The French Alps aren’t only a winter playground – when the warm air rolls across the mountaintops and the winter snow has melted, the entire Alpine region transforms. Swathes of wildflowers begin to carpet the landscape, the scent of blossom fills the fresh mountain air, and blue skies are reflected in the clear, calm lakes. In Arc 1950, one of the prettiest, and most modern villages in the Savoie region in the Alps, the sunny days are filled with a raft of outdoor activities – it’s the perfect place to enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of Savoie.
Activities in Arc 1950
The uplifting sight of the majestic Mont Blanc mountain, also known as the Sacred Mountain, is ever present in Arc 1950, and dominates the mountains of the Tarentaise Valley. The area is world famous for its ski resorts, but recent years have seen savvy, nature-loving holiday makers fall head over heels for the dazzling natural beauty of the area outside of the ski season, and has led to the village creating a spectacular programme of activities and events from early summer through to autumn.
Rare and beautiful flowers, birds and wildlife share the landscape with visitors. An extensive range of hikes and bike trails make this a walker’s paradise and there are many ancient tracks you can follow, built to allow local farmers and animals to pass to summer grazing pastures. In July and August ski lifts open to offer walkers and mountain bikers access to the vast mountains area.
The sparkling mountain lakes are ideal for a cooling dip. Adrenaline junkies will adore canyoning! Plunge into the mountain streams, abseil, cascade into pools, and ride the river rapids for an invigorating, exciting activity that you won’t forget in a hurry! Or take a thrilling adrenaline-filled zip wire ride with an 130km/h descent – that should do it! Rock climbing, paragliding and cycling are also available. Water babies will love the range of sports from kayaking, canoeing and even white-water rafting. Or simply chill out and enjoy a round of golf at nearby Bourg St Maurice, take a helicopter ride, or enjoy a spot of fishing, the nearby lakes of Saint-Jacques, Marlou and the Vallée de l’Arc are all stuffed with rainbow trout. And, if you’ve never sunbathed at the top of a mountain, soaking up the rays alongside the breath-taking, unspoiled views – you’re in for a treat!
You can be as energetic as you like – or not…
In the lovely colourful, 100% car-free village of Arc 1950 there are even more activities to choose from including fitness, Zumba and archery.
The place where kids are never bored
Families and those seeking a baby-friendly bolt hole will find everything they need in Arc 1950. Pedestrianised plazas, a host of entertainment options from ping pong tables in the streets, bouncy castles, trampolines and heaps more – you won’t hear “I’m bored” from the kids here. In the summer, weekly free family fun days include everything from art workshops to acrobranch, plus there are activity camps and kids’ clubs. Weekly concerts and shows are held in the village square – a magical setting as Mont Blanc glows in the soft light of the sunset.
Eight Special “Mercredi d’Arc 1950” – Wednesdays in Arc 1950
In Arc 1950, Wednesdays during the summer season are dedicated to themed family fun days with free activities and entertainment. These “Summer Wednesdays” feature a variety of events, workshops, and shows based on a different theme each week, transforming the village into a festive hub for families.
August: An Evening under the stars
A new event in the programme of summer activities for the village: an astrophysicist will guide guests through the immensity of the universe. Using a high-definition telescope, guests will be able to observe planets, constellations, nebulae and lunar craters live. What the astrophysicist sees with the naked eye through the telescope will be relayed in real time to a large screen, so everybody can experience the vision from the telescope. A real celestial spectacle!
And if you want even more things to do – just ask the locals! 90% of employees in the village live locally and they love to share their top tips. Want to know a great place for an aperitif? Ask a local. Bakers Isa and David Bosquet of Boulangerie Arc Doré will tell you “That’s a tough one, there are so many great places – but we love the terraces at Chez Léontine, Perce Neige and Chez Luigi.”
Ask Florian Autier of Chez Luigi bar and restaurant what to drink as the sun sets, and he recommends “a cocktail, chilled beer or génépi, the local liqueur, a taste of the mountains.”
Meanwhile the Barbin family at Meli’s Snack bar will share their favourite place to watch the sun set: “the summit of Arcabulle – it’s stunning,” while for Léa Deslands of Wood Bear Café, “the top of Aiguille Grive is the perfect spot to chill and watch the sun dip,” and Van der Wees of the village souvenir gift shop loves to sit and sip in the village square, enjoying the lively atmosphere.
They’ll all tell you this village has a wonderfully welcoming ambiance, that they love to share Arc 1950 and the local area, and that the many activities keep you entertained from sunup to sundown.
There are plenty of bars, restaurants and food shops – the perfect chance to try new cheeses, local produce and delicious mountain gastronomy. A wide choice of self-catering accommodation is available, and you can leave the car behind and enjoy the nature and beauty of Arc 1950 as it’s easily reached by train and plane and connecting bus services.
How to get to Arc 1950
By train: TGV station Bourg-Saint-Maurice is 35 minutes away by bus or you can take the funicular which runs daily to Arc 1600 from where you can take a free interstation shuttle to Arc 1950 and the other villages of Les Arcs.
By plane: Lyon Saint Expury Airport from where you can take a bus with altibus.com; Chambéry-Savoie, with a Trans’neige bus transfer; Geneva Cointrain (alpski-bus.com).
Find heaps more information at: arc1950.com
Janine Marsh is the author of several internationally best-selling books about France. Her latest book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life. Find all books on her website janinemarsh.com
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