Vue sur Tignes
View of Tignes © estivillml - Adobestock

Tignes is a popular winter destination, not only for its extensive ski area, but also for summer visitors. The mountains are generous in all seasons, offering a vast playground in the Alps. From skiing to golf to hiking, outdoor activities abound in the heart of one of Savoie's most beautiful areas. Let yourself be seduced by breathtaking mountain landscapes, revealed by the verdant colors of summer. Ready to go? Check out our 11 must-do summer activities in Tignes!

1. Enjoy the Lac de Tignes leisure park in summer

Garçon faisant du stand up paddle
Boy stand-up paddle © EvgeniiAnd - Adobe Stock

Anideal family vacation destination, Tignes invites parents and children to enjoy themselves at its leisure park. A veritable oasis of freshness and relaxation, Lac de Tignes is a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Operation sunbathing underway! But Lac de Tignes is much more than just a bit of clear water to bask in. Enjoy a wide range of family activities at the lake's nautical base:

  • pedal boats
  • kayaking
  • stand-up paddle,
  • water-ball, etc.

Prefer to stay on dry land? The sports beach welcomes you with its many facilities. From beach volleyball and beach rugby to rollerblading and trampolining, there's something for everyone! Whether you're a couple, a family or a group of friends, you'll never get bored at the Lac de Tignes leisure park.

If you're looking for a ready-made program, we recommend this hiking and multi-activity stay in Tignes: full board (breakfast, picnic, evening meal in the apartment + 2 restaurants included).

2. Around Lac de Tignes, a bucolic mountain walk

Lac de Tignes
Lac de Tignes © jef 77 - Adobestock

A well-maintained trail takes you around Lac de Tignes in around 45 minutes. The 2.3 km loop is punctuated by activities of all kinds, including bouncy castles for children and a skatepark, to name but a few. Easily accessible for all levels, this short stroll offers a privileged view of unspoilt Savoyard nature. Whether on foot or by bike, this is one of the nicest easy walks in the area!

3. Hike to the aiguille percée, for an incredible view of Mont-Blanc

L'aiguille Percée
L'aiguille Percée © jef 77 - Adobestock

Discover one of the 11 most beautiful hikes to do in Savoie during your vacation! From Tignes le Lac, you're off on a 6 km hike to the Aiguille Percée and its breathtaking scenery. Located in the heart of the vanoise National Parkthis hiking trail is one of the best-known in the area. Many of the surrounding peaks are visible, including Mont-Blanc on a clear day. But be careful! It's uphill from start to finish, so pack good hiking boots and avoid this hike if you're traveling with young children. Allow around four hours for this magnificent ascent punctuated by impressive rocky peaks.

4. Mountain biking, a vacation between sport and pleasure

Parcourir la montagne à VTT
Mountain biking © NikonSteff - Adobestock

The mountains are beautiful on foot, but they can also be discovered on mountain bikes, for those who love two wheels. From green to black, the Bike Park 's 220 km of groomed trails give you a sporty way to discover Tignes and the surrounding area. Not too keen on the climb? Good news! The Tovière aeroski and Grande Motte funicular lifts make climbing effortless. All that's left for you to do is hurtle down the slopes!

Click here to book your downhill mountain bike session in Tignes: you'll set off for 2 hours of fun at the Tignes Bike Park, and the route will be tailored to your level.

5. What to do in Tignes in summer Try paragliding

Vol en parapente
Paragliding © Egor Terentev - Adobestock

Thisyear's hottest destination, Tignes can be visited both from the ground and from the air. Paragliding is one of the best outdoor experiences you can have during your stay in Tignes. There's nothing like taking to the skies from Val-d'Isère or Bourg-Saint-Maurice, to admire the entire Tarentaise Valley from above ! Accompanied by an instructor, let yourself be carried along by the wind, with nothing to do but admire the mountain and its hidden treasures below. Flights generally last 20 minutes, but some can last up to 40 minutes. So, are you ready to take the plunge and experience a dream adventure?

