Pralognan-la-Vanoise

Pralognan-la-Vanoise is a tradition-rich mountaineering village on the edge of the Vanoise National Park and a classic starting point for tours to the Grande Casse, the highest peak of the Vanoise. Unlike the big ski stations, Pralognan has kept its original character; trails and huts open up the high mountains.

Highlights

• Gateway to the Vanoise National Park
• Starting point for the Grande Casse
• Unspoilt mountaineering village
• Dense network of trails and huts

Good to know

Practical info

Background & History

Pralognan-la-Vanoise is a tradition-rich mountain village in Savoy, nestled at the foot of the Vanoise National Park in a narrow high valley at around 1,400 metres. For centuries the inhabitants lived from alpine pasture farming, the making of the famous Beaufort cheese and from pack-mule traffic over the high passes; to this day the place preserves the character of an organically grown mountain village, in contrast to the large purpose-built resorts of the neighbouring Trois Vallées. As early as the 19th century Pralognan drew the first mountaineers, who from here explored the glaciated world of the Grande Casse, the highest peak of the Vanoise.

The village gained international fame in 1992, when the Winter Olympic Games of Albertville were held across the whole region and Pralognan hosted the curling competitions. The Vanoise National Park, founded in 1963, France’s first national park, begins right on the doorstep; it was once established to protect the almost extinct Alpine ibex. Thus Pralognan unites two worlds: the Olympic history of modern winter sport and the unspoiled high mountains, alive with ibex, marmots and golden eagles, which begin just beyond the edge of the village.