Bonneval-sur-Arc is a village to the east of Chambery and 10 kilometres south of Val d'Isere in the Savoie department of the Rhone Alpes, in a valley surrounded by high mountains
Note: there are several places called Bonneval in France and two Bonneval abbeys (neither of them in this Alpine village)!
Exploring Bonneval
Being in the alps and surrounded by the mountains, Bonneval has a very different character in the summer and the winter. In the summer it is a lovely area to visit for walking and outdoor activities, and in the winter it is at the heart of the French alps skiing industry.
It is a typical Savoy village in the high Alps at an altitude of 1835 metres and in a very attractive mountain setting at the foot of the Col d'Iseran (one of the highest mountain passes in Europe). The entire village seems to be made from stone - small, solid stone houses with enormous thick walls supporting stone roofs press in on the narrow streets, for all the world looking like part of the mountains themselves.
Many of the houses also have attractive wooden balconies. These lovely old houses and streets all lead to the pretty 16th century church with its traditional Savoie steeple, and below the village (at the entrane to Bonneval) there is a charming ancient stone bridge.
It is listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France' and Bonneval-sur-Arc won a national award a few years ago for the warm welcome it gives to its visitors!
Bonneval-sur-Arc ski resort
As a ski resort Bonneval is smaller than many of the better known resorts and ski areas in the alps, with about 25 kilometres of pistes (5 green, 7 blue, 5 red and 2 black runs). As a result it has less facilities and is less crowded, but has a good reputation for the quality of its snow.
If you want to try somewhere away from the crowds at the major resorts Bonneval is well worth considering.
Photos 1 and 2 by chisloup are copyright.
Attractions nearby
Being in the high mountains and at the gateway of the Vanoise National Park, Bonneval attracts many outdoor sport enthusiasts, those who want to explore the wild countryside in the region, and nature lovers. Famous ski resorts such as Tignes and Val d'Isere are a short distance north of here.
You can find more travel ideas in the Savoie guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
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Map of Bonneval-sur-Arc and places nearby
Visit near Bonneval-sur-Arc with France This Way reviews
Val d'Isere
Home to the Alpine Ski World Cup and part of the Espace Killy ski region, Val d'Isere is a very international ski resort
Val d'Isere guide
Vanoise National Park
The stunning mountain scenery in the Vanoise National Park ensure its year around popularity with outdoor enthusiasts
Vanoise National Park guide
Les Arcs
Centred around Bourg-Saint-Maurice and within the Paradiski ski region, the Les Arcs ski ae is always very popular
Les Arcs guide
Courchevel
Courchevel, ski resort in the 'Three Valleys region', is also popular with summer mountain visitors
Courchevel guide
Val Thorens
The high altitude skiing at Val Thorens mean it has a longer season than many ski resorts in the Alps
Val Thorens guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Savoie
Address: Bonneval-sur-Arc, Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Rhone-Alpes, 73480, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.372222, longitude 7.047222
Plan your visit to Bonneval-sur-Arc, Savoie
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Bonneval: most beautiful village
- Col de l'Iseran: site of natural beauty (5 km)
- Vallee de la Claree: grand site of france (54 km)
The French version of this page is at Bonneval-sur-Arc (Francais)