The Vanoise National Park

Aussois is located in the heart of the Vanoise National Park. A huge natural space where the fauna and flora are protected.

In this Park, the first to be created in France, in spring and summer you will often hear the whistling of marmots. You may have the chance to observe chamois or ibexes and to be flown over by a golden eagle or a bearded vulture, one of the largest birds in Europe. A park to discover while respecting the tranquility of the fauna and preserving the flora. Take advantage of the outings accompanied by the professionals of Aussois to learn more and walk along paths where the natural riches can be observed at every step.

First national park in France

The Vanoise National Park celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023

The Vanoise National Park is a preserved area which is located in large part on the Haute Maurienne Vanoise, of which the commune of Aussois is a part. Founded in 1963, particularly thanks to Gilbert André, then mayor of Bonneval sur Arc, the Vanoise National Park is the first to have been created in France. It is adjacent to the Italian Grand Paradis park and together they form the largest protected area in the Western Alps.

The central zone of the Vanoise National Park, called "Heart", is a strictly protected area with regulations that promote the biodiversity of landscapes, environments, species and preserve the cultural and mountain heritage.

The "Heart" of the Vanoise National Park is strictly protected and certain rules must be respected so that the fauna and flora can flourish (no picking, dogs forbidden in particular). However, the Park remains an area of freedom where it is possible to practice many activities such as hiking, mountaineering, fishing... Bivouacs are possible on the sites provided for this purpose near the huts.

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Access to the Heart of the Park

By chairlift, mountain bike or car from the village

From Aussois, the "Heart" zone of the Vanoise National Park is very easily accessible. In summer, you can take the Grand Jeu chairlift, the path leading to the "Cœur" area is just a few meters from the arrival. It is also possible to go up by car or by mountain bike by the road of the dams. By car, park at the Plan d'Amont parking lot. A wide path allows you to go up gently along the lake of Plan d'Amont until the bridge of the Sétéria. The access is possible for mountain bikes up to this point, so you are already in the heart of the Park. You can then continue on foot to the Râteau d'Aussois (one of the 3000 m summits of Haute Maurienne Vanoise accessible to all in summer) or walk to the superb Fond d'Aussois valley under the whistles of the marmots.

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The Park in figures

The Vanoise National Park is...
  • About twenty glaciers
  • More than 100 peaks above 3000 meters
  • 600 km of trails
  • Approximately 1,800 ibex (the largest population in France, although this emblematic animal almost disappeared from the French Alps in the 20th century)
  • About 40 shelters
  • The largest protected area in Europe with its Italian neighbor Grand Paradis (14 km of common border between the two parks)

A privileged meeting with nature

Meetings with the rangers of the Vanoise National Park

The park rangers, whose missions within the national parks are very varied, offer winter and summer meetings to introduce you to their job, to help you observe the fauna with telescopes and to help you discover the secrets of this majestic environment.

Days or evenings organized by the wardens on the various refuges present in the Vanoise National Park, such as the Fond d'Aussois or the Parrachée,

Don't hesitate to get in touch with the mountain guides who have the "Esprit Parc" label. While guiding you safely along the routes and trails, they will be able to attract your attention, arouse your curiosity and make you want to know more about the mountain environment.

For more information : official website of the Vanoise National Park.

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Essential to the protection of an exceptional and fragile natural environment

Adopt the "Parc attitude

Walking, running, photographing, feeling, listening, breathing, contemplating, observing, learning, transmitting, respecting...

- Come on foot, without your dog (even on a leash)
- Admire the beauty of the flowers without picking them, they will not grow back in your home
- Feed yourself with tasty local products but do not feed the marmots
- Optimize your water and electricity consumption in the huts
- Initiate yourself to the calm of the mountain, to the tranquility... disconnect
- Follow the trails and don't cut the laces on the way down
- Take the shuttles instead of your car
- Open this extraordinary picture book with your children, awaken their curiosity, make them aware of the environment, of respect... This is what real mountain vacations are all about!

Turn your smartphone into a hiking GPS with the application rando.vanoise.com available for free on the App Store and Google Play.