Author: Romain Boisaubert

On Thursday 24 July, the Tour de France comes to Courchevel. The famous Savoyard resort is preparing to welcome the finish of the 18th stage of the 112th edition of the Grande Boucle, with an unprecedented ascent of the Col de la Loze on the Courchevel side. A first, and not the least: 26.2 kilometres of climbing at an average gradient of 6.5 %, without the slightest respite. One of the most eagerly awaited moments of this Tour, to be experienced from the summits... or from the shores of a lake. A historic day at an altitude of 2,304 metres This dreaded climb - which could...

At Tignes, summer isn't lived by halves. The Savoyard resort continues to diversify its range of winter sports, adventure and outdoor activities to appeal to experienced sportsmen and women, curious families and thrill-seekers alike. On the programme this season: zip-lines, all-terrain scooters, a panoramic funicular railway and even a brand new Olympic plain. Here's a rundown of the new features you won't want to miss. ALSO READ: "We broke a new visitor record this winter": Frédéric Porte (Tignes) in Le Petit Montagnard 1. L'Aventure Park: a suspended course for soaring to new heights This is the summer's star attraction. Inaugurated...

Gone are the days of lining up parasols on the hot sand and waiting hours for a table by the beach. This summer, people are turning their attention to higher ground. According to a ranking by comparison site Likibu, the destination most coveted by the French for the summer of 2025 is not a seaside resort... but the roof of Europe itself. With over 1.1 million searches, Mont Blanc is the cool, wild escape of the season. There are no crowds here, just peaks covered in snow even in July, fat grass underfoot, and that unique feeling of being tiny in front of...

A major project is about to transform access to the Les Arcs ski area from Villaroger. From December 2025, a new gondola will link Le Replat (1,200 m) to the summit of Plan des Violettes (2,119 m) in less than seven minutes. A considerable time saving, made possible by an investment of 19 million euros, and signalling Villaroger's entry into a new era. The new lift, comprising forty ten-seater cabins with external ski racks, will replace the old fixed-grip chairlifts at Replat and Plan des Violettes, which were deemed too slow and uncomfortable. It will offer a...

Director of the Les Arcs ski area for the past two years, Aurélie Lévêque has returned to the resort of her childhood, where she learned to ski with her mother, an instructor. She has embarked on a vast transformation project, and talks to Le Petit Montagnard about the successes of the winter season, the major new features to come in the summer, and the ambitions of an area turned towards the mountains all year round. How would you sum up the winter season in Les Arcs? A very satisfactory season, with visitor numbers broadly stable compared with previous winters. What stands out this year is the excellent performance of the month of April,...

It's a postcard-perfect little paradise of freshness. In Combloux, facing the giant of the Alps, a different kind of bathing area awaits you: France's first public ecological bathing area. There's no chlorine or chemicals here - just over 10,000 aquatic plants to naturally filter the impressively clear water. Since 2002, the biotope lake has been a pioneer, attracting thousands of visitors every summer in search of sustainable freshness. ALSO READ: Combloux: preserved authenticity at the foot of Mont-Blanc Located in...

It's an event that whitewater sports fans won't want to miss. From 21 to 27 July 2025, the town of Bourg Saint Maurice will be hosting a week of national slalom and kayak-cross canoe-kayak competitions in the heart of a breathtaking Alpine setting. On the mountainside, on the tumultuous banks of the Haute-Isère, the Claude-Peschier international pool is considered one of the most technical and demanding in the world. ALSO READ: TGV direct to the Alps: the Tarentaise region is more accessible than ever this summer, discover the new lines Carved out of an unspoilt natural site, this...

Get your calves and your mind ready: the Red Bull 400 returns to Courchevel this summer for a 5th edition that promises to be another Dantesque event. Nestled at an altitude of 1,300 metres, the Olympic venue at Le Praz will be hosting one of the most intense events on the international sporting calendar this Sunday 13 July, on the legendary ski jump. There's no time to warm up: right from the start, it's a raw ascent. The Red Bull 400 is a race like no other: it's the equivalent of a 40-storey sprint, in the open air, with only the...

Looking for some fresh air, a chance to work up a sweat or a chance to get close to the peaks? In the Méribel valley, the playground is endless for walkers of all abilities. From a contemplative stroll beside a lake to a long hike in the mineral heights, here are three emblematic routes to try out this summer, according to your mood and physical condition. For everyone: the Plan de Tuéda nature reserve It's a nugget of biodiversity in the heart of the Alps: the Plan de Tuéda nature reserve extends over 1,100 protected hectares, where...

Sport, culture, relaxation or thrills: this summer, Méribel promises you an intense and varied mountain holiday! From fun-filled festivals to top-level sporting competitions, wellness events and traditional celebrations, the Savoyard resort has a packed calendar of not-to-be-missed events. ALSO READ: Méribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens... We already know the dates when the ski lifts will be open in the 3 Vallées this summer. Here's a roundup of dates not to be missed if you want to make the most of the summer season in the heart of the Alps. Game Over Festival (5 and 6 July) Méribel kicks off its summer season with...

