Alps in France on the map. French Alps. Map of ski resorts in France with attractions

Map of ski resorts in France with attractions

Alps on the map of France

Detailed map of the French Alps

French Alps Map

The French Alps on the world map are located in the southeast of the country. This chain is part of the Western Alpine mountains. Geographic map The French Alps will show that total length elevations reach 330 km. Geographically, the chain is divided into southern and northern. A detailed map of the French Alps will show that in the north there are mountain-glacial hills. The highest point in the region is the Mont Blanc peak, reaching over 4.8 km. South part the chain, as a map of the French Alps will demonstrate, belongs to the Mediterranean type of landscape. Proximity to the sea also determines the corresponding climate.

Map of the French Alps with attractions contains both unique natural areas, as well as architectural monuments located in resort towns. Of course, the main industry in the region is ski tourism. A map of the French Alps in Russian from Arrivo will help you navigate the resorts and slopes.

France occupies far from the world map last place. This largest in Europe. Due to the considerable size of the country, its landscape is quite diverse. The French Alps are one of its most remarkable parts. How were these mountains formed? In which country are the Alps located? What attractions and resorts are there in the French Alps? Let's find out about it.

Geography of France

The French Republic is one of the five permanent members of the UN, a member of the G7, and one of the founders of the European Union. It is a single-national, highly urbanized state. France is home to 66.7 million people, the majority of whom are French. About 80% of the population lives in the republic - the city of Paris.

The countries nearby are Spain, Andorra, Italy, Monaco, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Germany. She washes herself Atlantic Ocean And Mediterranean Sea. From the point of view of political geography, France is located in Western Europe. More precisely, most of it is located there, because the country is located not only on the continent. It owns more than twenty island territories near Africa, North and South America.

Together with its overseas territories, France is the second largest country in Europe on the world map. It occupies a fifth of the European Union. Her total area is 674,685 square kilometers, and maritime boundaries The republics stretch for 5500 kilometers.

Relief of France

The relief of the state is heterogeneous; there are plains, mountains, and also ancient plateaus. The plains mainly cover the area from the northern to the southwestern part. The North French and Aquitaine lowlands stand out most clearly. The lowland in the southeastern part is located between the Massif Central and the French Alps.

The plateau on the territory of the country is nothing more than the remains of the more ancient Hercynian mountains. They are represented by the Armorian and Central French Massifs, the Vosges and the Ardennes, which are small in height. The Armorian Massif and the Vosges are heavily indented by river valleys, and the Massif Central is dotted with long-extinct volcanoes.

In the southwest, France is separated from Spain by a mountain range. The Pyrenees stretch along the entire border there. The countries are connected only in a few narrow passages between the mountains. In the southeast of the country are the Jura and Alps mountains with the highest point in France - Mont Blanc. These massifs share the country with Italy and Switzerland.

French Alps

The Alps are not only located in France. They cover the territory of Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Monaco, Slovenia, Germany and Liechtenstein. This is one of the most studied mountain ranges in the world. The length of the mountains is up to 1200 kilometers, and the width is 260 kilometers.

The Alps are the longest and highest mountain system, which is entirely located in Europe. The most big mountain in height - Mont Blanc. In addition to it, in the Alps there are about a hundred peaks exceeding four thousand meters. The mountains stretch in an arc and are divided into Western, Eastern, Northern, Southern, Central.

The French Alps belong to the Western Alps. They stretch for 330 kilometers. The height of Mont Blanc, the highest point, is 4808 meters. The Alps of France are also divided into several parts: northern and southern.

Both parts differ in climate and landscapes. In the north, glaciers and more prevail high peaks. The Southern Alps are influenced by the sea as they are located very close to the coast, covering the Maritime and Provençal regions.

Alpine climate

Starting near the sea, the Southern French Alps have a subtropical climate. Their heights are small compared to other areas of this mountain system. Deviating to the north, they enter the temperate climate zone. Of course, their mode largely depends not only on their location, but also on their height. There are five zones in the Alps:

lowland - up to 1000 meters,
temperate zone - from 1000 meters,
subalpine belt - from 1500 meters,
alpine meadow - from 2000 meters,
nival - above 3000 meters.

The weather in the French Alps is changeable. The hottest time is before lunch, then it gradually gets colder. There is quite a lot of precipitation in the mountains (up to 1000 mm/g). The snow lasts for a long time, until the end of June.

