Explore Planay, Savoie, Rhône-Alpes: Natural and Cultural Gems

When mankind explored their territory, they had to exploit every inch of terrain, letting their marks and their religious beliefs: oratories, crosses, chapels and blesses recounts the popular faith of the ancient mountain dwellers.

Start with the sound of the torrent in the forest, and discover at the top a stunning panorama and an outstanding geological place, straddling between Courchevel, le Planay and the Vanoise

Another way to access to summits: trail for confirmed hikers, not fearing to say hello to eagles and in search of another view to admire the Vanoise. Itinerary: Cross to the church. On your right, take the path that runs alongside the houses and descend towards the torrent to join the road below. Cross the stream and follow the signs for Bonneval/Dent du Villard. Take the forest path which, after crossing a stream, climbs steeply, offering brief views of the Grand Bec, Vuzelle, Planay and the peaks of the Vanoise massif. At the fork in the road, turn left towards Bonneval. Cross a large area of gypsum erosion cones before reaching the ruins of the Bonneval summer cottages. Continue towards the Col de la Chal, Col de la Dent, Col du Golet and Rocher de Villeneuve. Return route: Return by the same route.

Villages of alpine pastures inhabited during the summer months : definitively a charming trail.

This easy route lets you delve into the past, to a time when the main activity of men in the high valleys was agriculture and livestock farming. Ÿou will discover the montagnettes, temporary dwellings used mainly in the off-season. Note the architecture of the houses, stables, barns and coladz, buildings that kept the milk cool, as well as the dry stone walls that line the old paths. From the car park, go up to the left of the houses by a small path which crosses the road upstream of the houses, which then crosses north towards the hamlet of Mollard (1,564 m in altitude). Take the trail lined with a dry stone wall that rises above the winding road. Continue straight ahead at the boundary marker, joining an EDF track further up that leads to Pélapoët. Follow this track to the left until you reach the barn (1,614 m in altitude). Take the trail that rises to the Chalet de la Golle. Immediately upstream, leave the trail for the Tour du Merle, turning directly onto a track on the right which descends just before going up to the hamlet of Plan Fournier (1,723 m in altitude). Cross the hamlet, go up the road for a few dozen metres and take the trail on the left at a cross. This trail rises slightly up to a crossroads. Turn left onto the ascending path which plunges into the spruce forest and head north first, then go back south, slightly horizontally at first, to reach the top of the steepest part. Cross the clearing, then the forest that follows it. Then a succession of clearings leads to the Cave de Plan Fournier (or Plan Fournier Dessus) at 1,970 m in altitude. From the Cave de Plan Fournier, take the trail due south which rises towards the Gallinettes. Leave this trail after a hundred metres and go down to the right slightly after the grove. Go up a few dozen metres, still towards the south, and enter the spruce forest. The trail continues through the forest until it joins, at a near-level altitude, the Bois Blanc. At the crossroads, take the trail on the right leading down to the car park (1,805 m in altitude) of the Refuge du Grand Bec track. Go down the track as far as Plan Fournier. Cross the hamlet, but do not take the track used for the ascent. Take a small path downstream, which gœs straight down through the forest, to the Maison de Pélapoët, then again head straight as far as Mollard, where you will find the ascending path leading back to La Rochette.

Nearly 600 feet high and listed as a heritage site since 1935, the Cascade de la Vuzelle dominates the valley: an amazing hike! Departure La Rochette

