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Adventure Vacations in France

Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Tour

Adventures abound in France. From culinary to cultural to physically challenging, you'll experience it all on an adventure vacation in France!

An unbeatable place for exploration, the French Alps have called upon explorers for years with its stunning white giant centerpiece: Mont Blanc. From the charming resort of Chamonix, you can behold Europe’s highest peak from most anywhere in town, but you can also discover the town’s cosmopolitan allure, sample its legendary alpine cheese, and, if you’re not up for a hike, take a gondola up to Brevent – one of the highest peaks in the Aiguilles Rouges range – where you can see Chamonix and Mont Blanc.

You can also head off on a wine adventure in the Alps, tasting the unique wines of the Savoie region. While these wines are a bit off the radar, the vermouth produced in this region is well known!

Fine food, local wine (and vermouth!), charming villages, tucked-away mountain lodges, and plenty of heart-pumping activities make our adventure vacations in France quite well-rounded! 

France Adventure Vacations

Europe

Tour du Mont Blanc

4.66

  • Duration 12 days
  • Activity Level Level 4 
    • Activity Level 4

      Challenge Accepted

      I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.

    Read more about the Active Range

Experience unmatched beauty as you hike, bike and kayak on our Tour du Mont Blanc. While most trips circumnavigate the Mont Blanc massif by foot, we've taken it a step further to also explore the history, culture and cuisine of France, Italy and Switzerland.

Trip Start: Geneva Trip End: Geneva

What our guests say about their Adventure Vacations in France

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Tour du Mont Blanc - October 2021

Mont Blanc September 2021

"The trip was extremely good, very much enjoyed it. The guides Claire and Celine… read more

"The trip was extremely good, very much enjoyed it. The guides Claire and Celine were excellent, very knowledgeable and always willing to assist read less

4 Stars (185 reviews)

Bill, Canada

Tour du Mont Blanc - October 2021

Doing the Mt Blanc circuit was a unique experience!

"The tour was challenging but very achievable if you followed the fitness guidelines provided by… read more

"The tour was challenging but very achievable if you followed the fitness guidelines provided by Active. Our two guides...Claire and Celine were absolutely exceptional! They were experienced wilderness guides--capable, knowledgeable and passionate about the mountainous region we were exploring and in our fulfillment of all aspects of the trip. They did not disappoint! When the weather was less than favorable, their support and encouragement was genuine-they truly cared about us! And the scenery was impressive as any iconic mountain range can be! Having done New Zealand and Patagonia, this tour rates in that classification-not to be missed! read less

4 Stars (185 reviews)

Gretchen, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - October 2021

Great Alps Trip

"Really enjoyed the trip. Enjoyed the hiking and the food especially. The only… read more

"Really enjoyed the trip. Enjoyed the hiking and the food especially. The only issue really was the bad weather days which is beyond anyone's control. Was also grateful for the extra help in getting the COVID test done on the final day. read less

4 Stars (185 reviews)

Jason, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2021

Incredible trip, even more incredible guides

"The Tour du Mont Blanc circuit itinerary was absolutely amazing but our guides made it… read more

"The Tour du Mont Blanc circuit itinerary was absolutely amazing but our guides made it that much more special. Their kindness and encouragement propelled us through each day of hiking. Even though they had done these hikes dozens, you feel as though they are just as excited to do it their 50th time as they were their first time. read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Aliza, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2021

Fabulous Trip

"From start to finish the trip was excellent. The guides, Claire and Celine, were exceptional.… read more

"From start to finish the trip was excellent. The guides, Claire and Celine, were exceptional. They made the trip what it was. The accommodations were comfortable and clean. The food was very good at the hotels and local restaurants. My only suggestion would be prepared lunches as opposed to picnic style. Too much opportunity for cross-contamination with people using their utensils or hands to take food. read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Jeffrey, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2021

Awesome Tour of Mt. Blanc

"The tour of Mt. Blanc was truly spectacular! The tour consists of a great mix… read more

