In France, the Alps are the cradle of mountaineering, with numerous peaks and massifs to suit all abilities. Mont-Blanc and Chamonix alone represent the history of mountaineering, while the Écrins offer a wild side. The more secretive Pyrenees offer a very authentic atmosphere: Vignemale, Balaïtous and Ossau offer challenging climbs, while Néouvielle and Gavarnie are more accessible. Finally, the Vercors offers limestone cliffs and iconic peaks such as Mont Aiguille and Grand Veymont. However, before taking the plunge, it's essential to assess your skills, learn glacier trekking techniques and, in many cases, enlist the help of a guide.
The Alps, cradle of mountaineering
Where in France can you go mountaineering? With a host of steep faces and tapering ridges on sparkling glaciers, the Alps are definitely the cradle of mountaineering in France, and still remain one of the finest playgrounds for high-mountain enthusiasts. With a wide range of massifs and summits, there's something for everyone, from hikers looking for their first '4000' (over 4,000 metres in altitude) to experienced climbers in search of mythical faces.
The Mont-Blanc massif is home to a large part of the history and practice of the Alps. Around Chamonix, one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Alps, iconic peaks such as the Aiguille du Midi, Mont Blanc du Tacul and the Grandes Jorasses offer a variety of routes, from glacier initiation to highly technical climbs. Reaching the roof of Europe on Mont Blanc, at an altitude of 4,810 metres, remains a dream shared by many mountaineers, even if the experience requires preparation and endurance. And criticism has been levelled at the growing number of apprentice climbers who flock to the summit every year.
Further south, the Écrins massif is one of the most beautiful walks in the Alps, with its wild character and unspoilt landscapes. The Barre des Écrins, the only "4000" in the area, is not to be missed. At 4,102 metres, it's the highest peak in the area, ahead of La Meije, a mountain of incomparable beauty with its bluish glacier, and Mont Pelvoux, a veritable massif in its own right. In this enclave of heights, the flora and fauna offer a prodigious diversity and spectacle, and it goes without saying that you should respect them. Especially as there are fewer people here than in Chamonix, and you get a better taste of the solitude of the great mountains.
Where to go mountaineering in France? While the French Alps are an exceptional playground, the Italian Grand Paradis attracts many beginners. At 4,061 metres, it is often the first summit for those new to mountaineering. The ascent, although relatively accessible, takes place in an imposing setting of glaciers and panoramic ridges. On the Swiss side, the canton of Valais is home to some legendary Alpine peaks that are the stuff of dreams for climbers the world over: the Matterhorn, with its silhouette in the shape of a perfect pyramid; the Weisshorn, between the valleys of Zermatt and Zinal; and the Mont Rose massif and its Dufourspitze, the second highest peak in the Alps after Mont Blanc. But be warned, these summits are very demanding and require a confirmed technique. They are therefore reserved for the elite mountaineers!
The Pyrenees, a world reference where to go mountaineering in France
Although when it comes to mountaineering, the Alps immediately spring to mind, the Pyrenees, one of the most beautiful destinations for hiking, also offer an exceptional playground. Both more confidential and wilder, the range is a delight for amateur and professional mountaineers alike. There are no 4,000-metre peaks here, but the atmosphere is authentic, the rock faces spectacular and the routes varied.
Le Vignemale, at 3,298 metres, proudly dominates the French part of the Pyrenees. Its Ossoue glacier remains an emblematic passage for those who want a taste of the high mountains. The ascent, demanding but accessible, combines progress on ice with exceptional panoramic views of the neighbouring cirques.
Where can you go mountaineering in France? Another not-to-be-missed peak: Balaïtous. At 3,144 metres, it is considered one of the most technical peaks in the Pyrenees. Its tapering ridges and rocky corridors attract climbers looking for challenging routes. Be careful, though, as experience and skill are essential on this demanding mountain.
Further west, the mythical Pic du Midi d'Ossau looms like a solitary giant. With its instantly recognisable silhouette, it is one of the most beautiful places to see in the Pyrenees. Its normal route requires several climbing sections, making it a fun climb for climbing enthusiasts!
As for the Néouvielle massif, its sculpted granite and sparkling lakes are a delight to behold. The Pic Long (3,192 m) and Néouvielle (3,091 m) offer more confidential but nonetheless superb options, ideal for progressing in a mineral environment. Finally, around the Gavarnie cirque and the famous Brèche de Roland, one of the most beautiful hikes in the Pyrenees, mountaineering is more accessible to beginners.
Where can you go mountaineering in France? The Vercors, a unique adventure playground
Situated between the Dauphiné and Drôme regions, the Vercors massif is also an adventure playground, albeit one less popular and prestigious than the Alps or the Pyrenees. Here, there are no glaciers or snow-capped peaks like in the Alps, just immense limestone cliffs, jagged ridges and dizzying walls. Mountaineering in the Vercors takes a very particular form: it is above all a rock sport, at the crossroads of rock climbing and alpine hiking.
Among the must-see sites, Mont Aiguille is emblematic with its "tooth" shape. Considered one of the cradles of mountaineering, it was climbed in 1492 on the orders of King Charles VIII. Even today, its varied routes (there are around thirty of them) attract climbers and the curious who come to enjoy a legendary ascent to 2,087 metres. Further south,the Grand Veymont, the massif's highest point (2,341 metres), is a gentler climb and one of the must-see spots in the Vercors. The hike offers splendid views of Mont Aiguille, the Vercors High Plateaux, the Trièves, the Chartreuse, Grenoble and as far as the peaks of the Écrins. Between May and September, the trails are adorned with Edelweiss, and it's not unusual to spot marmots, chamois, ibex and vultures. Finally, the Trois Pucelles, the rocky peaks overlooking Grenoble, offer more technical itineraries with impressive vertical drops.
Also read: Top 11 of the most beautiful hikes to do in the Vercors.
