Valloire
Built around a XVIIth century Baroque style church, Valloire has retained the charm and authenticity of days gone by with friendly welcoming residents. The pretty village lies between the mythical Télégraphe and Galibier passes which are crossed by the Tour de France.
In Valloire, you will benefit from mountain advantages: three rivers, the Aiguilles d'Arves summit, mountain lakes, forest, the impressive Grand Galibier summit...
At the foot of the famous Galibier Pass, Valloire is accessed via the motorway exit and TGV station at St Michel de Maurienne (17km and 4 hrs from Paris by train). The Col du Galibier in 1911 was made famous by Tour de France between Southern Alps and Northern Alps. In the summer Valloire being at the foot of the Col du Galibier boasts many beautiful mountains such as the Aiguilles d’Arves, the Cerces, the Thabor peaks and National Parks of Ecrins and the Vanoise nearby.
In the summer, Valloire is a 14,000-hectare walking paradise sculpted by generations of farmers and shepherds and crisscrossed by natural paths running through alpine pastures, from high over the Col du Télégraphe (1556m) pass to the Col du Galibier (2642m).
Top summer activities to experience in Valloire
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Here are some ideas of activities, however there is plenty more on offer!
Hiking
In the summer, Valloire is a 14,000-hectare walking paradise sculpted by generations of farmers and shepherds and crisscrossed by natural paths running through alpine pastures, from high over the Col du Télégraphe (1556m) pass to the Col du Galibier (2642m).
Mountain biking
At the foot of the Col du Galibier, Valloire is listed as a “Road and Mountain Bike Resort” and is certified as a mountain biking location by the French Cycling Federation. Valloire is a paradise for mountain bikers with 155km of marked trails for all skill levels and 1 bike park (at the end of the La Brive cable car). In only a few minutes, the La Brive cable car will take you to 2100m altitude, where you can take on any one of numerous downhill routes, including a 9km family route between pastures and forests.
This bike-park is accessible by gondolas. 8 tracks of different levels including 1 a walking route of more than 10km are offered to you. Enjoy more than 30 km of specially equipped slopes: banked turns, jumps...
E-Bikes are also available.
Trampo'Park
Bungee trampolines for kids.
Verneys golf course
2km from central Valloire, practice area and a 6-hole course. Suitable for all.
Via Ferrata
In Valloire, 3 Via Ferrata introduces you to a world of verticality, in complete safety, with cables and rungs, over the void. Valloire also has 100 climbing routes, graded from 3 to 7.
Valloire outdoor swimming pool
Heated outdoor swimming pool 25m at Base de Loisirs. Slide, padding pool, lessons, water aerobics, bar, fast food, toilets. Open daily in July and August.
Ten-pin bowling
Bowling - Bar - Cocktails - Pool - Table football - Arcade games. Next to the ice rink - 6 ten-pin bowling alleys, all equipped with rails for children (booking advised). Televised sports events.
Cinema
334 seats, 3D and digital equipment, 2 to 4 films a day, a dozen different films every week, including screenings, national releases and the best current films.
Mountain kart
Pilot your mountain and race down the hare track at full speed! At the top of the Lac de la Vieille chairlift. From 10 years +. Min 1.35m.
Bob-kart
An unforgettable 8km, engineless descent from the Les Mérergers restaurant!
Canyoning
Discovery, adventure and exploration in Valloire's canyons. There's something for everyone, from introductory canyoning to abseiling and the great verticals of large canyons. From 5 years +.
Valloire covered ice rink
Ice rink at Base de Loisirs. Open daily in July and August.
Golf des Verneys
Two kilometers from Valloire. A 6-hole circuit. Open to everyone! In Les Verneys hamlet.
Valloire Adventure Parc - Forêt de l'Enfer
Fun, adventure and a maximum of zip lines in the park accrobranche La Forêt de l'Enfer! 2 hours of activity in one of the biggest acrobatic courses in the Savoy forest! Courses for children and adults from 2 years old.
The Eagle and Eaglet ziplines
At an altitude of 2,300m fly away on a zip wire! Access by the Lac de la Vieille chairlift. Fly over the lake for an unforgettable experience (please note, the chair lift does not provide a service back down). Aigle/Eagle Zip wire for +40kg only. Open in July and August.
Restaurants and bars in Valloire
Various bars and restaurants plus mountain restaurants. A vast choice is available to you.
Mini-supermarkets, several cash points, doctors, pharmacies, physiotherapists and dentists. Library, fitness centre, beauty parlour, 3 hairdressers, launderettes/dry cleaning, bakeries…
Getting to Valloire, France
By road
Driving distance from Calais to Valloire is approx. 968km (580 miles) (approx. 9hrs). From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, then A43 Motorway Exit no9. Follow signs to Valloire (17 km from the motorway exit).
By rail & air
The nearest train station for Valloire is Saint-Michel Valloire, 18km away.
5 international airports are nearby. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Valloire is roughly 190km, approximately 1hr 45 mins
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Valloire is roughly 118km, approximately 1hr
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Valloire is roughly 179km, approximately 1hr 30 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Valloire is roughly 189km, approximately 2hr 30 mins
Turin Airport to Valloire is roughly 147km, approximately 1hr 45 mins
Private taxi transfers
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
News and Events 2024
News:
Food market, clothes market, local products from the farms - every Friday.
Events:
- Music Festival: 21st June 2024,
- Sculptures: 25th June-30th June 2024 - come and discover works of art made by talented sculptors! You can admire those sculptures all summer long in Les Verneys, Valloire. 12 giant sculptures are created by teams of 2 sculptors on the Verneys plateau in Valloire. They can be seen throughout the summer,
- Tour de France: 2nd July 2024 - this summer, Valloire will be the first French stage town for the Tour de France!
- Valloire heritage day: 19th July 2024 - holiday-makers and residents are invited to come on the guided tours to discover or re-discover Valloire's cultural and natural heritage! Booking is mandatory at the tourism office,
- Baroque festival: 20th July-26th July 2024 - every year, the Valloire Baroque Festival offers a week of Baroque events (concerts, lectures, musical walks) featuring the world's leading Baroque artists,
- Valloire Highline Festival: 7th August-11th August 2024 - 15 highlines - 4 areas - 4 high-mountain highlines - 4 climbing areas - 4 via-ferratas. Camp - musique - shows. Introduction to: slacklining, mountaineering, climbing, highlining,
- Patronal fair: 14th August-15th August 2024 - join them in the streets for a big authentic event, organised by the AEP Cultural Centre. Floats, fete, dance, fireworks, traditional meal.
