La Savoy, nestled in the heart of French alps, is a popular destination for mountain holidays. This department offers a diversity of landscapes, from snow-capped peaks to lush green valleys and exceptionally pure lakes. Winter sports enthusiasts will find what they are looking for here thanks to world-renowned resorts, while hiking and nature enthusiasts can explore unspoiled natural parks. The cultural and historical richness of Savoie is reflected in its picturesque villages, medieval castles and delicious gastronomy, making this region an ideal destination for a holiday with family or friends.

Among the must-see sites, the Vanoise national park offers breathtaking alpine scenery and remarkable biodiversity. Ski resorts such as La Plagne and Les Arcs offer ski areas suitable for all levels, while the Bourget lake invites you to relax and enjoy water sports. Traditional villages such as Bonneval-sur-Arc and Beaufort are charming with their authenticity and preserved heritage. Savoie is also renowned for its gastronomy, with specialities such as Savoyard fondue, tartiflette and the famous Beaufort cheese.

In summer as in winter, the Savoy offers a multitude of outdoor activities, from skiing and snowboarding to hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and canyoning. Culture and history lovers can visit sites such as the Château des Ducs de Savoie in Chambéry or stroll through the medieval streets of Aix-les-Bains. With its varied landscapes, activities for all ages and rich heritage, Savoie is a destination of choice for a successful mountain holiday.

The Beaufortain

Nicknamed the “Little French Tyrol”, the Beaufortain is a preserved massif, renowned for its bucolic landscapes and its agricultural heritage. The villages of Beaufort andAreches, with their traditional wooden chalets and picturesque alleyways, immerse visitors in Savoyard authenticity. Beaufortain is also the birthplace of the famous Beaufort cheese, often referred to as the “prince of Gruyères”. The green alpine pastures, dominated by peaks such as the Pierra Menta, provide an ideal setting for hiking in summer, with routes such as the Tour du Beaufortain, which offers breathtaking views. In winter, the resorts of Arêches-Beaufort and the Seizures offer ski areas suitable for all levels, in a family and friendly atmosphere.

Le Beaufortain is a true paradise for lovers of nature and outdoor activities. In summer, hikers can explore a multitude of marked trails, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and alpine lakes. The Tour du Beaufortain, a multi-day circuit, allows you to discover the richness and diversity of the region's landscapes. Mountain bike enthusiasts will also find routes suitable for all levels, while the Roselend and Saint-Guérin lakes offer opportunities for fishing and canoeing.

In winter, the Beaufortain becomes a top-class ski area. The Arêches-Beaufort resort is particularly appreciated for its quality snow and its varied slopes, suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. Ski touring enthusiasts will also find choice routes there, particularly during the famous Pierra Menta race, which brings together the best ski mountaineers in the world every year. Les Saisies, another flagship resort in the massif, offers a family-friendly ski area, as well as renowned Nordic ski slopes.

The cultural heritage of Beaufortain is also rich and varied. Baroque churches, chapels and local museums bear witness to the history and traditions of the region. A visit to the Beaufort dairy cooperative allows you to discover the secrets of making the famous cheese and to taste this exceptional product. The local markets, meanwhile, offer a multitude of local products, reflecting the gastronomic richness of Savoie.

AlpAddict in the Northern Alps
In Beaufortain

Tarentaise

La Tarentaise, nestled in the heart of the French Alps, is an iconic valley in Savoie, renowned for its world-renowned ski resorts and breathtaking alpine landscapes.

Among the valley's resorts, Les Arcs stands out for its modern architecture and interconnected villages, offering a diverse skiing experience. The resort offers varied slopes, suitable for families and experienced skiers alike, with exceptional views of Mont Blanc.

La Plagne, meanwhile, is famous for its extensive ski area and hamlets with innovative architecture. Skiers can enjoy vast expanses of snow, while non-skiers will enjoy activities such as snowshoeing or bobsleighing on the Olympic track.

Tignes and Val d'Isère, in Haute-Tarentaise, together form a prestigious ski area culminating at an altitude of 3 metres. These resorts offer exceptional snow conditions and cutting-edge infrastructure, attracting skiing enthusiasts from all over the world.

Finally, the central region of Tarentaise is occupied by the 3 Valleys ski area. 600 kilometers of slopes for a ski season that lasts five months. The highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens, benefits from exceptional snowfall. The resorts of Courchevel and Méribel offer ski holidays that combine landscapes and luxurious hospitality.

In summer, the Tarentaise is transformed into a paradise for hikers and cyclists. Trails wind through flowering alpine pastures, dense forests and high-altitude lakes, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. Itineraries such as the Grand Tour de Tarentaise allow you to discover the valley in depth, with stages suitable for all levels.

