Parc National de la Vanoise — Ibex, Marmots & the Roof of the Alps

France's very first national park (created 1963): a full day's drive to reach, and worth every kilometre. Base at Pralognan-la-Vanoise, hike among bouquetin and marmots at 2,500m, and drive the highest paved pass in the Alps on the way home.

~665 km
One-way
1 stop
Supercharging
3–4 nights
Trip length
€140–210
Total budget

Why the Vanoise

Created in 1963, the Parc National de la Vanoise was France's first national park, born partly to protect the bouquetin (Alpine ibex) that Italy's neighbouring Gran Paradiso park had saved from near-extinction. Today the core zone is one of the most reliable places in France to see ibex, chamois, marmots and bearded vultures at close range without a guide — many trails around Pralognan-la-Vanoise report frequent sightings right along the path. It's also proper high-mountain terrain: glaciers, 3,000m+ summits, and — for the cyclist — the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved road pass in the Alps at 2,764m, climbable from the "Plus Beaux Villages de France" village of Bonneval-sur-Arc.

Source: Parc National de la Vanoise, Wikipedia — Pralognan-la-Vanoise

Getting There & Charging

Meudon-la-Forêt (48.81°N, 2.24°E) to Pralognan-la-Vanoise (45.38°N, 6.71°E) is roughly 665 km, about 7h–7h30 of driving via the A6/A43 through Chambéry and Albertville, then up the Tarentaise valley through Moûtiers. That's well beyond a single charge on a 97%-SOH Model Y Premium (realistic ~330–370 km), so plan on one Supercharger stop. The Albertville Supercharger sits right on the route (roughly two-thirds of the way, before the climb into the mountains); the Aime-la-Plagne Supercharger (E.Leclerc, 16 stalls up to 250kW, open 24/7) is a good second option or return-trip stop, about 30km short of Moûtiers. From Moûtiers it's another ~30km up the valley to Pralognan.

Realistic plan: charge to ~90% at home, drive ~400km to Albertville (arriving with 10–20% buffer), top up 20–30 min to comfortably reach Pralognan and back to Albertville again for the return leg.

Source: Tesla Supercharger — Albertville, ChargeFinder — Aime-la-Plagne

Day-by-Day

Day 1 — Friday/Saturday

Meudon-la-Forêt → Albertville (charge) → Pralognan-la-Vanoise

~665 km, ~7h30 driving + charge stop

Long driving day — leave early. Charge at Albertville, then wind up through Moûtiers into the Tarentaise and up to Pralognan-la-Vanoise (1,410m), a genuine mountain village rather than a purpose-built ski resort, and the traditional gateway into the park's high cirques. Settle in, short evening leg-stretch walk near town.

Day 2

Lac des Vaches & Col de la Vanoise loop

~14–16 km round trip, ~5–6h, +900m — the park's signature hike

The classic: from Pralognan, climb through the Bévériers alder forest into the high cirque, past the milky-turquoise Lac des Vaches and up to the Col de la Vanoise (2,517m) beneath the Aiguille de la Vanoise and Grande Casse glacier. This is prime bouquetin and marmot territory — sightings right along the trail are commonly reported, especially early morning. Refuge du Col de la Vanoise sells drinks/snacks if you want a break at altitude.

Bivouac in the park's core (coeur) zone is only tolerated within 1 hour's walk of a staffed refuge, from 7pm to 9am, for one night only, June–September, and only with a lightweight tent that doesn't allow standing (or none at all) — you must reserve with the refuge keeper first, as spots are limited. No car-camping anywhere in the core zone.
Free option: bivouac near Refuge du Col de la Vanoise or Refuge de la Valette if you reserve ahead and hike up for it. Paid fallback near the park entrance: Camping Le Chamois in Pralognan (1-star municipal-style site, 139 pitches, open summer season) — a simple, cheap base for car-camping outside the core zone; Alpes Lodges (4-star) nearby runs €18–26/night for a hiker's tent pitch if you want more comfort.
Day 3

Cirque de l'Arcelin or Refuge de la Valette + easy bike spin

Easy day — marmots close to the village

Recovery day: the Cirque de l'Arcelin is a short, easy loop right from town with marmots, streams and forest — good if legs are tired. Alternative: the steeper climb to Refuge de la Valette (2,590m) through more forest for glacier views of the Grand Bec. Afternoon: unload the bike and spin the valley road, or just relax by the village.

Day 4

Bonneval-sur-Arc & Col de l'Iseran → home

Detour via Col de l'Iseran (2,764m), then A43/A6 home

Before heading back, detour to Bonneval-sur-Arc, officially one of France's "Plus Beaux Villages" — stone-and-lauze-roofed hamlet at the foot of the Col de l'Iseran, the highest paved road pass in the Alps (2,764m) and a legendary, rarely-used Tour de France climb (used only ~9 times since 1938, most recently 2019). The south ascent from Bonneval is 12.8km at 7.5% average — a serious ride if you bring the bike and legs are willing, otherwise just drive the pass for the views. Then descend and head home, charging again at Albertville or Aime-la-Plagne en route.

Bike Notes

Bike loaded inside per the Car Camping & Bike Guide — no range penalty from a roof/hitch rack. This trip is genuine Tour de France col country: the Col de l'Iseran from Bonneval-sur-Arc is one of the toughest and least-crowded legendary climbs (avg 7.5% over 12.8km), and the valley roads around Pralognan and the Tarentaise offer easier spins if you're saving your legs for hiking instead.

Source: PJAMM Cycling — Col de l'Iseran from Bonneval-sur-Arc

💰 Budget

CategoryCost
Tolls (A6/A43, round trip)≈ €45–55
Supercharging (2 stops round trip, ~120–150 kWh)≈ €35–50
Lodging (bivouac free + Camping Le Chamois 1–2 nights)€0–35
Refuge snacks / one comfort meal (local Savoyard specialty)≈ €20–30
Food (mostly self-cooked)≈ €30–40
Total€140–210