We recommend this tandem paragliding flight from Champagny-en-Vanoise: you'll paraglide over La Plagne from the heights of Champagny-en-Vanoise, at an altitude of 2,100 meters, and enjoy extraordinary panoramic views over the Paradiski area and its surroundings!

6. Gouille de Salin, the easy family hike in Tignes

Cascade sous le gouille de Salin à Tignes
Waterfall under the Gouille de Salin in Tignes © jef 77 - Adobe Stock

Just under four kilometers long, with less than 250 meters of ascent... The Gouille de Salin hike is accessible to everyone, even children. The Gouille de Salin is a pretty mountain lake with turquoise reflections, close to the waterfall of the same name, which you'll encounter on your way. As beautiful as it is refreshing, this short family walk takes you to some of the most beautiful natural treasures around Tignes.

Good to know: the free Circuit 2100 shuttle bus takes you directly to the starting point of the hike.

7. Golf at high altitude, an unusual experience in Tignes

Mini golf
Mini golf © Cavan for Adobe - Adobe Stock

When a vacation in the mountains rhymes with an unusual activity, we love it! Are you used to seaside golf courses? Forget it! At Tignes, you can test your swing at an altitude of 2,100 m, making it the highest golf course in Europe. Who can beat that? The 18-hole Tignes golf course offers breathtaking views of Lac de Tignes and the Grande Motte glacier. Nicknamed the "marmot course", this astonishing golf course promises a unique, fun-filled experience, where the marmots are your neighbors. No wonder even non-golf enthusiasts want to hit the ball!

Did you know? Every two years, a spectacular aerial competition invites seasoned golfers to send their ball 270m above the course. Course?

8. Family fun at an accrobranche park near Tignes

Parc d'accrobranches
Parc d'accrobranches © Erwan Bedin - Adobe Stock

Just 20 minutes from Tignes lies Val-d'Isère and its accrobranche course. With its monkey bridges, zip lines, nets, footbridges and suspension bridges, Val-d'Isère is the place to be for families and friends alike! Savoie offers an exceptional setting for accrobranche. In the shade of the trees, in the heart of the mountains, you can have fun with your family from the age of 4. The different courses are adapted to the age and size of the participants, so that everyone has a great time.

9. Discover the Chardonnet lakes

Lac du Chardonnet, Tignes, massif de la Vanoise
Lac du Chardonnet, Tignes, Massif de la Vanoise © JAG IMAGES - Adobestock

Fun fact! The Lacs du Chardonnet were used as a filming location for a scene in Le Grand Bleu. As well as offering landscapes particularly suited to the big screen, Savoie is a prime hiking destination, with trails to suit all levels. From Tignes, allow around two hours to follow the Chardonnet lakes trail. Thewell-marked itinerary is 5.5 km long, with an ascent of less than 300 meters. Meet at the parking lot at the entrance to Val Claret to find the starting point. From here, you'll make your way through magnificent mountain scenery, revealed to you as you hike. The small mountain lakes that punctuate your discovery add their charm to this fun hike near Tignes.

10. Go fishing with the family during your summer stay in Tignes

Pêche en famille
Family fishing © Анна Ковальчук - Adobestock

Take advantage of your local getaway to try your hand at fishing at Lac Petit Chardonnet, located at an altitude of 2,384m. Here you are at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, testing out a fairly common activity, but in an exceptional setting. From high-altitude golf to mountain fishing, you'll have done it all during your stay in Tignes! Rainbow trout and salmon feed the lake, so both amateurs and experienced anglers can enjoy themselves, supervised byÉvolution 2's specialized guides , who offer a wide range of outdoor activities in Tignes. The lake can be reached on foot, or by the Palafour chairlift.

