Les Contamines-Montjoie / Hauteluce

Les Contamines-Montjoie is a mountain village in Haute-Savoie, sitting at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif at roughly 1,164 m altitude. The village has kept an authentic alpine character — baroque architecture and traditional hamlets scattered across the Val Montjoie valley — setting it apart from the more commercialized resorts nearby.

How do you get there?

Les Contamines-Montjoie sits close to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, right next to the Mont Blanc massif. It's a convenient base both for winter skiers and summer hikers, since the village is one of the stages on the legendary Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB) trail, which draws trekkers from across Europe every season.

What can you see in winter — the ski area?

The ski resort belongs to the wider Evasion Mont-Blanc domain. Runs span altitudes between 1,160 m and 2,450 m, giving a vertical drop of about 1,290 m. Skiers have 48 runs at their disposal, totaling roughly 120 km: 8 green, 12 blue, 19 red, and 9 black — a spread suited to beginners and experienced skiers looking for a real challenge alike.

Cross-country enthusiasts get 25 km of groomed trails, largely running through the nature reserve — one of the more highly regarded Nordic skiing areas in the region, also used for biathlon training.

What can you see in summer — the nature reserve?

The real gem of Les Contamines-Montjoie is the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve, the highest national nature reserve in France. It stretches from about 1,100 m just behind the village up to 3,892 m at the Aiguille de Tré-la-Tête, an impressive vertical range of nearly 2,800 m across 5,500 hectares of pristine, ecologically diverse terrain.

More than 130 km of hiking trails cross the reserve and surrounding hills, including a stretch of the famous Tour du Mont-Blanc. The reserve is home to over 660 plant species — 56 of which grow only in the Alps — alongside a rich mix of wildlife: forest deer, roe deer, and badgers lower down, giving way to marmots, ibex, and golden eagles circling the rocky ridges higher up.

When should you visit?

The winter season (December–April) suits downhill and cross-country skiers who prefer a quieter, less crowded resort compared with the bigger Mont Blanc destinations. Summer (June–September) is the best time to explore the nature reserve and tackle multi-day stretches of the Tour du Mont-Blanc, once the trails clear of snow and the meadows come into bloom.

Frequently asked questions

Is Les Contamines-Montjoie suitable for beginner skiers? Yes, the domain offers 8 green and 12 blue runs, giving a solid base for newcomers, alongside red and black runs for more advanced skiers.

Can you go cross-country skiing here? Yes, there are 25 km of groomed cross-country trails, most of them running through the nature reserve, and the area is also popular with biathletes.

What's worth seeing in summer besides skiing? The main draw is the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve — the highest national reserve in France — with over 130 km of trails, including a section of the Tour du Mont-Blanc, plus a rich variety of alpine flora and fauna.

Is the village a good starting point for the Tour du Mont-Blanc? Yes, Les Contamines-Montjoie sits directly on this famous multi-stage trail that circles the Mont Blanc massif, making it a natural stop for trekkers.