While often pictured as a world of white snow and grey rock, the French Alps in summer are an explosion of vibrant colour, dominated by a “shocking green.” This intense verdancy, covering the high-altitude pastures and flanks of the mountains, is a breathtaking sight for hikers in the Vallée des Belleville.
This brilliant green is the result of the short but intense summer growing season. After the snow melts, the meadows burst into life, nourished by the pure mountain water. The contrast between this lush vegetation and the stark, rocky peaks above creates a landscape of incredible visual power.
Accenting this dominant green is a palette of other vivid colours. The trail winds through wildflowers like harebells, while patches of neon-coloured lichens cling to the rocks, adding splashes of bright orange, yellow, and lime. Higher up, the deep blue of a cloudless Alpine sky provides the perfect backdrop.
For a family hiking the Grand Tour de Tarentaise, this rich colour palette was a constant delight. It transforms the mountains from an intimidating, monochrome fortress into a vibrant, living ecosystem. The summer colours of the Alps are a feast for the eyes and a powerful symbol of the life that thrives in this high-altitude world.