As France experiences another episode of extreme heat, one question keeps coming up: how to continue to allow French people to travel without exposing them to the stifling temperatures that are hitting a large part of the country?
While Nordic destinations are increasingly attractive for their temperate summers (a topic I will return to next week), there is also a solution just a few hours' drive away: the French mountains.
Summary
Altitude, a new selling point
This weekend, taking advantage of the heatwave, Benoit TREDEZ chose to head for the mountains. He went to the Fonts de Cervières valley, at the foot of the Col de l'Izoard, in the Hautes-Alpes.
From the very first kilometers, the contrast is striking. Here, at over 2,000 meters altitude, the air remains fresh, the nights allow for recovery, and the days invite you to take the time to observe the landscapes rather than desperately seeking air conditioning.
This secluded valley offers everything that many travelers are looking for today: unspoiled nature, uncrowded spaces and a true escape.
Crossed by the Cerveyrette river, it shelters several alpine hamlets, a significant peat bog complex classified as a Natura 2000 site, a still-vibrant pastoral tradition, and numerous hiking trails accessible to various levels. The peaks exceeding 3,000 meters serve as a reminder that the French mountains still boast many authentic areas far removed from major tourist routes.
A new expectation for travelers
The heatwave is gradually changing behaviors.
Customers are no longer just looking for a destination, but also a pleasant climate, outdoor activities, and more relaxing experiences. This shift is opening up new business opportunities for travel agencies.
Offering stays at altitude means simultaneously meeting several expectations:
- to return to pleasant temperatures;
- favour active holidays (hiking, cycling, wildlife observation, heritage discovery);
- to promote more sustainable tourism that is more respectful of the territories;
- encourage short breaks that are accessible without flying.
The mountains, much more than skiing
For a long time, the French mountains were primarily associated with winter sports.
However, areas like the Hautes-Alpes demonstrate their full summer potential. The old hamlets, the military heritage, the pastoral traditions, the interpretive trails of the wetlands, and the encounters with local producers considerably enrich the visitor experience.
This diversification perfectly meets the expectations of families, active seniors, and also travellers seeking slow tourism.
An opportunity for agencies
Faced with heat waves that are expected to become more frequent, travel professionals have every reason to include more mid- and high-mountain destinations in their summer recommendations.
These stays can be an excellent alternative to overheated cities or overcrowded coastlines.
My weekend in the Fonts de Cervières valley reminded me that it is not always necessary to go very far to find the essentials: to breathe, to walk, to observe and to rediscover an authentic mountain, shaped for centuries by the women and men who live there.
At a time when travellers are seeking cooler temperatures rather than record highs, this unassuming mountain could well become one of the most beautiful answers of the summer.
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