Discover a different side of the French Alps
When summer arrives, the French Alps reveal a completely different side of their character. Snow-covered slopes give way to flower-filled alpine meadows, rushing rivers replace the sound of ski lifts, and traditional mountain villages return to a peaceful rhythm. Days are spent hiking through spectacular scenery, swimming in crystal-clear mountain lakes, discovering Savoyard gastronomy and relaxing in an exceptional luxury chalet.
Once considered exclusively a winter destination, the French Alps have become one of Europe’s most attractive places for a summer holiday. Pleasant temperatures, breathtaking scenery, endless outdoor activities and authentic Alpine villages make the mountains an inspiring alternative to the seaside, particularly for families and groups of friends.
At Pointe de Sel, we create bespoke summer mountain holidays in some of the most beautiful resorts in the French Alps. Whether you’re looking for a luxury chalet with premium facilities, an all-inclusive mountain stay or an active holiday surrounded by nature, our carefully selected properties and personalised services allow you to experience the Alps at their very best.
👉 Discover our collection of Luxury Summer Holidays.
In this guide, you’ll discover why the Alps are one of the finest summer destinations in Europe, which resorts best suit your holiday style, the experiences not to miss and our practical advice for planning an unforgettable stay.
Why choose the mountains in summer?
A summer holiday in the mountains offers the perfect balance between adventure, relaxation and exceptional natural surroundings.
Far from the crowds often found along the coast, the Alps invite you to slow down and reconnect with nature. Some visitors come for mountain biking, rafting, paragliding or hiking, while others simply enjoy peaceful walks through forests, local food markets or long evenings on the terrace of a luxury chalet overlooking the peaks.
The mountains are also an outstanding destination for families. Children can explore wide open spaces, watch marmots in their natural habitat, visit traditional Alpine farms and enjoy the many activities organised throughout the summer season.
Another major advantage is the climate. While cities can experience intense summer heat, Alpine resorts enjoy pleasantly warm days and cool evenings, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities.
Why travellers love summer holidays in the Alps
- 🌿 Unspoilt landscapes of forests, alpine meadows and mountain lakes.
- 🥾 Hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails suitable for every level.
- 🚵 Exceptional outdoor activities including mountain biking, rafting, canyoning, paragliding, golf and via ferrata.
- 👨👩👧👦 One of Europe’s best destinations for families and groups.
- 🧀 Outstanding Savoyard gastronomy and local producers.
- 🏡 Luxury chalets featuring indoor swimming pools, saunas and jacuzzis for the ultimate Alpine retreat.
If you’re still wondering whether the mountains are the right choice for your next holiday, you may also enjoy our article Mountains in Summer.
Why choose Pointe de Sel?
Planning a mountain holiday often involves organising accommodation, activities, transport, restaurants and countless practical details.
At Pointe de Sel, we take care of everything for you.
Our team carefully selects exceptional luxury chalets in the most desirable Alpine resorts and can organise a wide range of bespoke services, including gourmet meal delivery, activity bookings, equipment hire, airport transfers, massages and even a private chef.
Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or celebrating a special occasion, every holiday is tailored to your wishes.
Our ambition is simple: to allow you to enjoy every moment of your stay while we take care of the organisation behind the scenes.
👉 Discover our All-inclusive Summer Mountain Stays or explore our Luxury Chalets.
Five unforgettable experiences to enjoy during your summer mountain holiday
Over the years, we have helped hundreds of families and groups of friends discover the French Alps in summer. While every holiday is unique, some experiences consistently rank among our guests’ favourite memories.
Here are five unforgettable moments that might inspire your next Alpine escape.
Watch the sunrise from a mountain summit
Few experiences compare to watching the first rays of sunlight illuminate the Alpine peaks.
Before dawn, the mountains are wonderfully peaceful. As the sky gradually changes colour, the valleys slowly awaken and marmots begin to emerge from their burrows, while ibex and chamois are often easier to spot before the hiking trails become busy.
Accompanied by a qualified mountain guide, several accessible routes allow you to reach a panoramic viewpoint just in time for sunrise before enjoying breakfast surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
For many of our guests, this peaceful moment high above the valleys becomes the highlight of their entire holiday.
