Patrick 
In brief What is the descent from the mountain pastures? Every summer, as soon as the snow melts, herds of cows, goats and sheep leave the valley farms to join the high-altitude mountain pastures. Up there, the rich pasture grass gives Savoyard cheeses, Reblochon, Abondance, Chevrotin, their distinctive character. At the end of summer, when … Learn more
Mythical hike above Chamonix, Lac Blanc could soon be booked like a table at a restaurant. The town hall is working on a mandatory reservation system starting next summer, a first in the Mont-Blanc valley. A site out of breath Perched at 2,350 meters in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, Lac Blanc offers one of … Learn more
Haute-Savoie borders both Switzerland and Italy, with Lake Geneva to the north and Mont Blanc to the south. This border position creates a real network headache for travelers. As a result: your phone can switch to a foreign operator without warning. An eSIM solves this problem and is installed in less than 5 minutes. Here’s … Learn more
In brief A must-attend event in Haute-Savoie Each year, place des Allobroges in Cluses turns into an immense open-air table. The Miam Festival, dedicated to street food, celebrates its 11th edition in 2026 and promises a particularly rich program. Join us on Friday September 18, Saturday September 19, and Sunday September 20, 2026 for three … Learn more
Every year, at the beginning of autumn, the forest massifs of Haute-Savoie come alive with a deep, hoarse, and powerful sound: the stag’s rutting call. This natural spectacle, as fascinating as it is moving, attracts many curious people, provided they know where, when, and especially how to listen without disturbing the animals. What is the … Learn more
In brief In September, the Haute-Savoie mountain can still give a summery impression around Annecy, Sallanches, or the Arve valley, while abruptly shifting to winter conditions just a few hundred meters higher. A high-altitude cold drop is sometimes enough to lower the rain-snow limit to 1,700 or 1,800 meters, cover stones with a slippery film, … Learn more
There is something almost secretive about the trails of Haute-Savoie in September. The same lakes, the same ridges, the same panoramas for which some queued in July and August suddenly reveal themselves differently: quieter, slower, almost intimate. As if the mountain, freed from the crowds, found the time to tell its own stories. This is … Learn more
The Pharaonic Festival returns on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Parvis des Esserts, in Cluses, for a completely renewed edition. After celebrating its tenth anniversary in grand style last year, the electro event of the Arve Valley embarks on a new decade with a 100% original lineup, featuring international artists and several rapidly rising French … Learn more
Winter is approaching, and with it, the season for great deals in the mountains. Every autumn in Haute-Savoie, ski swaps attract families, students and snowsports enthusiasts looking for quality gear at affordable prices. Skis, snowboards, boots, helmets or technical clothing: these events are the perfect opportunity to gear up without breaking the bank. And, let’s be honest, there’s always that … Learn more
In brief Why is September a special month for hiking? Summer is coming to an end, school holidays are over, yet the mountains remain fully accessible. It is this combination that makes September a pivotal month for hiking enthusiasts. Trails that were crowded in July and August regain their calm, while nature begins its autumn … Learn more
In brief 1. Discover Lake Annecy from the air Nothing can replace the overview offered by a flight over the lake. From the air, you capture at a glance what a walk on the ground never allows you to see: the shape of the lake, the contrasts between the turquoise waters and the surrounding peaks, … Learn more
Autumn fairs in Haute-Savoie: a thriving tradition Every year, between early September and late October, the villages and towns of Haute-Savoie revive one of their oldest traditions: the autumn fair. Many of these events date back to the Middle Ages and originally marked the major commercial gatherings of the season, when farmers came down from … Learn more
With its cliffs, gorges, and walls offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges, Haute-Savoie is one of the favorite playgrounds for via ferrata enthusiasts. Accessible from a very young age and without any prior climbing experience, this activity attracts an increasing number of families and athletes seeking thrills each summer. Here is everything you … Learn more
The back-to-school season does nothing to slow down the flea market and garage sale season in our département—in fact, quite the opposite! Between all-out fairs, rummage sales, school fairs and autumn clothing swaps, here’s a preview of the garage sales, flea markets, clothing swaps and swap meets taking place in September 2026 in Haute-Savoie. September … Learn more