Discover the wild and natural alpine landscape at the foot of the majestic Grand Bec. You will be amazed by the views that await you with this mountain in its purest form! The hike starts from the alpine village of Plan Fournier, with views of the Bozel Valley in the middle of the coniferous forest. At the beginning, you will follow a path through the forest, which then leads to a valley where you will wind your way through blueberry bushes and rhododendrons. The refuge is located at the top of this valley. Once you arrive at the refuge, you will overlook the valley and enjoy a beautiful view of the Vanoise glaciers and the Pralognan valley, with a guaranteed high-mountain atmosphere. You will have the opportunity to meet the outspoken refuge warden and enjoy the delicious meals she will lovingly prepare for you! After a good night's sleep, set off for the Col de Leschaux, surrounded by rocky scenery at the foot of the Grand Bec, which towers above. The climb takes you through a beautiful glacial cirque to the Col de Leschaux, where you will enjoy a stunning view of Pralognan. You will then continue towards Mont Chevrier, where you will find lush green vegetation, and a little further on, the Vuzelle waterfall, over 100 m high, classified in 1935. The water here is collected and channelled through tunnels to the hydroelectric power station below. The return to Plan Fournier will be through the forest taken on the way there. Day 1 itinerary: From Plan Fournier (1,723 m), head towards Refuge du Grand Bec, following the marked trail throughout. Cross through the forest before climbing up the valley below La Vuzelle towards the pass of the same name to reach Refuge du Grand Bec (2,403 m). Day 2 itinerary: Take the path up to the Col de Leschaux. Once at the pass, take the path that descends towards Pralognan (a slightly steep path), then a little further down, take the path that climbs back up towards Mont Chevrier. Head towards the Vuzelle waterfall, then rejoin the path you took on the way up the day before. Please note: In June, some streams and/or snowfields may be difficult to cross due to snowmelt, so please check with the park ranger beforehand. This hike is for experienced walkers, as there are some fairly steep sections along the way. Access: By car from Moûtiers, head towards Pralognan. Once you have passed through the village of Le Planay, take the small road on your left towards Chambéranger. Continue along this road, following signs for Plan Fournier (1,723 m), a hamlet where you can park.

Right between 2 typicals alpine valleys, a trail linking the Grand Bec Refuge to Plan des Gouilles. Return by Fontaine Froide.

Definitively the Lord of the valley ! Perfect trail to discover landscapes and alpine pastures way of life. Take a break and enjoy a night at Grand Bec refuge. For mountain beginners, return trip to the refuge. How to go: After Planay village take the road on the left in the direction of Chamberanger. Before Chamberanger, take the road at the right side which reaches Plan Fournier (1723m) where you can find a small parking with some places. At the gate of the Vanoise national Park, in a beautiful place, a small refuge sits at the bottom of the Vuzelle’s peak, with a nice view on the Grand Bec Mountain, on the Vallonet peak and on the Chavière valley. This walk is easy to reach with children, parents, grand-parents, walkers or mountain climber. To go up: You will find a sign at the beginning in Plan Fournier; follow the direction of the Grand Bec refuge. Footpath and sign are clearly visible. Crossing the forest, and then going up through a comb under the Vuzelle and the same name pass. This way to go up has a really nice view on the valley of Bozel, the Lauziere Massif and the Vanoise Massif.

Definitively the Lord of the valley ! Perfect trail to discover landscapes and alpine pastures way of life. Take a break and enjoy a night at Grand Bec refuge. For mountain beginners, return trip to the refuge. How to go: After Planay village take the road on the left in the direction of Chamberanger. Before Chamberanger, take the road at the right side which reaches Plan Fournier (1723m) where you can find a small parking with some places. At the gate of the Vanoise national Park, in a beautiful place, a small refuge sits at the bottom of the Vuzelle’s peak, with a nice view on the Grand Bec Mountain, on the Vallonet peak and on the Chavière valley. This walk is easy to reach with children, parents, grand-parents, walkers or mountain climber. To go up: You will find a sign at the beginning in Plan Fournier; follow the direction of the Grand Bec refuge. Footpath and sign are clearly visible. Crossing the forest, and then going up through a comb under the Vuzelle and the same name pass. This way to go up has a really nice view on the valley of Bozel, the Lauziere Massif and the Vanoise Massif. NB: In June, certain streams and/or névés can be tricky to cross because of the melting snow, so don't hesitate to ask the warden at the Refuge du Grand Bec beforehand.

Back to basics: a warm and friendly, rustic, and peaceful atmosphere. Easy access: breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys, magical sunsets, and a majestic mountain cirque. Accessible to children, parents, grandparents, hikers, and climbers. You can even bring your pet with you to this wonderful setting. Pets are not welcome outside the National Park boundaries. Bivouacs are possible. Note: In June, some streams and/or snowfields can be difficult to cross due to snowmelt. Please contact the warden at the Refuge du Grand Bec beforehand.

I am a qualified mountain guide and will accompany you in all seasons to discover this authentic Tarentaise region. Sensitive to climatic and ecological issues, I am a "passer-by" to pass on knowledge and share our views. Divide our greenhouse gas emissions by a factor of 4 by 2050, and avoid a global temperature rise of more than 2°C. Now is not the time for procrastination... These challenges require ALL economic players to rethink their activities, placing adaptation to climate change at the heart of their thinking, and to adapt their organizations to meet them. OUR MISSION To offer companies concrete, positive and virtuous solutions to help them move towards a new, more environmentally-friendly world.

