The Grand Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Take to the road, slow the pace and discover the local gems as you embrace the spirit of the Grand Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Along this route featuring the region’s iconic sites, Val d’Isère is an absolute must, an amazing place to stop off and enjoy the views, set between the Vanoise National Park and the legendary Iseran Pass.

An invitation to take to the road and see the region's most beautiful scenery

The Grand Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a route designed to showcase the local region in all its diversity. It features 43 iconic sites, selected for their outstanding natural, cultural or historic heritage.

Among them, quite naturally, is Val d’Isère, set amid unspoilt surroundings at a choice location on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. Whether you visit in winter or summer, the village is your ideal gateway to the mountains, where breathtaking views combine with the joys of nature in all its splendour.

The legendary Iseran Pass is another highlight on the itinerary. A popular route for cycling enthusiasts and fans of the great outdoors, it reveals exceptional panoramic views over the Alpine peaks on an unforgettable journey between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys.

See the interactive map of the route

©
Val d'Isère village center with church in summer
|
Yann ALLEGRE

©
Col de l'Iseran by bike
|
Val d'Isère Tourisme

The Grand Tour app, for an enhanced experience

To guide travellers, the Grand Tour has its very own app to help you plan your trip, discover points of interest along the way, save your favourites and track your progress through every stage of your journey.

As a true travel companion, it helps visitors create their own adventure and explore the region in all its diversity. Download the app.

Choose your pace for an alternative way to travel

A sense of freedom is what the Grand Tour is all about. Travellers may choose to cover a single section, explore over a long weekend or spend a few weeks following the entire route.

Each stage invites them to slow the pace, leave the main roads and take the time to explore local gems ranging from beautiful villages, amazing viewpoints, hiking trails, culinary delights and opportunities to meet the local people.

Val d’Isère fully embraces this philosophy. Strolling around the old village, hiking up to mountain lakes, savouring a meal on a restaurant terrace or observing the Alpine wildlife are fabulous ways to enjoy the mountain experience to the full.

The spirit of sustainable travel

The Grand Tour is also part of a more responsible approach to tourism. The aim is not to cover as much distance as possible, but to encourage visitors to take the time to appreciate their stay, exploring off the beaten track and supporting the local economy.

In Val d’Isère, this approach is perfectly in line with the destination’s commitment to sustainable tourism and responsible development of natural spaces. Find out more.

Places to see in Val d'Isère The musts

🌿Lake Ouillette…

During your stopover in Val d’Isère, treat yourself to a break at the lake of Ouillette. This haven of peace tucked away some 2,350 metres above sea level is the ideal spot to slow the pace, enjoy a picnic or simply gaze at the Vanoise peaks.

At the end of the day, the lake is one of the resort’s most beautiful panoramic spots to admire under the setting sun. After dusk, the night sky appears in all its splendour, far from any light pollution. A choice spot for star gazers keen to prolong their experience in the great outdoors.

Lake Ouillette

Iseran Pass A legendary route

Culminating at an elevation of 2,764 metres, the Iseran is the highest mountain road pass in the Alps. It runs between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, crossing an outstanding mountain environment against a backrop of majestic summits, glaciers and a vast unspoilt wilderness. When the road reopens in summer, it offers a unique opportunity to admire spectacular panoramic views in the heart of the Vanoise National Park.

The Iseran Pass, an icon among cycling routes, is also a legendary feature of the Tour de France cycle race, an ascent that is both revered and feared by the competitors. Whether you drive, cycle or motorcycle up, you’ll never forget the moment when you cross this legendary pass, where every bend reveals another breathtaking mountain view.

Check it out!

Val d'Isère An authentic village

The village of Val d’Isère merits more than just a quick stop. With its chalets of timber and stone, its iconic Baroque church and its atmosphere of authenticity, it is an invitation to take the time for a proper visit. Stroll in the narrow streets of the old village, visit the local shops and get a feel for the mountain way of life that makes the resort so appealing.

When it comes to culinary delights, there’s no shortage of solutions! Savoie specialities and traditional sweet treats offer the perfect excuse to take a break on a sunny terrace. Above all, do not leave without popping to Maison Chevallot, a local institution famous for its pastries, chocolates and ice creams. Between heritage features, great food and mountain spirit, Val d’Isère is an absolute must during your Alpine adventure.

Check it out!

Experiences to try in Val d'Isère

If you agree that holidays are made for sharing, enjoying yourself and making new discoveries, take inspiration from us! May your craziest wishes come true!