Vanoise National Park, National park in Savoie, France
Vanoise National Park sits within the mountain range of the same name, lying between the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys across 534 square kilometers. The terrain rises from coniferous forests at 1,280 meters (4,200 feet) to the glaciers of Grande Casse at 3,855 meters (12,648 feet), covering a wide range of alpine habitats.
Established on July 6, 1963, the reserve was created to protect the last ibex colonies that were close to extinction in the mountains. This decision became the starting point for six more mountain reserves across France and helped shield the territory from heavy tourism development plans of that era.
The stone-built shepherd huts scattered across the summer pastures still serve as working dairies where visitors can watch cheesemakers craft Beaufort by hand. Walkers often encounter herders guiding their herds across the alpine meadows, a way of life that has shaped the landscape for centuries.
Around 500 kilometers (310 miles) of marked trails link 28 mountain huts throughout the protected area. The loop around Lac de la Plagne offers chances to spot ibex and bearded vultures, and most main routes require between 5 and 7 hours of walking.
Since the partnership with the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy began in 1972, ibex and chamois move freely across the border through a shared protected zone of 1,250 square kilometers (483 square miles). This cross-border cooperation was one of the first of its kind in the Alps and allows the animals to follow natural migration routes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