Cosy and friendly restaurant with a nice view of the surrounding mountains. Family cooking at reasonable prices. Mountain decor. Savoyard specialties: fondue, raclette, tartiflette, braserade, diots, pormoniers, crozets. Traditional cooking: beef bourguignon, veal stew, lamb... Fera fish from the Léman lake.

Located in the village center, the gondola brings you up to 2000 m altitude. From the top of the gondola, behold an exceptional view on the Vanoise glaciers, the Grand Bec, the Grande Casse and peaks over 3000 meters. In the summer: starting point of many walks, mountain bike routes. At the top, you can easily reach the take-off paragliding site (20 minutes' walk). Careful: in the presence of herds, dogs are not allowed on trails. In the winter: starting point of ski slopes - Champagny area, La Plagne area that includes Champagny, and Paradiski® area.

In the heart of the Alps, Huttopia Bozel campsite welcomes you in chalets, Toile & Bois tents, or on pitches with your tent, van, or campervan — surrounded by lakes, hiking trails, and the breathtaking panoramas of the Vanoise.

On a secluded terrace overlooking the Champagny le Haut valley, the Plan des Gouilles refuge welcomes mountaineers (heading for the Grand Bec), hikers (on the Vallaisonnay and Grande Casse tours) and passing guests for the night or just for the day. Perched at an altitude of 2,347 metres at the foot of the Grand Bec glaciers, the refuge can be reached in 2½ hours on foot from the Bois car park in Champagny-le-Haut, and via several hiking trails that cross the Vanoise. The refuge has 40 beds (3 dormitories). You can choose between half-board or using the picnic area. It is staffed from June to mid-September and open unstaffed the rest of the year. During the day, à la carte dining is available. From Champagny: - a simple round trip during the day from Le Bois (2½ hours uphill, 1½ hours downhill) - a day loop via the Méribel chalets from the EDF dam (3½ hours uphill, 2 hours downhill) - these two itineraries can be extended with a night in a refuge Basic rates: Overnight stay - €19 (young people €10.45, children free) Dinner - €20, Breakfast - €9 Picnic to take away - €10.50

The easiest way to experience a winter wonderland. Snowshoeing is activity for all lovers of wild landscapes, you are really in the nature. Once in a lifetime experience at the Igloo Village you will spend the incredible evening and live a childhood dream. SNOWSHOEING Here is an ideal way to discover the authentic mountain environment. Put on your Snowshoes and set off to discover nature. From 4 to 99 years old, take your first steps on snowshoes with the expert advice of your mountain guide, you just need to know how to walk! He will show you how to roam the forest in complete freedom and will make you want to go further, to the borders of the Vanoise National Park, to discover snowy areas still pristine, in an impressive silence. A unique experience to change air while enjoying the benefits of nature with friends or family! Private or group formulas, half day or full day. IGLOO EVENING Go on a quirky expedition after dark in Courchevel! You live an experience in the heart of the forest from torchlight. Canadian or Inuit trapper, choose your role for this magical evening in the mountains! Comfortably installed in the Igloo, enjoy one of the gourmet formulas: • Savoyard aperitif: glass of “goat”, a typical alpine drink made up of cider, brandy and sugar. To be enjoyed with Beaufort cheese! • Caribou aperitif: Canadian-style mulled wine with pancakes and taffy with maple syrup. • Fondue Savoyarde: Beaufort cheese fondue, to share as a couple, with family or friends. Private or group formulas. Also, live strenuously with Nordic Walking, Orienteering, Treasure hunt or survival course!

Rent and/or purchase ski equipment, sports apparel and accessories. Rental : mountain bike, E-Bike, cross-country Rental and sale : mountaineering, hiking, via ferrata, climbing equipment... Sportswear, fashion, technical mountain, hiking and trail clothing. Mountaineering, hiking and trail shoes and accessories.

2 landscaped routes allow you to discover downhill mountain biking. Provide suitable equipment for the routes. 9 routes also allow you to discover mountain biking / VAE.

Rent and/or purchase equipment, ski equipment and apparel, as well as men's and women's fashion.

