Mountain Tourism: Alps to Pyrenees

The French Alps: Winter Sports Capital

The Alps represent France's most successful tourism transformation:

The Three Valleys

• Val Thorens, Méribel, Courchevel: World's largest ski area
• 600 km of connected slopes
• €1.3 billion in annual revenue
• 55,000 seasonal jobs

Resort Typologies

• Traditional villages (Chamonix, Megève): Authentic architecture, year-round life
• Purpose-built resorts (Les Arcs, La Plagne): Ski-in/ski-out convenience
• Luxury destinations (Courchevel 1850): Ultra-high-end services
• Family resorts (Les Gets, Morzine): Affordable, accessible

Summer Transformation

• Mountain biking networks
• Hiking and climbing tourism
• Conference and seminar hosting
• Cultural events and festivals

The Pyrenees: Authentic Alternative

The Pyrenees offer a more intimate mountain experience:

Tourism Assets

• Thermal stations: Cauterets, Bagnères-de-Luchon
• Pilgrimage routes: Lourdes attracts 6 million annually
• Ski resorts: Smaller scale, family-oriented
• National Park: Protected wilderness experiences

Development Philosophy

• Emphasis on sustainable tourism
• Protection of pastoral traditions
• Limited resort development
• Cross-border cooperation with Spain

The Massif Central: Undiscovered Heart

France's volcanic heartland remains relatively undeveloped for tourism:

Emerging Destinations

• Volcans d'Auvergne: Unique geological tourism
• Thermal towns: Vichy's reinvention beyond water
• Pilgrimage routes: Le Puy-en-Velay's Santiago connection
• Adventure tourism: Gorges du Tarn and Ardèche