Online dictionary of France travel and tourism: alps

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Aiguille du Midi

French words: Aiguille du Midi , L'Aiguille du Midi
alternative words: L'Aiguille du Midi
keywords: alps , mountain , tourist resort
related topics: Mont Blanc , Chamonix
related web sites: http://www.aiguilledumidi.net , http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr
explanation: 3842m high, Aiguille du Midi has become an ideal place to observe Mont Blanc since the opening of a ropeway from Chamonix in 1955. In fact, this ropeway is the second generation. Beginning in 1910, the initial project was given up in 1950 due to technical difficulties and 2 World Wars without reaching the summit. From there, in summer, you can reach the Italian side via Helbronner cablebox over Glacier de Geant, while in winter, you can downhill White Vallee by ski. Aiguille du Midi means "Southern needle".

Aix-les-Bains

French words: Aix-lès-Bains
keywords: alps , tourist resort , town
related topics: Annecy , Chambery
related web sites: http://www.aixlesbains.com , http://www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/aix-les-bains.htm
explanation: Located between Annecy and Chambery in the fore-Alps, Aix-les-Bains has been a renowned spa since the Roman empire. By the way, Aix comes from a Latin word, Aquae, i.e. "waters". Located on the eastern shore of lake Bourget, the largest natural lake, completely inside of France, Aix-les-Bains is also a well known summer resort. You can visit the famous Hautecombe abbey, family graveyard of dukes of Savoy, located on another side of the lake by ship. The population is 26000.

Annecy

French words: Annecy
keywords: alps , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.ville-annecy.fr , http://www.lac-annecy.com , http://www.annecy.org , http://www.france-pittoresque.com/histoire-departements/74-2b.htm
explanation: Located near Swiss and Italian borders in the fore-Alps, Annecy had belonged first to the same county as Geneva. It began really to develop when le count of Geneva fixed his residence in the 12th century. After the purchase by the duke of Savoy in 1404, it became a part of Sardinia kingdom in 1815. It was annexed by France in 1860 and each August, people celebrate it with fireworks. Built on the northern shore of a lake and crossed by a river, Annecy is called "Venice of the Alps". Its population is 48000.

Chambery

French words: Chambéry
keywords: alps , tourist resort , town , wine
related topics: Grenoble , Lyon
related web sites: http://www.mairie-chambery.fr , http://www.chambery-tourisme.com , http://alain.cerri.free.fr/index7.html
explanation: Located between Geneva and Grenoble in the fore-Alps and the capital of Savoy prefecture, Chambery began to develop when it had become the capital of Savoy dukedom in 1295 but declined when its capital was moved to Turin in 1563. The sovereignty of the Savoy region was transferred to France by Turin treaty of 1860. Located on the crossing point of Geneva-Grenoble and Lyon-Turin routes, Chambery is also an important railroad hub. The surrounding area is cultivating Savoy wine. The population is 58500.

Chamonix

French words: Chamonix , Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
alternative words: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
keywords: alps , tourist resort , town
related topics: Mont Blanc , Aiguille du Midi , Mont Blanc tunnel
related web sites: http://www.chamonix.com , http://www.chamonix-mont-blanc.fr
explanation: Located in the Alps near Swiss boarder, Chamoinx has got its fame since the 18th century, thanks to a development of the tourism and alpinism In 1924, the town organized the first Winter Olympics. Owning many mechanical lifting equipments such as ropeway of Aiguille du Midi and train of Montenvers, Chamonix is an ideal base for the alpinism and skiing. Since the opening of Mont Blanc tunnel in 1965, more and more trucks enter Chamonix valley and it provokes an environmental problem. Its population is 9900.

Evian

French words: Evian , Evian-lès-Bains
alternative words: Evian-les-Bains
keywords: alps , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.eviantourism.com , http://www.evianmasters.com
explanation: Renowned for its mineral waters and located on the southern shore of Lake Leman near the Alps mountains and Geneva, Evian is a health and tourist resort with hot-sprint. By the way, Evian-les-Bains means "Evian near hot-spring". A bilateral talk to end the independence war of Algeria took place there in 1962 (Evian protocol). France hosted also a G8 summit in June 2003 at Royal park hotel in Evian. Each summer, a famous female golf tournament, Evian Masters takes place. The population is 7500.

Frejus tunnel

French words: Tunnel du Fréjus
alternative words: Tunnel of Frejus
keywords: alps , transport
related topics: Mont Blanc tunnel
related web sites: http://www.tunneldufrejus.com , http://www.ltf-sas.com/fr/histoiretunnels.htm
explanation: Man has planed early as 19th century to dig a tunnel under the Alps between France and Italy because both sides belonged to Sardinia kingdom at that time. The first railroad tunnel opened in 1871. Its total length is 13,7km. Now a new railroad tunnel for TGV is under studies. The construction of a car tunnel began one century later and achieved in 1980. Its total length is 12,9km. After a fire inside the tunnel in June 2005, all the traffics have been deported to Mont Blanc tunnel in spite of an opposition.

Grenoble

French words: Grenoble
keywords: alps , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.grenoble.fr , http://membres.lycos.fr/grenoble2000/hist/hist.html
explanation: Located at the confluence of 2 rivers, Drac and Isere, Romans had already built a fortress in Grenoble due to its strategic importance. During the middle ages, Grenoble was an independent state, then sold to France in 1349 to become a fief of the French crown prince. Grenoble is now the capital of Isere prefecture. Owning an university and many scientific laboratories such as ESRF, it is also one of the largest research centers in France. Grenoble organizes Winter Olympics in 1968. The population is 153000.

Meije

French words: La Meije
alternative words: La Meije, Mount Meije
keywords: alps , mountain , tourist resort
related web sites: http://www.lagrave-lameije.com , http://www.la-grave.com
explanation: Located in the South Alps in Massif of Ecrin, Mount Meije with 3,984m high is one of the European peaks fallen lately. It was reached first in 1877 by the party of Emmanuel Boileau de Castelneu and Pierre Gaspard and son by ascending vertically from the base while the route which follows the serrated edges from west was defeated in 1891. The starting point has become the second highest ski resort in France (Deux Alpes). You can admire the majestic peak of Meije from Grave village across the Romanche valley.

Mont Blanc

French words: Mont Blanc
alternative words: Monte Bianco, Montblanc
keywords: alps , mountain
related topics: Aiguille du Midi , Chamonix
related web sites: http://www.webcam-montblanc.com , http://www.chamonix.com , http://www.montblanc.to , http://www.st-gervais.net
explanation: Located between Chamonix in France and Courmayeur of Aosta valley in Italy, Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Western Europe. Its height varies between 4807m and 4810m due to a snow dome covering the top. There exists still a boarder dispute between France and Italy on the belonging of the summit. Jacques Balmat and Michel Piccard first reached the peak of Mont Blanc in 1786. Now, thanks to the ropeway of Aiguille du Midi or Mont Blanc tramway from St Gervais, you can reach more quickly the summit.

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