Vanoise National Park

Aussois is located in the heart of the Vanoise National Park. An immense natural area where flora and fauna are protected.

In this Park, the 1st to be created in France, in spring and summer you'll often hear marmots whistling. You may be lucky enough to spot chamois or ibex, and be flown over by a golden eagle or lammergeier, one of Europe's largest birds. A park to discover while respecting the tranquillity of the fauna and preserving the flora. Take advantage of outings accompanied byAussois professionals to find out more and explore trails where natural riches can be observed at every step.
Logo 60 ans du parc de la Vanoise
The Park celebrates!

Vanoise National Park celebrates its 60th anniversary

1963-2023

In 2023, the Vanoise National Park celebrates its 60th anniversary. All summer long, numerous events, outings and workshops are being organized at Aussois and throughout Haute Maurienne Vanoise. This anniversary is an opportunity to look back on the progress made since the creation of the Park, to discover or rediscover its riches, to meet the professionals who work for and in the Park...

Find out more about the Park's 60th anniversary

France's first national park

The Vanoise National Park is a protected area that lies largely in the Vanoise region. Haute Maurienne VanoiseThe commune ofAussois is part of it. Founded in 1963, thanks in particular to Gilbert André, then mayor of Bonneval sur Arc, the Vanoise National Park was the 1st to be created in France. It adjoins Italy's Gran Paradiso Park, and together they form the largest protected area in the western Alps.

The core zone of the Parc national de la Vanoise, known as the "Cœur", is a strictly protected area with regulations that promote the biodiversity of landscapes, environments and species, and preserve the cultural and mountain heritage.

The "heart" of the Vanoise National Park is strictly protected, and certain rules must be respected to ensure that the flora and fauna can flourish (e.g. no picking, no dogs). However, the Park remains a place of freedom where you can enjoy a wide range of activities, including hiking, mountaineering and fishing. Bivouacs are possible on sites set aside for this purpose near the refuges.

Vanoise National Park, Aussois, Plan d'Amont lake

Access to the Heart of the Park

By chairlift, mountain bike or car from the village

From Aussois, the "Cœur" area of the Vanoise National Park is easily accessible. In summer, you can take the Grand Jeu chairlift; the path leading to the "Cœur" area is just a few metres from the finish. It's also possible to go up by car or mountain bike via the route des barrages. By car, park at the Plan d'Amont parking lot. A wide path takes you gently up the Plan d'Amont lake to the Sétéria bridge. Mountain bikes can be used up to this point, so you're 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 stroll down to the superb Fond d'Aussois valley under the whistles of the marmots.

Aussois is located in the heart of the Vanoise National Park. An immense natural area where flora and fauna are protected.

The Park in figures

The Vanoise National Park is...
  • Twenty glaciers
  • More than 100 peaks above 3,000 metres
  • 600 km of trails
  • Around 1,800 ibex (the largest population in France, despite the fact that this emblematic animal almost disappeared from the French Alps in the 20th century)
  • Some forty shelters
  • Europe's largest protected area, along with its Italian neighbor Grand Paradis (14 km of shared border between the two parks).

A privileged encounter with nature

Meetings with Vanoise National Park wardens

The park rangers, whose missions within the National Parks are very varied, offer winter and summer meetings to introduce you to their profession, to help you observe the fauna through spotting scopes and to help you discover the secrets of this majestic environment.

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

Don't hesitate to get in touch with mountain guides who have the "Esprit Parc" label. As well as guiding you safely along the itineraries and trails, they'll attract your attention, arouse your curiosity and inspire you to find out more about the mountain environment.

For further information: Vanoise National Park official website.

Aussois is located in the heart of the Vanoise National Park. An immense natural area where flora and fauna are protected.
Esprit Parc National presents what it means to have the right spirit?
Indispensable for protecting an exceptional and fragile natural environment

Adopt the "Parc attitude

Walking, running, photographing, smelling, listening, breathing, contemplating, observing, learning, passing on, respecting...

- Come on foot, without your dog (even on a leash)
- Admire the beauty of the flowers without picking them - they won't grow back on your property.
- Feed yourself with tasty local produce, but don't feed the marmots.
- Optimize your water and electricity consumption in the refuges
- Initiate yourself to the calm of the mountains, to tranquillity... disconnect
- Follow the trails and don't cut the laces on the way down
- Take the shuttle bus instead of your car
- Open up this extraordinary picture book with your children, awaken their curiosity and make them more aware of the environment and respect for it... That's what real mountain vacations are all about!

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