Val d'Isère, an enchanting jewel nestled in the heart of the Haute-Tarentaise at an altitude of 1,850 meters, unfurls all its charm in a picturesque setting. The village, a veritable tableau vivant, elegantly blends traditional wood and stone chalets, a baroque church and lauze roofs. Despite its international renown, Val d'Isère has managed to preserve its authenticity, offering a timeless atmosphere that captivates every visitor. This unique place, to be discovered or rediscovered with the passing seasons, reveals new wonders each time you return, and irresistibly invites you to marvel. A village to fall in love with, a destination to be savored to the full, where summer and winter activities abound. Here's an overview.
1. An incredible ski area
During the winter season, this resort, one of the most beautiful in Savoie, boasts exceptional snow conditions, earning it the nickname "the temple of skiing". One of the best family ski resorts, it attracts skiers from all over the world thanks to its vast ski area. Situated at an altitude of 1,850 meters, Val d'Isère also boasts areas ideal for ski touring. And its ski area is impressive: the alliance between Val d'Isère and Tignes forms a dream combination, bringing together two internationally renowned resorts. The area stretches from the peaceful Brévières to the majestic peaks of the Glacier du Pisaillas and the imposing Grande Motte. Offering a wide variety of slopes, this area is ranked among the most demanding and spectacular on the planet, promising thrill-seekers a unique experience. Warm up!
The activity to book: Do you have a good level of skiing and want to take it a step further? Take advantage of a private off-piste ski tour in Val d'Isère with a professional guide who will take you to discover some superb corners of the Alps by booking here.
2. What to do in Val d'Isère Gastronomy
Of course, one of the pleasures of the mountains is to be savored at the table! Savoie's gastronomy is particularly important. Cheese is obviously the king of kings here, as it is the basis for the vast majority of traditional and modern recipes... Mountain dwellers eat a rich diet to cope with the rigors of winter. And skiers can do the same! Even wine and pasta are inseparable from cheese. It's worth remembering that Savoie was once closely linked to Piedmont and Sardinia, so the Italian influence can also be found in its recipes. Other gourmet products can be found on the aperitif platter, in the main course, at the end of the meal and for dessert... A whole host of specialities and recipes to discover, a journey within your stay in Savoie. What's more, a good day's skiing in one of the Alps' legendary resorts is bound to leave you feeling refreshed!
3. Treat yourself to a great restaurant
Staying in Val d'Isère also means enjoying one of the great restaurants in this charming village. So don't hesitate to push open the door of one of the gourmet restaurants, like the Table de l'Ours. A Michelin-starred restaurant where exceptional cuisine comes to life under the creativity of chef Antoine Gras. Drawing inspiration from the culinary riches of France's regions, he passionately explores the flavors of the Alps to create unique dishes. He reinvents great Savoyard classics such as Lake Geneva Féra and crozets, marrying them with carefully selected ingredients.
4. Celebrating
Val d'Isère, as well as being one of France's most popular ski resorts, is one of the best places in the Alps to party. Starting in the afternoon, you can start dancing right on the slopes at La Folie Douce, enjoying Cabaret-themed shows, live music and music mixed by excellent DJs. It's a singular experience where originality, authenticity and elegance blend perfectly. Afterwards, it's time to take advantage of the Savoyard resort's après-ski bars, then extend the evening by warming up the dance-floor all night long at the Doudoune Club, for example.
5. Hiking in the Vanoise National Park
Outdoor enthusiasts will discover a multitude of options combining sports and relaxation. Indeed, as summer arrives, Val d'Isère is one of the best destinations for mountain vacations and hiking. To discover this mountain from another angle, explore its many hiking trails, such as the Sept Chapelles circuit or the Malpasset gorges. You'll also want to spend a night in a refuge to admire the sunset and sunrise, offering exceptional panoramic views from the summits. With two-thirds of its territory within the Parc national de la Vanoise, this region abounds in outdoor activities such as climbing, via ferrata, ski mountaineering and mountain biking. Guides are available for tailor-made excursions.
The activity to book: Enjoy a snowshoe hike in Val d'Isère with a professional guide passionate about the great outdoors by booking here. Enjoy a wilderness setting that will let you breathe and enjoy nature!
6. What to do in Val d'Isère Stroll through the village
Val-d'Isère is not one of those modern, charmless resorts; in fact, it's one of the most beautiful mountain villages in the Alps. In the heart of its historic village, its traditional Savoyard architecture, with old stone and wood chalets topped with lauzes roofs, blends harmoniously with new buildings without altering the authentic soul of Val. Strolling down an alleyway, you may come across an old man resting on a bench, sheltered under a century-old awning, a cat asleep beside him. The baroque church is also worth a visit. Just a stone's throw away, tourist and sporting activities are in full swing: that's the charm of Val', which combines the atmosphere of a picturesque village with gourmet restaurants to recover from a day on the slopes, and quality hotels for a comfortable stay.
7. Cycling on the Col de l'Iseran
The Iseran is one of the legendary passes of the Alps, inaugurated by President Lebrun on July 10, 1937. Almost every year, it scares the Tour de France racers as they climb its 2,764 meters (1,955 meters of ascent at an average gradient of 4%). Linking the Tarentaise and Maurienne regions for a few months a year (check traffic conditions), on the Grandes Alpes route, it offers breathtaking panoramas in the heart of the Vanoise Park. At the top of the Col de l'Iseran, one of the most beautiful hikes in Savoie, there's a pleasant stop-off to admire the breathtaking scenery and buy a few souvenirs in a building featuring a Val-d'Isère photo library, regional crafts and local produce.
8. What to do in Val d'Isère Try some unusual activities
Instead of or after skiing, you can try your hand at a whole host of unusual activities: dog sledding, biathlon, snowmobiling, swimming in icy water, climbing an ice waterfall, Fatbikes or mountain bikes on the snow, ice piloting, paragliding... There really is something for everyone in thisAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes resort, where there are plenty of unmissable sights to visit. Enough to make your vacation unforgettable!
9. Try your hand at mountain biking
As soon as the warm weather arrives, Val-d'Isère is also the realm of mountain biking, with a Bike Park offering 230 km of trails between Val-d'Isère and Tignes, where there are plenty of summer activities to learn the techniques and enjoy the thrills while admiring the panoramic mountain views. Before setting off on the Bellev'hard, a black run that plunges steeply down towards the village for a most impressive descent. Riders beware!
10. What to do in Val d'Isère Discover the Baroque church
TheSaint-Bernard de Menthon church in Val d'Isère, at the foot of the Iseran pass, boasts a Romanesque bell tower built in 1664. Its 33-metre octagonal spire is one of the few structures to have survived the Revolution of 1794. An inscription dated 1531, engraved in the tufa arch of the choir, bears witness to the privilege granted by the Pope to the local inhabitants: they were allowed to erect a complete church with bell tower and baptistery, thus avoiding the long pilgrimage to Tignes. An edifice not to be missed!
