Tignes is a ski resort in the Savoie department, and is part of the Espace Killy ski region. The resort is situated to the north-east of the Vanoise National Park, close to the French border with Italy and together with Val d'Isere it is part of the Espace Killy ski region.
The resort was developed in an attractive location in the mountains above Les Brevieres and around the lake after the dam was finished.
Explorer Tignes
Tignes comprises of several villages - all are new except for Les Brevieres which is a traditional Savoyard village. Tignes was also a village here but it was submerged in the early 1950's when the barrage was constructed.
The main villages are called Val Claret, Le Lavachet, Le Lac, Les Boisses and Les Brevieres, the first three of these being at the higher altitude and the last two a little down the mountain. Le Lac is both the highest village of the group and the best placed for access to the ski slopes.
Having been developed during the 1960's Tignes is one of the longest established ski resorts in the Alps . It was becoming 'rather dated' by the 1990's but in recent years the resort has been taken in hand, substantially smartened up, and new developments are subject to much tighter constraints than were applied previously, in an attempt to return to a more Alpine feel for the resort.
For a long time the location was unusual in that it offered year round skiing, because of the glacier that lies behind the village - climate change has reduced this a little but there is still a very long ski season at Tignes, typically mid-October to Mid-May, and skiing on the glacier is available in other months.
The region is ideal for skiing, is at high altitude (2100 metres), and has a very wide range of skiing opportunities for all levels of skier - for the more experienced there are a good selection of green runs and black runs, and off-piste possibilities close to hand.
Tignes also claims to be the sportiest ski resort in France, and you will find many other activities here such as hang-gliding, climbing, ice-skating and mountain bike riding on snow. There are also two snowparks and a full 'half-pipe' for the more adventurous.
Perhaps the most unusual sport at Tignes, and I can confirm that I have no intention of trying it although those that have say it is exceptional, is 'under ice diving'.
As you would expect, Tignes also offers a very wide selection of shops, bars and restaurants and nightlife for the times when you aren't out on the slopes - there are more than 100 bars and restaurants to choose from here.
Because of the late season skiing available, and the popularity of the resort as a summer base both for glacier skiing and for hiking and other outdoor activities, the town is busy for much of the year, except autumn when the summer crowds have left and the first winter sport enthusiasts not yet arrived.
Attractions nearby
The Espace Killy ski region as a whole has more than 300 kilometres of ski runs available, and an extensive range of altitudes from 1500 metres to 3500 metres above sea level. Note that the season at Val d'Isere is shorther than in Tignes, so if you visit early or late in the season you will have to make do with just 150 kilometres of ski runs!
The resort of Les Arcs Bourg-Saint-Maurice is to the north-west and Val d'Isere is just a few kilometres to the south-east of Tignes.
You can find more travel ideas in the Savoie guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
Arrange a visit to Tignes
Reserve excursions
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Hotels in Tignes
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Map of Tignes and places nearby
Visit near Tignes 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
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
Bonneval-sur-Arc
At Bonneval, listed among the 'most beautiful villages of France', you can discover a very traditional mountain village
Bonneval-sur-Arc 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
Courchevel
Courchevel, ski resort in the 'Three Valleys region', is also popular with summer mountain visitors
Courchevel guide
Meribel
Part of the extensive 'Trois Vallées' ski region, Meribel is extremely popular and has many activities available
Meribel guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Savoie
Address: Tignes, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Albertville, Rhone-Alpes, 73320, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.4733, longitude 6.91389
Plan your visit to Tignes, Savoie
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Col de l'Iseran: site of natural beauty (11 km)
- Bonneval: most beautiful village (15 km)
- Mont Blanc: site of natural beauty (40 km)
- Aiguille du Midi: site of natural beauty (45 km)
- Glacier des Bossons: site of natural beauty (45 km)
- Albertville: town of art and history (46 km)
- Mer de Glace: site of natural beauty (48 km)
- Megeve: ville fleurie 4* (48 km)
- Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne: recommended detour (49 km)
- Aiguilles d'Arves: site of natural beauty (60 km)
- Jardin alpin du Lautaret: remarkable garden (66 km)
- La Grave: most beautiful village (67 km)
Market days in Tignes, France
A seasonal market is held in Tignes on Sunday.
A seasonal market is held in Tignes on Thursday all day & Sunday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Tignes (Francais)