Towns & Villages in Les Arcs — 7 of Our Favourites

Arc 1800 is the largest of the Les Arcs resorts, made up of four interconnected high-altitude villages offering superb access to the pistes and trails. The pedestrianised centre is split between Le Charvet and Les Villards, with other areas including Le Chantel and Charmettoger, providing a wide choice of accommodation. The resort is lively and well-developed, with bars, restaurants, ski shops and a packed annual events calendar, making it ideal if you want to be at the heart of the action.

There’s plenty to do off the slopes too, from the modern Mille 8 sports complex offering swimming, sledging, mountain karting and boardercross, to adventure parks in the trees, laser tag, ten-pin bowling and golf. Arc 1800 is perfect for families, groups or couples looking for a full holiday experience, combining great skiing with vibrant village life and plenty of entertainment options.

Being the biggest town in the area, Bourg St Maurice provides services, goods and entertainment to the people of Les Arcs and many other popular resorts. The train station includes a coach terminal, from which you can board buses to La Rosière, Sainte Foy, La Plagne, Tignes, Val d'Isère and, in the summer, Italy. There is no shortage of retail options with everything on offer from commercial centre hypermarkets to tiny high street boutiques. Bourg is essentially big enough to have a cinema, a campsite and weekly markets but small enough to remain friendly and manageable, all surrounded by the spectacular mountainous landscape.

Arc 1950 is arguably the prettiest of the Les Arcs villages, a compact high-altitude resort with a charming chocolate-box alpine style. Built most recently in 2007 by Intrawest, the company behind North American ski destinations such as Whistler and Copper Mountain, it combines modern comfort with a traditional mountain village feel. The whole resort is pedestrianised and car-free, allowing you to ski right through the centre in winter, and all accommodation, shops and restaurants offer ski-in ski-out access to the pistes.

The village has a real community atmosphere, with a range of cafés, restaurants and bars that encourage guests to stay local in the evenings. Accommodation is modern, spacious and family-friendly, managed by reputable operators, and perfect if you are travelling with young children. 

Arc 1950 is also conveniently located just below Arc 2000, which is easily reached by a short walk or the free Cabriolet gondola, giving you access to additional dining, entertainment and après-ski options. Quiet in the evenings yet lively during the day, Arc 1950 is ideal for families seeking an attractive alpine setting with convenient access to the slopes and a full winter holiday experience.

Arc 2000 is the highest of the Les Arcs villages, offering unparalleled access to the surrounding mountains and snow-sure slopes. While it may not be the prettiest village in the area, its compact layout makes it extremely efficient as both a winter and summer resort. The village was designed to give instant ski access while respecting the natural environment, making it popular with those seeking adventure and the best of the pistes.

Accommodation in Arc 2000 is predominantly large self-catering apartment residences, with some chalets added in recent years, all offering ski-in ski-out convenience. It’s ideal if you want direct access to the freeride paradise of the Aiguille Rouge massif or simply to enjoy the highest snow-sure skiing in Les Arcs. The village has a quieter nightlife than some of the lower resorts, making it perfect for those focused on skiing, winter sports or summer mountain activities, while still providing enough facilities for a comfortable and practical stay.

Plan Peisey and Vallandry are two picturesque, intertwined villages that together form a charming winter base with direct links to La Plagne. Vallandry sits closest to Arc 1800, while Plan Peisey is connected to the La Plagne slopes via the double-decker Vanoise Express gondola. A ‘lobster pot’ lift also joins Plan Peisey with the original Peisey village below. Both villages are compact and easy to navigate, with free shuttle buses and a mix of apartments, hotels and standalone chalets.

Despite being slightly more isolated than other Les Arcs resorts, their location makes them ideal for exploring the entire Paradiski domain. You can ski from Vallandry to Arc 1800 in around 30 minutes or take one of the free navettes in the evening. The nearby Peisey-Nancroix Nordic area offers cross-country trails for those looking to branch out from the downhill slopes.

Accommodation here tends to be traditional in style and excellent value, making it perfect for families or skiers who want to focus on the mountains rather than nightlife. With superb piste access and a peaceful atmosphere, Plan Peisey and Vallandry are a wonderful choice if your priority is skiing across the world’s third-largest linked ski area.

Arc 1600 is the original village of Les Arcs and the lowest of the mountainside resorts, perched just a seven-minute funicular ride from Bourg Saint Maurice. Despite being one of the smaller villages, it retains a charming local atmosphere while offering excellent access to the rest of the mountain. The village is predominantly pedestrian-only, making it easy to explore, and is served by free shuttle buses linking you to all other levels of the resort.

You’ll find a variety of accommodation here, from cosy apartments to larger ski-friendly properties, complemented by a good selection of bars and restaurants. Ski lifts ascend directly from the village, with ski schools operating from the snow front, making it ideal if you’re travelling with beginners or want easy access to the slopes. Arc 1600 is at the heart of Les Arcs, offering a perfect balance of convenience, character and connectivity for your ski holiday.

Local legend suggests that before Villaroger was a bona fide resort locals and ski instructors would regularly finish their day by riding down the off-piste into the village. This became such a common occurrence, that they decided to build chairlifts so people could go back up the mountain. Nowadays, the Aiguille Rouge piste dropping from 3,226m down to the village is a fairly straightforward prospect, although you do need the legs for a run that lasts for around 7km! Villaroger has largely retained its village charm, avoiding many commercial elements that exist in other resorts. This means it's quieter with only a few restaurants and definitely no nightclubs.