Top 5 summer activities
Cool off at L'espace Ludi'Lacs
The must-see cool spot in Bessans. Situated around 2.5 km from the village, the Ludi'lacs leisure area is accessible by footpath, ideal for bikes and baby carriages, or by road. Overlooked by the mountains, from which waterfalls tumble down, and bordered by the Arc river, it's the ideal place to have fun and recharge your batteries. Espace Ludi'lacs is made up of 3 lakes: one for fishing, one for canoeing and paddle-boating, and one for swimming. In the center of this small swimming lake, an inflatable pontoon with slide allows everyone to have fun. Swimming is safe thanks to the presence of lifeguards in July and August. Picnic areas with barbecues and wooden tables are also available to enjoy the long summer evenings.
Discover mountain farming at Alpage du Vallon
As its name suggests, nestled in a valley at 2300m altitude, this mountain pasture offers a dream setting with breathtaking scenery and colors. Meet up at the hamlet of Villaron, in Bessans, to reach the Vallon mountain pastures. A gentle 2-hour climb along the trails of the Vanoise National Park takes hikers to the alpine pastures of farmer and cheese-maker Sébastien Vincendet. After learning about mountain farming and the making of Beaufort cheese, you can take part in milking the cows and even sleep over! A unique experience at the heart of the Savoyard terroir.
Hiking at the Avérole refuge
Following in the footsteps of the old peddlers, enter the verdant Avérole valley. Leave your car at the Vincendières parking lot and take the shuttle bus to the Avérole hamlet. You can then continue along a wide path to the refuge. In the heart of this timeless postcard setting, you'll discover the backdrops where many scenes from the "Belle et Sébastien" films were shot. The path leads into the wild, secluded valley along the Avérole torrent. Oratories, chapels, hamlets with stone walls and lauze roofs, follow them to the refuge, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Pointe du Charbonnel (3752 m) and the surrounding peaks, all of which rise to over 3,000 m, where you can try out high-mountain activities with local guides and professionals: Bessans, like Bonneval sur Arc, is a Mecca for mountaineering and has even been awarded the "Land of Mountaineering" label by Unesco.
Bonus: a family-friendly refuge, and the pleasure of tasting local produce. The return hike is on the left bank of the torrent, making a loop.
Introduction to biathlon
Biathlon is a year-round activity! In winter on skis... in summer on skis, wheels or rollerblades! For "pros" or beginners, everyone can play biathlon with a laser rifle or a real "22" for 50 m shooting! With its 3 km of asphalt tracks and 30 targets, the Bessans biathlon stadium offers an unusual activity to try out in summer. In private or group lessons, by the session or by the week with a state-certified instructor, learning or perfecting your skills is always a pleasure.
Mountain biking at Espace ludique de Chantelouve
Tested and approved by the French junior cross-country team, the Espace VTT de Chantelouve has something for everyone! With a series of cross-country itineraries for all levels (green, blue, red and black trails), enhanced by wooden and stone modules to spice up riding, the Chantelouve MTB area is perfectly integrated into the landscape. Mountain bike itineraries to try out during your stay in Bessans, even if you're not a mountain bike expert. Start with the green trails, have fun, gain confidence and move on to the blue ones. If you're already a mountain biker, you can move on to the red trails, or even the black ones, for guaranteed thrills! A unique area in France to try out for a day.
