Summer outdoor activities in the popular and overcrowded resorts in the Mediterranean are mostly limited to lying around in the sun. Now many, from Turkey to Spain, are seen as just that bit too dangerous to risk, especially for those with young families.

These factors, together with a growing desire to get back to more active outdoor holidays is where the French Alps come into their own. The weather is normally very good and sunny but without the soaring temperatures that make the least summer outdoor activity uncomfortable.

Take MERIBEL, for example. Best known as a winter ski resort, Meribel offers the full range of summer outdoor activities. It starts with a great advantage. It is in the middle of the Vanoise National Park where flora and wildlife flourish, which makes it an environmentally-friendly and spectacular base for those who love the outdoor life.

There is hill-walking, rambling, trekking and white water sports. The ski lifts are open allowing visitors to shoot all the way to the summits of the mountains with their bikes so that the mountain biking can begin in earnest from the very top. Fishing is another avid hobby which can be pursued in the clear and fast-flowing rivers of the Meribel valley.

For those who like more disciplined sports there is an 18-hole golf course, an abundance of tennis courts an Olympic pool and an indoor skating rink for the odd showery day.

SAMOENS is another French resort that comes into its own in the summer. This traditional French village in the Grand Massif is a conservation area, so there are no ugly modern high-rises to spoil the views of the mediaeval church and tree-lined square.

Samoens is particularly good at looking after young children. Children under 6 can visit the House of the Little Mountain Folk which is a convivial place for parents and kids to play together. Entry is free.

There is also a new nursery (telephone nmber 0033 450 34 13 96) which is open every day except Sundays and public holidays. The staff speak English. Pre-booking is recommended.

Samoens offers everything from walking to mountain climbing. There are 450 kilometres of marked trails of all levels of difficulty. And you can trek on the glaciers of Mont Blanc if you're up to it! Mountain-biking, canyoning, caving, canoeing and white water rafting are also offered. In addition, there is tennis, horse-riding, outdoor swimming pools, archery and jetskiing.

The village has a host of good restaurants and bars where the local wine and food may be enjoyed as you relax at the end of a busy day in the sun.