Coming to Bessans
For your journey, Bessans, which has been awarded the Flocon Vert label and has always been committed to sustainable development, invites you to choose public transport or car-sharing if possible, in order to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, travel accounts for the majority of a vacation's carbon footprint.
By train
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Following a landslide, the railroad line between Saint-Michel-Valloire and Modane is cut off. Major work is underway to restore the line.
Trains (including TGVs) stop at Saint-Michel-Valloire station (just before Modane station).
From Saint-Michel, take the S53 bus to Bessans. All you need to do is take a little less train and a little more bus (an extra ten minutes or so).
By car
A43 freeway to Turin, exit 30 (Modane/Haute Maurienne) then D1006 (ex-RN6) then D902 for 35 km
Bessans from the Tarentaise: in summer, you can get to Bessans from the Tarentaise valley (Val d'Isère) via the Iseran pass. This is the famous Route des Grandes Alpes. However, the Col de l'Iseran (Europe's highest road pass) is closed to traffic between November and June. In winter, you'll have to go through the Maurienne valley to reach Bessans (A43 freeway, Modane exit).
Bessans from Italy: in summer, you can reach Bessans from Italy via the Mont Cenis pass. If you're already staying in Bessans, this pass also allows you to spend a quick day in Italy (to enjoy a "gelati" in Susa and discover its Roman remains, or to push on to Turin and visit its superb museums and huge market). The road between the Mont Cenis pass and Susa is quite winding, but offers easy access to the Italian peninsula. This road is closed between November and April (on the Val Cenis side, the road becomes a ski slope). Access to Italy is possible all year round by car via the Fréjus tunnel (Bardonecchia - Modane).
Traffic info
In winter, the Col de l'Iseran and the Col du Mont Cenis are closed to traffic. The Col de l'Iseran is blocked by meters of snow (up to 8m at the aptly named "Pont de la neige") and the Mont Cenis road is transformed into the Val Cenis ski slope (L'Escargot, the longest green run in the world at 13km).
To get to Bessans and find out all about traffic conditions, roadworks or detour, visit savoie-route.fr
By plane
The airports of Chambéry, Grenoble, Geneva, Lyon and Turin are less than 3 hours' drive from Bessans. In winter, there are bus connections from Chambéry airport to Haute Maurienne.
Don't want to take the train or bus? Rent a car or order a cab and have it waiting for you when you get off the plane!
Getting around Haute Maurienne
Tourist information offices
