When we talk to you about Les 2 Alpes, you probably think of skiing. And yet, in summer, it's a whole different destination that reveals itself (and clearly a lovely surprise). Far from mass tourism, with weather that's super pleasant without being stifling (unlike the big cities in the middle of summer), breathtaking landscapes and, above all, hugely varied activities that are accessible to everyone — not just seasoned athletes.
The big plus? Everything is easily accessible thanks to the cable cars: you can admire the high peaks in the morning, wander through a picturesque village in the afternoon, and end the day on a terrace. And if for you summer holidays must always mean chilling by the water, good news — lakes, waterfalls, rivers and swimming pools exist in the mountains too! We'll tell you everything! 😊
This is THE unmissable spot of the destination! In just 20 minutes, you go from 1,600 m to 3,400 m thanks to the Jandri cable car, then an inclined lift and a funicular. Up there, the view over the Écrins National Park is absolutely spectacular 😍.
Don't miss the Belvédère des Écrins (lower down, to your right as you leave the funicular), a suspended walkway over the void with 1,500 m beneath your feet (yep, nothing less!).
And the best part is that it's accessible to everyone, super easily, without any big effort: just a 5-minute walk from the funicular exit.
💶 The 1-day pedestrian return access in summer (13 June – 30 August) costs €33/adult and €26/child (5-12 years). It gives access to 7 lifts across the whole pedestrian area, open 7 days a week. You can also opt for a 3-day or 6-day pass. And the good deal of the summer is a family offer, with a preferential rate on the 1-day pass for a family of at least 3 people: 1 to 2 adults/seniors (19-71 years) and 2 to 6 children/juniors (5-18 years).
Still in the high-altitude area, at 3,400 m (this time to your left as you leave the funicular), you'll discover a cave carved by hand into the ice.
The place is great for young and old alike, with impressive ice sculptures (also handmade). You can even observe the ice up close. A magical and refreshing moment (literally 🥶).
And rest assured, here too it's easily accessible on foot — barely 2 minutes from the funicular — and you won't even need crampons!
🕘 The ice cave is open from 10 am to 3:30 pm daily (last entry 30 minutes before closing).
💶 Entry costs €7 full price and €6 reduced (child / senior / grand senior). Payment on site.
This time, head to the Vallée Blanche area, on the other side of the high-altitude area, where lots of marmots live. You can go up on foot or with the Vallée Blanche gondola (which takes only 5 minutes), and enjoy the views at the top and the hiking trails.
If we can give you one tip to maximise your chances of spotting the marmots, it would be to favour the morning (before 10 am) or the end of the day (around 7 pm). These are calmer, cooler times, when these little creatures like to come out. Managing to spot them always makes its little effect, especially with kids. It's so cute!
And if hunger strikes, you can eat at the altitude restaurant La Troïka, right next door.
💶 You can reach Vallée Blanche with the "Pedestrian – 1-lift access" pass: €10.50 full price, €9 reduced.
You can also get there with the "Pedestrian – area access" pass that takes you to 3,400 m (the one we mentioned in point 1).
A guaranteed favourite for the little village of Venosc and its lanes lined with stone houses. The village is super cute, and above all full of little craft and designer shops where you want to buy everything! Take the time to chat with them, it's what makes all the charm of the place (everyone is super kind and welcoming, it's so pleasant).
And we have to tell you about getting to this village! No car needed, since from Les 2 Alpes you can reach it by cable car! (Included in the "Pedestrian – area access" pass, otherwise count €6.50 return per person.)
If you fancy an easy walk that's a feast for the eyes, the Muzelle waterfall is the ideal spot!
Count less than 30 minutes of walking to get there (and it's in the shade, too). Sure, it’s a bit of a climb, but it’s totally doable! Perfect for an accessible nature outing, even if you're not a big hiker. The kind of simple spot that reminds you why the mountains in summer are just great.
And our tip: don't stop at the "danger" sign, but carefully carry on down to the foot of the waterfall. The viewpoint is much better, and if you fancy it, you can climb onto the rocks to try to get a little closer.
We really loved this outing and this fresh approach to hiking. We set off for the day, with Fabrice, a guide from the Bureau des Guides des 2 Alpes, to see the Petrifying Fountain.
Beyond the walk, you enjoy fascinating explanations about the region, local culture, wildlife, flora, or the theme of your choice — or the one you signed up for. Yes, because you can absolutely call on a guide for a private outing, but the guides' office also offers themed group outings.
Either way, it lets you discover or rediscover a spot from a new angle.
On our side, on the way to the Petrifying Fountain, we stopped for lunch at the Refuge des Clots and it was simply delicious. There, they make everything homemade and carry the supplies up on foot to the refuge. Total respect 🙌.
💶 A group outing costs €35 per adult (and €20 for under-18s). For a private outing, count €160 per group (1 to 8 people).
