Vaujany
in the summer

Vaujany is a small village, but it's really well connected to the higher mountains for hiking and over to Alpe d'Huez. Thanks to the hydroelectric installations on its land, it's got way more going on than most villages its size — a pool, a skating rink and so on. And it's not far from beautiful cities like Annecy if you fancy a day out.

• Getting inThe easiest way in and out is through the garage — it leads into a mud room where you can leave your shoes. There are loads of spare garage remotes too (more remotes than keys, anyway).

• Towels, sheets & blanketsAll in the middle room. Grab an extra blanket if you get cold.
• Cleaning productsUnder the sink.
• Washing machineIn the laundry room down in the basement.
• Eating outsideThe terrace tables and chairs are out the back under the blue tarp. Feel free to take them out.
• BarbecueThere's a coal grill in the garage, feel free to use it.

• Bins & recyclingBin bags are under a sink (we might have forgotten to put one in the bin, sorry). We separate plastic + cardboard (those go together) and glass from the rest. The village bins are next to the stairs, just before the escalators.
• Blinds ⚠ ImportantOnly open and close them from inside, through the windows. The mechanism breaks easily if you operate them from outside (there's a little stopper that bends if you pull a blind shut from outside). You'll probably only open them once and can just leave them open for the next people.

• FireplaceYou probably won't need it, but you're welcome to use it for fun — there's wood in the garage. One important thing: the glass must always be fully closed when it's lit. It gets going fast and the fire gets big quickly, so it has to stay behind the glass. Rotate the knob to control the air intake.

• Downstairs showerPush that corner of the door a bit so it shuts properly. If it doesn't, water leaks out and can damage the wooden door frame next to it.

• Charging a carFeel free to charge an electric or PHEV, just keep it under 10 amps — it's not a reinforced socket.
• Our dogWe've got a big dog, so you might come across a bit of his fur here and there.

The village has a tiny supermarket, but it's pretty expensive (and really small), so we only use it for emergencies. Best to do a proper shop on the way up.

In the village

On the way up

Nearby, once you're there

⚠️ Most smaller supermarkets are closed on Sundays, and the big ones usually only open till around midday. There's pasta and a few tins in the house too, so if you get in late on a Sunday you won't go hungry.

In the heart of the village. They've got all the lift times, the week's activity programme, trail maps and tickets — and they speak English. A good first stop to get your bearings.

In the village

🏊 Espace Loisirs

The village has an indoor leisure centre with a pool and a small spa. The skating rink is often booked for training, but open to everyone at certain hours — check the website. The local hockey teams also play matches there most Fridays (check the times), and it's free to come and watch. There's also a small bowling alley, open every day during the summer holidays.

Swimming pool Spa · sauna · hammam Jacuzzi Ice rink Bowling Fitness room Climbing wall

Visit the website →

🌊 Le Collet ★ Kids' favourite

Our favourite spot with the kids. A water play area that runs in hot weather, plus free hire of gear for tennis, pétanque and more. Big shaded tables with umbrellas — come early to grab one — and a lovely view over the waterfall, perfect for a picnic. There's a restaurant too: very average but fine, and they sell ice cream.

Water play Free equipment hire Tennis Pétanque Picnic tables Restaurant · ice cream

Getting there
It's about a 5 min drive, or you can take the free little summer train (the petit train). The stop by the house is Place de la Fare, just by the stairs after the second escalator. You can also walk, it's around 20 min, mostly in the shade and you'll usually see some cows on the way. The path up starts on Rte du Rochas by the telecoms mast — just take the gravel track going uphill, right past the little old chalet on your left.

Visit the website → Train times (last year) →

Out & about

🥾 Hikes

There's lots of walking right from the village. The trails are all signposted, and there's a free app (Cirkwi) with 12 walks on it if you want ideas. If you have a lift pass you can also take the lift up and walk down, or walk up and ride back. The website lists everything with times and how hard each one is.

From the village With a lift pass Signposted trails Free Cirkwi app

Our favourites

We've got a 4-year-old, so we haven't done loads of hikes yet — but here are the ones we love.

Alpette lakes → Alpe d'Huez Needs a lift pass

From the top of the Vaujany–Alpette téléférique you walk past a string of little lakes, really pretty in summer, and you can carry on all the way to Alpe d'Huez. We like to set off early, have lunch over in Alpe d'Huez and walk back. There are a few different paths up there, so don't worry about following one exactly — just keep heading in the general direction.

Dôme des Rousses lake walk Needs a lift pass

If it's hot (which happens even up here now), you can head higher to the Dôme des Rousses and do another walk along the lake. It's really beautiful, and last year there was even still a bit of snow in August. This hike can also lead you to Alpe d'Huez if you want. It's easy to find — after you get off the lift, just follow the Piste du Dôme on your left.

Cascade de la Fare No lift pass needed

The big waterfall right above the village. It's a cool one and not too long, about 30 min each way. It's a bit steep on the side with some rocky parts. We did it with our 4-year-old and she needed carrying in a couple of spots, just for a moment each time. We probably wouldn't recommend it for kids under 5. But the view over the village is amazing.

🫐 Blueberry picking Needs a lift pass

In July and August it's blueberry season up in the mountains. There are loads right where you get off the lift at Montfrais, and along the Sentier des Lacs too.

All the hikes →

🚠 Up to Pic Blanc 3330 m

Take the cable cars all the way up to the Pic Blanc glacier — about 30 min from the Vaujany lift. Huge 360° views over the Alps, and Mont Blanc on a clear day.

Visit the website →

🧗 Via ferrata

The village has its own via ferrata. We've never done it ourselves, so I can't tell you from experience how hard it is. There are two routes, both going right up the Cascade de la Fare — the Footbridges one (graded D) is the easier of the two, and there's the Waterfall one (D+). You can hire all the gear at Atou' Sport. You don't need a guide, but you can book one if you'd rather. There are also a load of climbing routes on the same rock face. Kids need to be at least 14.

2 routes · D / D+ Gear hire at Atou' Sport From 14 yrs Climbing routes too

Visit the website →

🚣 Allemond lake

Down in Allemond (the village at the bottom of the valley) there's a big lake, the Lac du Verney. The base nautique on the shore rents out canoes, paddleboards, wingfoils, pedalos and more, and there are beaches and grass to sit on. One thing to know — you can't swim in this lake. Right next to it is La Guinguette d'Allemond, a little restaurant with a lovely view over the water.

Canoe · kayak Paddleboard Wingfoil Pedalo Beaches No swimming

Base nautique → La Guinguette →

In the village

Up the mountain

Up around Montfrais (the mid-station on the lift) there are a few mountain restaurants. They're all pretty similar on price and menu — we like Les Airelles a bit more than the others. There are loads more over on the Alpe d'Huez side too, we just haven't had time to try them all yet.

A few bigger places within a couple of hours, if you fancy a day out of the mountains.