Traditional villages, such as Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, seduce with their preserved architecture and authentic atmosphere. The stone and wooden chalets, the narrow streets and the centuries-old churches immerse visitors in the history and culture of Savoy. Sainte-Foy is also prized for its intimate ski area, offering forest slopes and quality off-piste routes.

Gastronomy in Tarentaise is a real treat for the taste buds. Local specialties, such as Savoyard fondue, tartiflette or raclette, can be enjoyed in the many high-altitude restaurants, offering a well-deserved gourmet break after a day of outdoor activities.

In short, the Tarentaise is a destination of choice for mountain lovers, offering a multitude of activities in all seasons, breathtaking landscapes and a deep immersion in Savoyard culture and traditions.

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Maurienne

The valley of the Mauritian, extending over 120 km and bordering Italy and the Hautes-Alpes, is the southernmost of the Savoie valleys.

Crossed by the Arc River, it offers a wild and authentic setting, ideal for lovers of nature and tranquility.

The ski resorts of Valloire et Valmeinier, located at 1 m and 400 m above sea level respectively, offer quality ski areas, while maintaining a warm village atmosphere. The Galibier-Thabor ski area, which includes these two resorts, offers 1 km of slopes spread over 800 slopes, with 160 slopes suitable for all levels.

Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy varied descents, while beginner areas and ski touring and cross-country skiing trails will delight fans of all forms of skiing.

In summer, the Mauritian becomes a privileged playground for hikers and cyclists. The hiking trails lead to the Vanoise National Park, offering unspoiled alpine landscapes and rich wildlife, with emblematic species such as the ibex and the chamois. The region's legendary passes, such as the Galibier pass and the Col de la Croix-de-Fer, regularly used by the Tour de France, attract cyclists in search of challenges and exceptional panoramas.

The Maurienne Valley also seduces with its preserved villages, its varied landscapes and its impressive hydroelectric sites. Visitors can discover a rich cultural heritage, with artistic treasures at each stage, while enjoying a friendly and authentic atmosphere. The small villages of the Haute-Maurienne like Bonneval sur Arc and Bessans give your photos a postcard feel.

In short, Maurienne is a destination of choice for those looking for an authentic mountain experience, far from the crowds of the big resorts, with a multitude of outdoor activities and a cultural heritage to discover.

Ski and Sun with AlpAddict
Aussois, in Maurienne

The Vanoise National Park

Le Vanoise national park, the first French national park created in 1963, covers an area of ​​535 km² between the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys. This preserved territory is a true sanctuary of biodiversity, home to exceptional fauna and flora.

The park's flora is particularly rich, with around 1 species recorded, or nearly a third of the French flora on less than 700% of the national territory. This diversity is explained by the variety of environments present, linked to differences in altitude, exposure and soil composition.

Hikers can explore a network of nearly 400 kilometers of marked trails, starting from villages and resorts in the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys.

Pralognan-la-Vanoise, a charming little village is located in the heart of the Vanoise and is the starting point for several beautiful routes. Among the emblematic routes, the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise offers an immersive experience in the heart of the high mountains, with breathtaking panoramas of the glaciers and surrounding peaks.

This circuit, which can be adapted from 4 to 7 days depending on the route chosen, allows you to discover contrasting landscapes, ranging from green valleys to lunar scenery, passing by emerald lakes and eternal snows.

The Vanoise National Park is also a prime location for wildlife watching. The best times to spot animals in their natural habitat are sunrise and sunset. The park's emblematic ibex are often seen on the ridges and steep slopes, while marmots can be seen in the flowery mountain pastures. Birdwatchers can also admire the majestic flight of golden eagles and, with a bit of luck, spot the bearded vulture, a rare and protected vulture.

Wallows

Le Bauges massif, classified as a regional natural park since 1995, is a mid-mountain area located between the departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. This limestone massif, labeled a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2011, is distinguished by its exceptional geological and natural wealth.

The landscapes of wallows are remarkably diverse, alternating between dense forests, green mountain pastures, steep cliffs and traditional villages. Forests cover more than 60% of the territory, making the Bauges a real green lung.

There are many activities to enjoy all year round. In summer, hikers can explore a multitude of marked trails, suitable for all levels, offering breathtaking views of the Alps and surrounding lakes. Mountain bikers have many varied trails to choose from, while caving enthusiasts can venture into the many cavities of the massif. The rivers and torrents also offer opportunities for canyoning and fishing.

In winter, the wallows are transformed into a paradise for Nordic activities. Family resorts, such as Féclaz et the Revard, offer cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails and areas dedicated to sledding. Alpine skiing enthusiasts can also enjoy the small, friendly resorts in the massif, on the outskirts of Margeriaz.