Le Planay Chef-lieu (1130 m) is quite typical by the way of how it is built: with houses on both sides of the road that leads to Pralognan la Vanoise. In this valley between the mountain Dent du Villard (2280m), the Vuzelle (2654m) and the Grand Bec (3398m), it’s really surprising to find a “modern” church. If you are going through the village you could make nice discoveries showing the popular faith of the former mountain dwellers: small oratory Saint Anne protecting the village against the avalanche of the Dent du Villard, the grotto Notre Dame de Lourdes erected in 1920 by a family who lost his son in the mountain and finally the church with its surprising modern architecture built in 1972 which has replaced the old one built in 1628. You can’t go to the Planay village without looking at the Vuzelle waterfall, which has more than 100 m of height, sometimes water, sometimes ice; it has been classified at the national patrimony in 1935. In the 40s, some works were made by EDF to pick up the water after the drop, to bring the water 764 m down by penstock to a hydroelectric plant in the Villard. Le Planay village is also the departure of numerous hiking trails.

This chapel, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, is located in the small hamlet of Chambéranger, on a slope, on the sunny side of the valley. Its charming, understated décor is closely linked to the history of the region. The chapel, which was founded in 1505, was renovated by the villagers during the 1980s: the closure of the factory in the lower part of the village meant more free time for the local men with their wealth of knowledge and expertise. The village oven, next to the chapel, has disappeared, leaving only its name (place du Four), although the large covered pond still remains to tell the history of the village. The church in Le Planay Chef-lieu, which was rebuilt in 1972, with a modern ski-jump style design, is a rather amazing building. Also worth visiting is the Chapelle de Notre-Dame de la Salette, It's a lovely, 30 minute walk from the village with a guaranteed surprise at the end!

Chamberanger (1250m) is a typical village which is a real witness of the traditional way of life in mountain: steep little streets, chains of houses hung on the slope. A fine example of adapting a mountain community to a difficult geography. This important hamlet of the commune of Le Planay sitting on a rocking spur seems to stick on the slope. Its traditional architecture is distinctive by its steep narrow streets made of “standing rocks”. Built with local materials from the spruce forest and quartzite quarry, the typical houses are characterized by a house divided in three parts, one used for permanent living, a stable and a barn. Its chapel dedicated to Saint Barthelemy has been built in 1505 and is the oldest chapel of Le Planay Commune. Chamberanger has also become a starting famous place to hike. Many hiking trails are available from the village specially to reach the Grand Bec refuge or Pralognan la Vanoise or Champagny en Vanoise.

Upon arriving under the hamlet of Le Mollard, you are greeted with an attractive view of a hamlet with temporary housing, inhabited in the summer and winter by the mountain dwellers of times past. A spring, gardens, cowsheds, barns and coladz (building for storing fresh milk) served all the needs of everyday life over the changing seasons. Notice here the oratory of the Sacré-Cœur, attesting to the faith of the mountain dwellers. It came back to life after the long winter months, when the inhabitants prayed there once again to invoke the protection of the saints.

Notre Dame de la Salette with its chapel and its 14 stations of the cross is easily reached from Chamberanger or from Planay village through nice hiking trails. This unusual site is linked to the choice of the place where a hillock overlooks the Planay’s valley. This place really looks like the Salette sanctuary located near Grenoble in Isere where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1846. In 1875, it’s the local Grat Bonjean, marked by his experience in Isere near this holy place, erected an oratory under the name “Notre Dame de la Salette”, following a promise made during his healing of a serious disease. In 1886, he transformed it into a chapel and makes a Way of the Cross with 14 stations. Then he decided to build the same statues as in Isere. Inaugurated in 1888, the oratory became a sanctuary. Since then, every year a mass is celebrated on September 19th (The day of the Virgin Mary appearance).

The descent path is bordered by the remains of dry stone walls. This was a very important development for the inhabitants of Planay. At the beginning of October, men and animals returned to the village for the regrowth at the bottom of the valley. On All Saints´ Day, they would go back up to the montagnette for a period of three months. The animals were fed with the hay reaped on site. The return to the village was made in February. The date depended on the reserves of fodder. The lean years precipitated this return. The descent was made in thick snow. Before leaving, the father recited De Profundis (Out of the Depths) to preserve the animals during the return and to protect the house during their absence.

