Map of Auron
Map and piste guide for Auron
Auron lies at the far end of the Tinée Valley, on a sun-drenched plateau perched at an altitude of 1,600 metres. Open the Auron piste guide and the scene unfolds before you. The ski area covers 135 km spread across four sectors: Las Donnas, Sauma Longue, Demandols and Lieuson. It is the largest ski area in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Map of the village of Auron
Our interactive map of Auron shows the village, the tourist office, the car parks and the main ski lifts. The map of Auron in PDF format can be downloaded with a single click. This way, you’ll know where to park, where to buy your ski pass and where to put on your skis.
How long does it take to visit Auron?
It all depends on your plans. The heart of the resort is situated on a compact plateau. You can walk around it in an hour or two, including the central square.
To make the most of the local heritage, allow an extra half-day. The Saint-Érige Chapel is best visited with a guide. Outside school holidays, guided tours take place on Saturdays from 4 pm to 5 pm, so you’ll need to time your visit to fit in with this slot.
The ski area takes more time to explore. With 135 km of slopes, a weekend is just enough to explore two or three sectors. A week is still the ideal length of time to cover all four sectors at a leisurely pace.
In summer, the pace changes. The bike park features 27 kilometres of downhill trails spread across 13 routes. Hikers will also find plenty to keep them busy for several days on the edge of the Mercantour.
Where can you download a map of Auron as a PDF?
Good news: you don’t need to look any further. The PDF map of Auron is available on this page. Click on the ‘Download the map’ button above, beneath our interactive map.
Once you’ve saved the file, you can view it even without a network connection. This is handy in the mountains, where the connection can sometimes be unreliable. Don’t forget to print it out before you set off.
When it comes to the slopes, the map helps you choose your route based on your ability. The ski area boasts 44 runs: 3 green, 17 blue, 15 red and 9 black. They range in altitude from 1,600 to 2,450 metres.
The map also details the ski lifts. The resort has 20 of them, including 2 cable cars, 1 gondola lift and 9 chairlifts. Make sure you check the connections between sectors before setting off. That way, you’ll avoid ending your day on the wrong side of the ski area.
Where is the tourist office?
With your map in hand, your first port of call should be the tourist information centre. It’s situated in the heart of the resort, on Avenue de Malhira, in the Grange Cossa. You’ll find it easily on our map of Auron.
The building is well worth a look. Its mountain-style architecture stands out from the buildings in the central square. The media library is on the first floor.
The opening hours are easy to remember. The office is open every day from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Staff can assist you in English, Spanish and French.
You can also contact the team on 04 93 23 02 66. This is where you book your guided tour of the Saint-Érige Chapel. Booking at the Auron information office is compulsory. As for parking, there is a car park nearby, beneath the Salle Rovery.
Where to park in Auron?
Parking can quickly become difficult during the season. During the winter holidays, spaces are snapped up early in the morning. Arrive before the ski lifts open to give yourself plenty of time.
All car parks in Auron are marked on our map on this page. This allows you to see their location in relation to the slopes and the main square. The resort offers several free car parks:
P1, the slopes car park;
P2, the Riou car park;
P3, the Salle Rovery car park;
P4, the lower Chastellarès car park;
P5, the swimming pool car park.
Once you’ve parked, leave your car there. A free internal shuttle bus runs throughout the resort. If you’re visiting for the day, there’s another option. The Pinatelle departure point in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée has free but limited parking.
What are the must-see sights?
Once you’ve parked your car, Auron is best explored on foot. Start at the central square, the resort’s main meeting point. The ice rink there is open every day during the winter season.
Just a short walk away, the Saint-Érige Chapel remains an unmissable attraction. It dates back to the 13th century or the first half of the following century. Its frescoes date from 1451 and are the work of a Piedmontese painter known as the Master of Lusernetta. The guided tour is free.
Next, head up towards the peaks. Auron’s first cable car was inaugurated in 1937: at the time, it was the third to be built in France. The summit of Las Donnas, at 2,250 metres, remains accessible to walkers. A return walker’s ticket costs €5.
Make sure you leave time for the valley. Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, at 1,140 metres, is linked to the ski area by the Pinatelle gondola lift. The village is a great way to round off a day in Auron. Here are the places to tick off your list:
the main square and its ice rink;
the Saint-Érige chapel and its frescoes dating from 1451;
the Las Donnas cable car and its panoramic views;
the Pinatelle gondola lift to Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée.
How to get to Auron?
To reach all these places, travelling by car remains the most flexible option. Allow around 1 hour 30 minutes and 90 km from Nice. Leave the A8 at junction 51.1 Carros / Mercantour, then follow the RM6202 bis and the RM6202 towards Digne / Grenoble. After 30 km, turn right onto the RM2205 towards Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée and Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée.
Be wary of your sat-nav in winter. The Lombarde and Bonette mountain passes are closed during this season. Check road conditions on inforoutes06.fr before setting off.
If you don’t have a car, the bus is your best option. Bus route 91 departs from Nice Grand Arénas for €1.70 one way. During the ski season, the ‘100 % Neige’ bus runs between Nice and Auron for €14 return, by booking only.
The train drops you off at Nice-Ville. From the station, you can reach Auron by taking tram line L1, then L2, and finally bus 91. The same route is available from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. Car hire companies are available at both the station and the airport.
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