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