The 6 best towns in the French Alps

Annemasse sits on the border with Switzerland, so close to Geneva it’s practically a suburb of the city, but with conveniently lower prices for accommodation and food. During the day, you may want to head into Geneva and explore all the key sights, as it’s only a 30-minute tram ride right to the heart of the old town. Once in Geneva, take time to discover the cathedral and some of the many museums here. The top choices include the ethnographic museum, the art history museum, Musée Barbier-Mueller and the free natural history museum. The Jardin Anglais and Parc de La Grange (just 30-minutes by public transport from Annemasse centre) are the city’s top parks. Alternatively, use Geneva as the spot to hop on a cruise around the famous lake. From Annemasse, your nearest lake-side beaches are Savonnière – you should stop at the elegant Parc de la Nymphe too – and Cologny outdoor pool and beach. Less than two-hours’ drive from Annemasse you’ll find yourself deep in the breath-taking alps with plenty of gorgeous opportunities for hiking or a scenic drive. If you’re staying in winter, Annemasse is also a short hop from Massif des Brasse family ski resort for snow-based fun.

Yvoire is a petite medieval town in a prime position, right on the shore of Lake Geneva – or Lac Léman, in French. The tiny town seems frozen in time, with its sloping roofs, cobbled streets and stone walls; people’s gardens and window boxes overflow with colour in spring and summer and swans drift along the shoreline, investigating the moored rowing boats. The jetty is a key attraction, not just for a stroll, as it’s where all the cruises and boat trips dock. From here you can glide across the lake to beautiful, medieval Nyon or arrive in Yvoire on a boat trip from Geneva, Rolle or Lausanne. The main attractions in Yvoire are the Garden of Five Senses botanical gardens, the castle, and the quaint streets with their restaurants and artisanal shops. If you’re here in summer, you can also swim from the shore or rent a boat. Just over a kilometre out of Yvoire, you’ll find the peaceful Domaine de Rovorée. Stroll in the gardens, along the coast, or stop for a swim at the beautiful sandy beach and perhaps hire a paddleboard or pedalo.

Nestled in the French Alps, the colourful town of Annecy looks like a postcard scene. Here, cobbled streets are lined with candy-coloured houses, quaint bridges span Venice-esque canals, and the town opens onto its own swimming and boating lake. You’ll want to visit the museum in the restored medieval chateau, with its fabulous views over the lake and mountains beyond, as well as the Le Palais de I'Île museum in the middle of the river. Simply wandering up and down the charming streets, under archways, over flower-laden bridges and peering into wooden-fronted shop windows is a charming afternoon in itself. Walk along the Canal du Vassé and through the Jardins de l’Europe park for the best panorama of the blue-green water and the soaring mountain peaks beyond. In summer, autumn and spring you can enjoy the outdoor pool near the river, or the Plage des Marquisats beach in town, or you can stroll or cycle the promenades along the lakeside in either direction in hunt of different beaches. Popular choices to swim, kayak and paddleboard include Plage d'Albigny, Plage de la Brune on the east shore and Plage de Doussard on the lake’s far south. You could take a cruise or boat trip across the lake or explore nearby castles like Château de Duingt on the lakeside, or enchanting Menthon-Saint-Bernard, which is nestled in the pine-covered hills like a fairy tale. Don your walking boots and head slightly further afield for epic mountain hikes like La Tournette peak or Mount Veyrier, which is also accessible (right to the top) by car.

Chambéry is an elegant medieval town in the French Alps, encircled by mountains and lakes. In winter, the surrounding peaks are thick with powder and you’re only an hour from famous ski resorts like Les Trois Vallées and half an hour from local, family resorts like Centre Nordique and Savoie Grand Revard. In summer, these rugged hills are perfect for walking and climbing, surrounded by Alpine greenery, mountain goats and spectacular vistas. The Croix des Bergers, Mont Revard and Cascade Du Pissieu waterfalls are popular spring and summer hikes, while Croix du Nivolet and the Prairie des Chalets area are even closer to town. Keen climbers will love to get stuck into the Via ferrata Jules Carret. You’re close to two fabulous lakes too, for sunbathing, boating and swimming. The pretty Plage d'Aiguebelette-le-Lac is a quiet, rural destination, well-loved by locals, and accessible by train in just 45 minutes. Bourget's Lake is the quintessential Alpine lake with steep mountains rising on either side, making for fabulous photos from the shore or from a boat in the centre of the lake. Chambery itself is more than just a place to rest your head. It boasts a castle, a museum of fine arts, a natural history museum and a very pretty centre for sojourning, shopping and dining out.

The charming Alpine resort of Morzine looks stunning with its chalet roofs covered in snow and fairy lights glowing in every window. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages will love a winter trip to this part of the French Alps, finding 650km of piste at their fingertips. Non-skiers can enjoy the magical snowscape on snowshoe treks, sled rides or horse-drawn carriages, or admire the winter wonderland from the terrace of a spa or from the Morzine indoor pool. In summer, this outdoor adventure playground is no less exciting as the snow retreats to reveal green, forested mountains as far as the eye can see with trails snaking off in every direction. It’s a wonderful locale for both mountain biking and road biking, as well as hikes like the Col de Cou or Col de Bretolet – glorious mountain passes on the Swiss border. Le Pas de l'Aigle is a firm favourite for breath-taking photos. Just twenty minutes’ drive from Morzine you’ll find this 15-metre glass footbridge perched atop an epic mountain (accessible via Pointe de Nyon chairlift). You’re also just half-an-hour’s drive from the famous mountain goat village of Les Lindarets, with its cheeky residents, the piercing-blue Lac de Montriond, and the pretty village Samoëns.

Courchevel is the ski resort that needs no introduction. Skiing here is a favourite Alpine activity among locals and tourists alike, with access to Les Trois Vallées, 600 km of ski slopes, over 180 green and blue runs and over 140 reds and blacks. It’s a ski paradise for pros, as well as beginners, kids and families, with plenty of gentler and nursery slopes. If skiing isn’t your cup of tea, this charming Alpine resort has plenty to offer, like the Aquamotion spa and pools, indoor climbing, hot air balloon rides, snowshoeing and husky sled rides. You can also simply buy a pedestrian lift pass and head for the top of the mountain to drink in the view, and sip on a hot chocolate, before coming down at a sedate pace in the lift. In summer, the wooden chalets still look fabulous, balconies laden with flowers, terraces decked out for al-fresco dining and unrivalled mountain views. You can hike numerous trails here, like the popular Sentier du Creux de l’Ours, or visit the Lac de la Rosière (which is also stunning when blanketed in snow and ice). Thrill-seekers can try the Via Ferrata at the lake or the vertiginous Via Cavo del Mey. Perhaps you’ll hire a mountain bike and explore on two wheels.