Our tip: Even in midsummer, temperatures above 2,000 metres can be surprisingly cool in the early morning. Bring a warm layer and you’ll enjoy the experience even more.
Spend a day learning traditional mountain survival skills
Some of the most memorable family moments are also the simplest.
Building a fire, recognising animal tracks, cooking outdoors or learning how to build a woodland shelter allow children to reconnect with nature while discovering the traditions of mountain life.
Led by experienced mountain guides, these activities combine adventure, education and fun, making them particularly popular with families travelling with teenagers.
Far from phones and screens, children quickly rediscover the pleasure of exploring the natural world.
Discover the mountains from a different perspective on a via ferrata
Halfway between hiking and rock climbing, a via ferrata allows you to safely explore impressive cliffs using fixed ladders, bridges and steel cables.
Suitable routes are available for beginners, families and experienced climbers alike, offering spectacular views while remaining fully secured.
The via ferrata routes around Peisey-Nancroix, La Plagne and Courchevel are among our favourites.
For many visitors, it becomes their first real mountain climbing experience — and rarely their last.
Combine mountain biking and rafting in the same day
Why choose one adventure when you can enjoy two?
Start your day descending forest trails by mountain bike from the high Alpine slopes before reaching the valley floor.
After lunch, swap your helmet for a life jacket and continue your adventure rafting down the Isère River, one of the finest white-water rivers in France.
This combination is especially popular with groups of friends and families with teenagers.
Experiencing the mountains first from the ridgelines and then from the river below offers two completely different perspectives of the Alpine landscape.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for an exciting yet accessible adventure day.
Spend a night in a mountain refuge
An overnight stay in a traditional Alpine refuge is often one of the most memorable moments of any holiday.
After a rewarding hike, arriving at the refuge feels like reaching a hidden mountain sanctuary.
Sharing dinner with fellow hikers, watching the sunset over the surrounding peaks and waking up to breathtaking Alpine scenery create a genuine feeling of disconnection from everyday life.
The accommodation is naturally more rustic than a luxury chalet, but the atmosphere and scenery more than compensate.
For a first experience, the mountain refuges within Vanoise National Park are particularly well suited to families.
Which type of holiday is right for you?
Every mountain holiday is different.
Whether you’re travelling with family, a group of friends or celebrating a special occasion, choosing the right style of accommodation and services will shape your experience.
Stay in a luxury chalet
A luxury chalet offers the perfect way to enjoy the mountains at your own pace.
After a day outdoors, everyone can relax in spacious living areas, enjoy dinner together or unwind in an indoor swimming pool, sauna or private jacuzzi.
Large chalets comfortably accommodate several families or groups of friends while offering privacy for every guest.
👉 Browse our collection of Luxury Chalets.
Choose an all-inclusive mountain holiday
If you’d rather spend your holiday enjoying the mountains than organising every detail, an all-inclusive stay is the ideal solution.
Depending on your preferences, Pointe de Sel can arrange:
- luxury accommodation;
- gourmet meal delivery;
- activity bookings;
- airport transfers;
- equipment hire;
- concierge services;
- wellness experiences and private chefs.
Everything is tailored to your wishes before you even arrive.
👉 Discover our All-inclusive Mountain Rentals.
A perfect destination for families
The French Alps are one of Europe’s finest destinations for family holidays.
Children enjoy endless opportunities to explore nature, while parents appreciate the peaceful surroundings, fresh mountain air and wide variety of activities.
Easy hikes, educational farms, beginner-friendly Bike Parks, family rafting trips and cani-hiking adventures create unforgettable memories for every generation.
👉 Read our guide: Summer Mountain Holidays with Teenagers
The ideal escape for groups of friends
The mountains are equally well suited to groups of friends looking to spend quality time together.
Days naturally alternate between outdoor adventures, long lunches on sunny terraces, wellness sessions back at the chalet and relaxed evenings overlooking the surrounding peaks.
Pointe de Sel’s largest chalets accommodate up to fifteen guests, making them ideal for celebrations, reunions or simply enjoying the mountains together.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose the mountains instead of the seaside for a summer holiday?
A summer holiday in the mountains offers a completely different experience. Cooler temperatures, spectacular scenery, wide open spaces and an impressive variety of outdoor activities make the French Alps an excellent alternative to the coast.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation or quality time with family and friends, the mountains provide the perfect balance between nature and comfort.
