Looking for an escape to the heart of nature in south-east France? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the Parc de la Vanoise.
France’s oldest National Park, created in 1963. It is located in the Alps, in Savoie to be precise, between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, bordering on the Italian Grand Paradis Park. Of course, we’re also talking about the Parc National de la Vanoise, a splendid park open all year round.
A multitude of leisure activities await you to discover the beauty of the landscape, its flora and fauna. These activities will give you the opportunity to explore the park and appreciate all its riches, both in its heart and in the surrounding area. To help you plan your stay, we’ve listed the various possibilities for visiting the Parc de la Vanoise!
The Vanoise National Park in a nutshell
This magnificent National Park boasts 400 km of signposted trails to the best viewpoints. You’ll discover villages with typical stone and slate buildings. And if you’re a mountaintop enthusiast, you’ll find the Grand Casse, the highest peak in France, at 3,855 metres.
The different environments, from low to high altitudes, are home to some 200 species of birds. If you’re discreet, you can also spot the park’s emblematic ibex, as well as chamois, marmots, black grouse and ptarmigan…
Last but not least, the park boasts no fewer than 1,200 plant species, enough to delight any nature lover!
1. Walking tours
Hiking the trails is an excellent way to visit the Parc de la Vanoise. One of the most famous hikes is the Petit Mont-Blanc from Pralognan-la-Vanoise. The scenery is magnificent, and you’ll need to plan ahead for the day.
L’Iseran is one of the highest passes in the Vanoise region, popular with cyclists, but also with hikers: Pointe des Lessières, Ouille Noire…
Other well-known hikes include the tour of the Bellecombe lakes, the Col de Fresse via the Chemin des Crêtes and the Evettes refuge.
Practical information:
It’s possible to book a multi-day tour with guide, hut accommodation and meals. Prices start at €690 for 6 days.
2. Horseback riding
Discover the most beautiful landscapes on horseback, passing through forests and mountain lakes. In summer it’s a classic ride, and in winter you can try your hand at ski-joëring. All you need to do is head for Pralognan-la-Vanoise, Val Cenis or Méribel.
Practical information:
Raids with nights in a refuge are better suited to experienced riders. For a classic trail ride, expect to pay from €20 for 1 hour, €50 for ½ day and €80 for a full day.
3. Fishing
Do you like fishing? In Pralognan-la-Vanoise, for example, you can fish in the Doron de Chavière river at the Prioux hamlet. But also in Brides-les-Bains or on the Doron de Pralognan, between Pralognan and Le Planay.
For fly-fishing, head for Lac Merlet supérieur. A number of high-altitude lakes and mountain streams offer fishing opportunities in the park.
Practical information:
Fishing in the park is regulated and a fishing card is required. You can pick one up at the tourist office. A day pass (Pralognan) costs around 13€ and 32€ for the week.
4. Skiing and winter sports
To make the most of your stay in the Parc de la Vanoise, you can choose a ski resort close to the heart of the park.
Bonneval-sur-Arc has the charm of a typical, authentic mountain village. Pralognan-la-Vanoise, the emblematic resort, is also the closest to the heart of the park. Aussois is an easily accessible resort at the entrance to the park.
Enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, ice diving and dog sledding…
Practical information:
For snowshoeing, it is possible to organize guided group excursions over several days, with accommodation in refuges. Prices start at 320€ for 3 days.
5. Mountaineering and glacier tours
The Vanoise is renowned for its mountaineering, with many peaks over 3,000 meters and Europe’s largest ice cap. This white paradise is sure to please mountaineering enthusiasts.
There are several routes to take, including the Grande Casse and the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise, which is technical but perfect for admiring the park’s glaciers.
Practical information:
The tour of the glaciers is of a difficult level and requires 4 to 7 days. It is possible to book a tour package with a guide + accommodation in a refuge and meals. Mountaineering courses are also available. A course costs from 625€ for 3 days, and a tour of the glaciers from 475€ for 4 days.
