Champagny in summer
In summer, Champagny-le-Haut becomes a vast playground at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park — from family strolls to high-mountain routes.
Right outside the chalets
Along the valley
The chalets are in La Chiserette, in the heart of the listed valley. From the Couaz dam to Le Laisonnay, the hamlets line the Doron: pick a stop to see what awaits, a stone’s throw away.
- Four-hamlet loop — 11 km, +162 m, very easy, from the Couaz dam
- Gorzderés walk — 2.5 km, accessible to all
- Simplified diagram: stops are placed by road distance (the gorge road between the village and the Couaz is shortened).
Village · resort centre · 1,250 m
Champagny-en-Vanoise
The village, 4 km from the chalets along the gorge road: tourist office, municipal pool and its relaxation area, baroque church of Saint-Sigismond.
- 4 km from the chalets by road
- Gondola to La Plagne · Paradiski
Dam · trailhead · 1,445 m
La Couaz
At the entrance to the valley, the Couaz reservoir on the Doron. It is the start of the four-hamlet loop: 11 almost level kilometres (+162 m) along the torrent, an easy half-day stroll.
- Start of the four-hamlet loop
Hamlet · the chalets · ≈ 1,455 m
La Chiserette
You are here: the three chalets are neighbours in this hamlet, with its Holy Trinity chapel. The four-hamlet loop passes the front door, and the Doron runs close by.
- Holy Trinity chapel
- Le Gaulois and Le Sabot de Vénus adjoin each other; La Datcha is about thirty metres away
Hamlet · 1,470 m
Le Bois
Gathered around the Saint-Clair church, Le Bois is worth a stop: the Refuge du Bois and the Espace Glacialis, an exhibition on the history of alpine glaciers. It is also where the Gorzderés walk begins.
- Saint-Clair church
- Refuge du Bois
- Espace Glacialis
Hamlet · 1,520 m
Friburge
Stone houses beside the Doron and the Notre-Dame-des-Grâces chapel. From Le Bois, the Gorzderés walk leads here: 2.5 km open to everyone, wheelchairs included, with information boards along the way.
- Notre-Dame-des-Grâces chapel
Hamlet · end of the road · 1,560 m
Le Laisonnay
At the end of the road, Le Laisonnay and its Notre-Dame-des-Neiges chapel. Just above, the Py waterfall tumbles down the rock face; this is where the trails to the Vanoise refuges set off.
- Notre-Dame-des-Neiges chapel
- Refuge de la Glière: 1 h 30 walk (+450 m)
- Refuge de Plaisance: 2 h (+600 m)
- Refuge du Col du Palet: 4 h
At the head of the valley
Les glaciers
In the background, the glaciers of the Grande Casse and the Grande Motte. Trails climb towards the Vanoise refuges and passes; marmots in spring and summer, ibex never far on the heights.
- Grande Casse
- Grande Motte
- Vanoise National Park
Hiking & the outdoors
The listed valley of Champagny-le-Haut is one of the finest hiking gateways in the Vanoise.
Hiking (external site, new tab)
From easy loops between the hamlets to great routes towards the Vanoise refuges and passes; marmots and ibex along the way.
The four-hamlet loop passes through La Chiserette, right by the chalets.
Via ferrata (external site, new tab)
Cabled routes to try the vertical safely, facing the glaciers.
Climbing (external site, new tab)
Crags to climb in a high-valley setting.
Mountain biking & e-MTB (external site, new tab)
Trails and tracks to explore the valley, under your own steam or with an electric boost.
Tree-top adventure (external site, new tab)
An adventure park in the trees, fun for young and old.
Horse riding (external site, new tab)
Pony and horseback rides, setting off from the Champagny-le-Haut valley.
Fishing (external site, new tab)
Trout fishing in the lively waters of the Doron de Champagny (fly / no-kill stretch).
Relax & family
Pool & wellness (external site, new tab)
Champagny's municipal pool and its relaxation area, to unwind after the effort.
Espace Glacialis (external site, new tab)
An exhibition on the history of alpine glaciers, in the heart of the valley.
The village festival
The summer highlight: float parade, Savoyard meal, fireworks.
From our journal
- The four hamlets of the listed valley An easy loop links the four hamlets of the listed Champagny-le-Haut valley: chapels, lauze-roofed barns and marmots, at the foot of the glaciers.
- Champagny-le-Haut, gateway to the Vanoise Park At the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, the listed Champagny-le-Haut valley is discovered on foot: glaciers, marmots, stone hamlets and refuges.