Les Arcs 1950

The prettiest chocolate-box style village of all the Les Arcs resorts

featured in Towns & Villages Updated 23 July 2024

Developed by the same company as Whistler in Canada, Arc 1950 is an exceptionally pretty, compact, high-altitude village just below Arc 2000. It feels like a Disney set, with the whole resort completely pedestrianised and car free. In fact, you can ski right through the centre during the winter. With all the accommodation (and shops and restaurants) allowing ski-in-ski-out access to the pistes, it's absolutely ideal for a winter break.

Arc 1950 is perhaps the most exclusive of the Les Arcs resorts, with all of the apartment buildings managed by either Radisson or Pierre et Vacances. It also features some of the most high-end shops in the area, with prestigious clothing and ski equipment on offer. There is a real ‘village feel’ to the resort and a good selection of cafés, restaurants and bars encourages many people to stay local in the evenings. Arc 2000, with its own selection of eateries, entertainments and events is a very close neighbour, connected by the free Cabriolet gondola or just a short walk up the hill.

History & Culture in Arc 1950

See our History Guide

Sights & Attractions in Arc 1950

One of the key attractions of Arc 1950 is its altitude. During the winter you are absolutely guaranteed great snow at 1,950m, even very early or very late in the season.

An attraction in its own right, the picturesque, beautifully constructed village retains a sense of calm seclusion by hiding all the cars in a vast underground car park. So it remains completely accessible whilst being car free. Once here there are excellent views toward La Rosière and, if you enjoy spectacular panoramas, you are not far from the gondolas leading up to the Aiguille Rouge peak (at 3,226m) which affords incredible views of the entire French Alps.

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Dining in Arc 1950

There is a good range of restaurants in Arc 1950, ranging from quick and easy snack bars like Meli’s to a full, gourmet dining experience in La Table des Lys. A great option for breakfast is the Wood Bear café which serves great coffee as well as reasonably-priced lunches and early-evening apéro. Perhaps the most well-known restaurant in Arc 1950 is La Vache Rouge – they serve many Savoyard favourites and specialise in spit-roasted, hand-carved meats.

Le 2134 Rooftop Restaurant, Le Arcs 2000

Located in Arc 2000

Traditional French and Savoyarde cuisine in Les Arcs 2000 resort.
Le Savoy Restaurant, Arc 2000

Located in Arc 2000

Enjoy some culinary delights such as traditional Savoyard dishes for lunch and dinner, and a non-stop service during the weekends.
Wood Bear café

Located in Arc 1950

Divided into two levels, this small café is a great place to enjoy a hot drink with a snack or a larger lunch.
Red Rock Café Restaurant and Bar

Located in Arc 2000

Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks from its kitchen that's open non-stop throughout the day. It's also a great place for some après-ski fun.
Au Refuge Gourmand Restaurant

Located in Arc 2000

This restaurant specialises in traditional Alpine food such as fondue and tartiflette, as well as burgers, soups and salads.
Les Chalets de L'Arc Restaurant, Arc 2000

Located in Arc 2000

This large chalet mountain restaurant is the perfect spot for a long leisurely mountain lunch in the sunshine. It also open for dinner on Wednesday and Friday evenings (contact them for more details).

Things to do in Arc 1950

The winter is all about skiing. Arc 1950 is exceptionally well-connected to the pistes, with the whole resort effectively being ski-in ski-out.

Also, during the winter season, there is a comprehensive calendar of events, with each week having a different theme and entertainment centring around the main square. Christmas is marked with impressive musical parades! In the summertime, the main events occur on ‘special Wednesdays’ with themes including bike week, medieval times, the far west and fairground games.

If you fancy a bit of rest and relaxation, the Deep Nature Spa is impressively styled as a series of underground caves. The Arc 1950 hotels also feature indoor and, in summer, outdoor heated pools. Furthermore, with Arc 2000 being so close, there are even more ‘things to do’ right on the doorstep.

Snowshoeing

Located in Arc 2000

This is a perfect way to discover the charm and serenity of the mountains away from the busy pistes.
Dinner in a Mongolian Yurt

Located in Arc 1950

After a day on the slopes take a relaxing break in a rather unusual place!
Patinoire Naturelle (Ice Rink)

Located in Arc 2000

In Place de la Patinoire you will find the natural outdoor ice skating rink.
Bowling Arc 2000

Located in Arc 2000

In the heart of Les Arcs 2000 you will find the bowling alley and games room.
Speed Riding School

Located in Arc 1950

Les Arcs is the perfect spot to learn and practice speed riding. This company is recognised by the French free flight federation.

Nightlife in Arc 1950

In the village are a few bars, a pub and a late-night club. With Arc 1950 being so compact, often a place which serves midday lunch can be a popular night-time drinking spot. Alternatively, an early-morning breakfast café might serve some of the best après-ski drinks.