"The tour of Mt. Blanc was truly spectacular! The tour consists of a great mix of hiking trails on some of the most challenging terrain in the Alps with stunning views of Mt. Blanc, combined with kayaking and mountain biking. Active Adventures did a stellar job organizing the trip and ensuring it was an experience of a lifetime. The trip gets a high rating on every score—challenging and exciting daily hikes with awesome views, mixed with culinary delights, and cultural tidbits. The accommodation was quaint, the restaurants were carefully selected to provide a unique blend of local cuisine and Michelin quality meals. The collaboration between Active Adventures and Chamonix Guides worked seamlessly. Every detail of the tour was thoughtfully planned while allowing some flexibility to changing weather and client preferences. We were fortunate to have an amazing local guide and a terrific assistant who made the tour highly enjoyable. The tour met and exceeded all my expectations. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great adventure! read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Miriam, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - August 2020

Unexpectedly Awesome

"Not just a hiking trip, this tour de mont blanc... but a collection and sampling… read more

"Not just a hiking trip, this tour de mont blanc... but a collection and sampling of culture, cuisine, wine tasting and convivial fun with new found friends... Trying to arrange another trip with these wonderful folks who manage to put get it done right... hats off read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Joe, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - October 2019

Mont Blanc

"It truly was a trip of a lifetime. Our guide Holly from Active Adventures made… read more

"It truly was a trip of a lifetime. Our guide Holly from Active Adventures made it perfect!! read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Anne, Canada

Tour du Mont Blanc - October 2019

Tour du Mont Blanc September 2019

"Every day was a "postcard" there are no words to express the spectacular views we… read more

"Every day was a "postcard" there are no words to express the spectacular views we experienced each day! read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Wanda, Canada

Tour du Mont Blanc - October 2019

Multi Sport Fun

"Active Adventures provided a wonderful blend of culture, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking along with… read more

"Active Adventures provided a wonderful blend of culture, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking along with incredible scenery. Our blend of guides which included Holly, our Kiwi connection, Jean Marc, our French guide, and Boi, our Catalonian driver and food gatherer extraordinaire were fun, extremely knowledgeable, and very committed to the enjoyment of our trip. Taking a day to kayak in the middle of the trip and then a day for light mountain biking at the conclusion gave different perspectives of the area and a much needed rest to tired muscles. Jean Marc had a wealth of stories and details about the region and cultures that added depth to the beauty of each hike. He quite frequently took the 'road less traveled' to ensure that we were as alone on the trail as we could be. Our food in each location was of each region and excellent. One of my absolute favorite aspects of the trip was our daily lunches. Boi would procur items from each area; breads, cheeses, meats, spreads, etc and we would each take an item in our own pack. Holly and Jean Marc would then take other items like homemade salads, special condiments, or spreads. We'd hike to a spot and eat a wonderful picnic of essentially tapas at a Refugio or on a mountainside. My biggest regret is that they didn't keep a list of the things we ate so I could possibly find them at home. It was delicious and beautiful dining with glorious views of the mountains. Holly was certainly our caretaker. You'd never know it as she was delightful, fun, knowledgeable, and never seemed to tire. She packs a good snowball too. With all of that, she took good care of making things work, of being sure the guests were comfortable, and that life went smoothly. I'd travel with her anytime. One last thing, I like the guest limit that we had. There were eight of us and it was a good sized group. It was fun to meet new people but it wasn't so large that you either felt like a herd on the trail or that being at the front of the pack was imperative. Well done! read less

4 Stars (185 reviews)

Ronette, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2019

Tour du Mont Blanc

"Wonderful, entertaining and helpful guides. Magnificent vistas. Great hiking companions! read more

"Wonderful, entertaining and helpful guides. Magnificent vistas. Great hiking companions! read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Ian, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2019

Tour du Mont Blanc

"We met our guides at the hotel in Geneva, and the jokes and laughter started… read more

