Chalets in Les Arcs

Discover Les Arcs

Situated in the heart of the French Alps, with fabulous views of Mont Blanc, Les Arcs is a resort which has something for everyone. Its four “villages” (Arc 2000, Arc 1950, Arc 1800 and Arc 1600) all have their own shops, bars and restaurants and direct access to the slopes – and if you want a little more, the funicular railway will get you to the town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice in just seven minutes!

As part of the vast Paradiski area, you’ll have 425km of pistes to choose from. There are less explored areas for freeriders, as well as a snowpark, boardercross and luge to appeal to families. 

In the summer, the Vanoise National Park is the ideal place to enjoy the fresh mountain air, the wonderful flora and fauna, lakes and stunning views. On your hikes, look out for eagles, marmots, deer, chamois and, if you’re lucky, the rare bearded vulture. If you’re looking for adventure, try white water rafting, paragliding, canyoning or mountain biking!

The villages each have a selection of shops where you can buy groceries, local produce or souvenirs and rent sports equipment for summer or winter. More shops are available at nearby Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which is just a few minutes away on the funicular.

Ice climbing Take a break from the slopes and head for the frozen cliff faces where an experienced and qualified guide will show you how to scale new heights. All the equipment you need will be provided for this half-day course designed for anyone from beginners to the more experienced.

Snow-shoe walking Discover the winter wildlife of the mountains away from the pistes when you take a hike into the forests. Choose from a half- or full-day walk, or you could even head out on a beautiful starlit evening and be back in time for dinner!

Dog-sledding and hiking Make yourself comfortable in the sled as a team of dogs take you on a tour of this wonderful area. The whole experience will last about an hour, with a ride of about 20-30 minutes. If you’re visiting in the summer, you could try trekking with a dog – choose a quiet dog for a relaxed hike or speed it up with a more sporty hound!

Enjoy a swim After an exciting day skiing or hiking in the mountains, cool off at the Mille 8 leisure centre in Arc 1800. This huge complex has indoor and outdoor pools with bubble beds and massage jets as well as a children’s area with slides, waterfalls and a river splash. It’s a great option for a day when the weather isn’t quite perfect! Mille 8 is also home to La Folie Douce and La Fruitière restaurant.

Horse-drawn skiing For a change from the norm, why not try your hand at skiing while being towed by a horse? Ski-joering is available in Arcs 1600 and 1800, where the professionals will show you how to enjoy this unusual sport.

Golf with a view Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, golfing at altitude is always a wonderful experience. The Golf des Arcs course has wonderful Mont Blanc views, undulating terrain and some slopes. There are 18-hole and 9-hole courses as well as three putting greens.

Paragliding See the wonderful landscapes of the Paradiski from above, when you join a professional pilot for a tandem flight. Summer or winter, you’ll enjoy exhilarating scenery and a wonderful sense of calm. There are several companies offering paragliding in Les Arcs. Check them out here.

White water fun Canyoning, white water rafting, hydrospeed and kayaking are just some of the summer activities available in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, just minutes from Les Arcs. Whether you are looking for a gentle, family-friendly activity or something to get your heart racing, there’s an experience here for you.

Tree-top adventures There are 62 challenges waiting for you at the Mont-Blanc tree-top adventure course in Arc 1800! Monkey bars, zipwires, rope swings and net bridges high in the tree-tops will give you a real sense of adventure and some stunning views of Mont Blanc. Children need to be a minimum of 1.3m tall to take part.

Enjoy a spa day With so much going on in the mountains, it’s worth remembering to take time out to relax and pamper yourself! There are several spas in Les Arcs which offer pools, massages and beauty treatments, or you could arrange for a mobile therapist to come to your accommodation.

Shopping in Les Arcs

There are plenty of shops in the various villages that make up Les Arcs, but they are mostly geared towards sportswear, outdoor clothing and equipment rental. 

Local produce such as charcuterie, cheeses, chocolates and conserves are available from the delicatessens and make great souvenirs to take home.

Other shops offer local art or handmade gifts that reflect the mountain setting, but if you’d like more of a choice, you should head to the larger town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, a 15-minute drive away, where you’ll find supermarkets, bakeries and on Saturdays, the weekly market.

Getting to Les Arcs

By air – Flying to Geneva is probably the best option for international visitors, as flights are more frequent than to Lyon and Grenoble. You can hire a car or pick up a transfer at the airport – journey time is about 2hrs 45mins.

By coach – It may take you longer to get to Les Arcs by coach, but it can be cheaper than flying and it’s more environmentally friendly. Try companies like FlixBus, Eurolines, BlaBlaBus and RegioJet for services to Lyon, Grenoble and Geneva. From there, you can pick up a bus transfer to Les Arcs.

By car – It’s fairly easy to get to Les Arcs by car, but once you’re there, the free shuttle buses mean you won’t really need your car. Use the autoroute as far as Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then you’ll face a 17km stretch up the mountains to Les Arcs. Although the road is cleared of snow daily, it’s still a challenge in bad weather. 

By train – The nearest train station is at Bourg-Saint-Maurice which is served by HGV trains from Paris and the Eurostar Snow train. Then it’s just a seven-minute ride on the funicular to Les Arcs.