Alpine glaciers and mountains landscape in Pralognan la Vanoise. French alps.
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pralognan, pralognan la vanoise

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Parc National de la Vanoise

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More than 100 mountain peaks tower above 3000m in this spectacular preserve. Between June and late September, 400km of walking trails grant access to the 529-sq-km park’s pine forests, meadows and dizzying cliffs. Road-trippers can delight in the park, too – grand fortifications like Fort Victor-Emmanuel and Fort Marie Thérèse are prime picnic territory and great for families to explore.

In winter, villages like Lanslebourg-Mont-Cénis and Termignon make idyllic bases for beginner and intermediate-level skiers.

It's best to have private transport.

The national park's main gateway towns – Termignon, Lanslebourg and Bonneval-sur-Arc – are along the main roads east from Modane (D1006 and D902), which is 100km southeast of Chambéry by road.

Col de l’Iseran (2764m), on the D902 between Bonneval-sur-Arc and Val d'Isère (30km), is only open in summer, as are both mountain passes linking the national park with Italy, the Col du Petit St-Bernard (to the north) and Col du Mont Cénis (to the south).

From Modane, Transdev Savoie (www.transdevsavoie.com) runs a limited bus service to villages within the park; check the website for schedules.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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1. La Ferme de l'Adroit

9.14 MILES

Watch morning cheese-making at this working dairy farm – exceptional Tomme, Vacherin and l'Avalin (a strong-tasting, hard cheese made nowhere else) – or…

2. Arco d'Augusto

19.45 MILES

The pristine and impressive triumphal Arch of Augustus, dating to 9BC, sits just outside the centre of town. It marks the transition of power between the…

3. Roman Ruins

19.47 MILES

In addition to the unmissable Arco d'Augusto, you can see the remains of a Roman aqueduct and a still-used amphitheatre here, along with a druid well that…

4. Forte di Exilles

19.68 MILES

Worth a brief stop is the forbidding Forte di Exilles, overlooking the quiet village of Exilles, 15km west of Susa. Its military role only ended in 1943…

5. Giardino Alpino Paradisia

28.53 MILES

The park's amazing biodiversity, including butterflies and Alpine flora, can be seen in summer at this fascinating Alpine botanical garden in the tiny…

6. Museo Alpino Duca degli Abruzzi

29.58 MILES

Courmayeur guiding association's dramatic history unfolds in this small but inspiring museum that tracks the heroic deeds of erstwhile alpinists.

7. Maison des Jeux Olympiques d’Hiver

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In a suitably retro style, this ample museum relates the highs and lows of the 1992 Winter Olympics, hosted by Albertville. There are sparkling ice…

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