"We met our guides at the hotel in Geneva, and the jokes and laughter started from there. First night was Chamonix at the charming Hotel Isabella. Each day brought magnificent alpine hiking and scenery, and we even watched the start of a heart stopping ultra marathon race in Courmayeur, whose runners passed us by all the following day. We hiked up and down steep mountain trails, passed waterfalls, mountain cows with their leather collars and bells and ate the most wonderful local cheeses, ham, bread and chocolates ...all guilt free. Each evening brought another delectable feast in another adorable chalet. Our guides were great, and gave us a lot of information about the local terrain and towns, history, geography and folklore. we were ensconced in the mountain world for the most memorable twelve days. Thanks for our Grand Adventure to the Active Adventure crew. read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Susanne, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2019

Tour du Mont Blanc

"My wife and I recently completed this trip.The scenery was truly amazing. We have… read more

"My wife and I recently completed this trip.The scenery was truly amazing. We have hiked previously with AA in New Zealand on the Rimu trip which was likewise wonderful, but I found this to be an even better experience. Our guides Bernadette from France and Jo from Wales/New Zealand were unfailingly cheerful and fun to be around.Clem our driver and lunch preparer was very sweet and quite the driver on some very narrow winding roads. The food was very good and the hotels were very clean and comfortable while all being different in their own way. The hiking days were long but the pace was very comfortable. I've hiked all over the US including multiple trips to Alaska and Hawaii,Canada, Patagonia,Mexico, and much of Central and South America. Tour du Mont Blanc to me is at or close to the top in scenery perhaps with the exception of Wrangell St Elias National Park in Alaska. However, there are no amenities to be had there which made this trip so enjoyable. Our group was likewise a really nice and interesting group.There were a lot of interesting conversations. I recommend this trip and in particular Bernadette,Jo,and Clem.
read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Ron, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2019

Tour Mont Blanc

"Excellent!! read more

"Excellent!! read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Jill, United States

Tour du Mont Blanc - September 2019

Hiking for Cheese

"My wife and I had a marvelous time on our hiking circuit around Mont Blanc… read more

"My wife and I had a marvelous time on our hiking circuit around Mont Blanc with Active Adventures. As a fairly but not overly fit couple in our 60s, our first worry was that we'd be overwhelmed by the physical challenges of hiking 8 miles or so on an almost daily basis. Let us not sugarcoat this: the hikes WERE a challenge. But the great pleasure and satisfaction of this trip was that we could and did meet those challenges. The other members of our seven-member group were on exactly the same level of fitness that we were, and our two guides, Jo and Bernadette, were just terrific: fun, encouraging, and extremely knowledgeable about all the mountains we hiked up. At the end of each hike - 4 or so pm - we were exhausted but psyched for a hot shower and cold beer in our next country inn. And by the next morning we were ready take the mountains on again. An important point to add here is that our trip was well scheduled, with a few critical breaks. In surveying other travel groups that hike around Mont Blanc, we had noticed that some called for really rigorous hikes every day..for ten or twelve days. Frankly, that would have been too much for us - and more stressful than satisfying. On Active Adventures, we started with a half day hike, followed by a day of kayaking...By the third day we were ready for our first full-day hike, and the others that followed. After that we were ready for another interlude, of mountain biking. We don't want to send in this review without emphasizing how great our guides were. Jo and Bernadette did more than get us from one trail and country inn to the next. They really knitted us together as a team. They were the best! read less

5 Stars (185 reviews)

Michael, United States

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Secure Your Spot Now, Pay the Rest Later

As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.  

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Meet Your France Adventure Vacation Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit France?

The best month to visit France is any summer month! Therefore the best time to do the Tour du Mont Blanc is also in the summer months: June, July, and August. The days are the longest and warmest, with the least rainfall, and the trails are buzzing with life. Most hikers are looking to complete the famous circuit, rather than attempting any serious mountaineering, and summer is definitely the best time for it.

Is France safe to visit?

While the Alps of France is a pretty safe place, we recommend taking the same precautions you would anywhere else - just to be on the safe side! Pickpockets occasionally operate in areas where visitors are found so we suggest you leave any valuables you don’t need with you in the hotel safe (e.g. passports, credit cards). A copy of your passport and any valuables you do need with you should be kept in a passport wallet under your clothes and a small amount of money in your pocket/purse. It’s also a good idea to take a taxi after dark rather than walking.

