About
Haute-Savoie is a department in the French Alps, lying in the south-east of France and bordering both Switzerland and Italy. It is a place of high mountains, deep valleys and lakes, and it is where many visitors come to ski, walk and simply look at the landscape.
The department is home to Chamonix, one of the best-known mountain towns in Europe, and to Mont Blanc, the massif that rises above it. Both sit within easy reach of one another, so a single stay can combine time in the town with views of the peak and the glaciers around it. The area also includes several well-known ski resorts in the French Alps, which makes it a natural choice for winter visits.
What a visit offers
- Winter: skiing and snow sports across the resorts of the department.
- Summer: walking and mountain landscapes once the snow has cleared from the lower slopes.
- Borders: the proximity of Switzerland and Italy means that crossing into a neighbouring country is possible from many points in the area.
Planning your trip
Because Haute-Savoie is spread across mountain valleys, distances between places can take longer than the map suggests, so it helps to choose a base and explore from there. Chamonix and the resort areas each have their own character, and it is worth deciding in advance whether you want a lively town, a quieter village or a base close to the slopes or trails you have in mind.
