Tignes Travel Guide
Explore Tignes, France with this comprehensive travel guide. Discover the best places to visit, things to do, where to stay, and local cuisine.
- Introduction to Tignes
- List of Places to Visit in Tignes
- Hiking/Biking Routes of Tignes
- Best Things to Do in Tignes: Activities and Tours
- Week-Long Itinerary for Tignes
- Food and Drink Scene of Tignes
- Where to Stay in Tignes: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses
- What to Buy in Tignes: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home
- Local Culture and Customs of Tignes
- Best Time to Visit Tignes
- Safety and Health
- Getting to Tignes: Transportation Options and Logistics
- How to Get Around in Tignes
- Where to Go Next from Tignes: Nearby Destinations and Excursions
- Conclusion
Introduction to Tignes
Tignes is a beautiful alpine town located in Savoie, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in France. With stunning valleys, glaciers, and charming villages, it is a popular tourist destination for both summer and winter vacations. The town offers excellent skiing, snowboarding, and hiking opportunities, along with top-notch restaurants, bars, and shops.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Tignes and its picturesque surroundings, as well as provide travel tips and recommendations to help you plan your perfect vacation.
List of Places to Visit in Tignes
Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places
- Maison de Tignes (Tignes heritage museum)
- Le Lagon aquatic center
- Les Almes Dam
- The Grand Motte
- Chaudanne Lake
- Tignes Cinema
Natural Attractions of Tignes: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views
- Val d’Isère-Tignes ski resort
- Lakeside walks along the Tignes lake
- Tignes Golf Course
- The Grande Motte glacier
- Le Pas de l’Ours ski lift
- Tignes Air Experience
- Mont Blanc Helicopter Tour
Hiking/Biking Routes of Tignes
Here’s a list of popular hiking and biking routes for Tignes visitors.
- Tignes Heritage Trail
- The Refuge du Fond des Fours hike
- The Col de la Grande Motte hike
- Grande Sassiere hike
- The Trolles Lake hike
Best Things to Do in Tignes: Activities and Tours
- Ski/snowboard lessons at ESF
- Snowshoeing in Le Fornet
- Paragliding with Air Tignes
- Ice driving in Tignes les Brevieres
- Dog sled tours
- Snowmobile tours of the mountains
Week-Long Itinerary for Tignes
To make the most out of your Tignes trip, we’ve created an itinerary for a week-long stay.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Explore Tignes Lake and surroundings |
| Day 2 | Skiing/snowboarding at the Val d’Isère-Tignes ski resort |
| Day 3 | Tignes Heritage Trail |
| Day 4 | Paragliding with Air Tignes |
| Day 5 | The Refuge du Fond des Fours hike |
| Day 6 | Snowshoeing in Le Fornet |
| Day 7 | Snowmobile Tour of the mountains |
Food and Drink Scene of Tignes
Must-Try Dishes
- Fondue Savoyarde (cheese fondue)
- Tartiflette (potato and cheese gratin)
- Crozets (buckwheat pasta dish)
- Raclette (melted cheese served with potatoes and cold cuts)
Local Beverages
- Génépi (herbal liquor commonly found in the French Alps)
- Vin Chaud (mulled wine)
- Chartreuse Green (a famous liqueur made by Carthusian monks)
Where to Stay in Tignes: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses
- Hotel Le Ski d’Or
- Hotel Le Levanna
- Hotel Le Refuge
- Clubs and apartments in Le Lac
- The Lys Martagon apartments
What to Buy in Tignes: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home
- Tignes T-Shirts and Hoodies
- Local cheeses, charcuterie, and jams
- Génépi and Chartreuse Green Liqueur
- Beaufort and Tomme cheeses
Local Culture and Customs of Tignes
Tignes has a rich local culture and customs worth exploring. The town is known for its cheese production, wildlife, and mountain traditions. In the winter, Tignes hosts many events such as ice-driving or the ski and snowboard competitions. Meanwhile, summer is a popular season for the local jazz and music festivals.
Best Time to Visit Tignes
The best time to visit Tignes depends on your interests. For winter sports enthusiasts, the ski season from December to April is the ideal time. However, if you prefer outdoor hiking, summer is the season for you (mid-June to mid-September).
Do’s and Don’ts of Tignes
Do:
- Try all the local wine and liquor
- Respect the mountain environment
- Take part in local festivals
- Enjoy your ski and snowboard experiences
Don’t:
- Litter or serve a noisy atmosphere
- Mock the local culture and traditions
- Leave any waste while you are skiing or snowboarding
Safety and Health
Safety in Tignes
Tignes is a relatively safe town, but accidents can happen if you are not careful while engaging in extreme sports. Remember to stay hydrated and protected when exploring the mountainous regions.
Health in Tignes
The town has several health centers and clinics that can offer quality healthcare services to tourists and locals. Ensure to have health insurance when you travel to Tignes.
Getting to Tignes: Transportation Options and Logistics
Airports Near Tignes
- Chambéry-Savoie Airport (CMF)
- Grenoble–Isère Airport (GNB)
- Geneva Airport (GVA)
Bus Stations Near Tignes
- Bourg-Saint-Maurice
- Chambéry
- Grenoble
Other Options
- Car rental (via Chambery, Grenoble, Geneva)
- Private shuttle services
How to Get Around in Tignes
The town is easily walkable or use the free shuttle bus service provided by the town council in the winter season. There are also many taxi services and rental car options available.
Where to Go Next from Tignes: Nearby Destinations and Excursions
- Val-d’isere
- Bourg Saint Maurice
- Chamonix
- Les Arcs
Conclusion
We hope this guide will help you plan the perfect vacation to Tignes. From skiing to hiking, local cuisine to cultural stops, and much more, you are sure to find something that interests you. Take the time to explore the beauty of the French Alps, and create unforgettable memories in Tignes.
