Cheap summer climbing destinations near Geneva

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 Alice.001 09 Feb 2020

Looking for personal recommendations for the closest, cheapest, and best rock climbing *in season* in the summer near Geneva or Paris.

I've spent some time on google but would like some local knowledge.

Looking for sport or bouldering.

Thank you!

Post edited at 23:24
 Doug 10 Feb 2020
In reply to Alice.001:

The best climbing close to Paris is in the forest at Fontainbleau (bouldering only). Not sure what you mean by 'cheap' - do you mean travel &/or accommodation ?

 Andy Hemsted 10 Feb 2020
In reply to Alice.001:

Fontainebleau is a bouldering paradise, and not too hot in summer. There are plenty of campsites on the edge of the forest, and not too much driving once you're there. Even better if you enjoy running or orienteering as well!

Geneva itself is expensive, and not a good base for a climbing holiday. To the south there is plenty of sport near to Annecy and in the Aravis, and to the north-east there's good climbing in the Swiss Jura just north of Biel. We're having a week in this area in late June.

 Rob Exile Ward 10 Feb 2020
In reply to Alice.001:

Well Cham is Mecca for a reason and very easy to get to from Geneva. Any amount of sport climbing, from next to the road to in the high mountains, and all points in between e.g. Les Chesyrys and the Aiguille Rouge, and if you camp somewhere like Argentiere it's no more expensive than living anywhere else in France.

Post edited at 12:06
In reply to Alice.001:

As mentioned above, Chamonix is great for bolt clipping, but it’s worth bearing in mind that there are also some awesome bouldering venues, some up high in great places. Last few times we were out, we rented a chalet in Argentiere off airbnb, and spent a full week bouldering, then stopped off at Fontainebleau on the way home. Bouldering guides for Cham and the valley from Snell Sports.

 RogerM 13 Feb 2020
In reply to Alice.001:

Not sure about the climbing but the train to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Jura) or Geneva from Paris is cheap & fast if you book in advance (€34) single. That links to Swiss rail. (I will be walking the Balcon de Jura / GR9 / GR5 from there.)

 JR 14 Feb 2020
In reply to Alice.001

All highly dependent on opinion of cheap, best, and how far you're willing to travel from Geneva.

Tons of good climbing without going as far as Cham, from Geneva (neither are cheap!)

https://rockrun.com/products/vallee-de-larve

Also Le Salève close to Geneva.

Sport cragging, but the best crags are nearer to Cham. Would recommend Maladière if you don't make it into the mountains.

Also some good climbing in the Jura, which isn't as good as other locations in general, but has some excellent holiday grades available!


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