IN northern parts The Alpine climate is colder but humid, but in the southern part it is, on the contrary, dry and warm. In winter, fog often occurs and the weather can suddenly change to cold.

Above 3000 meters, ice and snow do not melt for years. It's cold here and almost nothing grows. Below begins or mountain tundra with less cold temperatures, shrubs and low grasses. In the subalpine zone, the temperature does not rise above 25 degrees, frosts occur even in summer.

In the two lower zones the climate is most favorable for both animals and humans. It is possible to farm and live here. In these zones it is noted big variety plants and animals.

Local winds

The Alps are characterized by the appearance of so-called local winds (bora, foehn, etc.). They differ somewhat from the standard for this area, but are regular. The foehn is considered one of the alpine local winds. It arises at the tops of the mountains and descends into the valleys.

The hair dryer blows strong gusts of dry hot air. Every hundred meters the wind gets hotter. It can last from a day to five days.

The appearance of a hairdryer in the mountains generally helps agriculture. The wind creates a mild microclimate necessary for a number of heat-loving plants. However, it can be harmful and even fatal. By heating the air in the spring, a hair dryer promotes rapid melting of snow, which causes avalanches.

Plants and animals

In the French Alps there are completely different natural complexes, which of course depend on the height. High altitudes are desert, treeless areas. Only some plants “climb” to the peaks, for example, the glacial buttercup, which is found even at an altitude of 4000 meters.

Alpine meadows - steep slopes and rocky hills covered with grasses and flowers. The plants of this belt are not tall, but very bright. Typical representatives are alpine edelweiss, strawberry, alpine dream grass, gum, poppy, red lily, forget-me-not, orchid, aster, etc. Livestock graze here and live marmots, mountain goats, chamois, jackdaws, choughs, swifts and golden eagles .

The trees begin in the subalpine zone. These are mainly larch, pine and spruce trees, with oak and beech forests found below. Birds like to settle on the border of the forest and rocks: lemon and snow finch, rock and spotted thrush, tits.

In addition, salamanders, hares, tiger-footed owls, red deer, tundra partridges, and dunnocks are found in the Alps. Mouflons boldly walk along the rocky slopes and red-winged wall climbers - small birds with a long beak and red stripes on their wings - run.

Alpine tourism

The Alps have prepared a lot of exciting things for travelers: dense forests, rocky peaks, unique landscapes and animal world. And France, in turn, made it all accessible and convenient.

There are many routes in the mountains with specially equipped parking areas. Along the way, you can always find shelters or lonely huts where tourists stop for the night. Detailed itinerary plans for avid hikers are easy to find at local tourist centers.

However, not all routes are designed for long hikes. There are a large number of trails made for easy day walks. They are easy to do if you live in one of the mountainous regions, for example Aravi, Vercors, Chablis.

The most popular times in the Alps are winter (December to April) and mid-summer (July). During these periods, the bases are filled with vacationers. However, it is not always possible to bypass such hype. The rest of the time, the weather can be quite unpredictable, and due to snow, some passes are often closed until the second half of June.

Resorts

Resorts in the French Alps offer hiking in summer, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing and skiing in winter. Mountaineering, surfing and yachting in local lakes are developing in the region.

IN resort town In Chamonix you can admire the beauty of Mont Blanc every day. At an altitude of 3840 meters is the White Valley - highest point resort and home to one of the most extreme descents in France. Paragliding, canyoning (descending down river canyons without swimming equipment), rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding are possible here.

The largest region for skiing and snowboarding is the Three Valleys. It has more than six hundred kilometers of high-mountain trails and hundreds of ski lifts. The region includes several worldwide famous resorts: Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens. There are not only tourist trails, but also Olympic trails, glacier arenas open air, hockey rinks and much more interesting things.

Unique Alps

The French Alps are unique nature and breathtaking scenery. They are part of the Western Alps and stretch straight from the Mediterranean coast of the country in a north-easterly direction.

Within their boundaries there are dozens national parks and security zones. The most famous of them are Vercors, Chartreuse, Queyras, Beauges, etc. The region is located popular resorts and picturesque mountain settlements. The highest town, Briançon, is located near the Queyra Park.

