Nature and landscapes
8 outstanding mountain viewpoints
The mountains are magnificent in their white coats! Our selection of remarkable viewpoints in France’s mountain ranges, from mythical to little-known panoramas. They’re accessible to all, and there’s no limit to the number of views you can enjoy!
Marvel and be amazed
The greatest panoramas
#1 – At the Grand Tourmalet
From the summit of the Pic du Midi, at an altitude of almost 3,000 metres, the panorama is breathtaking, with snow-capped peaks blooming on the horizon! From the observatory’s terrace, 300km of mountains stretch from Catalonia to the Basque Country. You can also see the foothills of the Massif Central.
Board the Pic du Midi cable car at La Mongie Grand Tourmalet for this viewpoint. You can also discover it at night. A magical atmosphere!
#2 – Chamonix Valley
The site of the top station of the Aiguille de Midi cable car, with its terraces at an altitude of around 3,800 metres, is the most popular viewpoint in France. Snow-capped peaks as far as the eye can see, including the 4,000-metre peaks of France, Switzerland and Italy: the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, the Grandes Jorasses, the Aiguille Verte and Mont Blanc.
To the north, there’s a spectacular view of the Chamonix valley below, and on the horizon, other mountain ranges, including the Aravis, Chablais, Jura and Chartreuse. A real geography lesson!
#3 – In Thollon-les-Mémises
This small family resort in the Haute-Savoie region of the Pays d’Evian boasts breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, Europe’s largest lake, the Swiss and French Alps and even the Jura mountains in the distance.
It’s a breathtaking scenery that you can discover on board the brand-new gondola lift that takes skiers and walkers to the top of the ski area, where the white and blue landscape is even more panoramic!
#4 – In Autrans
One of the most sumptuous panoramas, little known to the general public – but not to the people of Grenoble – is from the La Molière mountain pasture, 30 minutes from the arrival of the La Quoi chairlift on cross-country skis or 50 minutes on snowshoes.
This family resort in the Vercors, renowned for its Nordic landscapes, offers exceptional views of Grenoble, the Grésivaudan valley and the surrounding massifs of Chartreuse, Oisans and Belledonne. On a clear day, you can even make out Mont Blanc in the background.
#5 – In Super-Besse
Take the Perdix cable car to Super-Besse, which runs under the Puy de la Perdrix at 1850 metres.
There’s a 360° view of Puy du Sancy, the highest peak in the Massif Central (1886 m), the Chaudefour valley nature reserve, Mont-Dore, Puy de Dôme and Plomb du Cantal, the second highest peak in the massif. On a clear day, you can even see the roof of Europe.
#6 – At Isola 2000
In the Alpes Maritimes, the Big Blue almost touches the summits. On a clear day at Isola 2000, skiers can see the Mediterranean from the viewpoint indicator on the cime de Sistron at 2610 metres!
On the summit side, there is an abundance of peaks as far as the eye can see, including Viso, Malinvern and Argentera, the highest peak in the massif of the same name at almost 3,300 metres.
#7 – In Métabief
The 360° view from the summit of Le Morond (1420 m) is impressive. You can admire almost 360 mountain peaks! The Alps, and in particular the impressive Mont-Blanc range, with the majestic roof of Europe itself standing just a head above its neighbours!
Closer to home, the peaks of the Jura, including Mont d’Or, Chasseron, Suchet and Dent de Vaulion. A panorama accessible on foot, snowshoes or downhill skis via the Morond chairlift.
#8 – At La Bresse-Hohneck
Situated in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, La Bresse-Hohneck offers a wide variety of landscapes.
The best way to take in the scenery is to climb to the top of the Hohneck, the highest peak in the Vosges department at 1,366 m. From here, you can look out over the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and, on a clear day, the Alps. Two orientation tables make it easy to read the landscape.