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Beautiful mountain scenery, charming towns and villages, scenic lakes and a wide range of activities.
france
beautiful & majestic
The French Alps are a wonderful place to visit during the summer. Dramatic snow-capped mountains, steep sided wooded valleys, lush green pastures and tantalising blue lakes come alive in a blaze of contrasting colours after the winter has passed. The charming Savoyarde villages have been welcoming British visitors for well over a century and are brimming with tempting cafés and restaurants serving delicious food. The mountains, rivers and lakes are an activity playground just waiting to be explored at whatever pace you choose.
in a word
The northern French Alps are nestled between the Swiss and Italian borders, from the shores of Western Europe's largest lake, Lake Geneva, to Europe's highest mountain, the mighty Mont Blanc at 15,770 feet. The area is rich in alpine charm with a surprising variety of terrain for a small area including wide glaciated fertile valleys, gently undulating wooded hillsides, steep sided narrow valleys with rushing streams and deep mountain lakes. The culture and traditions of the region are strong. The traditional villages are full of timbered farmhouses, Savoyarde churches and weekly markets selling a rich variety of local produce including wonderful cheese and meats, fresh organic vegetables, fruits and flowers. 38 There are plenty of excellent places to eat from gourmet award winning restaurants to simple mountain chalets serving everything from typically local dishes to international cuisine. Savoyarde cuisine is hearty and wholesome with cured meats, cheese and cream being prominent features. Typical dishes include tartiflette, a rich mixture of potatoes and bacon baked with melted cheese, raclette, grilled cheese served with potatoes, cold meats, pickles and salad and pierre-chaud (hot rock) or braserade (table-top barbecue) served with potatoes and sauces. Savoy wines include Mondeuse, Chignin, and Apremont and Genepy is a local liqueur made from the mountain herb.
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