Combloux in summer: Family-friendly perfection in the French Alps
Looking for the perfect family-friendly summer destination in the French Alps? Discover Combloux, an alpine gem hidden in plain sight. Stunning mountain views, traditional Savoyarde charm, infinite hiking for every ability and a jaw-dropping swimming spot you’ll never want to leave. Discover more in my guide to this accessible and authentic mountain escape.
The secret to holiday planning is finding sweet-spots. Locations that are lively enough to fill streets and terraces with atmosphere, yet not overcrowded. Views that fill the horizon with beauty, yet not so close you have to crane your neck to see anything. Destinations packed with plenty to explore, but not so many options you’re overwhelmed. Weather warm enough to explore, not chain you to an air conditioning unit.
And I think I’ve found a sweet-spot in the French Alps: Combloux.
The Mont-Blanc massif dominates the view from this modest resort town, part of the same ski area as chic Megève. Perched on the flanks of the Chaîne des Aravis mountains in alpine pasture, high above the Arve valley (where Chamonix lies upstream) Combloux lies amidst a scattering of other charming villages. Winter may be peak season here, but it’s during its second season – summer – that this town really comes into its own.
It hits the sweet spot in so many ways. The panoramas are breathtaking – with Mont Blanc incredibly close – and yet you’re just far enough away to be able to process the enormity and beauty (something that can be a struggle if you’re low down in the Chamonix valley). At around 1,000m altitude, you’re high above the bustle of the busy valley below, surrounded by a patchwork of woodland and grazing – and yet you’re not so high up that summer days come with a chill breeze. And the town itself has plenty to offer summer visitors – a spectacular swimming spot, lively bars and restaurants, fantastic hiking trails and play spaces for little ones – and yet still feels tranquil compared to the winter rush.
Combloux was our destination last summer for our first trip to the Alps with our toddler. And it could not have suited us more perfectly. There was plenty for her to enjoy in a town that puts families first. Everything is within easy walking distance, including mountain farms and alpine meadow escapism. And there are dozens of mountain trails to explore from your door, just right for family adventures that also scratch that pre-parenting sense-of-adventure itch.
There’s no AI here! Every post on Travels with a Saddle Bag is written by myself and based on my own travels. This post was published in February 2026 and based on my visit to Combloux in September 2025.
Introducing Combloux
Combloux is located on the lower slopes of the Val d’Arve in the French department of Haute-Savoie, two thirds of the way between Geneva and Chamonix. Sitting just below 1,000m, it’s a modest ski resort town comprising more than half a dozen hamlets and centred around a core village centre and main street. Unlike many purpose-built ski resort towns, Combloux was a farming village long before winter sports arrived. And whilst you’ll find ski infrastructure on the higher slopes, linking it with the nearby – and arguably better known – ski town of Mègeve, it’s a rural community at its heart. Pastures packed with cattle intersperse residential streets, and the architecture is almost exclusively low-rise chalets, some of which are hundreds of years old.
How we holidayed in Combloux
We spent ten days Combloux in late August and early September 2025 and booked a self-catered apartment in La Feug, ten minutes walk from the village centre, through booking.com. We drove down to the Haute-Savoie from our home in Southern England, taking the Eurotunnel to cross the channel.
We love walking and spending time in the high mountains but as this was our first trip to the Alps with our 18 month old, we mixed things up a bit. Most days we took a long morning or late afternoon walk, then took a trip out to a local town or lakeside/poolside for the rest of the day (depending on the weather). Whilst we ate at home for most of our stay, we found the bars and restaurants in Combloux very happy to host children and we enjoyed a couple of coffees, beers and meals out.
A note on visiting the Alps in late summer
We arrived in Combloux on the last weekend of August, towards the tail-end of the summer season (which usually runs from July to August). Whilst the weather always has the potential to be changeable in the Alps, August is usually reliably hot and sunny with only the odd wet day.
Heading into September the weather can start to be more unpredictable, but this fringe season is absolutely worth considering. It doesn’t yet feel autumnal in the Alps in early September, especially at this altitude. It’s very much vibrant late summer. Yes, there’s a greater chance of wet days, but they’re not especially cool yet. And evenings have a chill in the air, which they do not in late July. But if you want to travel a little later in the season like us, Combloux is ideal. It’s relatively low altitude, so temperatures are warmer. It’s also much more than a resort town – a lot of locals live here. That means whilst things are quieter, local businesses are open (with the terrace at Le Postillion still packed on sunny days) and there are plenty of others sharing the mountain trails still.
What to do in Combloux: In the village
One of the best things about Combloux is that there is plenty to do on your doorstep. If we did hop in the car, we found we didn’t need to go far for a change of scene and new experiences. That’s not to say that there aren’t some exceptional days out in this part of the world – there are (and I’ll share more on these later). But it’s nice to spend more time on foot than sitting down.
