The 10 destinations in the Alps to consider for summer 2026
Whether winter or summer, every year the French Alpine resorts attract millions of holidaymakers, with a marked concentration in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Discover our selection of the best activities and destinations in the Alps for a holiday rental this summer 2026.
Renting an apartment in the mountains
In summer, the Alpine resorts are a beautiful alternative to the seaside resorts: fewer crowds, a wide choice of apartment rentals, numerous sports and leisure activities… If you prefer the tranquility and authenticity of protected nature over the polluted chaos of the urbanized coastlines, then the mountains are the place for you!
By choosing the Alps as your summer holiday destination, you will have a wide choice of resorts with an international reputation:
La Plagne – Savoie
La Plagne is the most popular resort in France. Its immense area, its numerous villages (Montchavin, Montalbert, Champagny…), its guaranteed snow during the winter, and its lifts open during the summer season make it the top destination for French skiers and hikers.
More than just a winter destination, La Plagne reveals a true escape spot in the heart of the mountains in the summer. Between moments of relaxation and sports activities, the resort offers a multitude of experiences: hiking in the mountains, mountain biking trails, picnic areas facing the peaks, and many outdoor activities. An ideal destination to discover an accessible, dynamic, and nature-filled mountain.
With its more than 57,000 beds, of which 77% are commercialized, The apartment rental offer in La Plagne is the largest in Savoie.
Tignes / Val d’Isère – Savoie
Connected to Val d’Isère, Tignes stands out for its almost annual opening thanks to the Grande Motte glacier, and for its only starred restaurant at altitude, the Panoramic. Val d’Isère offers a charming and authentic setting. There are many luxury apartments and chalets with terraces overlooking the mountains.
Discover a 32m² apartment for rent 2 km from the center of Val d’Isère.
Saint-Gervais / Les Contamines – Haute-Savoie
At the foot of Mont-Blanc, Saint-Gervais is captivating with its thermal architecture and exceptional panoramas. Not far away, Les Contamines-Montjoie extends its domain between Haute-Savoie and Savoie.
Avoriaz – Haute-Savoie
Perched high up in the mountains, Avoriaz stands out for its unique organic architecture. A highlight of the Portes du Soleil area, it is one of the few destinations that allows apartment rentals in summer in an exclusively pedestrian area.
Serre Chevalier – Hautes-Alpes
Serre Chevalier, the only representative of the Southern Alps in this ranking, connects three mountain villages and the city of Briançon.
Les 2 Alpes – Isère
Hanging on the slopes of the Écrins, this Isere resort offers glacier skiing in the off-season and welcomes 1.5 million skiers between November and June. Its festive atmosphere and its 90 slopes between 1,650 and 3,568 m make it a popular destination.
For a rental apartment in Les 2 Alpes, Find the right accommodation on the official website of 2 Alpes.
Courchevel / Méribel-Mottaret – Savoie
The alliance of Savoyard luxury par excellence: 600 km of groomed slopes, ultra-modern cable cars and prestigious accommodations (chalets, hotels and luxury apartments).
Chamonix – Haute-Savoie
Number one in terms of revenue according to the latest ranking of the top 100 Montagne Leaders, Chamonix is a destination in its own right: mountaineering, glaciers, Mont Blanc… an international icon of the mountain world.
Val Thorens – Savoie
The highest station in Europe (2,300 m) is also one of the busiest in the 3 Vallées. In summer it is the ideal hiking terrain for lovers of high-altitude hiking.
Alpe d’Huez – Isère
Its slopes oriented southwards, its summit at 3,330 m and its high-end accommodations make Alpe d’Huez a very popular resort. Famous for the Tour de France, it approaches 2 million days sold during the ski season and hundreds of thousands of people will be arriving this summer 2026!
What activities to do in the summer
In these popular resorts, you’ll have access to a full range of activities to do in the summer. Here is our top 10
Hiking trails
Savoie is dotted with trails and hiking circuits suitable for all levels. Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, the region is an exceptional destination for enthusiasts of mountain hiking, nature, and escape. Between high-altitude lakes, panoramic peaks, authentic refuges, and villages preserved with timeless charm, Savoie offers a multitude of landscapes and experiences that will delight young and old alike.
