There are so many outdoor adventures to do in France this summer! Spend time in the southeastern part of France going on a sunset hike in Morzine or hike and explore Aiguille du Midi. Take a tandem paragliding flight over Chamonix for the adventure seeker in you. Take a walk in Annecy or go hiking in the mountains nearby. Heading to Paris should also be a priority. The Eiffel Tour, Arc de Triomphe and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre are top tourist attractions. Although they are popular and busy, they are essential to include in your vacation plan. Versailles is also amazing to check out on the city’s outskirts. The Château is quite impressive to see. Walk through the gardens for a breather and enjoy the green space outside.
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1. Sunset hiking excursion in Morzine, Portes du Soleil
Sunset hiking excursion in Morzine, Portes du Soleil is a fantastic hike to discover the southern Alps with gorgeous landscapes surrounding you. You’ll go through various terrain with some inclination to reach the beautiful views overlooking the valley. The guide will cater to your fitness level whether you’re a beginner or an advanced hiker. It’s an awesome experience to hike and add to your bucket list. This three-hour hike includes drinking wine (or a non-alcoholic beverage) and eating cheese and charcuterie while watching the sunset. As the sun goes down, remember that the temperature will cool off. Ensure to have your Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan with you to put on once it gets a bit chilly. It costs $343/group. The more people you have in your group, the cheaper it will cost per individual.
2. Hike Aiguille du Midi
Experience the largest glacier in the French Alps, la Mer de Glace by hiking Aiguille du Midi. The hike includes riding the cable car, hiking and returning to Chamonix on the cogwheel train. This adventure in France will showcase beautiful sceneries throughout the region. This hike takes three hours to complete including a picnic provided by your guide. This hike should provide awesome views (weather dependent) with a great workout while experiencing a different activity than you’d typically do in your home country. This activity would be amazing to include in the morning or the afternoon while visiting. The snow accumulation at the top can vary depending on how much snow melts and when you hike this trail. The total cost for the group is $1358.36. The more participants there are in the group, the less it costs for one hiker to attend.
Tip: Enjoy this group excursion with friends to save on the cost.
3. Accompanied half-day tour at Aiguille du Midi, Haute-Savoie
Head up on the cable car with your guide to see the panoramic views of the mountains around you.
Tip: If you’re afraid of heights, don’t look down in the cable car. Hang onto a pole and look in the distance. Otherwise, you might get weak in the knees. The ride is quite steep. I distracted myself by talking to the people around me.
Enjoy three hours in the morning or afternoon to appreciate the stunning views. There are different levels of platforms to explore outside for your viewing pleasure. including one bridge that connects two of the mountains. There is also a gallery indoors, as a new addition if you need to warm up and get out of the cold. Plus, you might learn a thing or two. The cost for the group is $770.76.
Tip: Even though it will be summer while you’re visiting, it will be colder at the top of the mountain. Wear your Merino 250 Top Base Layer when walking outside. The temperature might be cold in the case of high winds when stepping outdoors.
If you’re brave, you can step onto the glass platform to look across the valley and down below. You’ll get stunning pictures of the scenery if you aren’t afraid of heights. It will make fantastic memories to have as a keepsake!
4. Tandem Paragliding Flight over Chamonix
If you’re a thrill seeker and would like wind beneath your wings, your adventures in France should include a tandem paragliding discovery twenty-minute flight. The cost for the group is $213.62. This experience will allow you to get some air and see the beautiful views in the distance with a trusted pilot. There are different flights available ranging from twenty minutes to one hour.
Tip: Take an anti-nausea pill before embarking on this next adventure if you tend to get motion sickness to avoid disappointment.
5. Guided hike to the Semnoz in the Bauges Mountains near Annecy
This picture shows Annecy Lake and the gorgeous mountains to hike. The views from the top of the mountains will provide spectacular views of your surroundings during your adventures in France.
If you like challenging difficult hikes, this hike could be for you. This guided hike to the Semnoz in the Bauges mountains is a gorgeous but challenging hike near Annecy. It will provide great scenery with beautiful coloured flowers in the meadows with extensive views the higher up you hike. It’s a three-hour hike that can be done in the morning or the afternoon. It is highly encouraged that you exercise regularly before this visit to make this hike as enjoyable as possible for you.
