Climbing and ski mountaineering are very popular sports in France and sport-climbing was practically invented here along with the art of bouldering and the pursuit of ski mountaineering.  Chamonix and La Grave are two of the better known French mountain towns along with the gorges of the Verdon, the soaring cliffs of Ceuse and the jagged island of Corsica- France is a climber and skier's dream come true.