QUIZ: do you know the (mountain) codes?

Swimming in a mountain lake is...

A. Refreshing (it even tingles a bit!)
B. Invigorating (free cryotherapy!)
C. Criminal (that's a bit dramatic...)

Swimming in a mountain lake really is criminal—for all the tiny plants and creatures that live there or come to drink. Mountain lakes are fragile ecosystems that must be protected from external inputs (even invisible ones). After all, would you like sunscreen and microplastics in your glass of water? Neither do ibexes, fish, or aquatic plants.

So resist, prove your worth, and hold back the urge to take a dip (even just your feet or hands). Pack plenty of water in your hiking bag to cool off, wear a cap or wide-brimmed hat, and plan a stop at the swimming pool when you return—no heatstroke for you, promise!

Pitching your tent for the night in a cute little valley is...

A. Great for impressing your Insta followers
B. Great for risking a fine
C. Great for a restful night

This one's a bit technical, because wild camping rules in France are quite complicated. To simplify: you’re allowed to pitch your tent anywhere... except where it’s forbidden. But there are a lot of places where it’s forbidden: private land (and it’s not always easy to tell), national or nature parks, protected or classified sites, near water collection points, etc.

The good news is that it is absolutely possible to bivouac in the Vanoise National Park, but only close to the mountain refuges (you’ll just have to pay a small fee to the hut warden on arrival). You must set up your lightweight, compact tent after 7 p.m. and take it down before 8 a.m. Obviously, no campfires allowed... On the plus side, you’ll have access to restrooms and can even enjoy dinner with other hikers if you choose half board. But that stays between us — your wilderness image is safe, sleep tight...

Click here to book your spot!

Picking mountain flowers to press between the pages of your favorite novel is...

A. So romantic.
B. So 1965. Flower power and all that jazz.
C. So a bad idea. Because if everyone did it, there’d be none left for the bees.

Picking mountain flowers? FBI: False Brilliant Idea (get the reference?). In the Vanoise National Park, it’s actually strictly forbidden. Sure, it’s tempting. It would make a cute bouquet. Maybe help you remember the name of that flower — “it’s on the tip of my tongue!”. But the bouquet will wilt eventually. Instead, take a picture and run a Google Lens search when you have signal — much better for nature and your memory.

And for those cheeky ones thinking about collecting génépi for a homemade liqueur: the picking of génépi (black, white, and glacier varieties) is tightly regulated. Translation: it’s prohibited in the Vanoise National Park and limited to 120 sprigs per person per day in the Savoie department (excluding protected areas). And you still need to know the right spots… but shhh!

All about foraging in Savoie (blueberries, gentian, mushrooms, edelweiss…)

All about the flora of Vanoise National Park

Sticking to the marked trails and not shortcutting the switchbacks is...

A. A sheep thing. Freedom, I write your name!
B. For the weak. With strong thighs, you charge straight up!
C. Visionary. Staying on the trail protects everything around it, so we can enjoy it longer.

Staying on the trail is anything but overrated! Watching “adventure” content creators, it might seem like you *have* to go off-trail in remote areas to be legit. But in truth, wandering off-path is disrespectful to the very nature you wanted to reconnect with in the first place.

So even if it would be quicker to cut the switchbacks; even if other hikers are too slow for your pace; even if there’s a cow blocking your way: stay on the path. Well, okay—you can go around the cow without waiting for her to move. Special permission granted. For everything else, it's a hard no.

By keeping your boots on the trail, you protect plant life and help reduce erosion. Mother Nature thanks you (and so will your great-great-grandkids!).

Sharing your picnic with the local marmots is...

A. Truly philanthropic toward animals
B. Kind of rude to the person who made your sandwich
C. Really not cool for your friends who had their eye on it

Careful—trick question! Actually, you can't use the word “philanthropic” when talking about animals. It only applies to humans. But more importantly, just remember that you should never feed wild animals you encounter on your hikes. Not even those cute little marmots, no matter how much they “need to bulk up for winter.”

And if your sandwich is REALLY awful (or you just want to break a friendship by not sharing your leftovers), put it back in your hiking bag and bring it home. Don’t leave it on the trail “in case a hungry ibex strolls by.” Same goes for wrappers, candy papers, tissues… Whatever came with you, goes back with you.