Visit the Vanoise National Park: full guide

Need to escape at the heart of nature in the Southeast of France? We made a complete guide to visit the Parc de la Vanoise.

It is the oldest National Park of France , created in 1963. It is located in the Alps, more precisely in Savoy, between the Tarentaise valley and the Maurienne valley, bordering the Italian park of Grand Paradis. Of course we are talking about visiting the Vanoise National Park, a splendid place open all year round.

A multitude of leisures await you to discover the beauty of the landscape, fauna and flora. These activities will be an opportunity to explore this park and appreciate all the riches, in its heart but also in the area of adhesion on the outskirts. To help you prepare your stay, we have listed various possibilities to visit the Parc de la Vanoise!

The Vanoise National Park in a few words

This magnificent National Park has 400 km of marked trails that provide access to the best views. You will discover villages with typical stone and lauze constructions. And lovers of summits will be filled with the highest point, the Grand Casse, from the top of its 3,855 meters.

The various backgrounds, from low altitude to high altitude, are the refuge of about 200 species of birds. If you are discreet, you can also see ubiquitous, emblematic of the park, but also chamois, marmots, tetras lyre, lagopèdes...

Finally, there are no less than 1,200 plant species in the park, so you can delight nature lovers!

1. Walking tours

Going on the trails is a great way to visit the Parc de la Vanoise. One of the most famous hikes is the Petit Mont-Blanc from Pralognan-la-Vanoise. The landscapes are beautiful and you have to plan the day.

Iseran is one of the highest pass in Vanoise, appreciated by cyclists, but you can also go hiking: Pointe des Lessières, Ouille Noire...

Among the other hikes, the Bellecombe lake tower is renowned, as well as the Fresse pass via the ridge path or the Evettes refuge.

Practical information :

It is possible to book a multi-day hiking tour with guide, shelter and meals. Count from 690€ 6 days.

2. Horse rides

Go on horseback to discover the most beautiful landscapes, passing through forests and mountain lakes. In summer it will be a classic walk and in winter you could test the ski-joëring. For this type of activity you will only have to go to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, Val Cenis or Méribel .

Practical information :

The raids with nights in refuge are more suitable for the confirmed riders. For a classic walk plan from 20€ 1 hour, 50€ for 1⁄2 day and 80€ full day.

3. Fishing

Do you like fishing? For example, in Pralognan-la-Vanoise you can fish in the Doron de Chavière river in the hamlet of the Prioux. But also in Brides-les-Bains or the Doron de Pralognan, between Pralognan and Planay.

For whipped fly fishing, take the direction of Lake Merlet. Several altitude lakes and mountain streams allow fishing in the park.

Practical information :

Fishing is regulated in the park and it is necessary to have a fishing card . One can take one at the tourist office. A day map (Pralognan) costs about 13€ and 32€ For the week.

4. Ski and winter sports

To make the most of your stay in the Parc de la Vanoise, you can select a ski resort close to the heart of the park.

Bonneval-sur-Arc has the charm of a typical and authentic small mountain village. Pralognan-la-Vanoise is also the closest to the heart of the park. Ausssois is a station at the entrance of the park, easy to access.

You can practice skiing, snowshoeing and why not scuba diving, christening in sled dogs...

Practical information :

For snowshoes it is possible to make group excursions with guide over several days with shelter accommodation. We have to count from 320€ For three days.

5. Mountaineering and glacier tower

Vanoise is renowned for mountaineering, as many summits are more than 3,000 metres away and there is the largest ice cap in Europe. This white paradise will make the happiness of mountaineering lovers.

Several routes are to be made, including the Grande Casse and the Tour des glaciers de la Vanoise, technical but perfect to admire the park's glaciers.

Practical information :

The glacier tower is of a difficult level and it takes 4 to 7 days. It is possible to book a tour formula with guide + accommodation in refuge and meals. It is also possible to do mountaineering courses. For an internship planned from 625€ for 3 days and for the glacier tower from 475€ Four days.