The gastronomic heritage of the Bauges is rich and authentic. Cheeses occupy a special place, in particular the Tome des Bauges, benefiting from an AOP, and the locally produced goat cheeses. The vineyards of the foothills produce renowned Savoie wines, such as Roussette and Chignin-Bergeron. The local markets are an opportunity to discover these local products and meet the passionate producers.

The villages of Bauges, such as Le Chatelard et Lescheraines, seduce with their authenticity and their preserved natural setting. Le Châtelard, the capital of the canton, is an ideal starting point for exploring the massif, with its picturesque streets and its baroque church. Lescheraines is renowned for its landscaped lakes, offering water activities in summer and a leisure center popular with families.

The Bauges are also home to remarkable natural sites. Chéran gorges, real canyons dug by the river, offer spectacular landscapes and hiking trails along the cliffs. The Mount Revard, culminating at 1 meters, is an exceptional belvedere on the Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France, and on the surrounding Alpine massifs. In winter, the Revard is a popular destination for Nordic skiing, with a vast area of ​​slopes.

On vacation in Savoie
The vineyards of Chignin

The plain between Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains with Lake Bourget

Between Chambéry, historic capital of Savoy, and Aix les Bains, a famous spa resort, stretches a fertile plain dominated by the Bourget lake, the largest natural lake in France. This territory offers a multitude of activities and discoveries for visitors in search of nature, culture and relaxation.

The shores of Lake Bourget are designed for everyone's enjoyment. Several beaches, such as those of Bourget-du-Lac, allow you to enjoy the joys of swimming in an idyllic setting. Marinas, such as the port of Châtillon, offer modern facilities for sailing, rowing or wake surfing enthusiasts. Boat trips, pedal boats or fishing sessions are also available, promising action-packed days by the water.

The area around the lake is crisscrossed with hiking trails suitable for all levels. The Belvédères trail, for example, offers breathtaking views of the turquoise waters of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Mont du Chat, with its marked trails, is a popular playground for walking enthusiasts, revealing breathtaking panoramas of Lake Bourget and the Alps.

Aix-les-Bains seduced by its Belle Époque architecture, a legacy of its prestigious past as a spa town. The old thermal baths, built in 1786 and expanded over the centuries, bear witness to this prosperous era. The Casino Grand Cercle, built from 1847, is an emblematic place of the social events of the Belle Époque, with its sumptuous decor and its theater classified as a Historic Monument.

Chambéry charms visitors with its well-preserved historic center. The Castle of the Dukes of Savoye, dominating the old town, is a testimony to the history of the House of Savoy. The Sainte-Chapelle, which housed the Holy Shroud, is distinguished by its magnificent 16th-century stained glass windows and trompe-l'oeil paintings. The medieval alleys, such as Rue Basse du Château, the oldest in the city, invite you to stroll, revealing architectural treasures on every street corner.

Further south is the region of vineyards Savoyards, on either side of the Chambéry pass. Chignin to the east and Apremont to the west

This region, between lake and mountains, offers a perfect harmony between outdoor activities, cultural discoveries and moments of relaxation, making each visit an unforgettable experience.

The Savoy Foreland

THESavoyard foreland, located in the far west of the Savoie department, is a natural region offering a harmonious transition between the Alps and the Jura. This territory, delimited by the Épine mountain range, the Mont du Chat, the Guiers and the Rhône, seduces with the diversity of its landscapes and the richness of its heritage.

Le Aiguebelette lake, jewel of the foreland, is the third largest natural lake in France. Renowned for the purity of its turquoise waters, it is a privileged place for swimming and water activities. The preserved banks of the lake offer beaches, ideal for moments of relaxation with the family. Motorized boats are prohibited, the calm and serenity of the place are preserved, making the lake a true haven of peace.

The picturesque villages of the Savoyard foothills, such as yenne et Novalese, reflect the authenticity of the region. Their narrow streets, traditional houses and local markets invite you to discover the Savoyard cultural heritage. The Jongieux vineyards, producing renowned Savoy wines, add an oenological dimension to the visit.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find what they are looking for on the many hiking trails that crisscross the region. Routes such as those leading to Mont Tournier or the Thorn chain, offer exceptional panoramas of the surrounding mountains and Lake Bourget. Cyclists will also appreciate the varied routes, suitable for all levels, allowing them to discover the natural wealth of the foreland.

The Savoyard foreland is also rich in historical and cultural sites. Castles, Romanesque churches and medieval remains bear witness to a rich and eventful past. Local festivals and events, celebrating Savoyard traditions, punctuate life in the region throughout the year, offering visitors an authentic immersion in local culture.

It is obvious to mountain lovers that Savoie, with its emblematic massifs such as Beaufortain, Tarentaise, Maurienne, the Vanoise national park, Bauges, as well as its plains and its lake, offers a diversity of landscapes and activities conducive to unforgettable mountain holidays.

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