PLACES TO STAY

GRENOBLE

The biggest city in the French Alps has all the facilities you could possibly need and is easy to reach (masochists can get there in a motorway day, with an early start). It’s also the gateway to the mountains in the region.

Hotel tip: Le Relais de Sassenage (www.relais-sassenage.com)

BOURG ST MAURICE

An unspoilt town in the Tarantaise valley, which leads to Val d’isere – but while the ski town largely shuts in summer, Bourg continues to bustle. Surrounded by amazing passes.

Hotel tip: Hotel Arolla (www.hotel-arolla.fr)

BRIANÇON

It’s half the size of Grenoble, but Briançon bills itself as the highest city in Europe. It’s a lovely old town, with plenty of hotels and restaurants, and it’s right in the heart of the Alps.

Hotel tip: Hotel Vauban (www. hotel-vauban-briancon.com)

LE BOURG-D’OISANS

Sleepy village in the valley below Alpe d’huez – so popular with cyclists, with good facilities for those of us on proper bikes…

Hotel tip: Hotel Oberland (bourgdoisans.com/noesit/!/ fiche/hotel-loberland-92057)