Home to the world's largest connected ski areas, the French Alps are also France's most-protected region, sheltering an incredible 25 nature reserves and eight natural parks, including Vanoise, Vercors and Pilat. Each is of unique significance for its animal or plant life. Yet despite its vast, wild terrain, the region is easily accessible from international airports (Lyon and Geneva), several train stations served by TGV, and regional motorways.
Rhône-Alpes unfurls across the Savoie, Haute-Savoie and Isère départements, world-famous for high, family-friendly ski resorts such as Chamonix, Val d'Isère, Courchevel and Alpe d'Huez, and also the départements of Drôme, Rhône (home to regional capital and foodie hotspot Lyon), Ain, Loire and Ardèche.
Spanning Isère and Drôme, the Vercors regional natural park draws lovers of the outdoors with its summer mountain-biking, hiking and horse riding over forest-clad mountains and high, wildflower-covered plateaux. The park harbours more than 1,800 plant species, among them more than 60 varieties of orchids, plus 135 bird species, 65 breeds of deer and other wild mammals. In winter, its family-friendly ski resorts are big draws, while history lovers can explore caves once used as bases by the French resistance; there are also hundreds of monuments to the movement, a memorial centre and the remnants of a destroyed village. Potholing is popular here, too.
Road cycling is another great offering in the area, often on hill climbs used in stages of the Tour de France. The Savoie Mont Blanc countryside varies between gentle, meandering lanes and steep roads that take in 68 glorious mountain passes. Guided and self-guided cycling tours are available for seasoned riders and novices, for whom the Rhône and Isère riverpath routes linking the area's three major lakes (Geneva, Bourget and Annecy) are ideal, taking in lush meadows and valleys, vistas of dramatic peaks and historic villages.
Mountain-bikers can test their endurance on Morzine's many trails, including the Pleney downhill course which has a vertical drop of 560m. In winter, the resort is also ideal for families who would rather travel on skis than by pedal power. Morzine offers first-class facilities including cinemas, excellent restaurants and luxurious hotels.
For an even more laid-back cycling experience, head for Boucieu-le-Roi, one of Ardèche's 19 villages de caractère, where you can make a 7.5-mile (12km) descent of the lush river Doux gorges by vélorail. These four-person pedal-powered carts travel along a former railway line over bridges and viaducts, and through tunnels down to Colombier-le-Vieux, where you board a historic "autorail" train for the return trip. Baby seats can be attached to the carts so even the youngest member of the family can enjoy the ride.
To find out more about this destination, visit gotofrancenow.com/rhone-alpes
Holiday offer
Take a road cycling holiday, and test yourself on routes used by the Tour de France. From £55 per person, per night, half-board. Offer valid 29 June-4 September. Visit skimorzine.com/summer-in-morzine/morzine-cycling
