Author: Romain Boisaubert

In winter, when Tignes is in full swing and prices are soaring, some resorts continue to cultivate a different idea of the mountains. Simpler, more human, fairer. On the south bank of the lake, facing the frozen expanse and the peaks of the Vanoise Park, Le Terril Blanc is one of these rare refuges. A discreet hotel on a human scale, it has stood the test of time without ever denying its DNA. The only two-star hotel in the resort, open in both summer and winter, it offers a privilege that has become almost unusual in Tignes: a direct view of the...

Perched at an altitude of 1,850 metres in the Haute Tarentaise, La Rosière is a resort in a class of its own in the French Alps. Authentic, sunny and looking towards nearby Italy, its mountain charm and international ski area will win you over. Here are three reasons not to miss La Rosière this winter. 1. Authentic charm and a preserved mountain spirit At La Rosière, there's nothing standard about the architecture: stone chalets, lauze roofs, wood and fireplaces blend harmoniously into the landscape. Here, the spirit of the Savoyard village lives on, offering visitors a real change of scenery. See this publication...

Pelvoux-Vallouise has long been out of the limelight, but is now establishing itself as one of the most accessible resorts in France. With day passes priced at €23 for children, €26 for young people and €27 for adults, this destination in the Pays des Écrins boasts a model that goes against the tide. Here, there is no ostentatious architecture or oversized snow fronts. Skiing takes place as close as possible to the village, in a raw, open and soothing environment. The area attracts families as well as skiers looking for natural slopes, peace and quiet and wide open spaces. At Pelvoux-Vallouise, skiing...

It's the big news of the new year in Serre Chevalier. On Saturday 7 February, the brand new Spa La Rotonde officially opened its doors at the Grands Bains du Monêtier, in the heart of Le Monêtier-les-Bains. Inaugurated in mid-January, La Rotonde welcomed its first visitors to kick off the winter holidays. The aim is to offer much more than just a place to relax. Among the flagship facilities is an immersive sensory pool equipped with a 12-metre panoramic screen, where images and natural elements accompany relaxation. Another signature feature is the sparkling water pool, using the latest technology...

A wild fondue, an aperitif in a yurt, a night in a snow-covered teepee or a stay in a tiny house... Valloire Galibier cultivates a different idea of winter travel, one that's more intimate, more sensory. Here's a look at four interludes to add to your list. A fondue, wherever you want First up for lovers of melted cheese and impromptu lunches: the «Jean-Claude Duss» rucksack, designed by Kosa Kruta. The principle is simple: everything you need for a fondue is slipped into a bag ready to set off on an adventure. Stove, fondue pot, Beaufort cheese, Valloire tomme, bread, wine...

At l'Alpe d'Huez, there's more to skiing than meets the eye. Off the slopes, the resort offers a range of original experiences to help you make the most of the mountains in a different way - thrills, shared laughter and pure emotion guaranteed. Become a musher in the middle of the tundra Head for the great outdoors with Mika and his Second Souffle team. Accompanied by their Nordic dogs, holidaymakers set off for a ride to the rhythm of the huskies' panting and the crunch of skates on the snow. This immersion in the world of sled dogs is a different way of getting close to the mountains and experiencing them for themselves...

At the end of the Aure valley, nestled between fir trees and stone villages, there's a resort that makes the hearts of Pyrenean families beat faster. Val Louron has never sought to rival the giants of the Alps: it cultivates something else, something even more precious. Its simplicity, the charm of a village clinging to the slopes, and a gentle way of life that recalls the most authentic aspects of the mountains. There's no frenzy here, no honking horns, no endless queues. Just the calm of the lake below, the peaks watching over you, the laughter of children on the fresh snow. «...

In Orcières Merlette 1850, winter is like a dress rehearsal for the start of the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. Here, you don't need a race number or an international record of success to enjoy the thrills of the Olympic disciplines. The resort has structured its offer around the great classics of top-level sport. The showcase remains the Camille Ricou piste. This FIS-approved red run is not just another sports track. For several years, it has been the backbone of Orcières' competitive development. A regular venue for European Cup alpine skiing events, it is also used as a training ground for...

From 9 to 12 April, the resort of Les Deux Alpes will be launching the very first edition of the Festival 2 l'Humour des 2 Alpes, a new national event combining altitude, stand-up comedy and free access for all. Sponsored by Camille Chamoux and Vincent Dedienne, the festival aims to be popular, demanding and resolutely open. Created by Les Deux Alpes resort and produced by Black Dynamite, part of the Mediawan group, this unique event will take over the resort for four days in the middle of the spring season. A strategic period, when the snow is still very present and the...

While some people associate winter with the speed and adrenalin of skiing, others enjoy a gentler, more contemplative approach to the mountains. In Cordon, facing Mont Blanc, snowshoeing is a real invitation to discover, with its grandiose panoramas, sleeping forests and unusual experiences. From dawn onwards, the routes lead into the heart of a majestic setting. Guided by passionate guides, hikers make their way through the half-light to reach unique viewpoints. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc (@hautesavoiemontblanc_) Breathtaking panoramas...