You can take a break at Chalets de Gruffy before proceeding upwards to summit Crêt de Châtillon at 1702 metres. You’ll be successful with this hike if you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast who likes to push yourself. At times the hike is steep and there’s lots of incline. Keep that in mind when choosing this hike. You will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views after your hard work. It costs $38.15/adult.
Tip: Get in shape by hiking to Laughing Falls in British Columbia.
6. Walk around Annecy
Annecy is an attractive town to explore. Many walking paths along the lake are paved for your convenience. It’s nice to have walking paths close to the city yet far enough that you feel you’re in nature. You could walk multiple kilometres if you’d like to get some exercise. We saw many people using the walking paths for a variety of activities while we were visiting.
There are many quaint buildings with shops and restaurants for your eating pleasure. It’s a pretty city with a picturesque landscape. It has open-air markets that make you want to spend time outdoors in nature.
7. Tandem Paragliding Flight over Annecy’s Lake
This paragliding flight will provide amazing views of Lake Annecy. It costs $155 for fifteen minutes on a discovery flight and up to $248 for a sensations flight of twenty-five minutes. Many times are available depending on the time that works best for you. It will be an unforgettable experience from May to September. The instructors will ensure you have the safest and most enjoyable flight ever! Book your fun today!
8. Gardens of Versailles
After exploring the Palace of Versailles, the gardens are just as spectacular to continue your adventures in France. It can get very crowded and hot inside the Château, especially in the summer. Walking outside in the gardens can be a nice escape from feeling claustrophobic. It can be busy right outside the doors but the further away you walk in the gardens, the more secluded you and your partner will be to enjoy some peace and quiet without hundreds of tourists surrounding you.
We enjoyed eating a croissant in the green space of the gardens. It was a perfect place to savour a French pastry. I typically like chocolate croissants but I decided against it for fear that it would melt in my bag before I had a chance to eat it. The classic croissant was just as good though. It was nice to sit, get off our feet, and unwind with our croissants, a banana and water.
Tip #1: Buy snacks before arriving at le Château de Versailles. It will be convenient and cheaper to have food available on hand to eat outdoors whenever it suits you.
Tip #2: If it’s sunny outside, wear sunglasses and grab a spot in the shade to avoid a sunburn.
9. Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower must be included in your adventures in France. It’s a spectacular sight to see from all directions. It’s also a cool experience to take the elevators to the top. If you’re heading there between July 18 to 25, 2024, you’ll need to make a reservation to access the tower. It will cost $50 CAD to reach the summit. If you choose, you can also have a glass of champagne at the summit at an additional price. It’s cheaper if you want to climb to the top via the stairs.
At night, the Eiffel Tower is lit up making it a spectacular sight to see from multiple vantage points.
10. Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is impressive to see. It stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées making it a pleasant walk.
There’s a walking path under the traffic circle for easy access. You won’t need to run through eight lanes in the traffic circle.
11. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, a popular tourist attraction, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in Paris. It’s situated at 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre. Located high up at the top of the stairs, it provides a wonderful panoramic view of Paris. It’s a perfect place to sit on the grass and have lunch. You can spend around one to two hours at this location. The domes are impressive from inside and outside. It’s free to enter and enjoy the decorated ceilings and biggest mosaics in the world. It’s open from 6 A.M. to 10:30 P.M.
Final Thoughts
What outdoor adventures in France are you planning to do this summer? Where will you spend your time? In southern France or Paris? Aiguille du Midi has spectacular viewing opportunities. A sunset hike is a fantastic way to see surrounding landscapes while enjoying the night sky. Do you want more adventure by going paragliding? Annecy has gorgeous walks in the city and on the outskirts. Alternatively, are you more interested in exploring the capital city? Are you excited to see the Eiffel Tour, Arc de Triomphe and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre? The Gardens of Versailles is the perfect place to enjoy some downtime from the hustle and bustle of the city. These gardens are pretty to look at and perfect for taking pictures while enjoying time outdoors. Have an amazing vacation doing whatever your heart desires!
Additional Links
- Guide to Downhill Skiing in Avoriaz, France
- Cross-Country Skiing La Féclaz
- Unforgettable Hiking Holiday in Bolzano
- Guide to Four Seasons in Banff National Park
- Crazy Outdoor Activities for a Thrill of a Lifetime
Trip Ressources
- Book your flights with Expedia
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Hotels.com
- Book your vacation rental with Vrbo
- Book your experiences through TripAdvisor or Manawa
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