Les Gets Summer Activities: The Best Things to Do

Les Gets is one of the top mountain bike destinations in the French Alps, with trails for every level.

• 128 km of marked trails
• 13 downhill tracks and a jump park
• Lessons available for beginners
• Part of Europe's largest bike park

The Portes du Soleil is the biggest mountain bike area in the Alps, and Les Gets sits right in the middle. There are 128 km of marked trails, 13 downhill tracks, a freeride track, a jump park, and a kids' zone. Enduro riders will find an 80 km tour through the region. Electric mountain biking is also possible. If you have never tried downhill biking, Les Gets is a good place to start. A private lesson at Les Gets Bike School is smart. A two-hour class covers the basics: balance, turning, drops, and braking. That way you avoid the steep learning curve. The village is walkable to the lifts and rental shops. During the Pass'Portes du Soleil festival in June, the trails are buzzing.

If you prefer two feet over two wheels, Les Gets has plenty of marked paths with views that reward every step.

• La Boucle des Clarines has Mont Blanc views
• Le Circuit des Chèvres passes goats at a farm
• Many trails are child and pushchair friendly
• A 2-hour hike on Mont Chery is a favorite

Hiking is big here. One of the most popular walks is La Boucle des Clarines, a two-hour loop with views of Mont Blanc. Another fun trail is Le Circuit des Chèvres, where you can meet the herd of goats at Lassare farm. The farm is open for visits on Thursday evenings, but you need to book. Even without the goats, the trail has carved wooden statues that keep kids moving. For a longer outing, take the cable car up Mont Chery. The 10 km route goes through forest and open pastures with Mont Blanc in the background. The cable car ticket costs about €19, which includes a drink and snack stop. You can ride it back down or hike the extra 5 km to the village. The tourist office in the center has maps and info.

A mountain lake with a giant inflatable obstacle course makes for a perfect lazy afternoon in Les Gets.

• Lifeguards on duty during summer
• Water slide and roped area for kids
• Giant Wibit inflatable park
• Mini Wibit for younger children

Lac des Ecoles is located a short walk from the center, about 10 minutes on foot. The lake has lifeguards, a water slide, and a section roped off for small children. They also provide armbands for novice swimmers. The main draw is the Wibit Park, a giant inflatable obstacle course that comes out every summer. It is very popular, so you need to book your slot in advance. There is a mini Wibit next door for younger kids. Entry to the lake area is free, but there is a small fee to use the sporting facilities or rent deckchairs. You will find a cafe, picnic tables, beach volleyball courts, and a pump track. After a morning hike, many people come here to cool off and relax with a book.

When the sun goes down, the forest behind the lake turns into a magical light and sound show.

• Only experience of its kind in Europe
• Created by a Canadian company
• Combines Les Gets music history with lighting
• Open year round, best after dark

Alta Lumina opened in 2020 and has been wowing visitors ever since. It is a multi-sensory night walk installed in the forest just behind the swimming lake. The experience tells the story of a traveling music maker and his hot air balloon. Lights, music, and cutting-edge technology bring it to life. The attraction is open year round, but it is best seen in the dark, so in summer you go later in the evening. It is the only one of its kind in Europe. The walk takes about 45 minutes to an hour. It is suitable for all ages, though young children might find some parts intense. Tickets can be bought online or at the tourist office.

If you need a break from the outdoor action, this quirky museum is a great rainy-day stop.

• Only museum of its kind in Europe
• 800 instruments, some from the 17th century
• Guided tours show exhibits in action
• Free with the Portes du Soleil MultiPass

You will find the Museum of Mechanical Instruments in one of the oldest buildings in Les Gets. It holds a collection of 800 mechanical musical instruments, some dating back to the 17th century. The guided tour explains how they work, and you get to hear many of them play. It is a little kooky, but completely unique. The town also hosts an annual wacky mechanical music festival where inventors show off new creations. This museum is a perfect activity for a rainy day. It is not huge, so you can see everything in an hour or two. Best of all, entry is free if you have the MultiPass.

Take to the air over the Portes du Soleil with a tandem flight that gives you a whole new view of the mountains.

• Family-run outfit in Les Gets
• Takes children as young as 6
• Also offers canyoning and rafting
• Mont Blanc views from the air

Les Gets Adventure is run by two brothers, one of them named Antoine. They offer tandem paragliding flights that launch from the slopes above the village. The flight is calm and smooth, and you can see Mont Blanc on the horizon. They have taken a 6-year-old child up, so it is family friendly. Besides paragliding, they also organize canyoning, white water rafting, and via ferrata. The flights last about 15 to 20 minutes, but the whole experience takes an hour or two including the briefing and drive to the launch site. Booking is essential, especially in July and August. The company is based right in Les Gets.