Summer 2018 in the French Alps
Category: Locations > Les Gets | 06th Jul, 2018
Summer has well and truly started in the French Alps, and the alpine events calendar is well underway.
Here’s a look at some of our favourite summer activities and events in our different alpine villages.
Summer in St Gervais Les Bains
Today is the last day to register for the 32nd “Montee du Nid d’Aigle”, literally the “Eagle Nest Ascent”, a beautiful running race through the Mont Blanc scenery. Or if you prefer something more relaxed the Tramway du Mont Blanc offers a more leisurely way to view the mountain scenery.
If a trip at altitude all proves too much, the hot thermal springwater at the “Les Bains du Mont Blanc” or Thermes of Saint Gervais is the perfect place to relax. Or head to the “Biotope” lake in Combloux the first ecological lake in France open for bathing.
Summer in Samoens
The river Giffre, on the edge of the 12th Century village of Samoens, is a hive of activity in the summer months. Take your pick from rafting, canoeing and hydro-speed.
For road biking enthusiasts, the iconic Col du Joux Plane is closed to car traffic on 19th August (the nearby Col du Ramaz is car-free on 8th July).
The Alps isn’t the most obvious place for a boxing competition, but the Samoens ice rink will host the Muay Thai Grand Prix with competitors from around the world.
Summer in Les Gets
Les Gets becomes a mecca for mountain bikers in the summer months, home to one of the bigger mountain-biking areas in the Portes du Soleil. 3 lifts are open daily leading to the mix of downhill and cross-country tracks, and there is also a pump track. Time to put on your elbow pads!
The golf season is in full swing (excuse the pun) or for something less sedate, head to the Aqua Park and the “Wibit” Les Gets, a waterpark of inflatable games. Fun for all the family!
In July Les Gets hosts one of the Alps quirkiest summer festivals – the International Festival of Mechanical Music – which is in its 18th year! For something more funky, the Lounge Music festival fills the air with jazz and soul music for 12 days in August.
Summer in Chatel
The resort of Chatel offers many beautiful walking trails in the summer, with guided hikes for those who would prefer not to map-read – and sometimes with a stop at a farm to sample the local produce.
Chatel is a good place to join the Bastille day celebrations, with plans for a concert in the square and fireworks to music on Lac de Vonnes.
If you fancy spending some time on the water, the small lake is host to sailing courses from 23rd to 27th July.
Summer in Morzine
The fantastic open-air swimming pool has opened its doors for the summer season. Ideal for entertaining the family on a sunny day, it’s worth purchasing a Multi Pass, which gives free and unlimited access to the pool, plus the tennis courts, ice rinks, buses, summer toboggan run and many other activities.
Mountain-biking is also a feature of summer in Morzine – don’t miss the French downhill championships in July - and the roads are the perfect challenge for any would-be Bradley Wiggins. On August 5th, cyclists can test their climbing speed in the “Grimpee Cycliste”, a bike climb from Morzine to Avoriaz, dating from 1975, when the Tour de France first came to the resort.
And what about the Tour de France 2018?
This year you can catch a glimpse of the Tour de France on the Col de Colombiere during the Annecy to Grand Bornard stage on 17th July 2018. After that you need to head to the Tarentaise and Isere areas of the French Alps to see who is wearing the yellow jersey.
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