Regardless of the name, Les Belles Pintes is an Irish pub with gaelic styling, Guinness on tap, a pool table and good-value happy hours. Le Chalet de Luigi does everything; positioned right on the piste, it is a restaurant serving lunch and dinner, a bar for live music and sports on TV, and a club for after-hours dancing. O’Chaud is similarly versatile, although it is less food-orientated; a cosy bar during the day, the dance music kicks in at night and continues into the early hours of the morning. For a general early evening (or après ski) beverage, Wood Bear café always has a good selection of beers on tap whilst George’s Wine Bar is an amateur sommelier’s dream.

Les Belles Pintes

Located in Arc 1950

A taste of traditional Ireland in the mountains of Les Arcs 1950, serving a selection of draught beers and wines, as well as regular live music.
O'Chaud Lounge Bar

Located in Arc 1950

A smart and cosy lounge bar designed to create a soothing daytime environment or a more lively atmosphere in the evening.
Bowling Arc 2000

Located in Arc 2000

In the heart of Les Arcs 2000 you will find the bowling alley and games room.
Red Rock Café Restaurant and Bar

Located in Arc 2000

Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks from its kitchen that's open non-stop throughout the day. It's also a great place for some après-ski fun.
Chalet de Luigi Bar

Located in Arc 1950

Open in both the summer and the winter for lunch, dinner and evening entertainment. This is a great meeting point with a large south-facing balcony alongside the 'piste des Marmottes'.

Chalets in Arc 1950

Coulicou Chalet

Located in Arc 1950

The chalet is located in the 5-star residence of Prince de Cimes, in the centre of Arc 1950. It features magnificent mountain views and is only 200m from Varet, Saint Jacques Ski Lift and Marmottes Ski Lift, so you have great access to the slopes.

13 Dec 20257 Nightsper personCatered
Price: £1,169
Alouette Chalet

Located in Arc 1950

The chalet style apartment is located in the 5-star Auberge Jerome Residence, in the heart of the Arcs 1950 luxury ski resort. only a few minutes from the shops, bars and tasty restaurants.

13 Dec 20257 Nightsper personCatered
Price: £1,162

Holidays Rentals in Arc 1950

There are eight apartment buildings in the Arc 1950 village, each managed by either Pierre et Vacances or Radisson. The resort was only developed in 2003 and all available accommodation is both modern and well-maintained. There is a vast underground car park beneath the village, which means your vehicle is normally only an elevator-trip away from your front door.

Arc 1950 Le Village Premium

Located in Arc 1950

This 5-star concept village with "Green Key" accreditation offers ski-in/ski-out access, swimming pools overlooking the snow-capped mountains and a Deep Nature® Spa for families and skiers to enjoy!
La Source des Arcs - 2 Bedroom South-facing Apartment

Located in Arc 2000

Comfortable two-bedroom apartment with a private balcony and beautiful views.
Arc 1950 Premium

Located in Arc 1950

Pierre & Vacances offers you a wonderful ski experience in Arc 1950 through our 8 top-of-the-range residences. A car free village, free from turmoil and nuisance, our residences are built of stone, timber and stone roofing slabs, inspiring desires and well-being while offering comfortable, spacious accommodation. Services include bars, restaurants, free internet connections, individual ski lockers, outdoor pool a fitness room and much, much more.
La Source des Arcs - 2 Bedroom West-facing Apartment

Located in Arc 2000

Comfortable two-bedroom apartment with a private balcony and beautiful views.
Arc 1950 Le Village Premium

Located in Arc 1950
La Source des Arcs - 1 Bedroom Apartment

Located in Arc 2000

Stylish and well-equipped apartment, ideal for a cosy and enjoyable stay for two.

Hotels in Arc 1950

Arc 1950 Le Village Premium Residence

Located in Arc 1950

This 5-star concept village with "Green Key" accreditation offers ski-in/ski-out access, swimming pools overlooking the snow-capped mountains and a Deep Nature® Spa for families and skiers to enjoy!Fully pedestrianised, it offers a wide range of activities and spacious apartments.
Arc 1950 Premium Apartment Residence

Located in Arc 1950

Pierre & Vacances offers you a wonderful ski experience in Arc 1950 through our 8 top-of-the-range residences. A car free village, free from turmoil and nuisance, our residences are built of stone, timber and stone roofing slabs, inspiring desires and well-being while offering comfortable, spacious accommodation. Services include bars, restaurants, free internet connections, individual ski lockers, outdoor pool a fitness room and much, much more.

9 August 20257 Nights
Price: €976
Taj-I Mah Hotel

Located in Arc 2000

Perched upon a cliff in Les Arcs' highest village, Arc 2000, this establishment was opened in 2016 as Paradiski's first 5-star hotel. From ski-to-door access to a fully equipped spa, gourmet restaurants and elegantly decorated rooms, it offers all the luxuries you expect from a five-star hotel.