Atout France SMARTguide

THEME HOLIDAYS / SUMMER IN THE MOUNTAINS
Summer
in the
Mountains
Far-reaching landscapes, clean air,
natural heritage, local gastronomy...
France’s Mountain regions offer a
huge number of opportunities for
summer activities when it comes to
resting and relaxing.
The diversity of the countryside and
leisure activities on offer add to the
appeal, encouraging international
tourists to stay longer.
USPs
• Clear differentiation between
different mountain regions,
attracting a great diversity of
clients;
• Highly developed infrastructure
and excellent accommodation
capacity;
• A rich cultural and festive offering,
in perpetual development.
WATER, SKY OR LAND - SUMMER
FOR EVERYONE IN THE PYRENEES
Rafting, trout fishing, paragliding, via
ferrata, mountain biking and little tourist
trains - the Pyrenees has something for
everyone in the summer.
One can go rafting, canyoning, or try
“hydrospeed” in one of the numerous wild
rivers: Neste d’Aure, the Gave de Pau, the
Défilé de la Pierre-Lys in the Aude area,
or the Nive in the Basque country. For
lovers of land-based activities, there are
sporty adventures with a mountain bike
on mountain trails, petrifying descents
on reconverted ski slopes or climbing
trails to some of France’s most beautiful
locations. Via ferrata proposes thrilling
sensations, with vertiginous overhangs.
And one mustn’t forget the little trains,
“Au Bonheur des Mômes”
such as La Rhune which celebrated its
90 th anniversary in 2014, the Artouste in
the Ossau valley, or the incomparable
Train Jaune - the famous “Canary”: 63
kilometres and a 1,200-metre ascent,
passing through the Bolquère station at
an altitude of 1,592 metres.
KEY FIGURESS
Each year, France’s
mountain regions attract
€5bn in tourist
investments.
These regions welcome
more than
30 million hotel
nights annually,
including more than 8 million nights
for foreign visitors.
To this, one can add
9.7 million nights
in open-air
accommodation
and 3.7 million international clients
in mountain B&Bs.
FUN FOR KIDS AT GRAND-BORNAND
In the heart of the Massif of Aravis, Haute-
Savoie, located in le Grand-Bornand, we
find an authentic mountain village of 400
century-old chalets located on the great
Alpine road. In summer, this station hosts
the traditional “Au Bonheur des Mômes”
(happiness of the kids) festival, the first
such cultural event in Europe dedicated to
young audiences.
From one edition to another, the festival
continues its exploration of the fabulous
creative possibilities on offer for young
audiences and opens its horizons to other
artistic disciplines. If this festival is like no
other, it’s because it ignores prejudices,
celebrating cultural diversity in all its
forms while keeping a festive spirit.
In addition, workshops, exhibitions,
entertainment, games and children’s
books are all part of the fun... 6 days of
amusement for all the family!
france.fr
France: Destinations to (re)discover 17