The most beautiful viewpoints in les 3 Vallées

At an altitude of 2,952 metres, this is the 3 Vallées viewpoint that you really shouldn’t miss! It's also the highest peak in Méribel. It offers you the feel of the high alpine peaks, as you are close to 3,000 metres above sea level. You'll be fascinated by the exceptional view of the Gébroulaz glacier (the largest in the 3 Vallées) with its seracs and crevasses, as well as the Plan de Tueda Nature Reserve. You'll also see famous peaks such as la Grande Casse and the Aiguilles du Borgne.

We suggest you stay for a while and experience the silence that reigns at this altitude, as a much-needed break from the incessant hustle and bustle of modern urban life. You'll feel as if you are in a different world, almost another dimension, which is deeply relaxing. If you're lucky, you might even spot some mountain-dwelling birds feasting on crumbs leftover from holidaymakers’ picnics.

This area is reached by the Mont Vallon gondola, which is also open to walkers. So, if you don't feel like skiing down from the top of Mont Vallon, let yourself be whisked to the summit and back in the warmth of a gondola cabin, just so you can feast your eyes on the views from the summit!

Situated at an altitude of 2,400 metres, the Tougnète sector is one of the cross-over points between Méribel and Les Ménuires. You'll be able to feast your eyes on Mont Vallon (the highest peak in Méribel), the Mont Blanc and Grande Casse (the highest mountain in the Vanoise area). You can also enjoy views over the Méribel valley on one side, then turn around to admire the Belleville valley on the other. The sunsets over the mountain ridges are magnificent.

To get there, take the Tougnète 1 gondola lift from Méribel centre (Plateau de la Chaudanne), then the Tougnète 2 chairlift.

Bonus: for mountain lovers in summer, Col de la Tougnète is now accessible by mountain bike or road bike, so you can explore the 3 Vallées in a whole new way.

If you set off from Les Ménuires, you'll have 6.7 km to climb, with 600 m altitude gain. If you start the climb in Brides-les-Bains, you'll have almost 30 km to cover, with an ascent of 1,934 metres. You

could say that this pass is a new Giant of the Alps! If you have an electric bike, it will come in very handy. You'll be able to enjoy exceptional scenery the whole way up.

At 2,304 m, the Col de la Loze offers tranquil views over both the Méribel and Courchevel valleys. If you're lucky, you'll see paragliders take to the skies.

We suggest you come here to watch the sun go down in the late afternoon before the ski lifts close. The view of Mont Blanc is impressive, especially in the evening light.

To get there, take the Loze chairlift from Méribel or the Dou des Lanches chairlift from Courchevel.

Bonus: the Tour de France went over the Col de la Loze in 2020 and 2023. It was one of the hardest stages, according to the riders.

Situated at an altitude of 2,250 m, the summit of Le Signal offers a magnificent viewpoint that will make you think you’re in the Italian Dolomites. The area is very quiet and relaxing, and you can enjoy sunshine for most of the day. There are veven wooden deckchairs where you can stop for a break and a snack and marvel at the Mont-Blanc and la Brèche de la Portetta. The limestone ‘towers’ are reminiscent of those in the Dolomites.

To enjoy this exceptional panorama, take the Chapelets or Signal chairlifts from Courchevel-Moriond.

This summit is at an altitude of 2,705 metres and here you will feel immersed into a wild, high-mountain atmosphere.

From here, you can enjoy a 360° view of the Alps. However, you have to earn this view, as you can only get here by ski touring or on foot. You'll then have access to avalanche-controlled but ungroomed pistes for freeriding. Even though it's a challenging area, it's still accessible to many, with several routes ranging from moderate to difficult. The day after fresh snow, you can gorge yourself on the powder – sometimes it comes right up to your ears!

To go and have fun here, take the Vizelle gondola, then follow signs for Méribel-Mottaret, and start your ascent at the big FREERIDE LAB entrance sign.

Make sure you don't miss: a selfie in front of the wooden structure so you can say "I did it!

Situated at an altitude of 1,450 metres, St-Martin-de-Belleville is an authentic, friendly village that envelops you in an Alpine atmosphere from the moment you arrive. It's a haven of peace, easily accessible via blue pistes, which also boasts beautiful views over the 3 Valleys.

A visit to this tranquil little corner of paradise will give you a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and the Encombres valley.

The bonus of this village: take time out for a gourmet lunch in one of its many restaurants. We particularly recommend the Bistrot Simple & Meilleur, run by Michelin-starred chefs René and Maxime Meilleur.

