Vanoise National Park

National Park · Savoie, 🇫🇷 France

Area 533 km²

Time zone Europe/Paris

Official website www.vanoise-parcnational.fr

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Featured Lists

Anthospace / CC BY-SA 3.0

Vanoise National Park's Absolute Essentials

Vanoise National Park, established in 1963 as France's first national park, encompasses the high-altitude terrain between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys. This list features the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved pass in the Alps at 2,770 meters, and the 3,601-meter Tsanteleina peak on the Italian border. The selection also highlights significant water features, including the Cascade de la Fraîche near Pralognan-la-Vanoise and the glacial falls of Cascades les Pissets, showcasing the park's diverse alpine topography and glacial hydrology.

6 places

Nostromo-io / Public domain

Majestic Mountain Peaks

This collection features prominent summits within the Vanoise National Park and the Graian Alps along the French-Italian border. These peaks, including the glaciated Dent Parrachée and the boundary-marking Levanne group, range from accessible 3,000-meter hiking destinations like Pointe de l'Observatoire to challenging high-altitude mountaineering objectives. The terrain encompasses rugged ridges, alpine glaciers, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, reflecting the geological diversity of France's first national park.

20 places

Alpine Lakes

This selection features high-altitude glacial lakes within the Vanoise National Park, France's first national park. Located at elevations between 2,100 and 2,900 meters, these lakes vary from the deep waters of Lac Merlet Supérieur to the glacial basins of Lac du Génépy. Most are accessible via the GR5 and Tour de la Vanoise hiking networks, offering views of the Grande Casse and Vanoise glaciers.

24 places

Historic Religious Sites

Explore the religious heritage of the Haute-Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys within Vanoise National Park. This collection features high-altitude chapels, ornate Baroque churches, and roadside shrines that characterize the Savoyard landscape. Highlights include the 15th-century frescoes of Saint-Sébastien in Bessans and the high-elevation Chapelle Notre-Dame de l'Iseran, showcasing the unique blend of mountain architecture and spiritual history in the French Alps.

23 places

Shinkolobwe / CC BY-SA 4.0

Alpine Mountain Huts

This list features 37 mountain huts situated within the Vanoise National Park in the French Alps. These high-altitude shelters, many managed by the Club Alpin Français, serve as essential stops for hikers on the GR5 and the Tour de la Vanoise. Ranging from historic stone buildings to modern eco-friendly structures, these refuges provide dormitory lodging and meals. Key locations include the Refuge du Col de la Vanoise at the foot of the Grande Casse and the remote Refuge du Carro, the highest in the Savoie department.

37 places

Anthospace / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scenic Alpine Viewpoints

Vanoise National Park features some of the highest and most accessible vantage points in the French Alps. This collection includes the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps at 2,770 meters. These locations provide direct views of the Grande Motte glacier, the Maurienne valley, and the massifs surrounding Tignes and Val-d'Isère. From the 2,909-meter summit of Pointe de Lanserlia to the panoramic terraces accessible by cable car, these sites offer perspectives on the park’s glacial landscapes and jagged peaks.

5 places

Alpine Heritage Sites

This collection highlights the cultural landscape of the Haute-Maurienne valley within Vanoise National Park. It features a high concentration of Baroque-influenced mountain churches and stone chapels dating back centuries. Alongside these religious sites, the list includes prehistoric rock paintings and archaeological ruins, illustrating the long history of human settlement and spiritual life in the high Alps.

16 places

Dams and Reservoirs

Explore the hydroelectric infrastructure of Vanoise National Park, featuring the prominent twin reservoirs of Plan d'Amont and Plan d'Aval in the Aussois mountains. This collection highlights the complex network of water intakes (prises d'eau) and dams that capture glacial meltwater and stream runoff. These engineering sites, connected by miles of underground galleries, offer unique vantage points over the park's rugged alpine terrain and glacial valleys while powering the Maurienne and Tarentaise regions.

17 places

Ski Lift Destinations

This collection features essential mechanical lifts and stations throughout the Vanoise National Park, primarily serving the Espace Killy and Les 3 Vallées ski domains. It includes the high-altitude Funiculaire Grande Motte, reaching the Tignes glacier at over 3,000 meters, and the Funitel de Peclet in Val Thorens. These installations provide access to diverse terrain, from the steep couloirs of Creux Noirs to the expansive glacial slopes of the Grande Motte, facilitating travel between Courchevel, Tignes, and Val d'Isère.

49 places