© Peisey OT
© Peisey-Vallandry
© David Souillac
© Woody
© Woody
Peisey-Vallandry
Two intertwined villages connected directly to La Plagne
Although the Peisey-Vallandry resort is officially a pair of villages, Plan Peisey and Vallandry, they are completely joined up, with the only major indication of a schism being the existence of two separate snow fronts.
Vallandry is closest to Arc 1800, whilst the valley-crossing, double-decker super-gondola, the Vanoise Express, links Plan Peisey with the slopes of La Plagne. There is also a ‘lobster pot’ lift which joins Plan Peisey with the ‘original’, and very quaint, Peisey village below. The entire resort is very picturesque, consisting of a good mix of apartments, hotels and lots of excellent stand-alone chalets.
Peisey-Vallandry is accessed via a different road to the Les Arcs resorts and, whilst it is easy to ski between the villages, it is more isolated than the others. That said, it is the perfect place to stay if you plan to explore the entire Paradiski domain, as La Plagne is reached in mere minutes.
During the winter it is possible to walk from Vallandry to Arc 1800 (approximately 30 minutes) and there are a handful of free navettes (shuttle buses) in the evening. The resort has its own regular bus service running from one end to the other, even though it is by no means a great distance. If you take the free Lonzagne ‘lobster pot’ down to Peisey, there is another (also free) shuttle to the Peisey-Nancroix ‘Nordic area’ with its full gamut of cross-country skiing trails. The resort has everything you need and is just a lovely place to be.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
There are truly some natural wonders in this area and it is worth taking the trip to Peisey-Nancroix any time of the year. Positioned at the end of a high-altitude valley, the scenery is spectacular and the sense of calm is palpable. There are plunging waterfalls (frozen in the winter), pretty hamlets and rugged slopes. Whether you choose to cross-country ski, hike, snow-shoe, dog-sled or ride a horse-drawn sleigh, the area fully deserves a visit.
If you walk up from Plan Peisey you can reach the Notre Dame de Vernettes chapel, which sits alone on the side of the mountain. The interior is small but magnificently painted and the local tourist office organises regular guided trips to see it. If you are an accomplished skier, it is possible to ski to the door although, because it is some way from the marked pistes, it can be easy to miss.
Another more recent man-made attraction is the Vanoise Express cable car which spans the valley. It only takes a few minutes to traverse the gap but it is quite a vertiginous feat of engineering. In the winter, expert snow artists are known to create vast murals on the fields below the gondola, giving you something to look at through the glass floor.
Things to do in [locality]
The Les Arcs domain is very easy to navigate on skis in the winter and by mountain bike in the summer, and the close proximity of La Plagne really helps you to ‘make the most’ of the Paradiski ski area. Aside from this, the Nordic area in Peisey-Nancroix offers a huge range of alternative activities, from the two codes of cross-country skiing, through biathlon, to snow-shoeing and dog-sledding. The village itself has a small cinema, which sometimes plays English-language films.
Dining in [locality]
There are many excellent restaurants in Peisey-Vallandry. In Vallandry there are lots of brilliant restaurants to choose from so here are a few. The Bergerie de Raphael is a decadent Savoie restaurant with fabulous service and delicious food it is situated on the side of the Morey piste just above the Vallandry chairlift. The Vanoise Hotel restaurant is a lovely restaurant in the Vanoise hotel. You can find it in Plan Peisey on the side of the Paney piste, just above the Peisey chairlift. It has a wonderful menu including many Savoyard specialities. La Vache is a cosy restaurant with English staff and a very varied menu. It's situated just next to the Parchey chairlift.
If you're in Peisey there are two excellent restaurants: L'Ancolie and Le Fer à Cheval. L'Ancolie is a gorgeous family-run restaurant that you have to book. Their food is all locally sourced and changes with whatever is in season. You can find it on the road to Peisey Nancroix after Moulin on the left-hand side in a very rustic looking family chalet. Le Fer à Cheval is a small family-run restaurant that is next door to the stables in Peisey Nancroix. The food is simple but excellent with very generous portions and sterling service.
Nightlife in [locality]
The best bar to go to, and the hub of late-night revelry in Peisey-Vallandry is the Bar Mont Blanc situated right next to the piste directly underneath the Grizzly chairlift. They have international pub grub (think chicken wings, fajitas, and pizzas), regular live music and comedy nights. There is always a good selection of drinks available, including real ales and cider.
Another bar in Vallandry with a slightly different vibe is Mojo Bar located in the main village underneath the inventively named Vallandry chairlift. It’s open late and features a good selection of cocktails.
If you are staying in Peisey proper and don't fancy travelling up to the snow front resorts, go to Greg's Bar in Peisey village. It's a fun place where you can play pool, eat pizza and listen to good music whilst you drink/relax.
Chalets in [locality]
There are lots of chalets to choose from in this area, from the more basic self-catered accommodation to ones offering hot tubs, gyms, saunas and full-board catering for large groups.
Apartments in [locality]
The apartments in the villages are usually a stone’s throw from the pistes.
Hotels in [locality]
Ranging from chalet-style accommodation to piste-side hotels with swimming pools and spas, Peisey-Vallandry has some decent options.
