The French Alps are the mountainous regions to the east of the new administrative region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Many of
the mountains reach well above 3 km with the Mont Blanc (4810 m) and the Barre des Ecrin (4102 m) towering even higher.
During the last ice age the Alps were covered with massive glaciers, but soon after this cold period people showed up and settled
in the fertile valleys.
In winter snow
enthousiasts flock to the many ski resorts while in summer the Alps are frequented by hikers, bikers and climbers.
Whether winter or summer, the stunning landscapes keep impressing every visitor.
One of the tourist magnets is the massive snow
and glacier covered Mont Blanc massif on the French, Swiss and Italian border
A convenient way to quickly get to altitude is
a ride on the cable car from Chamonix to the Aiguile du Midi.
The Parc des Ecrins is a paradise for people that indulge
in mountain hiking or climbing. The hikes here range from simple family walks to streneous multiple day trails and the many summits
provide ample challenge to even the most experienced climber.
The Lac de Serre-Ponçon is one of Europe's largest
artificial lakes and in summer its cold blue waters draw scores of sailers, baders and swimmers.