Which is the best destination for a summer mountain holiday?
It all depends on the type of holiday you’re looking for.
- La Plagne is perfect for families and nature lovers.
- Méribel combines authentic Alpine charm with elegant surroundings.
- Courchevel is renowned for its luxury lifestyle, gastronomy and spectacular scenery.
- Les Arcs is a paradise for mountain biking and outdoor adventure.
Discover our destination guides:
- What to do in La Plagne in summer
- What to do in Méribel in summer
- What to do in Courchevel in summer
- What to do in Les Arcs in summer
When is the best time to visit the French Alps in summer?
July and August offer the widest choice of activities, with ski lifts operating daily, sporting events, village festivals and numerous family activities.
For visitors looking for quieter hiking trails and a more peaceful atmosphere, late June and early September are also wonderful times to discover the Alps.
Can you enjoy the mountains without being particularly sporty?
Absolutely.
The Alps are not only about outdoor sports.
Many visitors come to enjoy local markets, discover Savoyard gastronomy, visit traditional Alpine farms, explore picturesque villages, admire spectacular scenery or simply relax in the comfort of a luxury chalet.
Are the French Alps suitable for family holidays?
Yes.
The French Alps are one of Europe’s best family destinations.
Children enjoy endless opportunities to explore nature, while parents appreciate the fresh mountain air, peaceful surroundings and wide variety of activities available throughout the summer.
👉 Discover our guide: Summer Mountain Holidays with Teenagers
What are the best summer activities in the mountains?
Among the most popular activities are:
- hiking;
- mountain biking;
- rafting;
- canyoning;
- paragliding;
- via ferrata;
- golf;
- mountain yoga;
- visits to Alpine farms;
- discovering Savoyard heritage.
👉 Explore our complete guide to Summer Mountain Activities.
Should activities be booked in advance?
Some of the most popular experiences — including rafting, paragliding, guided hikes and wellness treatments — should ideally be booked several weeks before your holiday, particularly during the school summer holidays.
The Pointe de Sel concierge team can organise every activity before your arrival.
Which accommodation should you choose for a summer holiday in the Alps?
A luxury chalet offers the ideal combination of comfort, privacy and flexibility.
Spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens, panoramic terraces and premium wellness facilities such as indoor swimming pools, saunas and jacuzzis allow you to enjoy the mountains at your own pace.
👉 Browse our collection of Luxury Chalets in the French Alps.
Are mountain holidays more affordable than seaside holidays?
Outside the busiest periods, the Alps often provide excellent value for money.
Accommodation is generally more spacious, many outdoor activities are free and groups can comfortably share a luxury chalet, making it a particularly attractive option for families and friends travelling together.
What should you pack for a summer holiday in the mountains?
Mountain weather can change quickly, even during the height of summer.
We recommend packing:
- a warm fleece or jumper;
- a lightweight waterproof jacket;
- walking shoes;
- sunglasses;
- a sun hat;
- sunscreen;
- a reusable water bottle.
👉 Read our complete guide:
Experience the French Alps differently this summer
Summer is perhaps the most surprising season to discover the French Alps.
From spectacular mountain scenery and crystal-clear alpine lakes to charming villages, outdoor adventures and exceptional gastronomy, every day brings a new experience.
Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or celebrating a special occasion, the mountains offer the perfect opportunity to slow down while creating unforgettable memories together.
At Pointe de Sel, we carefully select exceptional luxury chalets and create tailor-made holidays designed around your wishes.
Our ambition is simple: to help you experience the French Alps differently, combining authentic mountain living with premium comfort and personalised service.
Prepare your summer holiday in the French Alps
Before planning your next stay, discover our other guides and collections:
- 🏡 Luxury Chalets
- 🌿 Luxury Summer Holidays
- 🥾 What to do in La Plagne in summer
- 🌲 What to do in Méribel in summer
- ✨ What to do in Courchevel in summer
- 🚵 What to do in Les Arcs in summer
- 🏔️ Summer Mountain Activities
- 👨👩👧👦 Summer Mountain Holidays with Teenagers
- 🎒 Summer Mountain Packing Tips
- 🏡 All-inclusive Summer Mountain Stays