Located between the village and the alpine pasture, on the sunny side, “les montagnettes” are really small villages temporary inhabited according to the transhumance of humans and animals: Gros Murger, la Rochette, Mollard, Pelapoët, Plan Fournier, Vers le Saut. The term “Montagnettes” indicates a group of houses that is located between the main village and the alpine pasture. It’s a temporary place for the families and the animals. They are occupied during different periods of the year, even when the snow is coming. Humans and animals are going up and down through the year; we are calling it transhumance or “tramoués” in a local dialect. For the families who were living like that, 3 going back and forth guided their trip : - At the end of May, each family were going up to settle in their “montagnette”, until cows were going to the alpine pasture. - Back to the village : field work and making hay - At the “montagnette”: Making hay until cows came down from the alpine pasture. Harvest of hay, and cows eat the second crop (“regain” in local dialect). - At the end of October people and animals were going down to eat the second crop. - In November, people and animals were going up again for 3 months. In February the farmer had to decide when they had to go down at the village. The decision was made according to how much hay they still have at this period. Sometimes they take the decision to go down even with the snow, that it was quite difficult. - In the village, family and animals stayed until the snow melted.

Each family climbed to settle on its montagnette towards the end of May. This hamlet was an intermediate step, both on the ascent and the descent, for the herds en route to the alpine pastures of Gallinettes, Fontaine Froide and Vuzelle. The meadows were grazed on by the animals as they ascended, then as they descended they grazed on the second growth called the regrowth. Plots were also mowed on the montagnettes. This intermediate pasture was often gained by deforestation and clearing. It remained there until 22nd June, the date of departure for the upper pasture where the cows remained all summer.

The canyons of Ballandaz are a real treasure in the heart of the mountains of Tarentaise. It is an amazing natural spot marked by the strength of the water revealing the history of Le Planay and the valley of Bozel. The water from the canyons was considered for a long time as dangerous and causing floods and disasters. It had an irregular flow. During the eighteenth and the nineteenth century the inhabitants of Tarentaise used to consider the water a danger and not a gift due to its destructive force especially when the snow melted. Roads, bridges, flood barriers or windmills were often carried along during floods and farm plots,essential to the mainly agricultural economy,were badly damaged. The beginning of the Belle Epoque changed the approach regarding the water. At the end of the nineteenth century climate stations like Pralognan emerged and thermal cures became successful. The canyons are then visited by curists from Brides-les-Bains looking for trendy healthy water. The development of thermal cures is linked with the tourism expansion: at the beginning of the century romantics are particularly sensitive to the magnificent and melancholic mountain environment : woods, waterfalls and impressive summits. This popularity is going to increase with the arrival of electricity. Clean and silent energy propels modernity to the valley. New means of transport have grown : Tramways working on electricity replace dirty steam railways that spoilt the clothes of rich customers. The strong water from the canyons becomes the power source thanks to hydroelectric development. Hydroelectric schemes are the beginning of the instrudrial adventure in Villard-du-Planay all along the twentieth century. Nowadays these facilities provide electricity for the national network. The canyons of Ballandaz are a great place of wonder full of history where the water has a powerful effect on the stones and the mountain.

While you’re there, take the opportunity to discover a site like nothing else anywhere in Tarentaise! Continue on along the forest trail to the Ballandaz Gorges, where the full power of mountain water is on view! A promontory overlooking the stream gives you a front-row seat, providing a perfect vantage point to thrill to the spectacular show that nature puts on here. A real treat! Departure from Galerie HydraulicaFrequented by Brides-les-Bains’ spa clientele and Pralognan’s mountaineers during the Belle Epoque, the site has once again become an attraction for walkers, its wonders forged by the stream. Now that the promontory has been installed and the itinerary secured, 21st-century tourists can discover and rediscover a truly outstanding site. Sheltered from the heat in high summer, the trail follows the water in all its forms: it may have been tamed for creation of hydroelectricity in the early stages of the journey, but appears indomiable once it reaches the Gorges – the unquestionable highpoint of this itinerary through the foothills of the Dent du Villard. Once you tear yourself away from the Gorges, make your way up a little higher to enjoy a splendid panoramic view over the Bozel Valley: take a short break on one of the benches to admire the landscape and breathe in the tranquillity surrounding you. There are benches along the way and the route has 2 picnic areas, one by an old trip-hammer near a brook and the other just beside Galerie Hydraulica.A family outing accessible to one and all, and an excellent introduction to Le Planay’s and the Bozel Valley’s natural heritage.