6. The most beautiful villages

Visiting the Parc de la Vanoise also goes through the discovery of its most beautiful villages! So go for a tour in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, a must-see place in the region! This village with a crazy charm is nicknamed "the pearl of the Alps". Bonneval-sur-Arc is also a small village of all beauty. It is located at the foot of the Iseran Pass and close to the Italian border.

These two villages are pleasant ski resorts in winter. If you go to Bonneval-sur-Arc, then continue the visit to the hamlet of Ecot, the village of "Beautiful and Sebastien". A picturesque site preserved with stone and lauze houses, chapel...

7. Paragliding and balloon flights

Enjoy an aerial view over Val Cenis or Pralognan-la-Vanoise. A biplace flight to admire the Vanoise from another angle! It is also possible to fly to Val Cenis in ULM and helicopter, and for a balloon baptism you will have to go to Courchevel.

Practical information :

Flights are regulated in the heart of the massif. For paragliding flights it will cost you about 70€ for 15/20 minutes. And for a balloon flight about 280€ .

8. The fortified heritage

Visiting the Parc de la Vanoise is also an opportunity to discover the forts of the Esseillon. This former military site has a defensive purpose is classified as Historic Monument.

The forts, built between 1815 and 1830 on the planes of the Marquis de Montalabert, all bore the name of a person of the royal family of Piedmont-Sardaigne. Some are restored and visit.

This is the case in particular of the Redoute Marie-Thérèse which is now a museum: the Centre d’Interprétation du Patrimoine Fortified.

Practical information :

Visit schedules vary depending on the period. Visit the Redoute Marie-Thérèse will cost you 2€ or 5,50€ for an individual guided tour.

9. Canyoning

Let yourself be tempted by a canyoning session in the Vanoise Park! With family or friends you're going to enjoy yourself! You will slide on the waters of the canyon of the Ecot or the Boyat from Val Cenis or Bonneval-sur-Arc.

Practical information :

The activity is practiced from May to October and it takes about 45€ for half day.

10. Rafting

Do you like live water sports? Enjoy your visit to the Vanoise Park for a descent from Termignon to Bramans. It is a 6 km class 2/3 course, which does not have any particular difficulties.

Practical information :

The rafting on this area takes place from June to September. Children are accepted as early as 10 years and you need to know how to swim. Count about 39€ for a meeting.

11. Hydrospeed

Do you want to get rid of the Vanoise water? So have fun with the floats used for hydrospeed descents in Val Cenis. Several levels are offered: small speeds, large waves and technical for a duration of 1h30 to 4h00.

Practical information :

Hydrospeed is practiced in the region from June to late August. Children are accepted from 8 years old and you have to swim. Count 40 to 60€ about, depending on the chosen formula.

12. ATV

The most athletes will choose a mountain bike route to visit the Parc de la Vanoise. Several marked paths await you on the communes of Bessans, Aussois, Bonneval-sur-Arc, Termignon, Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Champagny-en-Vanoise. Cross-country routes of different levels are offered with varying distances and elevations.

Practical information :

The practice of mountain biking is regulated in the Vanoise Park and allowed on certain tracks. The activity usually takes place from May to October according to weather and snow conditions.

13. Via Ferrata, climbing and hanging

The amateurs of Via Ferrata could make in Pralognan-la-Vanoise the cascade of the Fraîche, which is short but technical. And for a easier route the Via Ferrata Plan de Bouc in Champagny-en-Vanoise will be perfect. Not to mention the Via Ferrata of the Devil in Aussois and Avrieux. Other spots are waiting for you in Val Cenis, Bessans, Villarodin-Bourget.

If you want to climb, several sites are suitable for this activity in Courchevel, Villarodin-Bourget, Val Cenis, Bessans, Aussois, Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Bonneval-sur-Arc.

Finally, the fans of the hip will have fun in Pralognan-la-Vanoise on the hook-up and zip lines.

Practical information :

• Via ferrata: the material is provided from 40€/person;
• Break: several formulas are offered, discovery and initiation, mini-stage, perfection... from 23€ per person for a session of 2 hours of initiation;
• Waterproof: from 27€ per person.