Relax at the Plan d’eau
Combloux’s Plan d’eau is truly the jewel in its crown, and one of the most remarkable swimming spots I’ve ever encountered. This natural swimming pool, where reed and gravel beds filter the crystal clear waters in place of conventional chemicals, sits in a sumptuously landscaped park on the mountainside with an extraordinary view of Mont Blanc. Any of these qualities alone would be enough to recommend this spot, but together – and coupled with a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere – they make it an unmissable spot not just in this village but in this region. Come for a swim, but equally come for an afternoon relaxing in the sun with a spectacular view or splashing with little ones.
Open daily in July and August, partial opening extends into June and September. Pre-booking is advised as it’s a popular spot (for good reason) and ticket sales are limited each day so that it never feels crowded. The pool has a lifeguard and gentle stepped access to a shallow area making it ideal for little swimmers.
Explore Combloux’s centre
At first glance, Combloux has a modern main street much like any other small ski resort town, with a smattering of shops and cafes. Which is no bad thing of course. But take the time to explore on foot and you’ll find far more. A majestic Savoyarde church and cobbled square is tucked just a few minutes walk away, and there are beautiful ancient chalets to be found along some steep narrow streets.
The lively Le Postilion is packed from dawn ‘til dusk with morning coffee drinkers through to apèro on the shady terrace (when you’ll struggle to find a seat even in early September). There are two exceptional boulangeries, Aux Délices de Combloux and Le Petit Boulanger de Montagne, and a Petit Casino mini-supermarket for essentials. You’ll also find a handful of bars, restaurants and pizzerias open during the summer season. We loved dinner at the characterful Le Coin Savoyard that serves genuinely delicious local food with a side of great atmosphere, and Passion Pizza for excellent takeaways.
Discover the hamlets of Combloux on foot
Whilst there’s a temptation to head straight towards the nearest peaks, you’re missing a trick if you don’t explore Combloux itself. The town is really a cluster of smaller hamlets, all of which are linked by quiet roads or trails ideal for small people or walking with a buggy. Grab a map from the tourist office to help you find these off-piste options and get exploring.
Ormaret stole my heart with its pretty, traditional alpine chapel and vast chalet farmhouses, decked out for the summer with endless window boxes full of nodding geraniums. La Combaz offers panoramic views like no other across the Arve valley, and tiny Intages – a little way apart from the rest of the village – is home to some wonderful ancient farmhouses complete with roaming hens and sprawling vegetable gardens.
Follow the Trail des Graniteurs
This signposted trail encourages visitors to explore the woodlands below the Plan de l’eau (which in itself is a nice way to spend half an hour of anyone’s time). But the excellent signage – and features along the way – illustrate the village’s past and explain how Combloux came to be a small but surprisingly wealthy alpine village ripe for the explosion of ski tourism in the first half of the 20th century. An enterprising family began the extraction of high-quality granite, used for fine architectural features amongst other things, here in the 19th century. This engaging trail shows where these operations took place with old machinery, some small buildings and very interesting geology on show. Free to enjoy, it shares some interesting history with adults – and scrambling spots and curiosities to explore for younger visitors.
Enjoy the play spaces
Along with mountain views, there’s another thing Combloux is not short on: Play areas. For a small town, there are a lot of excellent play spaces sprinkled around. For toddlers and younger children, there is plenty to discover – and for older kids you’ll even find a small pump track and more adventurous play equipment.
For the very best, head past the church and after a couple hundred meters you’ll find a large park and pump track nestled between the town’s schools. With something for every age and a snack van regularly serving up pizza, this is one to return to during your stay. You’ll also find play equipment for different ages scattered around the Plan d’eau (and open to the public at all times). And whilst not a permanent fixture, we also found a giant outdoor soft play set-up for toddlers here that was a hit with our daughter.
What to do near Combloux
If, like us, you enjoy mini-adventures to keep you entertained on holiday you’ll be spoiled for choice when you base yourself in Combloux. Hop in the car to find charming mountain towns and fantastic outdoor activities less than 15 minutes away.
Explore the mountain trails on foot
The slopes above Combloux are criss-crossed with walking trails offering endless opportunities for adventure. Start your walk in the village, or park up La Cry or Cuchet to cut out some of the climb for shorter legs.
For easily accessible yet breath-taking views, head up to the Alpage de Beauregard from Cuchet, then take the gentle trail that hugs the mountainside towards the Jaillet cable car. Kids will love the adventurous play area at Jaillet and the herds of cattle grazing along the way. The scenery is postcard-perfect with Mont Blanc on the horizon and Megève in the valley below. There are a handful of excellent mountain restaurants, open in summer, along this trail – I highly recommend La Racine and its glorious garden for a coffee stop with one of the best views I’ve ever encountered (they were also extremely helpful with toddler changing facilities).
