Discover Tignes: glaciers, a lake and high mountains

Consider whether you mainly want to plan a seasonal activity, or whether the scenery and local history are more important to your travel decision.

Glacier and summer skiing in July

The Glacier de la Grande Motte is considered a landmark of the Tignes resort and reaches an altitude of 3,656 metres. It can be reached by the Perce-Neige funicular, followed by the Grande Motte cable car. In July, summer skiing and guided explorations with a mountain guide are available on the glacier. These activities are seasonal; before your trip, check both the lift timetables and the availability of activities and mountain guides. This will help you factor the lift connection and the dates of your planned activity into your arrangements.

Water sports at Lac de Tignes

Lac de Tignes lies at an altitude of 2,100 metres; activities there include kayaking. The Base Nautique de Tignes offers canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats, stand-up paddleboarding and Acroland. This makes the lake a focus for a different kind of activity than the glacier: water sports instead of summer skiing and guided explorations. The offering is seasonal. The Base Nautique has lockers, changing rooms, toilets, showers and a panoramic terrace. As facilities may change, check the availability of the offering and the current facilities before your visit.

High-mountain scenery and hiking

The Réserve Naturelle de la Grande Sassière covers 22.33 square kilometres and extends across elevations from 1,798 to 3,747 metres. These two figures describe different aspects of the protected area: its size and its elevation range. If you plan to visit the nature reserve, check the latest official information about its boundaries and regulations.

The Aiguille de la Grande Sassière reaches 3,747 metres. The hike is described as the highest hike accessible on foot in France and Europe; according to this description, neither crampons, an ice axe nor a safety rope are required. Actual trail conditions remain weather-dependent. This hike therefore differs in focus from the seasonal activities at the lake and glacier: the emphasis here is on altitude and the nature of the route.

Local history and practical information

At Le Panorama, a virtual reality experience takes you on a journey through Tignes’ history. It covers life in the old village in the 1920s, the construction of the dam and the relocation of the village, through to the development of winter sports. This offers a historical perspective on Tignes that differs from the nature and activity themes. Programme details may change; check the latest information before your visit.

Free shuttle buses with bike trailers connect Les Brévières, Les Boisses and Tignes 1800 with Tignes le Lac. If you include this connection in your travel plans, check the routes and timetables, which vary by season. This gives you a practical transport option to consider alongside the seasonal activities and the different nature and history themes.

Discover more destinations: Val Claret, Trévignin, Montailleur, La Motte-En-Bauges, Saint-André, Barberaz, Montsapey, Sainte-Hélène-Sur-Isère.

For the broader travel overview: Savoie.