From this isolated spot there is a splendid view (from the bend to the left) of the Meije massif (orientation table at 1 834m). Continue to the village of Chazelet , renowned for its balconies. Heading back down the valley, continue to the Ventelon..

Mont Revard (1 537m) offers magnificent plunging views over Lake du Bourget and Aix les Bains. There are interesting views fom the cable car: westwards over the lake and the dent du Chat – through the gap of the Chat pass, the glimmering waters of th..

Sharing the distinction of being the most famous route in the French Alps with that of the Iseran Pass, and linking the Maurienne to the Briançonnais, this steep incline with views over the Maurienne leads from the bottom of the Arc Valley to its tri..

Reached by cable car from Pierrafort, there is a fine view from this summit, taking in the Valmorel Valley surrounded by the Cheval Noir, the Grand Pic de la Lauzière and, beyond, the Belledonne range. On the other side is the Belleville Valley: the ..

The Transarc cable car (from Arc 1800) passes over the col du Grand Renard and arrives at the base of the Siguille Grive, at a height of 2 600m, from where the view takes in the Aiguille Rouge, Mont Pourri, the Aiguille du Saint-Esprit, La Grande Mot..

The biggest regional park in mainland France is located in the heart of the Auvergne, extending across close to 400 000ha around Riom-ès-Montagnes. The park is made up of five separate regions: the Puys de Dôme chain; the Dore mountains in the Massif..

A more effective trip back in time than any epic movie, the enchanting, beautiful estate of Puy de Fou (composed of 50ha of woodland) is the backdrop for historical shows featuring incredible special effects. Covering the years 1000 to 1900, severa..

The Pyrenees National Park covers a mountainous strip of land along the border that is 1-15km wide and 100km long, between the Aspe Valley to the west and the Aure Valley to the east. It takes in six valleys, four of which are in the Hautes-Pyrénées:..

Aspin Pass offers a sweeping panorama in spite of its lower altitude compared to the three other major passes on the Route des Pyrénées between Eaux-Bonnes and Bagnères-de-Luchon (Aubisque, Tourmalet, Peyresourde). The position of the massifs, and th..

The flora and fauna in this nature preserve at the entrance to the Gaves Valley are really interesting: Corsican mountain sheep and izards sharing their habitat with nesting birds of prey on the high limestone cliffs covered with moors and meadows. T..

There is a magnificent panorama (with a viewpoint indicator) from Saint-Pilon in the heart of the Sainte-Beaume massif: to the north, of the Hôtellerie de la Sainte-Baume in the foreground, Mont Ventoux in the distance, the Luberon , Montagne de..

From the terraces there is a spectacular and unique view: lanterns, chimneys, staircases and dormer windows mingle, hewn by the sculptor’s chisel. The royal imagery is extensive: François I’s monogram, crowned salamanders, flaming candelabras, fleurs..

Displayed in Angers Castle , the Apocalypse Tapestry is believed to have been created between 1373 and 1383. Originally 133m long and 6m high, it was composed of 6 sections, each comprising a figure seated on a dais looking onto two cycles of 7 scen..

Who hasn't dreamt of one day traversing the Alps from end to end, from pass to pass, from one sea to the other, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean? The southern part of the route begins at the Col du Lautaret and continues into the southern Alps..

Upon leaving the Bergeries de Grotelle , follow the path southward as it climbs up the glacial valley of the Restonica River. Walk along the moraine until you get to a vast grassy basin, at an altitude of around 1 500m. Take the path that goes up th..

Monte Cinto (2 706m altitude) is the "roof of Corsica". Ascending it is recommended for the highly trained only. The path takes you through the glacial cirque formed by Mt Falo and Monte Cinto. It winds its way through the craggy morainic l..

The beauty of the gulf lies in its coastline of red-granite cliffs which contrast sharply with the blue of the sea: to the south, the Calanche de Piana , to the north, the Girolata peninsula and the Scandola nature reserve . This ensemble constit..

Monte Incudine, a 4km-long ridge running between Chiralba and Asinao, takes its name from the anvil-shaped rock located on its uppermost crest and culminates at a height of 2 136m. The summit of this immense mountain affords an exceptional panoramic ..

The climb up the stony slopes of Monte Renoso is best left to more experienced walkers. From Bergeries de Capannelle, a track lined with cairns heads southwestward to meet the Source de Pizzolo then Lake Bastiani (2 089m altitude). Follow the morai..

After the Col de la Machine, the road, which is carved into the extraordinary limestone rock face, begins to curve vertiginously over the upper valley of Cholet, which you ultimately tower over from a height of 600m. At the far end of the cirque is t..