TIGNES - This summer, even the youngest visitors will be entitled to their own adrenalin rush. From 28 June, Tignes is adding to its family activities with the eagerly-awaited opening of the Aventure Park, a brand new outdoor playground where you can climb, jump, slide... and above all, have fun with your feet off the ground. Nestled on the Plaine Olympique in Tignes, a stone's throw from the semi-synthetic Val Claret stadium, this new facility promises to thrill children and teenagers from 1m30 upwards, in a safe and immersive environment. It's here, in the heart of the mountains, that...

Briançon sees summer in orange! From 7 to 9 August, the colourful town is hosting the third edition of the Arty Colors festival, with an explosive artistic programme, two unmissable concert evenings and a myriad of free shows all over the Vauban town. Three days of festivities, sharing and creations to discover with family, friends... or just wandering the streets. A festival of vitality For this third edition, the colour orange has been chosen as the guiding theme: warmth, enthusiasm and energy will be the order of the day, in a friendly and convivial atmosphere...

They have seen generations of skiers come and go, grazed the snowy peaks and cradled countless memories of descents with family and friends. After more than twenty years of loyal service, the legendary gondolas on the Roche de Mio cable car in La Plagne are taking their leave. And to mark the occasion, they're taking one last trip... with their most passionate fans. On Saturday 28 June, 109 iconic gondolas will be auctioned off. A unique sale, organised right in the heart of the Savoyard resort, which will allow mountain lovers to walk away with an authentic piece of their domain...

Summer begins at altitude in Serre Chevalier. From 21 June, the ski lifts are back in action, offering privileged access to the summits, breathtaking panoramas and a wide range of activities, from the gentlest to the sportiest. Throughout the summer season, eight ski lifts will be working in shifts to take hikers, mountain bikers, families and thrill-seekers to the heart of a magnificent high-altitude domain. As soon as the Casse du Bœuf chairlift opens, the Bike Park kicks off its season with the first itineraries open to riders of all abilities. Then, from 28th...

Good news for holidaymakers! To meet the growing demand for summer holidays in the mountains, SNCF Voyageurs is announcing a major boost to its TGV service to the Tarentaise region for summer 2025. From 6 July, nine INOUI TGV return services will run every week between Paris Gare de Lyon and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, compared with seven in 2024. This enhanced service confirms the renewed appeal of the Alps during the summer season, particularly the Tarentaise valley, which is prized for its magnificent scenery and numerous outdoor activities. ALSO READ: Events, good deals... Try the cycling experience...

SERRE CHEVALIER - Up there, under the raking light of the mountains, Briançon reveals a different face. It's a town where you can discover its heritage at dusk, by bike or on board a chatty little train. With its UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications, Briançon has been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (Town of Art and History) label, and this summer is offering a programme of new, unusual and surprising tours to help you rediscover its treasures in a whole new way. For the first time, the town is offering its Nocturnes de la Cité, a visit by lamplight. When the sun goes down and the narrow streets...

After a "particularly successful" winter season, the resort of Tignes is already looking ahead to an ambitious summer 2025. Frédéric Porte, the resort manager, talks us through the highlights of the winter season and the major projects to come, from the Adventure Park to the "Tignes 2050" model. READ ALSO: Tignes: all the must-see events for summer 2025 What's your first assessment of the winter season at Tignes? What were the highlights of the season? The winter season was a good one. We're on a growth trajectory in terms of business, with an excellent...

It's one of the most beautiful playgrounds in the Alps, and it's open in summer too. Breathtaking hikes, spectacular mountain bike routes, XXL panoramas and guaranteed fresh air: from 5 July to 29 August 2025, the 3 Vallées ski lifts will be operating in summer mode to allow visitors to explore the peaks effortlessly. Courchevel: the valley in action every day Courchevel will be open 7 days a week throughout the summer, with a complete network of lifts to get you to the summits: so you can easily reach the high altitude itineraries or cycle back down...

It's a diagonal like a breath of fresh air. An almost secret line that crosses the French Alps at human and heart level, far from the main roads, crowds and noise. From Thonon-les-Bains to Nice, the P'tites Routes du Soleil® Gravel route traces an original, raw and poetic path, over 845 kilometres of wild cycling itinerary, between turquoise lakes, forgotten ridges, hilltop villages and mineral silences. Two years' work in the field, scouting and discussions with the regions have produced a rare itinerary: 40 % of gravel tracks, 60 % of small roads, and more than 17,500 metres of...

At La Plagne, the summer season is being reinvented with a cocktail of new experiences, combining relaxation, nature and thrills. Off the beaten track, the famous Savoyard resort is focusing on immersive, fun and committed activities for families and adventurers alike. Here's a round-up of the new activities not to be missed this summer. Aerial yoga: take to the skies... in all its lightness A newcomer to the mountains, aerial yoga is taking up residence this summer at Plagne Centre, on the panoramic terrace of the Espace Pierra Menta. Suspended in colourful hammocks, participants are invited to explore postures and...