The village
Bonneval-sur-Arc (1,800 m) is the last village in the Arc valley. Stone houses with slate roofs and no visible electric wires, bread ovens, a cooperative cheese dairy: the village is a member of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. The hamlet of L’Écot, 3 km higher up, is wilder still, at the start of the Vanoise park trails.
In summer: the Col de l’Iseran
From Bonneval, the road climbs to the Col de l’Iseran (2,764 m), the highest paved pass in the Alps, which drops down to Val d’Isère. Panorama over the glaciers, with the Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Prudence chapel at the top. The road is generally open from June to October and is very popular with cyclists and motorcyclists.
In winter
A small ski resort above the village (alpine skiing on wide pistes and renowned off-piste), included in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise lift pass. The village under snow is beautiful; the pass is closed.
Practical information
- By road: about 1 hour via Modane, Termignon, Lanslebourg, Lanslevillard and Bessans.
- Paid parking at the village entrance in season; the centre is pedestrianised.
- Cheese dairy and restaurants in the village: [[À COMPLÉTER PAR SAM]] (vos bonnes adresses).