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France Adventure Vacations & Hiking Tours

Tour du Mont Blanc Trip

Europe

Tour Du Mont Blanc

4.7

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

      Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.

    Read more about the Active Range

Experience Mont Blanc in an unparalleled way – by hiking, biking, and kayaking your way around the massif. You’ll delve deep into the history, culture, and cuisine of France, Italy, and Switzerland with plenty of time to soak in the views.

Trip Start: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Trip End: Geneva
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Experience the Majesty of the French Alps on our France Adventure Vacations and Hiking Tours.

It's nearly impossible to describe the overwhelming beauty and warm culture surrounding the Mont Blanc massif. Thus, the only way to truly grasp the endless allure of quaint villages tucked under towering mountains is to head out on a France adventure vacation and hiking tour. Throughout your hiking tour around Mont Blanc, you'll wander through dense fir forests, under massive granite spires, along cobblestone streets, over iconic mountain passes, and into sweeping wildflower meadows. Along the way, stay in mountain lodges tucked elegantly in valleys and end each day with a platter of cheese and French pastries. Fine food, local wine, charming mountain lodges and a mix of cultures are sure to delight as you enjoy your ultimate France hiking tour.

Our Mont Blanc Circuit from a Guide's Perspective

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Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here

*Terms and conditions apply - read more here

Meet Your France Local Guides

France and Mont Blanc FAQs

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.

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.

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.

Can you help me find international flights to France?

Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. 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!

Do I need a visa to visit France?

It is your responsibility to stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Depending on your country of origin and the type of passport you hold, you may require a visa or other endorsement to enter France.

You can find essential travel advice, including passport and visa information, security details and local regulations, on the government website of your home country.

Here are some helpful links:

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

Do I need vaccinations to visit 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.

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 wi-fi, 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, we have found people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! 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 France's vast array of cuisine won't disappoint you!

Guides

Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us 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 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 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 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 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 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)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (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 in your Account.

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 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 Wi-fi?

Wi-fi is available at most of the accommodations you'll be staying at, log-in instructions will be provided. If you have data roaming switched on, you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone about 70% of the time during your trip, but beware of the fees! 

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).

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France & Mont Blanc Blogs & Stories

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