French Alps

Sitting on a triangular islet surrounded by the Canal du Thiou, the 12th-century Palais de l’Isle has been a lordly residence, a courthouse, a mint and a prison over the centuries. — Lonely Planet

A great broken tooth of rock rearing among the Alpine fastness of the Mont Blanc massif, the Aiguille du Midi (3842m) is one of Chamonix’ most distinctive geographical features. — Lonely Planet

From the summit, the panoramic view covers all the French side of Mont Blanc, including the Aiguille (Needle) du Midi, as well as Chamonix valley stretching out below from the village of Praz to Boissons. — Michelin Guide

Beginning life as a Dominican chapel, this tranquil, 15th-century Gothic church is the oldest in Annecy. It occupies a plum site, facing the lake and Jardins de l'Europe. — Lonely Planet

Today it houses France’s most impressive arms museum and a 147m-deep well. Guided tours are gripping, full of anecdotes and stories, and available in English (ring ahead). — Lonely Planet

The old church of the Monastery of the Visitation used to contain the tombs of François de Sales and St Jean de Chantal, whose former resting places you can see designated by grilles. — Michelin Guide

Once the summer residence of the Lumière family, of cinematic fame, this ornate French-classical villa became the town hall in 1927. — Lonely Planet

The château clings to a forested hillside, 12km south of Annecy...it’s the sparkling Lac d'Annecy panorama that leaves many visitors speechless. — Lonely Planet

To learn about the region’s rural history and Grenoble’s relationship with the Alps, visit the Musée Dauphinois, with a permanent exhibition on mountain life and two temporary exhibitions on rotation (daily except Tuesdays, free entry) — Independent

This modest museum, housed in the restored apartment of his maternal grandfather, Docteur Gagnon, celebrates the work of the author of The Red and the Black (1830). — Lonely Planet

This forbidding medieval castle, once home to the counts and dukes of Savoy, now houses the Préfecture and Conseil Général of the Savoie département. — Lonely Planet

Chagall, Soutine, Brancusi, Modigliani, Lipchitz and Archipenko all spent periods here, and the 140 studios are still sought after by today's artists and designers. — Time Out