Alternatively, from the Alpage head further up following trails that intersect the grassy pistes to Sommet des Salles or the nearby Croix des Salles. Bountiful scenery delights at each of these viewpoints, but Sommet des Salles pipped it for me with views of the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc as well as the spectacular Chaîne des Aravis behind.
Discover Megève (and also walk)
The ski resort of Megève is less than 10 minutes drive from Combloux. Much like Courchevel in the Three Valleys, Megève attracts a glitzy crowd in winter who are drawn to the upmarket restaurants and designer shops that line its pretty cobbled streets just as much as its pistes. You won’t find much traditional alpine charm here (we’re talking Louis Vuitton shop windows instead), but you will find a town centre that’s worth mooching around – dripping with beautiful floral displays and home to horse-drawn carriages.
But most of all, I’d encourage you to use Megève as a stepping stone for some more great walks. Head up towards the Altiport through Le Maz and Le Planellet for more stunning alpine views. Or explore the charming family woodland walking trail above the Creux Saint Jean and Cascade de le Belle au Bois with its multilingual, kid-friendly information boards and activities that introduce the flora and fauna of this high-altitude spot.
Top tip: Megève also has the nearest supermarket (Auchan) with a petrol station, making it a useful destination if you’re self-catering and want to stock up on supplies.
Take a trip to Lac de Passy
Combloux’s Plan d’eau might be a showstopper, but it’s just one of many brilliant swimming spots in this region. Less than 15 minutes drive away is Lac de Passy, a huge expanse of water surrounded by parkland with a designated swimming area and beach at its far end. Completely free of charge to enjoy, it occupies an unassuming location just off the autoroute in the valley bottom, but offers impressive views and heaps of fun throughout the summer season including play spaces for big and little kids. There’s even a guinguette beach bar, inflatables and launch points for paddle boarders.
Visit Sallaches
The town of Sallaches sits at the bottom of the mountain road to Combloux. Easily dismissed as a junction off the autoroute, it’s a highly-underrated and surprisingly authentic Savoyarde market town. What it lacks in mountain views, it more than makes up for with a beautifully landscaped and café-lined main square, local architecture and an excellent Saturday market packed with local producers and extremely French a refreshing change from more tourist-oriented markets in this part of the world).
We spent a delightful Saturday morning here mooching around the market stalls, buying excessive amounts of local veg and cheese and sipping coffee in the main square where our little girl could run riot.
Head to St.-Gervais-les-Bains
The Art Nouveau spa town of St.-Gervais-les-Bains is located at the head of the Val de Montjoie just ten minutes drive south of Combloux. It’s packed with fabulous, unexpected architecture – quite different to the neighbouring ski towns. The inviting central boulevard and wide pavements are the perfect spot for a morning coffee, lunch en terrace or early evening apèro. You’ll also find the charming station of the Tramway de Mont Blanc on the fringes of town, starting point for a rail journey into the mountains like no other.
Find out more about the charming Val de Montjoie in my Les Contamines travel guide.
Get on your bike
This region is popular with serious cyclists and for good reason. Combloux regularly hosts some of the world’s biggest races – most recently the 2023 Men’s Tour de France, 2025 Women’s Tour de France and 2025 Tour de l’Avenir. If you’re a keen road cyclist you’ll find excellent access to the Chaîne des Aravis with the challenging but beautiful Col des Aravis not too far away, plus highlights of the Haute Savoie like the Portes du Soleil, Col du Colombier and Lake Annecy. And keep an eye out for major events – spectating at these is an excellent adventure in itself, whether you know the sport well or not. Find out more about my experiences in How to spectate at the Tour de France.
The best day trips from Combloux
Combloux is brilliantly located if you want to explore the wider Haute Savoie region. With the autoroute just 15 minutes away there are heaps of destinations within easy reach.
Day trip to Chamonix
The grande dame of alpine destinations, Chamonix sits at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi in the shadow of the Mont Blanc massif. The town centre isn’t large but it is a pretty spot to stroll around and packed with smart cafés and premium sports and mountain equipment stores (which are well worth a stroll around if you have a wet day). If you’re looking for a showstopping addition to your trip consider a cable car journey to the Aiguille du Midi and Mer du glace. But with useful lift connections and scores of trails close to town it’s also an excellent starting point for day walks with dramatically different views.
For some inspiration, check out my guide to day walks in the Chamonix valley.
