Tignes: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
The small French community of Tignes in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is located in a high alpine valley at an altitude of approximately 2000 meters. It enchants with a majestic mountain landscape and the dreamy little lake Lac de Tignes. Furthermore, it is a very popular ski resort with one of the most famous ski areas in France.
Table of contents
Tignes - Must-see attractions
Grande Motte Glacier
In summer, there is a solution for ski fans from all over the world: skiing on the Glacier de la Grande Motte, which towers over the winter sports resort of Tignes in the French Alps at 3,656 m. The ski operation lasts from mid-June to August. You can easily reach the Glacier de la Grande Motte from Tignes with the Perce-Neige cable car, which takes you to the foot of the glacier. From there, you continue with the terrace cable car to the summit with a fantastic panoramic view.
Tignes/Val d'Isère ski resort
More than half of the runs in the Tignes-Val d'Isère ski region are marked as blue slopes. You will find a sporting challenge on the Grand Motte glacier. Even in summer, you can pursue your favorite hobby on the Glacier du Pissaillas. Experience endless freedom as a freerider off the slopes. Adventurers can be found in the Swatch Snowpark, where an airbag, boxes, and rails invite you to perform tricks. Snowmobiling, winter hiking, and snowshoe tours are fun off the slopes.
Lake Chevril
Lac du Chevril is located at an altitude of almost 1,800 m and is within walking distance from the communities of Tignes and Val-d'Isère in the French Alps. On sunny summer days, the clear water invites swimming and diving. The winter sports season begins at the end of October, and the ski areas around Lac du Chevril remain open until after Easter. The lake itself usually freezes over and becomes a true paradise for ice skaters and cross-country skiers.
Lake Tignes
Just a few kilometers from the Italian border, Lac de Tignes invites you to a nature vacation in the warm summer months. Swim in the turquoise water or take wonderful hikes along the shore. In the winter months, the surface often freezes, allowing you to try ice skating. Numerous ski resorts in the region around Val d'Isere also promise perfect conditions for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing between November and April.
Col de l'Iseran mountain pass
The pass road begins in the winter sports resort of Val-d'Isère and ends in Bonneval-sur-Arc. It runs along the Tignes reservoir and winds through numerous tunnels. The Col de l'Iseran is only passable in summer. In winter, the road becomes a ski slope. The Col de l'Iseran has been crossed eight times as part of the Tour de France. In Bonneval-sur-Arc, the last kilometer marker for cyclists stands. At the pass height, you can take a breather and admire the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Prudence from 1939.
The Tignes Lagoon
Opened in 2008, Lagon Tignes delights those seeking tranquility, active individuals, and families. If you want to train regardless of the weather, use the fitness center with modern cardio and strength equipment. Relaxation can be found in the sauna area, the hammam, and the four whirlpools. Active vacationers can swim laps in the 25-meter sports pool. Additionally, you can participate in aqua gym and aqua bike courses. The smallest guests can enjoy the paddling pool. A slide with three lanes, a counter-current system, and waterfalls provide variety.
Tignes - Secret spots
Walk through the Le Bois de la Laye
East of Tignes, by the Lac du Chevril, lies the forest area Le Bois de la Laye. A family-friendly trail takes you across alpine meadows, past lively streams, to a spring. It cascades into a picturesque waterfall. The path continues over wooden bridges and past La Legette back to the starting point.
Fast descents in La Daille
Only 10 km separate Tignes and the La Daille ski area in Val-d'Isère. A modern 10-person gondola with heated seats takes you from the valley station, equipped with all amenities at an altitude of 1,802 m, to the mountain station located at 2,294 m. In the extensive Val-d'Isère ski area with numerous ski schools, 150 km of slopes await you.
Tignes Dam
The Tignes Dam is a significant symbol in the history of the Tignes region and was constructed in 1952, leading to the flooding of the original village of Tignes. The inhabitants, known as Tignards, had to leave their village and rebuilt their new community in Tignes Les Boisses on higher ground. The dam is known for its impressive mural of the "Lady of the Lake" and offers a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.
Lake Ouillette
In the heart of the French Alps near Tignes lies Lac de l'Ouillette, a tranquil refuge away from the ski slopes. Accessible via hiking or chairlift from Val d'Isère, it is surrounded by an idyllic landscape of alpine meadows and peaks, perfect for picnics, fishing, or sunbathing with panoramic views. The clear waters reflect the mountains, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Ideal for families and nature lovers, the surroundings bloom with wildflowers in summer, enhancing the scenery even more.
Tignes - In 3 days
Day 1
Your holiday in Tignes takes you to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The community with several villages impresses with its location at around 2,000 meters altitude and is especially popular with winter sports guests. Use the first day of your holiday to explore the winter-white landscape and enjoy the first panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks in the surrounding area. A winter walk is a great way to let go of everyday stress on a family outing in nature. On the first day of a holiday with children, there is plenty of sledding fun. In Tignes, there is a 3 km long natural toboggan run, whose highlight is a 40 m long tunnel. End the eventful day with French cuisine. The three districts of Tignes - Tignes Le Lac, Le Lavachet, and Val Claret - are close to each other and all three offer a diverse selection of restaurants for you.
Day 2
On the second day in Tignes, it's off to the slopes. The resort in the northern Alps impresses with around 300 kilometers of slopes. Tignes is a real vacation tip, especially among more experienced winter sports enthusiasts. There are a variety of slopes with medium and challenging difficulty levels, complemented by action-packed freeride routes. But there are also some slopes with an easy difficulty level available for all newcomers to skiing or winter sports vacationers with children to enjoy. Tignes delights with its snowy winter sports landscape from late autumn to spring. In summer, hikes for every level of athletic ambition are on the program. A very relaxed round for the whole family leads from Tignes Le Lac once around the lake of the same name, Lac de Tignes. Depending on your condition, different paths lead directly along the shore or high above the lake, with the shortest round measuring 3 km.
Day 3
The third day in Tignes can be all about a relaxing break. In the warm season, Lac de Tignes is the perfect destination for a fun family day with stand-up paddling on the lake or a trip with a kayak or canoe, where the little ones can be their own captain. A refreshing dip in the cool mountain lake is, of course, a must in summer. A visit to Acroland is therefore a must on hot days. It is an enjoyable water park, especially popular with kids for its giant slides that lead directly into the lake. Adrenaline junkies try spectacular water jumps into the lake. A picnic on the shore rounds off a successful outing. In the cold season, a snowshoe hike amidst the silence of the winter-white magical landscape with a view of the frozen lake is a highlight for the whole family.
Tignes - Climate
The climate of Tignes is influenced by the Alps and offers relatively mild temperatures. The lowest average temperature in winter is −4 °C, while the average temperatures in summer climb up to 15 °C. However, most precipitation occurs from May to September. Nevertheless, these months are the best travel time for hiking holidays due to the temperatures. In May, the average temperature is still 6 °C, and in October, it is again 6 °C. For skiing holidays, the winter months of December, January, and February are best suited, as there are sub-zero temperatures and good chances of snow.