Located at elevations of 1,000 to 1,800 metres Fancy a little fresh air? 10 villages and 6 resorts

Haute Maurienne Vanoise

High‑altitude valley

The Haute Maurienne is a high altitude valley that begins in the south-eastern alpine confines of France, at the foot of the Sources de l’Arc glacier. The Maurienne is one of the three important valleys of the department of Savoie 73 which are the Maurienne, the Tarentaise and the Beaufortain). The Arc is the river which flows all along the valley and flows into the Isère.
Legend has it that the word “Maurienne” comes from the Piedmontese patois “Mo riu” which means “bad stream”. Indeed, it is a capricious river that has caused some devastating floods in the past, such as in Modane in 1957. Nowadays channelled by several hydro-electric dams, the Arc is a quiet river, of clear beauty and in which trout fishing is a pleasant activity that we invite you to discover.
Another legend says that the word “Maurienne” comes from the fact that the valley was invaded by the Moors in the 10th century. Moreover, on the side of Valfréjus there is the Pointe des Sarrasins, the Col and the Crête des Sarrasins which culminate at nearly 3,000 metres.

Discover the villages and resorts of Haute Maurienne Vanoise

Our roots give wings

Fly with us to the summits!

From Modane (1,000 m) to Bonneval-sur-Arc (1,800 m), Haute Maurienne Vanoise is truly a high-altitude valley.
These villages and hamlets are an Alpine concentrate offering peaks exceeding 3,000 metres and a 360° view (Mont Thabor, Rateau d’Aussois, Dent Parrachée, Albaron, Bessanaise, Grande Casse, Mont-Blanc and Grand Paradis).

Feast your eyes, breathe the pure air and make memories!

For a prolonged experience, there are plenty of mountain refuges to choose from! Quite simply, Haute Maurienne Vanoise boasts the highest concentration of Alpine refuges where you can spend the night and enjoy local dishes. They’re all delicious! Don’t forget to indulge in a wellbeing experience: you’ll also find several high-altitude spa centres in Haute Maurienne Vanoise. It’s your choice!

Bonneval Sur Arc Ete Glaciers Du Vallonnet Et Glacier Du Grand Fond Sommet Cchmv

Our villages

are inhabited all year round

that change everything!

Living here in the mountains

In Haute Maurienne Vanoise, the inhabitants are multifaceted: trackers, perchmen or ski instructors in winter, carpenters, machine operators or guides in summer, while farmers work all year round to care for their animals and have a second job in winter in the ski areas. This investment by each inhabitant gives Haute Maurienne Vanoise this extra soul: Haute Maurienne Vanoise has less than 10,000 inhabitants, with the two villages of Modane-Fourneaux and Val Cenis Lanslebourg-Val Cenis Lanslevillard accounting for half the population.

However, from Villard to Saint André to Ecot at the bottom of the valley, almost all the hamlets are inhabited all year round, for example, in summer, go hiking in Villaron in Bessans. At the end of the trail, you will discover a postcard image: stone houses with roofs covered with lauzes, inhabitants busy making hay so that the animals have something to eat in winter! Because even there, in this magical place far from the world, people live all year round.

An attachment to its hamlet, its village, its valley, which makes each inhabitant a true ambassador of Haute Maurienne Vanoise, where holidaymakers are welcomed by professionals who can reveal the secrets of each village, each valley or each trail. It is not uncommon to have the opportunity to perceive slices of life or to be told the legends and history of this high valley. Valfréjus, La Norma, Aussois, Val Cenis, Bessans, Bonneval sur Arc: sharing as a heritage and welcoming all year round.

Respirez la vraie montagne, flânez dans un village aux toits de lauze, aux murs de pierres. Bonneval sur Arc est le 6e village préféré des français et l'un des plus beaux villages de France. 😍🏚🏔www.bonneval-sur-arc.com

Publiée par Haute Maurienne Vanoise sur Dimanche 11 juin 2017

Pluriactivité : moniteur et agriculteur à Val Cenis

Suivez la journée de Yoann moniteur de ski ⛷️🥇 et agriculteur 👨‍🌾🐮🧀 à Val Cenis Il vous raconte ses 2 métiers avec passion ! 👇 Posez-lui vos questions ?

Publiée par Val Cenis sur Samedi 17 février 2018

Découvrez la vie de Céline, gardienne du Refuge de la Leisse a…

🏕 A 2487m d'altitude, découvrez la vie de Céline, maman et gardienne du Refuge de la Leisse au coeur du Parc national de la Vanoise. 👩👶▶ Lire l’article de France Montagnes : http://www.france-montagnes.com/webzine/nature-et-decouverte/la-rencontre-de-celine-maman-et-gardienne-de-refuge-en-vanoise

Publiée par Haute Maurienne Vanoise sur Lundi 11 septembre 2017

Thomas nivoculteur/vetetiste d'Aussois sur la ligne de départ de la #tmv2018 GO ! 🙌

Publiée par Aussois sur Vendredi 27 juillet 2018

La légende du diable de Bessans

🎃 En ce jour d'halloween 👻, laissez nous vous conter l'histoire du Diable de Bessans 😈

Publiée par Bessans sur Mardi 31 octobre 2017

An axis of passage

between France and Italy

frequented for centuries

Once a high valley of the kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia

Haute Maurienne was annexed to France in 1860. There are still strong ties of friendship, including twinnings with our Italian neighbours (Bramans with Giglione, Modane with Bardonecchia) and various events at the top of our mountain passes and peaks.

The Fréjus road and railway tunnels allow year-round access, but don’t forget to take the Mont-Cenis pass (road built by Emperor Napoleon which reaches an elevation of 2,000 metres) and to visit the Maison Franco-Italienne (French-Italian centre) to get a feel for this outstanding historical context!

From the Vallée Etroite Pass in Valfréjus to the Carro Pass in Bonneval sur Arc, the border with Italy extends to all the peaks. There are many trails at the bottom of adjacent valleys that will take you from France to Italy without even noticing it!