The French Alps are a place where it is possible leisure With extreme species sports and relaxing pastime. There are green flower meadows, swampy forests and bare rocks covered with glaciers, and cold high-altitude lakes with clear blue water. It is simply impossible to remain indifferent to these places.

– these names are known not only to avid skiers or snowboarders, but also to people far from sports. In this article we will tell you about best resorts France, where in winter it’s nice not only to relax, but also to ride with the breeze.

Chamonix, overlooking Mont Blanc

The town of Chamonix is located in a beautiful location overlooking the highest peak in Western Europe - Mont Blanc. Height above sea level – 1035 meters. Chamonix is a Mecca for climbers in summer and skiers in winter.

In addition, nearby is nature reserve Mer de Glace (Icy Sea) is one of the most visited in the world.

Near Chamonix you will find a lot of not only ski entertainment. You can go to the town of Annecy, climb Mont Blanc by train, take walks through the caves and a lot more.

Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallées) - the largest ski resort

Three Valleys (or Les Trois Valais) is a huge resort that combines several bases in the Vanoise mountain range. This includes:

Courchevel (Courchevel - hotels at this link),
Méribel (Méribel - hotels),
Les Menuires (hotels),
Val Thorens - ),
La Tania (La Tania - hotels),
Brides - hotels
and Orelle (Orelle - hotel offers).

Avoriaz – calmness

Situated at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level, Avoriaz is modern resort in the heart of Portes du Soleil. Between the forest and the mountains, the village, completely closed to cars, fits perfectly into the alpine nature. After you've hit the ski slopes ah Portes du Soleil (total length - 650 km), you can visit Aquariaz - the center of hot springs, with a temperature of 29°C.

Although you won't see any cars in Avoriaz, there are other modes of transport available. The resort's proximity to nature is its main advantage.

Official website of the Avoriaz resort: www.avoriaz.com

Les 2 Alpes - the largest snow park

In the Oisans Mountains, on the border between the Southern and Northern Alps, lies the dynamic resort of Les 2 Alpes. This is the largest chain of ski slopes in Europe. The resort is located at 3600 m above sea level. So there is snow here almost all year round, so skiers can be found here both in winter and summer.

The station also continues to develop its snow park: a large children's playground, a snow tube, a wall, a slide area for beginners and large pads (a huge 15 m mattress) are installed at the bottom of the slopes.

Chamrousse – a real Olympic village

On the southern outskirts mountain range Belledonne is the resort of Chamrousse, built in the forest. It offers exceptional views of the Grenoble valley. The station was used during the Winter Olympic Games 1968. Many future Olympic champions performed or trained here.

Official website of the resort Charmus: www.chamrousse.com

Saint-Dalmas le Selvage – cross-country skiing

Saint-Dalmat-les-Selvages is the highest village in the Alpes-Maritimes (1347 m - 2916 m). The place is an ideal resort for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. In the heart of nature with unspoiled landscapes such as the Braïssa isthmus (2599 m), Mount Aunos (2514 m), the Charles cross (2529 m), the Moutière isthmus (2454 m), the Gialorgues glacial waterfall, you must find your happiness.

A great place for snowboarding too.

Official website of the resort of Saint-Dalmat-les-Selvage: hiver.saintdalmasleselvage.com

Le Sauze – family resort

Ski resort located in the Ubaye Valley. Soz became famous as family resort. In addition to the joy of skiing, don't miss a tour of Igloo Inuksuk Village, a real village with six igloos and Inuit traditions!

Official website of the resort Les Sauze: www.sauze.com

Megève – the most exclusive resort

Megève has retained its charm as an authentic mountain village. Surrounded by three mountain ranges with gentle slopes and green forests, stands a fourteenth-century medieval village with luxury shops, cobbled streets, a unique atmosphere and, of course, wonderful pistes.

This is a fashionable resort where chalets, hotels and restaurants tirelessly compete for their prestige.

Official website of the Megeve resort: www.megeve.com

Serre-Chevalier – the sunniest resort

It is one of the largest ski resorts in the Alps with 250 km of ski slopes. Located at altitudes from 1200 to 2800 m above sea level. At the foot highest peaks is sunlit National Park Ecrins.

Serre Chevalier is one of the sunniest places in the Alps, with sunshine 300 days a year!

Official website of Serre Chevalier: www.serre-chevalier.com

Enjoy your holiday in the French Alps!

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