Educational Tours : French Alps
Chamonix lies in the Arve Valley, a deep U-shaped trough formed some 10,000 years ago by mighty glaciers flowing from the Mont Blanc Massif. The effects of earlier glacial erosion can easily be seen on the mountainsides and the valleys of the Alps today.
There are still active glaciers on the Mont Blanc massif, where the processes of ice movement, erosion, and their results can be seen at first hand. The location provides an opportunity to compare current glacial activity with the features formed during the earlier glaciation periods. The area is dominated by Europe’s highest peak at 4807 metres.
The busy tourist settlement of Chamonix provides an ideal location for studying the impact of tourism and the growth of alpine settlements. Since the 1950s the market for winter sports gained momentum and the expansion of facilities was often at odds with the local environment. This can provide a broad selection of topics for human geography studies.
The spectacular mountain landscape provides many superb locations to carry out fluvial, glacial and biogeography studies. All in all, the French Alps are an excellent field studies location for both human and physical geography.
Groups studying Alpine Field Studies at this destination will be allocated a PGL Field Studies Course Representative, who will liaise with coach drivers, hotel managers and any activity providers on your behalf, and advise on sites of interest and local area information. Your Course Representative will provide field studies equipment, set up classroom facilities and can even lead the teaching sessions in the field if required.
Centres/hotels available at this destination:
- Hotel La Belle Etoile
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An excellent 2 star hotel with views of one of the greatest Alpine panoramas.
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