Do I need a visa to visit France?

It is your responsibility stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Please use the CIBT entry tracker on our website as a guideline or visit the relevant immigration webpage for more information regarding this.

What about vaccinations in France?

You don't need any vaccinations for France. Easy!

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Active Adventures traveller, It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.

Can you help me find international flights to France?

We recommend booking your flights through our preferred travel partner – Fuzion Travel. They’re our experienced hand-picked experts in travel, passionate about what they do, and will tailor-make your flight itinerary to match your Active Adventures tour. Get in touch with them directly by email – [email protected] fuziontravel.co.nz or on +1-833-244-5886. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!

What's included on your France trips?

Accommodation
On your France trip you'll stay in a variety of places depending on the destination and activities. For the most part you'll stay in nice, locally owned, beautiful family run hotels in great locations, with private bathrooms, free wifi, great breakfasts and warm local hospitality. Whilst in more remote areas we use rifugios and in the Alps these rifugios are more like hotels with private bathrooms and all the mod cons!

Transport
Your transport will be a mixture of private vehicle, bike, kayak and your very own two feet on our trips in France. All your transport is included from the start of your trip and we'll drop you at the airport at the end. The details are all listed in the trip specific itineraries.

Meals
All your meals are included as described in the itinerary except on your free days. We have found that people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! On every other day and especially after any long hikes, we've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. You can be assured that on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed, and Europe's vast array of cuisine won't disappoint you!

Trip leaders
Our trips are all led by an experienced Trip Leader alongside a local specialist guide. Our Trip Leaders are very proud to work with Active Adventures and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful, as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. They work closely with our local specialist guides to provide you with a seamless, fun, exciting and memorable trip. They will happily share with you as much or as little as you want to know about the history, culture, social aspects and lifestyle of the country you are visiting.

How many people are there on each of your France trips?

We generally take up to 14 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!

What kind of clothing should I be packing?

Once you've booked your trip, you'll have access to a gear list in your portal on exactly what to bring along. The gear list is carefully thought out to provide you with everything you need to be warm and happy, or cool and relaxed, whatever the weather! So it is best to bring everything we recommend along, if you don't bring everything you need, we can't guarantee your comfort.

Do I need hiking boots or are hiking sneakers okay?

You will need proper hiking boots - trail shoes are not good enough. We'll be taking you to some awesome places where you'll be hiking over a variety of terrain, therefore your boots should have full ankle support and a stiff sole with a high profile tread. It's also important that whichever footwear you decide to bring that it's well broken-in and waterproofed before you come down. If you have good ankles that will be able to cope pretty well with varied terrain, then good hiking shoes should be fine, but if not then hiking boots will give you better support.

What is the food like in France?

French cuisine is varied and delicious, usually incorporating lots of fresh produce, cheese, local meats, bread and pastries.

What if I need a special diet?

We are accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • fishatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)

You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in our pre-trip questionnaire. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online questionnaire.

What is the currency in France?

The currency in France is the Euro €.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get local currencies?

Our trips include all transportation, guiding, meals and activities (except where indicated on the itinerary). Most people like to bring a little extra to cover a round of drinks at the pub, take home some souvenirs, book a tour and eat out on their free day, and tip our guides if they've had a great time. 

Usually the easiest thing to do is use your credit or debit card to withdraw money directly from your home account, in local currency. There are plenty of ATM's and banks in larger towns in Europe, and ATM's will accept all major credit cards and many debit cards. Cash advances are the most convenient way to get cash.

What is the time zone in France?

For the majority of the summer season France is in the Central European (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

What type of plugs and voltage do you use in France?

France operate on a 220V AC system with Plug Type C which consists of two round parallel pins while the wall plug has two holes where it is connected.

Will I have access to internet/WiFi?

WiFi is available almost everywhere in cities and easy enough to find in most towns/villages so you can rely on having regularly access during your trip. If you have data roaming switched on, then you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone, but beware of the fees! WiFi is available at most of the accommodations that you'll be staying at, sometimes for a small cost so check this out at each location when you arrive.

