Summer in The Alps
Wednesday July 7, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

More often than not we have stories of adrenalin fuelled activities; climbing, biking, paragliding and the like. Sometimes though just doing nothing is even better. Rebecca Miles reports.

Who needs the beach to have a relaxing summer holiday?

I just got back from a week of doing very little in the village of Champagny in the French Alps, and feel totally relaxed and revived.

Must have been all that fresh mountain air.

We planned to be a little more adventurous than we actually were, but the plentiful local cheeses and hams, good wine and abundant walks on our doorstep got the better of us.

Sod adrenalin.

We settled into an easy daily routine reading on the balcony, a simple lunch then a three/four hour walk once the midday sun had calmed down.

One such walk unexpectedly got our hearts pumping when it turned into a scramble up a waterfall, searching for secure footholds in the startlingly cold water.

We were on route to the sheep's summer pastures above Fougere but one of the flock didn't make it.

We stepped over it's fleshy body while five golden eagles soared and circled above. No lamb on the menu for us tonight.

The daily routine was interrupted by the odd swim or meal out - including a fantastic Cote de Boeuf at the slowfood-associated Le Bouquetin.

Just to ensure our complete relaxation from the second we left home, we took the Eurostar and TGV to Lyon, then changed to a local train to Moutiers, half an hour away.

And of course, we had an on-board picnic of bread, wine, cheese and ham to complete the bliss.

Train travel is the most relaxing way to travel.

Sometimes things that take a little longer are worth it.

Pretty in summer