A magical site accessible only by foot, snowshoeing or ski touring. A small chalet warmed with a wood stove welcomes you to enjoy hot drinks, local and/or organic products and spend a pleasant time. The chalet is located at 2 km from the start of the road "Route du lac de la Rosière" (Hotel Zénith), groomed but not plowed, not open to traffic. The chalet has a small sitting area with a wood stove and a room for twenty people. A catering entirely made on the spot based on local and/or organic products is offer in snack service. Specialities : buckwheat pancake, melted reblochon, crepe

Cosy and friendly restaurant with a nice view of the surrounding mountains. Family cooking at reasonable prices. Mountain decor. Savoyard specialties: fondue, raclette, tartiflette, braserade, diots, pormoniers, crozets. Traditional cooking: beef bourguignon, veal stew, lamb... Fera fish from the Léman lake.

At the top station of the aerial tram. The ideal restaurant to enjoy the peaceful calm of the mountains with a wide choice of dishes on the menu! Observe wild bearded vultures in flight from your deck chair

Restaurant in the heart of nature, on the grounds of Le Canada campsite in Champagny-le-Haut Parking, children welcome, PRM access, pets welcome

In June, the restaurant is only open on weekends. In a warm setting in an exceptional location at the heart of la Vanoise, at the gates of the resorts, the restaurant is accessible summer and winter. Half-board for refuge visitors. Terrace, library, and garden at your disposal. In a refuge with a traditional, welcoming setting, facing the mountains, charmingly decorated and with a real warm mountain atmosphere, you will enjoy only plain, simple cuisine. Savoy specialities, gourmet dishes, a la carte and set menu. The dining room, completely non-smoking, is a veritable museum (paintings, engravings, old mountain objects), with a library and a lounge area around the central fireplace. For children, a vast playground laid out on the grass in front of the terrace where your kids can amuse themselves in complete safety. Inside, a small play and reading area with loads of children's books.

Restaurant in altitude, at the top of the gondola and at the departure of the ski runs. Easy pedestrian access. South facing terrace. The restaurant offers traditional cuisine, Savoyard specialties (croziflette, diots, duck breast with blueberries), burgers and salads. Pancakes and house mulled wine.

Right near the top station of the Edelweiss chairlift. Traditional and more sophisticated cuisine to regale your tasted buds. Themed evenings Remember to make a reservation.

Access via the Le Génépi chairlift on skis or on foot or via the ski area’s advanced runs! Near the spectacular Col de la Vanoise Pass, with breathtaking views of the valley. Come savor our regional specialties. Regale your eyes and taste buds.

This restaurant perched at an altitude of 2,112m has long been home to… shepherds! La Cave des Creux is run by local and young former ski instructors, and serves a refined brasserie menu with regional specialities and quality products. La Cave des Creux : Authenticity at its peak ! The chef selected local producers. The restaurant also offers a range of Savoyard specialities and a fine wine list that will delight connoisseurs. For the greediest the homemade dessert buffet is waiting for you... The authentic décor brings together mountain and industrial styles. Make the most of the panoramic views of the 3 Valleys ski resort and Mont Blanc from its terrace with outdoor fire.

At the gates of the Vanoise National Park, the refuge restaurant has been an unmissable eatery since 1963 both for mountain lovers and lovers of typical Savoyard gastronomy. In the heart of the valley of Champagny le Haut (listed as one of France's natural sites and monuments), under the Py waterfall and a few short strides from the entrance to the Vanoise National Park, the Laisonnay refuge brings together gastronomes and hikers in a unique and friendly atmosphere. Its unique location, where the road ends and the hiking trails begin, has seen the restaurant adapt to cater to the greatest number. The restaurant: Respect for tradition Savoyard gastronomy in the restaurant is mainly based on family recipes handed down by our parents, grandparents, great grandparents ... our goal is to rediscover the forgotten traditional gastronomy and the rich flavours of the valley. Although there's no electricity, the refuge still offers quality catering as part of the quality charter of the Academy of Taste and Culinary Traditions in Savoy, of which we are founding members. Forget any preconceived ideas, taste quality Savoyard cuisine. (Re) Discover authentic traditional dishes, regional cuisine prepared the old fashioned way with local products, dishes based on cheeses and also a selection of the best regional products. We are committed to promoting our cuisine through common sense: Good products thanks to the individual and personal knowledge of artisans, farmers, cheesemakers, breeders, winegrowers, brewers ... who supply most of our raw materials. Good recipes, mostly old and traditional, which have only changed a little or haven't changed at all for several generations and, of course, the fact that our recipes are homemade. Products used: from the local market. We select our products from local or regional suppliers who are experts in their fields. We prefer local arrangements, direct sales on the farm, etc. We, therefore, look for many products on the farms we work with. We do not deal with salespeople, but rather with the people who manufacture, cultivate, and process the produce. Apart from guaranteeing that we get premium products, it helps to maintain local agriculture and craftsmanship and becomes part of the mindset of sustainable development. Operation: The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and we highly recommend that you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Back to basics: a warm and friendly, rustic, and peaceful atmosphere. Easy access: breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys, magical sunsets, and a majestic mountain cirque. Accessible to children, parents, grandparents, hikers, and climbers. You can even bring your pet with you to this wonderful setting. Pets are not welcome outside the National Park boundaries. Bivouacs are possible. Note: In June, some streams and/or snowfields can be difficult to cross due to snowmelt. Please contact the warden at the Refuge du Grand Bec beforehand.

