This summer, try out some unusual accommodation in the mountains!

High-lying comfort

Tree houses

Have you ever tried to build a tree house in a tree or at the bottom of the garden? This type of accommodation is sure to please the whole family. But a tree house doesn’t have to be rudimentary!

In the French mountains, you’ll find tree houses that are real havens of peace, with all the comforts you need. A spacious bedroom, a really good bed, and above all, the pleasure of waking up to the peace and quiet of nature.

There are different types of tree house. From the 2-person tree house to the family tree house, you can even find 2 side-by-side, separated by a small footbridge. So parents and children each have their own space!

The little extra? Many accommodation providers who offer this experience include breakfast, which is delivered to the foot of the hut in the early hours of the morning, to be hauled up by rope! Enjoy it on the terrace, to the sound of birdsong…

This is the case, for example, at La Cabane Spa Cimes, near the Mont-Dore resort in the Massif Central.

This cabin, perched 14 metres above the ground, offers complete comfort (bathroom included!), and you can have breakfast and dinner delivered to your door. It’s a family cabin for up to 4 people, where you can even enjoy a spa on the terrace, while admiring the scenery from above. An unusual experience guaranteed!

Lodging under the stars

Yurts, tipis and transparent bubbles

For others, summer holidays in the mountains are synonymous with adventure, so they’re ready for a little less comfort and a lot more experience! Bivouacs and similar types of accommodation are still very much in vogue in the mountains. In fact, they allow you to immerse yourself in the wide open spaces of the mountains, so restful for the spirit.

If you’re tempted by this type of overnight stay, you’re bound to find something to suit you! In a yurt, a tipi or even a bubble, here are just a few examples of what you’ll find in the French mountain resorts.

The Mongolian yurt

In Dévoluy in the Southern Alps, this unusual accommodation combines the traditions of the yurt with the comfort of modern facilities.

Sleeping up to 3 people, it offers a 100% natural experience, as it is located in an area with little traffic and far from the villages. You’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the starry sky once night falls.

The tipi, Amerindian style

Sleeping in a tipi is great, but in the heart of a tipi village, it’s even better! Located close to the resort of Peyragudes, these tipis are ideal for a stay with friends or family.

The perfect opportunity to get together for an evening under the stars around a campfire or a good picnic, before everyone returns to sleep in their own tipi, heated if necessary by an authentic wood-burning stove.

The transparent bubble, as close as possible to the stars

Hidden away in the heart of the Jura Mountains, the Domaine des Géorennes campsite offers you a night in a transparent bubble in the middle of nature.

This unusual accommodation is not without its comforts, with a private shower, outdoor lounge and large terrace. The perfect combo for a summer night under the stars.

The great thrill

Hanging tents

This time, we present you with a night in the mountains that’s 100% unusual, but above all 100% adrenalin!

For mountaineering and climbing enthusiasts, it’s possible to sleep right on the cliff, thanks to the installation of a sort of tent, attached to the wall and suspended above the void… It’s called a portaledge!

This experience often combines a climbing outing, followed by a drink on the cliff, and then a night under the stars, high above terra firma.

Always accompanied by a climbing professional for this type of night, you’ll have an unforgettable experience, especially at sunset and sunrise, which are always majestic in the mountains. The expression “front row seats” has never been so aptly named!

In Haute-Savoie, you can enjoy this unique experience in the resort of Avoriaz, with a breathtaking view of the peaks from the moment you wake up. This night in a portaledge will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience, as long as you’re not afraid of heights…

If you want to try out the experience of a suspended tent without necessarily having to climb or mountaineer, there are also tents suspended from trees, closer to the ground, but which also offer an original night in the mountains!

The trend

Tiny houses

Have you ever heard of tiny houses?

This unusual type of accommodation is becoming increasingly popular in the mountains and elsewhere, so much so that some people have even adopted it as a permanent place to live.

So why should you try a tiny house for your mountain holiday this summer? Well, because this type of accommodation ticks all the right boxes!

First of all, its small size means that its construction has less impact on the land where it is located. Sometimes, tiny houses are built in a container, which also makes them eco-responsible accommodation. Most of them are designed using recycled materials and are equipped with solar panels, making them self-sufficient houses, thanks once again to their small size.

Mini perhaps, but comfortable too! The idea behind a tiny house is to have all the comforts you need while keeping space to a minimum. That’s why they’re so boldly designed, and you’ll be amazed at what you can do in just a few square metres.

And because in the mountains in summer, everything happens outside, the tiny house lets you connect with nature while returning to your own comfort for a well-deserved post-hike rest!

Near Saint-Lary-Soulan, in the Pyrenees, you’ll be amazed by the comfort of this tiny house, a fully-equipped “eco-home”, where you can reconnect with nature thanks to a combination of minimalism and comfort. With a bit of luck, the mountain animals will come to visit you at nightfall…