The French Alps are renowned for majestic snow-capped peaks, fresh water cascades and torrents, rugged bare-faced rock, pine trees, vast green meadows and valleys, and unique wildlife. Historically, the Alps were divided into two regions in France, which still retain their cultural identity: Savoy and Dauphine.
The Alps are a mountain range spanning south-central Europe (France, Switzerland, Austria, West Germany and the former Yugoslavia), extending 750 miles from the Gulf of Genoa in the Mediterranean Sea to Vienna in Austria. Covering 80,000 square miles, they are characterised by near-vertical slopes and high peaks — Mont Blanc being the highest. Rivers originating in the Alps include the Rhône and Rhine, and tributaries to the Pô and the Danube.
At 15,812ft (4,807m), Mont Blanc is Savoy’s pride. Its name derives from the 40 square miles covered by glaciers, the largest being the Mer de Glace. The Mont Blanc tunnel (built 1958–1965) links France to Italy and was, at the time, the longest Alpine tunnel at 7¼ miles (11.6 km). In 1999, a catastrophic fire — believed to have started in a Belgian margarine truck — turned the tunnel into an oven, killing several people and raising long-standing questions about its safety.
Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps with an army of men, horses and elephants remains one of the great feats of ancient history. Born in 247 BC and sworn to hostility against Rome, Hannibal attacked Sargantum in 219 BC, sparking the Second Punic War. His march across Gaul and toward the Alps drew the attention of the Roman general Scipio, who attempted to intercept him in northern Italy.
The crossing itself was perilous. Hannibal’s forces were ambushed by Alpine tribes, had baggage animals pushed off cliffs, and suffered from snowstorms and treacherous ice. After fifteen days, he descended into Italy with 20,000 soldiers, 6,000 cavalry, and only a few of the original 38 elephants. Though he achieved extraordinary feats of leadership and endurance, he ultimately lacked the strength to defeat Rome and died by poisoning in 183 BC to avoid capture.
- aigue — water
- alpe — pasture
- balme — cave
- joux — forest
- praz — meadow
The House of Savoy ruled the region for nine centuries. Its history begins in 1034, when Humbert the Whitehanded became Count of Savoy. Over time, Amadeus VI, VII and VIII expanded the territory into Switzerland, the Jura, Nice, Geneva, and Piedmont. Amadeus VIII later became the last antipope of Avignon as Felix V.
In 1536, François I attacked Savoy as part of his ambition to dominate Italy. After twenty-three years of French control, Savoy was restored by treaty. In 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht elevated Victor Amadeus II to King of Sicily (later exchanged for Sardinia). In 1860, Savoy and Nice were ceded to Napoleon III in exchange for assistance against Austria. The dynasty ended in 1946 with the abdication of King Umberto II.
Skiing originated as a form of transport rather than sport. The earliest skis — found in bogs in Sweden and Finland — date back 5,000 years. A rock carving near the Arctic Circle from around 2000 BC depicts two men on skis. Over time, skiing developed into Nordic and Alpine disciplines, appearing in the 1924 and 1936 Winter Olympics respectively. Modern lifts and cable cars, developed in the 1930s, transformed skiing into a mass recreational pastime across Europe, North America, and beyond.
The Mer de Glace can be reached via the Montenvers cog railway, running since 1908. At 6,293 ft (1,913 m), it is France’s largest glacier, stretching over four miles and reaching depths of 200 metres. The Ice Grotto is re-carved annually for visitors.
The flora of the Alps varies by altitude. Lower elevations support deciduous trees such as birch and beech; mid-levels are dominated by spruce, pine, and fir; high alpine meadows bloom with flowers and shrubs; and above 10,000 ft lies bare rock and snow. Wildlife includes marmots, chamois, ibex, and the golden eagle — each adapted to the harsh climate.
Early Alpine visitors came not to climb peaks but to see glaciers. After the 1741 journey of Richard Pococke and William Wyndham, poets such as Shelley and Coleridge celebrated the region in writing. Scientific interest grew as Mont Blanc was confirmed to be western Europe’s highest summit, inspiring attempts to reach the top. The first successful ascent was achieved in 1786 by Michel-Gabriel Paccard and Jacques Balmat, followed by de Saussure’s scientific expedition in 1787.
Chamonix became the centre of mountaineering culture, home to the historic Company of Guides (founded 1821), artisan climbing-tool families like the Mosers, and the Musée Alpin, which displays early climbing equipment, documents, and photographs.
The Aiguille du Midi, at 12,638 ft (3,842 m), is accessible via two successive cable cars from Chamonix. Even in summer, temperatures at the summit remain below freezing. Visitors can walk from the mid-station at the Plan de l’Aiguille back to Chamonix, a spectacular 2–3 hour descent showcasing dramatic changes in Alpine terrain.