French Alps & the Jura Mountains
High up in the French Alps, it's enthralling to imagine the forces that shaped these colossal peaks. The African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided some 35 million years ago, forcing the land skyward into a 1000km chain of saw-edged mountains.
©gorillaimages/Shutterstock
- Ashley Parsons|Dec 1, 2025Guide to hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc
- Lonely Planet Editors|Nov 5, 2025The perfect 3-day itinerary in the snowy French Alps
- Nicola Williams|Aug 8, 2023Are the Alps a good spot for a summer vacation?
Stay connected in French Alps & the Jura Mountains
Holafly eSIM provides unlimited mobile data with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind wherever you travel. Stay connected even after your plan ends with Always On. Use code LONELYPLANET for an exclusive discount.
Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.
Take your France trip with Lonely Planet Journeys
Time to book that trip to France
Lonely Planet Journeys takes you there with fully customizable trips to top destinations – all crafted by our local experts.
Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.
in partnership with getyourguide
Book popular activities in French Alps & the Jura Mountains
Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

