to Orelle, via Méribel, Les Belleville and Val Thorens, the 2026 season is packed with new features under the banner of «Infinite Mountain Experiences». Thrills, gourmet dining, family activities or revisited heritage: a look at what awaits visitors and locals this summer. What's new on two wheels and at altitude Mountain bikers are in for a treat. In Courchevel 1850, two iconic bike park trails are set for a makeover: La Louza,...

In just a few seasons, Les 2 Alpes has undergone a spectacular transformation to establish itself as an essential reference for mountain running. Between 1,600 and 3,600 metres above sea level, on the edge of the Écrins National Park, the destination has become a playground where Sunday joggers, enthusiasts and elite athletes meet. Two brothers, an association, a network of 17 routes The turning point dates back to 2021, driven by Lucas and Laurent Sabot. The two enthusiasts founded the association «Les 2 Alpes Trail», which now has nearly 300 members...

Les 3 Vallées – From Courchevel to Orelle, the ski lifts are opening up access to the summits this summer for hikers, mountain bikers and lovers of panoramic views. Generally in service from 4th July to 28th-30th August 2026 depending on the sector, they nevertheless operate to specific timetables and closing days for each valley. Here’s everything you need to know before packing your bags. Courchevel Valley Lifts open 7 days a week from 4th July to 30th August. Méribel Valley Lifts open 7 days a week from 4th July to 30th August, except for the Pas du Lac (closed on Saturdays). Brides-les-Bains Lift open…

Get ready to get your adrenaline pumping. This summer, Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves (Les Sybelles) is hosting a brand-new attraction: the SlalomFly, described as Europe's biggest zip line with bends. Located on the heights of the village, it's being added to a summer season that the resort promises will be full of new features and highlights, for both visitors and locals. The concept is enough to make you dizzy. Over almost 987 metres of descent, participants will experience twists and turns of 360° and 720°, all with an unbeatable panorama of the Aiguilles d’Arves. An activity that is as impressive as it is fun,…

From 23 to 28 August, the Haute Tarentaise is dedicating a whole week to Manouche jazz for the third edition of its festival. This year, the event invites spectators to journey to Eastern Europe with the Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra (BGKO), the headliner for four evenings of concerts. Building on over a decade of artistic commitment and performances in more than thirty countries, the BGKO remains true to its passion for traditional music from the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. This promises colourful and exotic evenings, at the heart of the villages of the…

What if, for a day, we swapped the Savoyard peaks for Italian terraces? Five Tuesdays during the summer, a bus will take the curious from Haute Tarentaise to Aoste, a city founded by the Romans and rich in architectural treasures. On the agenda: a guided crossing of a mythical pass, the colourful market of the old town, and a good dose of Transalpine idleness. «The idea is to organise a discovery itinerary between Tarentaise and the Aosta Valley,» summarises Jean-Marie Chevronnet, lecturer-guide and head of heritage and culture services at the Arcs tourist office. A guide at...