Paragliding
Extreme sensations, breathtaking views, and the freedom of the air… Paragliding is an activity that will give you a unique and unforgettable experience, flying above the mountains, lakes, and forests!
Rafting
Thanks to its lakes, rivers, waterfalls and torrents, the mountain offers many activities that can be practiced in the water! Rafting is the must-do activity for sharing strong emotions as a team. This popular activity will work on your coordination, teamwork and sense of adventure, while also enjoying the natural scenery and the coolness of the water.
Canyoning
Another exciting water activity: canyoning! Practicing it will allow you to discover the hidden wonders of the Savoy rivers. In Savoie, you can easily find specialists who will guide you on varied and fun trails that combine walking, swimming, jumping, slides, and rappelling.
Cycling & Cyclotourism
Cycling is the number one leisure activity when going on a summer holiday to the mountains. It is even the best way to discover Savoie for some… Cycling will allow you to explore the mountains through the trails and tracks that run through the Savoyian mountains.
With more than 1,520 kilometers of cycling routes spread over 17 greenways, Savoie is a privileged destination for cycling enthusiasts.
Alpine panoramas, crystal-clear lakes and charming villages offer an exceptional setting for cycling enthusiasts in the great outdoors. The green trails allow you to discover the mountains in comfort, in a natural environment that is preserved and accessible to all levels.
Via Ferrata
Built along a rocky wall, the Via Ferrata is equipped with metal devices specially designed to facilitate progress and ensure the safety of practitioners. Cables, ladders, bars, walkways, zip lines and even suspended bridges allow you to explore the heart of the mountain in a playful and accessible way.
Long shunned by purist climbers but imagined by enthusiasts of heights, via ferratas have experienced a spectacular rise since the 1990s. Today fully established as a full-fledged sporting activity, they also constitute a veritable initiation experience for anyone wishing to tame the void and discover the magic of the vertical landscapes of the Savoie mountains.
Summer 2026 agenda
May & June
Spring promises to be busy in Savoie. Bike enthusiasts can start on May 24 on the La Roselende Cycling Route between Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Beaufort, before taking on the Galibier Challenge on June 6 and 7 in Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne. On June 12, the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes will traverse the region with two consecutive stages, while cyclists will gather at the Vélo Vert Festival in Bourg-Saint-Maurice (June 12-14) and the Saisies Bike Festival (June 20-21).
In terms of culture and music, the Festival du Premier Roman will animate Chambéry from May 27 to 31, followed by the Bel Air Claviers Festival (June 11-13) and the TapTaTome Festival in Chanaz (June 13-14). The end of June will be marked by gastronomy with the Fête des fromages de Savoie in Yenne (June 27-28), accompanied by the Tomme de Savoie Trail, and in Valloire, with an original competition of sculptures made of straw and hay (June 30 – July 5).
July
July begins with an adventurous spirit with the Les Petits Baroudeurs Festival in Saint-François-de-Sales (July 4-6) and the Vanoise Glacier Tour in Pralognan (July 4-5). Trail runners will have their choice with the High Trail Vanoise in Val-d’Isère, the Mad Trail in Valmorel (July 11-12) or the Ultra Tour du Beaufortain in Queige (July 18-19).
Music lovers will converge in Aix-les-Bains for the famous Musilac (9-12 July), while the Festival Musique et Nature at Châtelard will run until August 22. On July 22, Chambéry will vibrate with the Tour de France. The end of the month will be rounded off beautifully with the Mountain Shaker in Tignes (18-26 July) and the mythical 6000D in La Plagne (30 July – 1st August).
August
The summer is in full swing in August with a particularly varied program. Mountain enthusiasts will gather in Pralognan-la-Vanoise for the Festival of the Alps and Guides, while Méribel will host an Astronomy Festival (August 5-6) and its own Trail (August 7-9). In Courchevel, a Ski Jumping World Cup featuring aerial demonstrations is expected on August 8 and 9.
Mountain gastronomy will be in the spotlight with the Beaufort Festival in Saisies on August 15 and the Montagne Agriculture Fair in Bourg-Saint-Maurice (August 23-24). To end the summer on a soft note, the Dragon Boat Festival in Aix-les-Bains (August 24-30) will offer a nautical and festive atmosphere on the shores of the lake.