11. Try whitewater sports in Tignes in summer

Session de canyoning
Canyoning © koszivu - Adobe Stock

Hydrospeed, canyoning, rafting: which whitewater sport will you dare to try out in Tignes? The current of the rivers is waiting for you to experience intense emotions in the refreshing Savoyard waters. Rafting, which is accessible to all, is one of the most exciting experiences in and around Tignes. The Haute Isère is ideal for discovery rafting, or rapids for the more daring. Formulas are available for all ages and levels:

  • Baby rafting: a fun course for families, accessible from the age of 6.
  • Descente découverte: a complete rafting program with swimming and rescue, accessible from age 8.
  • Descente des Gorges de l'Isère: from age 10, discover breathtaking landscapes and the local aquatic fauna.
  • Descente classique de l'Isère: a series of varied rapids, from age 12.
  • Grande descente : a full course with sporting rapids. Accessible from age 12, but requiring some experience.
  • Descente sportive: have you mastered technical rafting? Then let's go for a day of fun, from age 15.

To remember : the water sports base is in Landry, 45 minutes from Tignes. You can also book this rafting trip down the Isère near Les Arcs. This beginner-level session is suitable for children aged 8 and over and for senior citizens.

Where to stay in Tignes?

While accommodation in Tignes is best booked in summer, to be as close as possible to the ski lifts in winter, in summer it's more affordable. Take your pick from some of Tignes' finest establishments!

  • The best view

Make yourself comfortable at the Hôtel Le Refuge, a luxury establishment with spa services. The view of the mountain, the Tignes glacier and the lake is absolutely magical. Some rooms, with their unrivalled comfort, have balconies, so you can take full advantage of the view at any time, even when you wake up! Click here to book a room at this Tignes landmark.

  • The warmest

TheHôtel Village Montana, located at the foot of the Espace Killy slopes, offers a typically mountain atmosphere. Wood is everywhere, bringing a soothing warmth to the premises. It's accompanied by a friendly welcome, ideal for lounging after your outdoor adventures. Book your room in this charming establishmenthere .

  • The best location

Located in Tignes le Lac,Hôtel Les Campanules offers easy access to numerous hiking trails. The large outdoor swimming pool is a real highlight in summer after a day's hiking. Located close to stores and other amenities, the hotel offers a charming, Savoyard-style setting. Click here to book this beautiful Tignes hotel.

Do you prefer the great outdoors, day or night? Les Brévières campsite is the perfect place to pitch your tent. It's also possible to book a mobile home, if you're looking for a little more comfort.

What to do in Tignes when it rains?

If it rains during your stay in Tignes, don't panic! Head for Tignespace, the indoor sports center with its many activities: squash, volleyball, futsal, badminton, table tennis and climbing - there's something for everyone! When it rains, the Tignes bowling alley also offers a fun place to pass the time. Whether you're a couple, a family or a group of friends, challenge yourselves on the slopes while you wait for the weather to clear. During the day or in the evening, you can also take refuge in the Cinéma de Tignes Val Claret when it's raining.

How about a little gourmet shopping? Do a little gourmet shopping at the Fromagerie du Lac, whose regional specialities are a delight for the taste buds. Don't hesitate to try Abondance, a fruity Savoy tomme that's absolutely delicious! Rain in Tignes is also synonymous with pampering. Several addresses offer wellness treatments and massages, including Ô des Cimes and Ô P'Tits Soins. Pamper yourself while the rain is pounding outside: a pure pleasure! Last but not least, the whole family can get together at Tignes' Le Lagon swimming pool, with its large slides. Between swimming and having fun, you can enjoy the benefits of the water... in the pool, not in the rain!

Finally, don't hesitate to get out of Tignes for a while. Among these 19 must-do activities in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, you're bound to find something to do when it rains.

Petit Futé tip

As soon as you arrive, adopt the "My Tignes" pass. Once you've selected and activated your card, you'll enjoy a wide range of activities for the consecutive days following activation. Several formulas are available, from 3 to 21 days and from 10 to 40 activities. Didn't get enough? Reload your card!

Tignes and Val-d'Isère are legendary ski resorts in the Alps, whose charm attracts visitors from all over the world. A popular winter resort for families, Tignes takes on a whole new look when summer arrives. With its lakes and hiking trails, it's an ideal mountain destination for spending the summer in the cool, far from the crowds of the seaside. Let yourself be charmed by its green setting, family activities and beautiful walks. It's sure to be a magical vacation!

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