20/12/2019 > 13/04/2020 19/12/2020 > 04/04/2021 Just a stone’s throw from the most famous ski resorts in the Alps and the Tarentaise, enjoy an authentic mountain holiday at the gateway to the Vanoise! 27/05/2020 > 27/09/2020 Camp at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park in the 3 Valleys! Huttopia Bozel en Vanoise campsite awaits you for a holiday in the mountains. Hiking, mountain biking, and lazing about by the new pool are all on the programme for your holiday in the Savoie…

In the heart of the Alps, Huttopia Bozel campsite welcomes you in chalets, Toile & Bois tents, or on pitches with your tent, van, or campervan — surrounded by lakes, hiking trails, and the breathtaking panoramas of the Vanoise.

On a secluded terrace overlooking the Champagny le Haut valley, the Plan des Gouilles refuge welcomes mountaineers (heading for the Grand Bec), hikers (on the Vallaisonnay and Grande Casse tours) and passing guests for the night or just for the day. Perched at an altitude of 2,347 metres at the foot of the Grand Bec glaciers, the refuge can be reached in 2½ hours on foot from the Bois car park in Champagny-le-Haut, and via several hiking trails that cross the Vanoise. The refuge has 40 beds (3 dormitories). You can choose between half-board or using the picnic area. It is staffed from June to mid-September and open unstaffed the rest of the year. During the day, à la carte dining is available. From Champagny: - a simple round trip during the day from Le Bois (2½ hours uphill, 1½ hours downhill) - a day loop via the Méribel chalets from the EDF dam (3½ hours uphill, 2 hours downhill) - these two itineraries can be extended with a night in a refuge Basic rates: Overnight stay - €19 (young people €10.45, children free) Dinner - €20, Breakfast - €9 Picnic to take away - €10.50

Parking in the Bouquetin car park is limited to 7 days for light vehicles. Parking for motorhomes is limited to 24 hours by municipal decree. For a longer duration, contact the campsites. Public restrooms, water spigot.

Camp 1,450m above sea level, in the protected natural area of Champagny le Haut, with a 360° view of some of the most impressive peaks in the Vanoise massif, like the Grande Motte and the Grande Casse. The ideal base camp, close to the most beautiful hikes. Close to some of Savoie’s most impressive peaks, Huttopia Vanoise Campsite: Champagny Sector is located in a remarkable natural setting at an altitude of 1,450m, near the best hiking trails in the area. You’d be staying only a few kilometres from the protected valley of Champagny le Haut, known for its traditional hamlets and architectural heritage. At the gateway to the Parc naturel de la Vanoise, Camping Huttopia Vanoise - Champagny welcomes you to a protected natural site, with your tent, caravan, camper or van, under a forest of hundred-year-old fir trees or beside a river. Or opt for comfortable accommodation: - In a Canadian tent (5 people) or a Bonaventure tent (2 people)? Whichever you choose, you'll wake up to a breathtaking view of the Vanoise peaks. - In a fully-equipped Montana chalet (6 people) with 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a common room with a fully-equipped kitchen, a dining area and a living room with a wood-burning stove for cooler days.

