Summer in the mountains is an invitation to enjoy a unique family experience, surrounded by majestic peaks, trails winding through alpine meadows and forests, and welcoming villages offering a peaceful setting. But how can you know if a particular resort is suitable for a family vacation? And which destinations are best, offering both activities for children and adults? Follow the guide: we’ve selected the best resorts in France for a successful summer family holiday!
Choosing a family-friendly mountain resort in summer requires considering several factors for a successful vacation. Of course, your personal preferences matter, but some criteria will help you create a shortlist of resorts suitable for your family:
Don’t want to compare every resort? Here are some top destinations perfect for a family summer vacation in the mountains, along with their advantages!
The Chamonix-Mont-Blanc resort benefits from being at the foot of the highest peaks in the Alps, at 1,035 meters altitude, while offering all the amenities of a small town. This is ideal for families, giving easy access to child-friendly services such as childcare, babysitting, supervised activities (climbing courses, workshops, farm and animal park visits, etc.), multiple playgrounds, public transport, and more.
Chamonix also offers a wide range of outdoor activities for families, including rail sledding, orientation courses, adventure trails in trees, a cable car ride to the Aiguille du Midi, or the small train to the Mer de Glace. If you need a break from the summer heat, you can visit the pool, hike near waterfalls, or enjoy water sports with teens.
Another must-visit Alpine resort for families is the village of Samoëns in Haute-Savoie. Set in a beautiful natural environment, it suits vacationers of all ages.
Young children can attend the Garderie des Marmottes while parents go hiking, climbing, canyoning, or even try paragliding.
Samoëns offers numerous family activities, both outdoors and in the village. For sporty fun, try easy or medium-level hikes, mountain biking, or Via Ferrata. For older kids seeking thrills, opt for water sports such as rafting, tubing, waterskiing, or hydrospeed.
In summer, Samoëns also features a leisure center accessible from the village, where families can try golf, fishing, or swimming in the outdoor pool.
The village has a wide range of restaurants, catering to the whole family!
At Tignes in Savoie, summer family vacations are well catered for. With the My Tignes card, you get preferential rates for 9 activities and unlimited access to the Bike Park and pedestrian/VTT lifts. This package is ideal for families, giving access to the lagoon pool, tennis courts, the Panorama area, and more. Pedestrian lifts make it easy to enjoy panoramic views or reach hiking trails effortlessly.
Tignes also offers a wide variety of sport, nature, leisure, and adventure activities, such as hikes between Lake Tignes and Lake Chevril, quad biking, guided village tours, visiting Europe’s highest farm, Via Ferrata, and more.
For children, Tignes has babysitting services and a club for ages 4–16. Like all Famille Plus resorts, it also has family-friendly restaurants and accommodations.
In the Pyrenees, the resort of Saint-Lary Soulan offers a traditional village atmosphere with preserved heritage and nature—perfect for a summer mountain vacation.
Families are welcomed with a nursery and leisure center, with regular family-oriented events.
Between mountain activities, cultural outings, and relaxation areas, Saint-Lary has plenty to keep both children and parents busy. Enjoy white-water sports, the Bike Park and MTB trails, a summer biathlon, archery, axe throwing, donkey rides, or cani-hiking.
For sightseeing, visit the Pyrenees National Park House, the Heritage House, and local farms to sample regional products.
Don’t miss the Sensoria Rio wellness center, a child-friendly water park with indoor and outdoor pools.
If the Alps or Pyrenees are too far, consider the mid-altitude resort of Métabief in the Jura, ideal for family summer vacations.
Activities suit both adults and children: the Métabief Bike Park has downhill trails, Enduro tracks, hiking routes, and learning zones. Families can also enjoy the new summer sled or the Adventure Park with treetop courses and playful areas for little ones.
Just 10 minutes by car is the Saint-Point Lake with 5 water sports bases offering paddleboarding, canoeing, catamaran, boat rides, swimming, and more—all in a quiet, unspoiled setting without motorized boats.
There are many mountain villages in France perfect for family vacations. Beyond our Top 5, consider Le Grand-Bornand, La Plagne, Pralognan in Vanoise, Vaujany, Mont-Dore, Gérardmer, Chamrousse, and many more.
Check the Tourist Office website of your chosen resort for information on accommodations, services, shops, transport, and activities to find the perfect village for your next summer mountain holiday!