In the heart of the Tarentaise Valley, in the department of Savoie, Tignes is a legendary winter sports resort.
This ski resort caters to all tastes, whether you are a skier, sunseeker, shopping lover or hiking enthusiast. Made up of several villages at various altitudes (Les Brévières at 1,550m, Tignes1800 at 1,800m, Les Boisses at 1,850m, Le Lavachet at 2,050m, Le Lac at 2,100m and Val Claret at 2,150m), it offers over 300km of slopes with the highest point being the Grande Motte glacier at an altitude of 3,656m.
Originally a mountain village, Tignes was destroyed in 1952 during the construction of the Chevril dam. The village was then re-established at a higher altitude to become one of the world's largest ski areas where, along with Val d'Isère, it forms the Espace Killy. The resort hosted three freestyle skiing events during the 1992 Winter Olympics.
Explore the parish church of Saint-Jacques de Tignes, a replica of the original, which was submerged under the dam's waters, the statue of the Dame du lac and the ice cave.
Tignes also has fitness centres, a swimming pool and a bowling alley. In summer, Tignes lake offers water sports. In winter, you can even try ice diving with professionals. If you're a golf-lover, you can boast that you've played on Europe's highest course. There are also several mountain bike and dirt bike tracks. Tignes is on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, where the wildlife and plant life are protected.
To reach Tignes by car, take the RN90 expressway from Albertville, heading for Aime, the Bourg-Saint-Maurice exit off the D902, then the D87. The resort can also be reached by high-speed train, arriving at Bourg-Saint-Maurice station, just under 20 miles away from Tignes. Buses or taxis will take you from the station to the resort. Tignes can also be reached from Lyon-Saint'Exupéry, Geneva and Chambéry-Savoie airports.
Tignes offers reinvigorating breaks all year round!
