Hiking is no longer the priority: what holidaymakers really want in the mountains this summer

activités montagne été

Long considered the essential activity of mountain vacations, hiking is now seeing its dominance wane. While the trails remain heavily frequented, visitors are now seeking a much more varied experience. Mountain biking, summer sledding, giant zip lines, white-water sports, or family activities: mountain resorts are adapting their offerings to meet these new expectations. The mountain … Learn more

Le Grand-Bornand hosts the 5th Mountain Sketching Meetings

From July 25 to 30, 2026, Grand-Bornand becomes the must-attend event for drawing enthusiasts with the fifth edition of the Mountain Sketch Meetings. For six days, established artists, urban sketchers, beginners, and families are invited to take out their sketchbooks to capture the Alpine landscapes in a friendly atmosphere. Six days to draw the mountain … Learn more

Chamonix Climbing World Cup 2026: three days of spectacle at the foot of Mont Blanc with the world’s best climbers

Every summer, the Chamonix valley becomes one of the nerve centers of world climbing. From July 10 to 12, 2026, the Climbing World Cup makes its grand return to the Mont-Blanc square for three days of spectacular competition bringing together the best international specialists in speed and difficulties. Between nighttime finals, free activities, and an … Learn more

Can we still do without air conditioning at high altitude? What residents of the resorts are experiencing this summer

Long considered natural refuges from intense heat, mountain resorts are now seeing thermometers climb to unusual levels. At 1,000, 1,500, or even 2,000 meters altitude, days regularly exceed 30 °C and nights sometimes remain surprisingly mild. Facing this change, one question arises: can the inhabitants of these resorts still live without air conditioning? The mountain … Learn more

Too many people, incivilities, pollution: the prefecture tightens the screw on this common practice in the mountains

For a long time, it symbolized absolute freedom in the mountains. A tent set up facing the peaks, a night under the stars and the feeling of experiencing the mountains differently. But this very popular practice is now under scrutiny by the authorities in Haute-Savoie. Faced with a sharp increase in visitors, growing amounts of … Learn more

What to do in Haute-Savoie on the weekend of July 4 and 5, 2026

Mb Race

For this weekend of July 4 and 5, 2026, Haute-Savoie offers a rich program of festivities, sporting events, and cultural activities. Here is a small selection of events and activities not to be missed : All weekend Festival Musiques en Stock – Scionzier Musiques en Stock returns in force to Scionzier from July 2 to 4, 2026 for a new edition always 100% free, … Learn more

Why some natural areas around Lake Annecy are beginning to worry managers

They are among the most popular spots around Lake Annecy. Shaded forests, easy trails, wetlands, coolness in summer: these natural areas attract increasing numbers of visitors each year. But behind this tourist success, the territory managers observe a trend that increasingly worries them. Over the seasons, some natural sites have seen attendance become hard to … Learn more

This discreet village in Haute-Savoie on the shores of Lake Geneva will come alive all summer long!

Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva, this small village in Haute-Savoie is preparing for a particularly busy summer season. Concerts, open-air cinema, exhibitions, and popular festivals will follow one another for more than two months, offering both residents and visitors many opportunities to enjoy the beautiful summer evenings. A cultural summer in the heart … Learn more

Why hikes in Haute-Savoie now attract an unprecedented population and the risks this poses

On the trails of Haute-Savoie, regulars notice every summer: the profile of hikers has profoundly changed. Where one used to mainly encounter mountain enthusiasts, today we meet families discovering the peaks for the first time, visitors drawn by social networks, or holidaymakers seeking coolness during heatwave episodes. A spectacular democratization that is transforming the mountains… … Learn more

Can the real estate market in Haute-Savoie still attract first-time buyers after the 2026 surge?

Between record prices, highly sought-after seasonal rentals, and a continuous influx of new residents, Haute-Savoie is experiencing a renewed surge of real estate tension in 2026. For first-time buyers, becoming a homeowner sometimes seems like a battlefield. Yet, some continue to buy. The question now is under what conditions. Buying in Haute-Savoie: a dream that … Learn more

What to do in Haute-Savoie on the weekend of June 27 and 28, 2026

animations week-end

For this weekend of June 27 and 28, 2026, Haute-Savoie offers a rich program of festivities, sporting events, and cultural activities. Here is a small selection of events and activities not to be missed : All Weekend Samoëns American Festival 2026 From June 25 to 28, 2026, the town of Samoëns transforms to host the emblematic Samoëns American Festival, an … Learn more

Ultra-Trail® du Haut-Giffre 2026: three days of trail running in the heart of the Samoëns mountains

From June 19 to 21, 2026, Samoëns will host the 13th edition of the Ultra-Trail® du Haut-Giffre (UTHG), one of the major summer trail events in Haute-Savoie. Each year, nearly 2,000 runners come to take on the challenge on the spectacular trails of Haut-Giffre, between Samoëns, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, the alpine pastures, and the iconic peaks of … Learn more

The Pass’Portes du Soleil return at the end of June for a massive mountain biking weekend between France and Switzerland

Les Pass Portes du Soleil

Thousands of mountain bikers, magnificent landscapes, legendary descents, and a friendly atmosphere in the heart of the Alps… The Pass’Portes du Soleil will make their grand return from June 26 to 28, 2026 in the Portes du Soleil. An unmissable event for mountain biking and mountain enthusiasts. The largest mountain biking event in the Alps … Learn more

The major events not to be missed in Haute-Savoie this summer

La Belle Dimanche Chatel

Summer in Haute-Savoie is an explosion of life. Between festivals, sporting events, markets, concerts, and outdoor activities, each week offers its share of highlights. From June to September, the region becomes a vast playground between lake and mountain. Here are the must-see events of summer 2026, listed month by month to help you plan your … Learn more

2 hours from Lyon, this impressive waterfall in Haute-Savoie is the ideal cool spot for this heatwave

La cascade d'Ardent

When temperatures soar in the city, some places become true natural refuges. In Haute-Savoie, the cascade d’Ardent is precisely one of these spectacular spots where people come to seek a bit of coolness in the heart of the mountains. Located near Morzine, this impressive waterfall attracts nature lovers, hikers, and alpine landscape enthusiasts every summer. … Learn more

Why this village in Haute-Savoie is becoming the unexpected destination for Pentecost 2026

village de Samoens

While many already imagine crowded beaches or major tourist resorts for the Pentecost weekend, a village in Haute-Savoie quietly attracts more and more visitors seeking fresh air, alpine landscapes, and a friendly atmosphere. Between still snow-covered mountains, lively terraces, powerful waterfalls, and a music festival in the heart of nature, this destination could well create … Learn more

Le Retour des Alpages 2026 in Annecy: the great Savoyard festival returns on Saturday, October 10

Every autumn, Annecy completely changes its atmosphere for a day. The bells of the herds ring through the cobblestone streets, the animals cross the old town under the amazed eyes of visitors, and the Savoyard traditions take back possession of the historic center. On Saturday, October 10, 2026, the highly anticipated Return of the Alpages … Learn more