The Vanoise National Park in Savoie was the first national park created in France in 1963. It has an exceptional flora (more than 1,000 different species are indexed) and includes 28 villages from the area.
© Copyright 2009. French Moments
PRALOGNAN-LA-VANOISE, Savoie
At the end of the road from Moûtiers through the villages of Brides-les-bains, Bozel and The Planay, lies Pralognan-la-Vanoise, a charming alpine resort, at the heart of the Vanoise.
One of oldest resorts in the Tarentaise valley, the 750 inhabitants of Pralognan-la-Vanoise enjoy an enviable position as being the capital of the beautiful Vanoise National Park.
But what we discovered in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, was actually an accessible resort, miles away from the populated Courchevel or Val d’Isère. It is an ideal place to stay with a family, unless you prefer to ski on Europe’s largest ski domain in the nearby resort of Courchevel-Les 3 Vallées!
The main attraction of Pralognan is the Vanoise National Park, of which the village is one of the entrance points. It is therefore known under the coveted title of “Capital of the Vanoise” and houses the National Park’s Tourist Office.
Pralognan-la-Vanoise with its famous and majestic views is certainly one of the best places to visit (especially if you’re going there as a family with children). The village is surrounded by 3 key mountains that are usually depicted in tourist brochures: the Moriond, the Aiguille de la Vanoise and the Grande-Casse.
Visit Pralognan-la-Vanoise in Savoie!
Website of the municipality of Pralognan (in English):
Website of the Vanoise National Park (in English):
The village of Pralognan-la-Vanoise
How to get to Pralognan-la-Vanoise?
Pralognan-la-Vanoise is easily reached by car thanks to France’s excellent system of motorways and expressways.
From Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg or Marseille, all the roads lead to Albertville where the dual carriage-way to Moutiers brings you closer to the village. From Moutiers, it will take you only 30-45 minutes to reach the altitude of 1,400 metres, to the “far away meadows” of Pralognan-la-Vanoise!
If you travel from Australia, take a flight to the Swiss airport of Zurich or Geneva and rent a car from there! Geneva is actually one of the closest airport to the Savoie region.
If you wish to visit this village from Paris on a 4-5 nights stay, take a TGV train to Moutiers and a coach from the little town’s station (www.altibus.com) that will take you directly to the resort.
The resort is extremely attractive and offers pedestrian access to wonderful valley views with the Mont Bochor cable car. Sporting facilities abound with a climbing wall, ice skating, curling, swimming pool with water slides, fitness centre, tennis, pool tables and bowling.
Pralognan through history
In the Middle-Ages, monks cleared the area to make pastures for their animals and cut hay for the long winter months. Some chalets with their cellars, hay barns and tracks are still witnesses of this era.
Pralognan used to be at the junction of a very strategic trade route: the Salt and Beaufort Road, which was followed by peddlers and smugglers alike. It linked Savoie to Turin and Piedmont in Italy. The little hamlet (hameau) of Barioz, a few hundred metres from the centre of the village used to serve as a customs point along the route. Barioz means ‘gate’ in the patois dialect of Savoyard.
But Pralognan met its destiny when English climber Matthews reached the top of Vanoise’s highest mountain, the Grande-Casse in 1860 for the first time in history.
In 1897, the village welcomed French President Félix Faure, inspecting his Alpine troops and walked up to the Col de la Vanoise (Vanoise Pass).
A brief historical review can be read (in English) in Pralognan’s website (click here).
The hamlet of Barioz
Pralognan derived from “pré éloigné” (far away meadows), an ancient site where shepherds led their herds through the green pastures that used to cover the village’s area a long time ago.
Now, Pralognan-la-Vanoise has developed into one resort, characteristic of the French Alps, a place of entertainment for winter and summer alike.
A memorable walk to the Col de la Vanoise (summer only!)
Pralognan is a gate to the Vanoise National Park. The walk from the Mont Bochor cable-car (alt. 2,023m) to the Col de la Vanoise is one of the most beautiful walks in the Vanoise.
It takes 3 hours to reach the Col (alt. 2,517m). Follow the guide!
The excursion starts at Pralognan at 1,420m.
The Lac des Vaches is probably the most awkward lake in the Vanoise. The hiker has to cross a stone ford which in a hot summer can be almost dry if it hasn’t rained for several days. There are also of course the Tarine cows which lay down on the grass ruminating their previous supper whilst gazing at the passers by.
After the Lac des Vaches, the track continues with its last ascent in a what could be lunar setting. The last lake, the Lac Long, marks the approach of the Col de la Vanoise (2517m) with a great view of the Aiguille de la Vanoise on the right.
The natural lake lies at the foot of the Grande-Casse, Savoie’s second highest mountain after the Mont-Blanc.
At the pass, a refuge for experienced hikers was built more than a century ago. It was named for a while after the French President Félix Faure who had lunch there in 1897.
The pass is surrounded by impressive glaciers, that might explain why edelweiss flowers (Silver Star in French) can be seen in June-July at just a few steps from the refuge.
The immediate surroundings of the pass are remarkable to visit and are at the very heart of the Vanoise National Park.
There are many mountain lakes with their pure waters which are worth a visit: the Lac des Assiettes, the Lac Rond or the Lac du Col de la Vanoise. Marmots, ibex or chamois are easily visible for this is their homeland.
The main hiking track of the old “Salt Route” keeps on going towards Tignes, the Maurienne Valley and further on to Italy.
When you arrive at the top of the Mont Bochor (2,023m) from the cable-car, the view to the village and the Vanoise peaks catches the eye. Already, the walk to the Col de la Vanoise follows a narrow track to the Chalets de la Glière (2,057m). In the Alps this type of path is called “chemin en balcon” because it borders a very steep slope.
The Lac des Vaches is the boundary between the green grass and the rocky landscapes. The intimidating Grande Casse mountain (3855m) looks nearer than ever.
The narrow path joins the main track from the village to the the Col de la Vanoise which although steep at some points is wider so families with children are able to walk it, a reason for its success!
It crosses vast alpine landscapes interspaced by some beautiful waterfalls. This is where the marmots are the easiest to see.
The old chalets that can be seen on the left side of the track used to serve as ‘bergeries’ (shepherd’s huts).
This track is the one that used to be taken by thousands of travellers throughout the ages... especially by salt and beaufort traders en route to Italy.
Route du Sel