In brief: Why choose Haute-Savoie for a romantic weekend? Haute-Savoie offers all the assets for a successful romantic stay. The department combines an iconic lake (Lake Annecy, often described as one of the purest in Europe), spectacular Alpine peaks with the Mont Blanc massif, and historic thermal towns such as Évian-les-Bains. This diversity of landscapes … Learn more
In Annecy, in the Chamonix valley or around the lake, summer increasingly rhymes with resignation for the inhabitants of Haute-Savoie. Congested roads, shopping that has become an obstacle course, appointments canceled to avoid rush hours: many residents now organize their daily lives around the peaks of tourist attendance, summer and winter alike, and wait for … Learn more
A true institution of the Chablais and a major popular event of the department, the Crête Fair dates back to the edicts of the Dukes of Savoy and still stands today as one of the most profitable fairs in France. Established on the Place de Crête in Thonon-les-Bains since 1866, it brings together every first … Learn more
October marks a season of transition in Haute-Savoie: the last fine days of autumn give way to preparations for winter, and it is often the time to sort through the cupboards. Summer clothes to sell, mountain equipment to replace, toys to clear out before the holidays… This month is ideal for car boot sales, flea … Learn more
Every September back-to-school period, Morzine pulses to the rhythm of the engine. For its 78th edition, the Rallye du Mont-Blanc returns from September 3 to 5, 2026 for three days of car competition in the heart of the Haute-Savoie Alps. Technical checks, shakedown, special stages on mountain roads: here is everything you need to know … Learn more
A takeaway packed lunch, a socket to charge the phone, sometimes even a question about Wi-Fi: in mountain refuges, visitors’ habits have changed. And the wardens are at the forefront of observing this shift. A booming attendance The numbers speak for themselves. In 2025, the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs (FFCAM) recorded 348,000 … Learn more
Because at about 1,450 meters altitude above Saint-Sigismond, the Agy plateau is one of those generous alpine pastures that make up the discreet charm of Haute-Savoie. Far from the hustle and bustle of the large resorts, this vast plateau offers a 360° panorama of the Giffre, Mont-Blanc, and Aravis massifs, and can be enjoyed on … Learn more
On the night of Thursday, August 27 to Friday, August 28, 2026, the Moon will take on a striking coppery red hue. The cause is a particularly deep partial lunar eclipse, just two weeks after the total solar eclipse of August 12: at maximum, 96% of the lunar disc will be plunged into the Earth’s … Learn more
Every year at the same time, Chamonix changes its face. For the 23rd edition of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, which takes place from August 24 to 30, 2026, more than 10,000 runners and about 100,000 spectators crowd into a town that has only 9,000 inhabitants. A ratio of one to eleven that, every late summer, … Learn more
In brief: Before looking at local specifics, classic investment vehicles (PER, PEL, life insurance) remain the foundation of any wealth strategy, including in Haute-Savoie. The department combines rare assets: Swiss border, Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc massif, and one of the most dynamic economic areas in France, which opens up specific investment opportunities (tourist rental real … Learn more
Series of collapses, refuges closed as a precaution, iconic glaciers retreating very high up the mountain: the summer of 2026 will remain one of the most critical in recent history for the Mont-Blanc massif. Behind the spectacular images of falling stones and bare ice, scientists highlight the same observation: it is not only the extent … Learn more
About twelve kilometers west of Annecy, perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Fier gorges, Montrottier Castle surprises with its medieval fairy-tale silhouette. Behind its crenellated ramparts and cylindrical keep hides one of the most astonishing cabinets of curiosities in Haute-Savoie, the result of the passion of a 19th-century collector. A full presentation of this … Learn more
In brief : A Postcard Under Siege Cobblestone alleys, turquoise canals, colorful facades reflected in the water: Annecy’s old town looks exactly like a postcard. It is precisely this setting that poses a problem. During summer peak hours, the streets of Perrière or Sainte-Claire turn into a slow parade of strollers, selfie sticks, and guided … Learn more