The refuge is located next to the Vanoise National Park, reached by car in winter and summer. At Champagny le Haut, this refuge at the entrance of the Vanoise National Park is accessible summer and winter by road (parking nearby - buses 50 places allowed). In winter, the refuge is ideally located at the start of the cross-country ski trails and at 5 km by shuttle from the ski lifts of La Plagne / Paradiski®. Sleeping in dormitories, partitioned for your comfort in "boxes" (cabins closed by curtain) of 4 single bunk beds. Duvets and pillow cases provided. It is recommended to bring your own personal cloth. Sanitary (separation Men / Women) with washbasins and individual showers. Bathroom linen not provided. If it is possible, we award a complete box even if you are 1, 2, or 3 people, without extra charge. Beautiful dining room with 80 seats (+ terrace) Possible access to a pic-nic room. It offers wheelchair access to the dining room and accessible toilets. Graceful loans of an all-way module and 3 audio guides for people with motor and visual disabilities. Accreditation by the Departmental Education of Savoie for the reception of the schoolchildren. Animation / projection / seminar room for 35/40 people, with video-projection equipment Animations offered each summer by the Vanoise National Park. The PARADISKI brand is a registered trademark owned by Compagnie des Alpes-Domaines Skiables. The refuge is located at the end of the road in winter (departure of the cross-country skiing trails) and in the centre of the valley of Champagny le Haut in summer (the road ends 3 km higher). The winter shuttle is free. - Access Champagny le Haut for coaches: limited to 3m50 high and 12m long. - References IGN map: TOP 25 3534 OT, 3532 OT, 3532 ET and 3633 ET. NEARBY : - Espace Glacialis "Discovering the glaciers": museographic space partner of the Vanoise National Park - 100 meters from the refuge. Suggested itineraries: SUMMER - Refuge and lake of "la Glière": 2h - Marmots and landscapes. - Col du Palet: 5h - Glaciers and marmots. - Lac des Echines: 3h30 - Panorama on the glaciers, chamois and marmots. - Tour du Merle: 2h - Forests and views of the valley of Bozel and Champagny. - Refuge of "le Plan des Gouilles": 2h30 - Forest and beautiful wild landscape. - Pointe de la Vélière: loop 5h30 - Belvedere on the glaciers. ITINERANCES / BACK-PACKING - Tour de la Vallaisonnay (2/3 days) - Tour de le Grande Casse (4/5 days) - Grand Tour de la Vanoise (7/10 days, depending on variants) OTHER ACTIVITES - Via Ferrata du Plan du Bouc (fairly easy) and the Big Stones (very difficult). - Tree climbing in Canada campingsite. WINTER - Artificial ice climbing tower: initiation or free access. - Cross-country skiing resort of Champagny le Haut. - Dog sledging initiation - Ski area La Plagne / Paradiski 5 km (free shuttle).

⚠️ CLOSED FOR SUMMER 2025 ⚠️ A green oasis at the foot of the mountains. Located on the edge of the Isertan forest, Camping le Chamois is a peaceful spot. You'll appreciate its setting and the surrounding tranquility. Campground with 139 campsites: located along the forest's edge, calm, partial access for persons with reduced mobility, near several activities (pool, ice rink, via ferrata...) and trailheads.

At the gateway to Vanoise National Park, the Barmettes Hut offers breathtaking views of the entire valley. In a truly majestic setting at this ideally located, warm and cozy Savoyard chalet, rest and relax or enjoy traditional local cuisine. In both summer and winter, you can reach the hut either on foot by taking one of hiking trails or the Génépi chairlift.

In the heart of the classified valley of Champagny Le Haut, at the foot of the Py waterfall and a few meters from the Vanoise National Park, the Laisonnay refuge has been welcoming gourmets and hikers since 1963 in a unique and friendly atmosphere. Within its situation and exceptional services make the Laisonnay refuge accessible to everybody. All Hikings and walks are all possible from the refuge. Accessible by road or from the trails. The accommodation is comfortable and includes hot showers, electric appliances charging, satellite internet .. Traditional and non-stop meal service with local products from partner farms and producers. Half-day hikes: - Refuge de la Glière, 1h 45 - Lac de la Glière, 1h 45 - Lac des Echines, 2h 30 - Refuge de Plaisance, 1h 45. Full-day hikes: - Col du Palet, 5hrs - Col du Plan Serry, 5hrs. - Tour of the Pointe de la Vallaisonnay : Duration 2 days. Hike level: 1050 m of ascent and 450 m of descent. 1st day 4hrs walking. 2nd day: from the Entre le Lac refuge to the Laisonnay, 4hrs, 500 m of ascent and 1100 m of descent.