If you want to get there from Méribel, you have two options:

If you're heading to Saint-Martin-de-Belleville from Les Ménuires, take the Roc 1 gondola, then the Roc 2 chairlift. Once at the top, take the Grand Lac blue run, then Pelozet and Biolley, which will take you straight to the village.

Les Ménuires is situated at an altitude of 1,850 metres, and this resort offers you a range of areas, each with its own character and feel.

From here, you'll have a beautiful view of the Aiguille du Fruit, Mont Vallon and Saulire. We suggest that you stop off at the snowpark, which has jumps of various sizes as well as whoops so that you can practice and improve at your own pace. A magnificent, panoramic terrace awaits you, with furniture designed for relaxing: the ideal way to chill out. And what's more, there's a selfie spot so you can immortalise the moment, with your photo sent straight to your phone with an exceptional panorama of Les Ménuires in the background! Isn't life wonderful?

Situated at an altitude of 2,300 metres, Val-Thorens is the highest resort in Europe. It therefore generally remains open later in the season than the other the 3 Vallées resorts.

At an altitude of 2,803 m, this is one of the main routes for exploring the 3 valleys. From this great height, you can admire the magnificent peaks.

Bonus: photo frames (created by local illustrator Lauriane Miara) have been erected throughout the 3 Vallées ski area. If you climb to the top of the Funitel, you can admire the Cosmos-themed frame and take a photo with the south face of Mont-Blanc in the background.

Here you'll be well away from the hustle and bustle, at an altitude of 2,672 m. The best time to ski here is in the morning, so you can enjoy the sunshine on the slopes. The slopes are perfectly groomed and steep enough for you to carve your turns all the way from the top back down to the resort. You'll enjoy superb 360° views of the Alps, the Val-Thorens cirque dominated by the Péclet massif, and the Belleville valley.

This is an ideal place to soak up the afternoon sun, and perfect your tan on a restaurant terrace while admiring Mont Vallon and the Borgne glacier. This side of the resort is also the gateway to the 3 Valleys, as from here you can reach Méribel, Val-Thorens, St-Martin and Les Ménuires. In this sector, you have an incredible choice of slopes of all levels, so that every member of your group can enjoy skiing in this part of the resort.

There's a great route back down from the Col de la Chambre to Méribel: take the Lac de la Chambre piste, then the Ours piste (both blues), and you'll have the pleasure of crossing through the Tueda Nature Reserve with its forest of Cembro pines, and enjoy skiing a more than one thousand metre descent.

To get to the Col de la Chambre from Méribel-Mottaret, take the Plattières gondola lift, then the Bouquetin chairlift, then the Alouette red run down to the Côte Brune chairlift, and at the top you've arrived at your destination.

If you're setting out from Val-Thorens, take the Cairn chairlift, then the Plein Sud chairlift, and finally the 3 Vallées chairlift, which will allow you to perfect your tan. Alternatively, you can take the 3 Vallées Funitel, an iconic 3 Vallées lift.

The Pointe du Bouchet is the highest summit in the 3 Vallées ski area (3,230 m). Here, you'll be in the high mountains, charmed by the tranquillity of the site, with the added bonus of a superb view of the Bouchet glacier.

Bonus: this glacier is crossed by the highest zip line in Europe, giving you an exceptional 1,300-metre thrill ride from the ‘Summit of the 3 Vallées’ to the Col de Thorens.

To reach the pointe du Bouchet from Orelle, take the Orelle gondola, the Peyron chairlift, and then the Bouchet chairlift.

From Val-Thorens, take the Portette chairlift, then the Val-Thorens gondola lift. This takes you to the Col de Thorens where you can soak up panoramic views. You can then head back down to the Orelle side of the valley on the blue Lory piste, which gives you a view of the Aiguilles d'Arves in the southern Maurienne. To return to Val-Thorens after your little voyage of discovery, take the Peyron chairlift, then the Bouchet chairlift.

We know how important it is to bring back beautiful pictures of your holiday, so you can amaze your family and friends with the mountain scenery. We've therefore put together a number of spots where you can take pictures of our exceptional peaks.

We've prepared the first photo spot for you at the top of the Saulire. Getting there couldn't be easier: take the Saulire Express 1 and 2 gondolas. The spot is on the panoramic platform, just outside the gondolas.

There's also a second photo spot at the top of the Olympic chairlift: take the Legends heated chairlift from Méribel centre (Plateau de la Chaudanne), then the Olympic chairlift.

Don't forget to go and take some selfies with the animals of the Vanoise Park! Your little ones will be proud and delighted to be photographed with mountain animals such as a Golden eagle, marmot, or black grouse.

As you can see, the 3 Vallées are full of beautiful vantage points for you to explore. After reading this article, we're sure you can't wait to come and see us. Why not start packing now!