It seems that snoring is the number one enemy of the dormitory. That it is he alone who sabotages nights in a refuge. That earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones, or even a sleeping bag tightly sealed over the head would be needed to protect oneself from it. Yet, ask any seasoned hiker what really kept them from … Learn more
A sky darkening, some distant rumblings of thunder… The signs announcing a storm are generally quite easy to identify. But there is one much less known to hikers: a strange buzzing or crackling that sometimes feels like being surrounded by bees. The phenomenon is serious enough to be mentioned in official safety recommendations. The Ministry … Learn more
After a year of interruption, the Peasant Festival returns to La Balme-de-Sillingy on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Held at the Domaine du Tornet, this day will celebrate the agricultural world, local producers, and rural traditions in a friendly atmosphere. A highly anticipated event just a few kilometers from Annecy. The Peasant Festival returns after a … Learn more
The Haute-Savoie region concentrates some of the most renowned ski areas in the French Alps: Chamonix at the foot of Mont-Blanc, the vast Portes du Soleil network (Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets), and the Grand Massif (Flaine, Samoëns). Each resort has its own profile (altitude, size of the area, atmosphere, …) and the choice directly affects … Learn more
A sparkling turquoise lake, a spectacular peak, an isolated tent facing Mont Blanc: on Instagram, hiking in Haute-Savoie looks like a waking dream. But behind these perfect pictures lies a sometimes brutal reality. Poor preparation, underestimating risks, and inappropriate equipment: how does the quest for “likes” turn a nature outing into a real trap? The … Learn more
Living in Haute-Savoie means having Switzerland as your neighboring garden. In less than an hour’s drive from Annecy, Thonon-les-Bains, or Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, you change country, currency, and often language, without ever really leaving the Alps. Between Lake Geneva, the terraced vineyards, and the Valais peaks, French-speaking Switzerland and its surroundings offer a concentration of excursions accessible … Learn more
It is now official. Facing the increase of campervans, vans, and converted vehicles parking outside designated areas, the municipality of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has decided to tighten the rules. A municipal decree issued on August 5, 2026 now more strictly regulates their parking and particularly targets wild camping overnight stays. This measure aims to address the nuisances … Learn more
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Le Grand-Bornand will host the traditional Saint-Maurice Agricultural Fair, one of the last major agro-pastoral events of the year in Haute-Savoie. A true institution in the Aravis valley, this event honors breeders, local producers, and the famous farm Reblochon. Cattle contests, producer markets, convivial meals, and entertainment will punctuate this … Learn more
Shoes are probably one of the most important pieces of hiking equipment. A perfectly suitable pair for an easy trail walk can become uncomfortable, even unsuitable, as soon as you venture onto rocky or wet terrain. Low, mid, or high shaft, sole stiffness, grip, waterproof membrane: here are the main criteria to know to choose … Learn more
Le Fayet will be celebrating this Saturday, August 22, 2026! Concert, acrobatics show, cycling activities, artisan market, vintage vehicles, and a grand raffle: the Fête du Fayet is back for a new edition under the sign of conviviality. Join us from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the center of Le Fayet, in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. Le … Learn more
An asphalt ribbon winding between turquoise waters and alpine peaks: the tour of Lake Annecy enchants millions of visitors. But in the heart of July and August, the famous 42-kilometer loop sometimes becomes a logistical headache. Between two-wheel traffic jams, incivility, and summer overheating, here’s what truly awaits you if you set off unprepared. The … Learn more
On Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, 2026, the Clairière des Lanches in Cervens will once again resonate with the sound of guitars. The Lunaris Festival returns for its third edition with eight bands, a creators’ market, activities for children, and a deliberately intimate atmosphere. An original musical event to discover between Lake Geneva … Learn more
Asking ChatGPT or an AI to map out your next mountain trek seems like a brilliant idea. However, on the ground, these algorithm-generated routes often turn out to be real traps. Underestimated distances, forbidden bivouacs, exposed passages forgotten: guides and rescuers are sounding the alarm in the face of increasing incidents. When AI goes off … Learn more