For the more adventurous, and to see Les 2 Alpes like a bird, we really recommend a paragliding flight with Les 2 Alpes Parapente. You take off above the Vénosc valley for a suspended moment, with exceptional panoramas! Thrills and memories guaranteed! And honestly, it's more accessible than you might think.
First off, in paragliding you don't get any feeling of vertigo! And that's no joke!
Vertigo (the real kind, when it's not an inner-ear issue) comes from a conflict between what your eyes see and what your feet feel: at height, when your feet rest on a surface, your brain receives two contradictory pieces of information ("I'm on something solid" vs "there's the void"), and that's what makes you dizzy. In paragliding, your feet rest on nothing. So no more conflict, and therefore no more vertigo! (Not to be confused with a simple fear of the void, which is psychological, but which the ultra-gentle feel of the flight helps you quickly forget.)
And speaking of which, what about speed? No strong sensation there either. You really glide like a bird, calmly, and it's super pleasant and contemplative. We're light-years from skydiving. Here, no brutal adrenaline, just calm and an amazing view. That said, if you're more of a thrill-seeker, all you have to do is ask. The instructor can throw in a few spins and sharper turns to spice up the flight. 🪂
💶 Budget-wise, a discovery flight of around 10 minutes costs €90 per person. If you want to fly longer, prices can go up to €180.
Time for thrills and white water with Intégral Rafting. Here, a refreshing outing is guaranteed, since you're paddling on the Vénéon — water that comes straight from the high-altitude area!
On top of that, the colour of the water and the landscapes are stunning, almost enough to transport you to Canada 🍁.
In terms of organisation, you just have to come with your swimsuit, your good mood, and possibly water shoes. The rest is provided on site (helmet, wetsuit, life jacket and all the rafting gear). The outing is supervised by the on-site teams, who follow you during the descent and bring you back safe and sound in their van once it's over.
Intégral Rafting offers several options, from rafting to "hot dog", canyoning and hydrospeed. Everything is detailed on their site.
💶 Prices range from €32 per person for 1 hour of rafting, up to €92 for the full-day rafting + canyoning combo.
Because chill breaks and sunbathing by the water aren't just for the beach — you can do it in the mountains too! For that, head to Lac du Chambon and its watersports base La Cabane au bord du Lac.
You can hire a paddleboard, pedalo or kayak and cool off in a truly magnificent setting!
There's even a restaurant on site to make the moment last. We loved it! It's really the perfect place to catch your breath after a morning or a day of hiking at altitude.
💶 You can hire a paddleboard for €16/h (or €24/2h), a pedalo (4 seats) for €27/h (€50/2h) and even a kayak or canoe for €12/h.
To finish in style, head (by car or on foot) to enjoy a sunset at La Molière. The view there is simply incredible, and the late-day light on the peaks is truly an unforgettable sight! You won't be disappointed!
We can't finish this article without some practical and foodie notes, because that counts too! Our addresses:
What we loved about these restaurants is that their menus are often short — proof that everything is local and seasonal!
Our accommodation tip is the Base Camp Lodge, which has the advantage of suiting all budgets. You choose according to your wishes: capsules, dormitories or private rooms.
And the cherry on top, there's even a sauna and a gym to recover after your days of adventure!
💶 Nights from €26/night in a capsule or dormitory. Private rooms from €59/night.
As you'll have gathered, Les 2 Alpes in summer is a lively, friendly destination that's accessible to everyone, with a diversity of activities and landscapes that blew us away! It really convinced us that there's more to summer than the beach. The mountains keep gaining ground in our hearts (especially as summers are all going to get hotter and hotter… so in the end, the mountains offer a certain coolness that will be more and more sought-after).
Here, between the 3,400 m peaks, the charming villages, the white water and the sunsets, there's truly something for every taste and every pace. We loved it, and we can only advise you to go this summer (or next summer)!
If you haven't booked your tickets to Les 2 Alpes yet, you can do it right here:
So, which of these activities tempts you the most? Let us know in the comments, and ask us your questions — we're always happy to answer! 🦊
Our stay in Les 2 Alpes was carried out in collaboration with the Les 2 Alpes Tourist Office. As always, we remain entirely free in the content we present to you in this article, and our opinion and impressions remain 100% our own.
1. Dress in layers, even in the height of summer. Down in the valley it can be pleasant, but at 3,400 m in the high-altitude area, you can find yourself at 0°C, with wind, even snow — in July! Pack a light fleece and a windbreaker in your bag, you'll thank us up there. (Okay, we had more than 15°C up top, but you never know.)
3. Book your outdoor activities in advance in July-August. Paragliding and rafting in particular can fill up fast in high season. And if you plan to chain together outings at altitude, look at the multi-day pedestrian pass, which can quickly be worth it!
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