6. The prettiest villages
Visiting the Parc de la Vanoise also means discovering its most beautiful villages! So take a trip to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, one of the region’s must-sees! This charming village is nicknamed « the pearl of the Alps ». Bonneval-sur-Arc is another beautiful little village. It lies at the foot of the Col de l’Iseran, close to the Italian border.
Both villages are pleasant ski resorts in winter. If you go to Bonneval-sur-Arc, extend your visit to the hamlet of l’Ecot, the village of « Belle et Sébastien ». A picturesque, unspoilt site with stone and slate houses, chapel…
7. Paragliding and hot-air balloon flights
Enjoy an aerial view over Val Cenis or Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Take a tandem flight and admire the Vanoise from another angle! It’s also possible to take a microlight or helicopter flight in Val Cenis, and for a hot-air balloon ride you’ll have to go to Courchevel.
Practical information:
Flights are regulated in the heart of the massif. Paragliding flights cost around €70 for a 15/20-minute flight. A hot-air balloon flight costs around 280€.
8. Fortified heritage
Visiting the Parc de la Vanoise is also an opportunity to discover the Esseillon forts. This former defensive military site is a listed historic monument.
The forts, built between 1815 and 1830 to designs by the Marquis de Montalabert, were all named after members of the Piedmont-Sardinia royal family. Some have been restored and are open to visitors.
This is particularly true of the Marie-Thérèse Redoubt, which is now a museum: the Centre d’Interprétation du Patrimoine Fortifié.
Practical information:
Visiting times vary according to the season. Visiting the Marie-Thérèse Redoubt will cost you €2 or €5. 50 for an individual guided tour.
9. Canyoning
Let yourself be tempted by a canyoning session in the Parc de la Vanoise! With family or friends, you’re in for a treat! You’ll be gliding along the waters of the Ecot or Boyat canyons from Val Cenis or Bonneval-sur-Arc.
Practical information:
The activity takes place from May to October and costs around €45 for a half-day.
10. Rafting
Do you like white-water sports? Take advantage of your visit to the Parc de la Vanoise to go downstream from Termignon to Bramans. This is a class 2/3 course, 6 km long, with no particular difficulties.
Practical information:
Rafting in this area is available from June to September. Children aged 10 and over are welcome, and you need to be able to swim. You’ll pay around €39 for a session.
11. Hydrospeed
Want to let off steam in the white waters of the Vanoise? Then have fun with the floats used for hydrospeed descents in Val Cenis. Several levels are available: small rapids, big waves and technical, lasting from 1h30 to 4h00.
Practical information:
Hydrospeed is available in the region from June to the end of August. Children aged 8 and over are welcome, and you need to be able to swim. Prices range from €40 to €60, depending on the package chosen.
12. ATV
If you’re feeling more sporty, you can opt for a mountain bike tour of the Parc de la Vanoise. Several marked trails await you in the communes of Bessans, Aussois, Bonneval-sur-Arc, Termignon, Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Champagny-en-Vanoise. Cross-country trails of varying levels and distances are available.
Practical information:
Mountain biking is regulated in the Parc de la Vanoise and authorized on certain trails. The activity is generally practiced from May to October, depending on weather and snow conditions.
13. Via Ferrata, climbing and accrobranche
Via Ferrata enthusiasts could do the short but technical Cascade de la Fraîche in Pralognan-la-Vanoise. And for an easier route, the Via Ferrata Plan de Bouc in Champagny-en-Vanoise is perfect. Not forgetting the Via Ferrata du Diable in Aussois and Avrieux. Other spots await you in Val Cenis, Bessans and Villarodin-Bourget.
If you’re interested in rock climbing, there are a number of suitable sites in Courchevel, Villarodin-Bourget, Val Cenis, Bessans, Aussois, Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Bonneval-sur-Arc.
Last but not least, Pralognan-la-Vanoise is the place to be for tree-climbing enthusiasts on the tree-climbing and zip-line course.
Practical information:
- Via ferrata: equipment provided, from €40/person;
- Climbing: several formulas are available, including discovery and initiation, mini-stages and advanced courses… from €23 per person for a 2-hour initiation session;
- Accrobranche: from €27 per person.