Winter in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is not just about skiing. Nestling in the heart of the 3 Valleys, the Savoyard village cultivates the art of offering its visitors a total immersion in nature, between timeless interludes, unusual adventures and well-being. A break at the Refuge du Trait d'Union Perched at an altitude of 1,725 metres, the Refuge du Trait d'Union can be reached on foot or snowshoes from the village. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Les 3 Vallées (@les3vallees_officiel) Away from the hustle and bustle of the slopes, it welcomes guests for a warm night's sleep by candlelight,...

From the Alps to the Pyrenees, via the Vosges and the Massif Central, discover the mountain villages that make up our rich heritage. Saint-Véran (Hautes-Alpes) In the heart of the Queyras Regional Nature Park, at an altitude of 2,042 metres, Saint-Véran is often cited as the highest village in Europe inhabited all year round. Read the full article here. Évol (Pyrénées-Orientales) Perched at an altitude of 800 metres, Évol is one of the jewels in the crown of the Pyrénées-Orientales, recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This medieval hamlet, part of the commune of Olette, boasts shale walls and lauze roofs. Read the full article here. Combloux (Haute-Savoie) Dive in...

Looking for comfort and gourmet flavours to face the cold? From creamy tartiflette and melt-in-your-mouth fondue to hearty raclette, tasty pierrade and baked Mont d'Or, discover our selection of the best recipes straight from the mountains. Generous dishes that will warm up your winter evenings with family and friends. Get cooking! Tartiflette Tartiflette is a dish from the French Alps, made with potatoes, bacon, onions, Reblochon cheese and crème fraîche. Here's a simple recipe for making a delicious homemade tartiflette. Ingredients Instructions Le Mont d'Or au four Le Mont d'Or...

In the mountains, getting around is often a daily challenge. The distances involved, the terrain, the lack of regular services and an ageing population all make it difficult to get around. From 2 February 2026, a social transport-on-demand service will cover the whole of the Haute Tarentaise and the Versants d'Aime. This service is aimed exclusively at permanent residents aged 65 and over, as well as people with disabilities recognised by the MDPH. The aim? To enable these residents to continue to travel for medical appointments, shopping, etc.

During the 2026 winter holidays, the Cœur de Chartreuse region is offering a series of events open to all, designed for both visiting holidaymakers and local residents. In Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse and Saint-Pierre-d'Entremont, the Tourist Office has put together a programme that is deliberately simple and friendly, combining local discoveries, creative activities and events for the very young. With or without snow, the idea is to punctuate the days with times for sharing, favouring short, accessible formats that are rooted in village life. Every Monday during the holidays, the Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse Tourist Office opens the week with an aperitif...

This summer of 2026, the Haute Tarentaise will be transformed into an open-air gallery. The Communauté de Communes de Haute Tarentaise Vanoise is launching a call for entries from amateur and professional photographers alike, with a rare promise: to exhibit their images in the open air along the Voie Verte, between Séez and Villaroger, in the very heart of the region. Baptised «Reflets du vivant» (Reflections of life), this exhibition invites visitors to take a sensitive look at the mountains and their landscapes, but also at how we live in them, how we travel through them and how we share them. More than just a photo competition...

A snowboard without jumps, rails or classic freestyle modules... but with speed, precision and a spirit of duel. On 24 January 2026, Serre Chevalier will host the second edition of the PumpTrack Battle, an atypical contest devised by Pierre Vaultier, double Olympic snowboard cross champion, who continues to reinvent the codes of winter sports. As a consultant for France Télévisions at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Pierre Vaultier remains deeply attached to his original playground. In Serre Chevalier, the valley-born rider is pursuing another, more experimental adventure:...

What if, in the mountains, adventure also came through the pages of a book? From 26 to 29 March 2026, Vaujany is hosting the 5ᵉ edition of Cascade de Livres, a singular festival that turns children's literature and fantasy into a veritable cultural playground in the heart of the Alps. At a time when screens are capturing a growing share of young people's attention, the resort-village is taking a contrarian approach: putting books back at the centre, encouraging encounters with authors and making reading a lively, shared and accessible experience. A literary festival designed for...

What if, for the duration of your stay in the mountains, you could step into the other side of the picture? From 17 to 23 January, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves is organising Mountain Jobs Week, a rare initiative that invites holidaymakers and locals alike to discover the people who bring the resort to life on a daily basis, far from the clichés and postcards. Ski patrollers, groomers, cheesemakers, lift attendants... For one week, the mountain will be told by those who work here. An immersion into the jobs that make up the mountains Organised by the Tourist Office, this themed week focuses on practical, accessible encounters...

It's already twenty years since the Espace Diamant linked the village resorts of Beaufortain and Val d'Arly to form a single ski area, set against the ridges facing Mont Blanc. Created from the merger of Espace Cristal and Val d'Arly, this 192-kilometre ski area has built up much more than a simple ski area over the seasons. On Saturday 31 January, at Les Saisies, Espace Diamant will be celebrating this symbolic anniversary with an open evening about its history, identity and future. From late afternoon onwards, the Espace Erwin Eckl, located on the Les Saisies snow front,...