Why Visit The French Alps In Summer?

Gone are the snow-tipped mountains and the noise of ski boots and snowboards clattering down the street. Instead, beautiful sunshine and a peaceful ambience rests over the French Alps. More used to flying down the snowy mountains, we decided to go in search of what the Alps had the offer during the summer months.

The first thing that hit us when we awoke the next day after our short journey (Morzine is just an hour’s drive form Geneva airport) was the quiet. Aside from a dog barking, some cows mooing and the sound of the stream rushing through the village, there was nothing to detract our attention from the dramatic green scenery of the mountains, the quaint cottages and colourful wild flowers. Taking a deep breath our lungs were filled with clean, fresh air. We already felt refreshed!

Visiting the town of Morzine in the Haute-Savoie region of France during the month of June is a particularly quiet time to go. It sits in the period between the end of the ski season and before the bike season starts to get busy.  There are limited restaurants open but enough to keep you fed in different places for a few nights. To be honest, we quite liked the unusual quietness. Plus, my husband’s favourite bar was open so he was happy. Towards July, businesses fully open for the summer visitors.

But what is there to do in the Alps when the mountain turns from white to green? Well, there’s the mountain biking season for starters. Instead of skiing, people navigate the thousands of kilometres of terrain which cover the Portes du Soleil on bikes. They can buy a pass for the chair lifts and use the downhill and cross-country trails used in winter by skiers. The Tour de France often goes through this region so that is an added excitement for fans wanting see the professionals at work (it last visited Morzine in 2014).

If that sounds a little over-adventurous, you can enjoy a more sedate ride around the bike trails on flatter ground. Bikes are available to hire although during peak season you may want to reserve them beforehand – particularly children’s cycles – as these are limited. You could also go hiking in the mountains although be wary of the heat. It can get very hot!

Going at the end of June, we were just a few days too early to experience the outdoor swimming pool park at the Parc des Dérêches complex which has a paddling pool and a  heated Olympic-sized pool, as well as a water slide and a bouncy castle. An absolute winner for children!

Just a short walk from the pool is a riding school. We didn’t go for a ride although Mrs T certainly enjoyed looking at the horses in the stables.

The riding school is set in a large parkland with walking and biking trails, woodland area and a beautiful stream. There is also a children’s playground and lots of space for children to run around and safely enjoy the great outdoors.

Morzine is a great base to visit other places. One day we drove up to the nearby mountain village, Les Lindarets, near Montriond.

A popular stop-off for skiiers in the winter with a number of good quality restaurants, in the summer it is known as the ‘the goat village’. There are certainly a lot of them! They wander the narrow road, sitting wherever they please and show no interest in getting out of the way of passing cars.

Another day we took a trip to the medieval town Yvoire on the shores of Lake Geneva. With a 14th century castle, narrow alleys hiding quirky shops and restaurants, beautiful gardens and ducks to feed on the lake, Yvoire it is a delightful place to wander around and is deservedly nicknamed the ‘gem of the lake’.

Then there is the town of Thonon which is also on the French side of Lake Geneva. Brave swimmers dive into the icy water and chill out by the banks of the lake or perhaps go boating; while there are plenty of good restaurants to enjoy the local fish. One of our favourites is La Jolla restaurant in Port de Sechex which has a beautiful big terrace with views of the lake and excellent food.

Other places within an hour and a half’s drive of Morzine and the Portes du Soleil area include Geneva, Annecy, Evian and Chamonix – to name a few. There are also plenty of lakes and waterfalls dotted around the Alpine region which are a delight to visit.

The Alps is a brilliant place for families to go. My husband spent much of his childhood holidays playing out with his family and friends in the mountains enjoying the great outdoors and a slower pace of life.

The French Alps are certainly not just for winter skiing. In fact, I would say there are far more activities to do in the summer months: whether it be biking, hiking or even white water rafting if you are after some adrenaline-fueled adventure. Or, there is the option to simply enjoy peace and tranquility in stunning surroundings. Oh, and great food and wine too of course – this is France after all.

Have you visited the Alps in summer? Or is it somewhere you would like to go? I would love to know your experiences and get some ideas too!

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