What is the weather like in France?

France generally has cool winters and mild summers except along the Mediterranean where mild winters and hot summers are more common. With the average winter temperatures ranging between 32-46°F and the average summer temperatures ranging between 61-75°F, you'll find the hotter temperatures in the south. June, July, August, and September have the most favourable weather conditions for the Tour du Mont Blanc, it will be hot in the valleys and temperatures will be between 68°F and 86°F though these can drop to 50°F at night.

What is there to do in Geneva?

Geneva is right on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), so it's quite lovely to walk around and explore. A boat cruise of the lake and river, and a walking tour or explore of the Old Town as a starting point. Check out here for more info - www.geneva.info/tours The history of La Vieille Ville, Geneva's Old Town, can be traced back 2,000 years. It is where you will find many of Geneva's most interesting attractions and sites like the Barbier-Mueller Museum, the St. Pierre Cathedral (for CHF5 you can go to the top of the cathedral and the views are more than worth it), the International Museum of the Reformation, The Art and History Museum and the Tavel Mansion. It is one of the largest Old Town's in Europe. The Old Town is built on a hill side south of the Rhone River, and has picturesque narrow meandering cobble stone streets lined with historic grey-stone buildings which now hold boutiques, sidewalk cafes and restaurants.

The United Nations is a great place to check out too, and you can get there through the Botanical Gardens, either walking or biking, or catch local buses. There are also free bikes that you can hire and explore all over the city (you just need to take them back within 4 hours, easy!) you just turn up with CHF20 cash, no need to pre-arrange it, check it our here - Free bikes

What is there to do in Chamonix?

While on your trip we take you to the Mer de Glace (Mt Blanc Glacier) on the Montenvers train, Grotto do Glace (Ice cave) gondola, and take the gondola up to Brevant on the north-west side of Chamonix, and we take the Aiguille du Midi cable car up Mt Blanc too.

There are many other hikes, gondolas and things to do in and around Chamonix if you are planning arriving beforehand, or staying on there after your trip, so here's a few things you may be interested in! 

Summer hiking
Paragliding Flights cost €100 per person and the Gondola will be approximately €15 each.
Rafting on L'Arve River
Canyoning
Via Ferrata
Adventure ropes courses
Chamonix Amusement Park (roller coasters and luge tracks)
Horse riding

While in the middle of your Tour du Mont Blanc trip we have a free day in Courmayeur, and there are a few things you can do based from here too. Courmayeur is smaller than Chamonix, though it's only 12 miles through the Mt Blanc tunnel to get back to Chamonix - if you're wanting to head there for further free time this day as well! (You can book return bus tickets with Savda for ~€21 per person, the ticket office is next door to the Tourist Office in Courmayeur and your guides can point this out to you when you arrive)

If you're a keen cyclist you can catch a local bus to La Tuile and it's about a half hour away. La Tuile is a large ski area in the winter, and a Mountain Bike Park in the summer - with trails all over to choose from :) 

At the next town in Pre St Didier there are a couple of luxurious Spa Resorts you can visit, as well as the Adventure Park with high ropes in the forest, a giant swing/lunge and a walkway over the canyon.

A further option is to go up and visit Mt Blanc / Monte Bianco itself, from the Italian side - especially great if the weather is clear this day! The gondola goes up to Pointe Hellbronner, and from there you can also take the Skyway across to Aiguille du Midi on the France side too - if so definitely take your passport so you can get back again. 

Is there a number to call in an emergency? How can my family, friends or colleagues contact me

Please contact our New Zealand office using the details below. If the office is unattended (outside of New Zealand business hours), please leave a message so we can pick it up and respond as soon as we can.
Free phone 1 800 661 9073 (USA, Canada & Australia)
Free phone 0808 234 7780 (UK)
Free phone 0800 234 726 (New Zealand)
Worldwide +64 3 450 0414, ext 1
Email: service@activeadventures.com

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France Adventure Vacation Tips

Why Travel With Us

benefit group size

Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.

benefit guides

Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!

benefit safety

Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.

benefit family

Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

benefit wow

"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”