Day trip to Cirque de Fer à Cheval
On the far side of the Val d’Arve you’ll find the Grand Massif ski area. A fantastic winter destination (check out my ski guide to the Grand Massif to see it dusted with snow), in summer you’ll find spectacular walks just beyond Samöens at the Cirque du Fer à Cheval. As the name suggests, this horseshoe-shapped valley is quite unlike anything else you’ll find in this part of the world. Dozens of waterfalls cascade down to the valley bottom where you’ll find gentle trails that are off-road buggy friendly, popular with families and offered welcome relief when I hiked this valley when pregnant. The dramatic rock faces and fast-flowing river offer constant interest and excitement for walkers of any age.
Day trip to La Clusaz
The underrated ski resort town of La Clusaz lies to the north of Combloux just over the Col des Aravis. It’s been on my family’s radar since the early 90s and has been a favourite ever since. The charming village centre comes alive on Monday mornings when the vibrant street market takes over, showcasing local producers and supplying self-catering essentials. Older kids (and adults) will love the summer luge (toboggan) that hurtles down the mountainside into the town centre.
Consider a morning in town, then head back to Col des Aravis to enjoy a picnic in a stunning setting. Children will enjoy the gentle trails and encounters with alpine cattle and goats at the Col, whilst grown-ups will appreciate the vistas back down in the Arve valley.
Day trip to Annecy
Spectacular Lake Annecy offers a slice of something different in the Alps. Surrounded by low mountain peaks, this vast crystal-clear lake is one of the largest in France. In a day you can explore some of the delightful lakeside villages on foot or two wheels, take a walk amongst its peaks or – perhaps best of all on a summer day – pitch up at one of the many lakeside beaches and enjoy the water. If you’re travelling with kids you’ll find family-friendly play areas, splash pools and lifeguarded swim areas here, as well as paddle board and kayak hire.
Don’t overlook the town of Annecy either. The winding cobbled streets of the medieval old town meander along a riverside that’s packed with charm, character, good food and chic boutiques. The thrice weekly market is not to be missed. Annecy may be best explored under the beating sun, but it’s big enough (and packed with plentiful cafes and things to see and do) to offer a great option for wet or cooler days.
Discover more in my guide to what to do around Lake Annecy.
Combloux travel resources
How to get to Combloux
Combloux is an hour’s easy drive from Geneva airport, with its huge offering of international flights. A short distance from the A40 autoroute, it’s also well-connected to French and Swiss motorways for travellers coming from further afield.
Where to stay in Combloux
The majority of accommodation in Combloux is self-catered apartments and chalets. We found an enormous amount listed on Airbnb and Booking.com, although plenty of owners let privately too so a Google search or email to the tourist office might also be helpful. Most visitors here are French so it can be helpful to use French search engines and translations to track down more options.
How to get around Combloux
Whilst scattered across the mountainside, most of Combloux is easily accessible on foot – although if travelling with a toddler like us an off-road buggy will help to make light work of stepper slopes. In July and August, a free shuttle bus service connects the village centre with the Jaillet cable car and Cuchet car park for easy access to walking trails and mountain restaurants.
What to pack for Combloux
Check out What to pack for the Alps in summer for my detailed guide to packing for alpine escapes.
And if you’re travelling with a toddler like us? I’d recommend four essentials;
- A great baby carrier for hiking (We all love our LittleLife Adventurer)
- An all-terrain buggy if you want to get off tarmac (We took our Out’n’About Nipper Sport running buggy but admittedly didn’t fully test-drive as little girl likes her baby carrier)
- A lightweight travel cot that feels like home-from-home (We highly recommend the Baby Bjorn travel cot light)
- Warmer swimwear (think shortie wetsuit or rash vest) for cooler water
As ever I’m a big advocate for seeking out these essentials secondhand, especially if you’re only planning to use them for a few weeks a year.
Combloux in a nutshell
Combloux is a rare thing. In a part of the world peppered with resort towns trying to catch the eye of would-be visitors, it has somehow slipped under the radar. Perhaps its lower altitude makes it slightly less convenient for skiers, or maybe perhaps the luxury caché of neighbouring Megève lures visitors away. Either way, it plays in favour of Combloux as a summer destination. It’s easy to reach, easy to explore, easy for everyone of any age to enjoy and easy on the eye. And it’s not busy.
I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively in this part of the world and I honestly believe it’s one of the hidden gems of the French Alps – hidden in plain sight, right in front of Mont Blanc. Take a chance and discover the delights of these sunny slopes and remarkable swimming spots before others get here – it’s only a matter of time.
As for our first-time alpine adventure with a toddler, I can’t encourage you enough to consider a holiday in Combloux with kids. It was everything I hoped for and more. The French know how to do child-friendly – but the spectacular views, accessible to mountain trails and plenty to explore, Combloux will equally satisfy grown-ups with a sense of adventure. If you’re looking for your next summer destination in the French Alps, you’ve found it.
