Le Mônetier les Bains
Last update on
Sep 9, 2026
National Route 91, from Grenoble via the Lautaret Pass or from Marseille via the A51.
Discover the spa village of Le Monêtier les Bains
Le Monêtier les Bains is a spa village in the Hautes-Alpes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, where there’s no shortage of things to do.
Where to stay
The village sits at an elevation of 1,500 meters in the Guisane Valley, about fifteen kilometers from Briançon. It is the highest of the four villages in the Serre Chevalier ski resort, known for its famous ski slopes. Here you’ll find three attractions rarely found together in one place: a very large ski area, naturally hot thermal waters, and direct access to the Écrins National Park.
In other words, you can ski or hike in the morning and soak in the hot springs in the afternoon.
The “Grands Bains”: the highlight of winter
Hot water gushes forth naturally here. As early as 1715, the Rotonde—a pavilion known as the “drinkers’ pavilion”—was built at the spring to harness these waters for therapeutic purposes. Le Monêtier became one of the oldest spa resorts in the Alps.
Les Grands Bains continues this tradition today. Here you’ll find an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, equipped with whirlpools, jets, and heated marble surfaces. The Roman Trilogy features three pools with gradually increasing temperatures, ranging from 16 to 40 °C.
The Oriental hammam, sauna, and musical grotto round out the facility. The La Rotonde spa, reserved for guests 16 and older, features a sparkling water bath and a relaxation area. A beauty salon offers massages and treatments, either individually or as a couple’s session.
The experience not to be missed is the outdoor pool on a snowy evening. You’ll swim in steaming water with an unobstructed view of the mountain peaks.
Expect to pay about €25 for a two-hour admission for an adult and €15 for a child. Online reservations are strongly recommended: without one, admission is not guaranteed, especially during school holidays.
Iconic Sites
The Church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption
Built starting in the 15th century on the site of an earlier chapel, it is designated a historic monument. Its Lombard Romanesque bell tower dates from 1617, following the Wars of Religion.
Inside, look for the 15th-century mural depicting Saint Eloi as a blacksmith. The organ case dates from the 19th century.
The Museum of Sacred Art
It is housed in the Saint-Pierre Chapel, formerly the Chapel of the Penitents, and opened in 1997. It brings together works from the thirty-one chapels and churches still found in the town.
Polychrome wooden statues, Aubusson tapestries, silverwork, and liturgical vestments from the 15th to the 19th centuries: this is one of the finest collections of sacred art in the Hautes-Alpes. Admission is free on select opening days.
The hamlet of Le Casset
At an elevation of 1,512 meters, Le Casset has preserved its Saint-Claude Church on the banks of the Guisane River and its narrow alleyways. A visitor center for the Écrins National Park welcomes you there.
This is the starting point for hikes to the Fontenil Valley and Lake Douche. In winter, the hamlet provides direct access to the valley’s cross-country skiing area.
The Lautaret Pass
At 2,058 meters, it connects the Guisane to the Romanche and remains open year-round. In the summer, the alpine botanical garden there features thousands of mountain species from around the world.
From the hamlet of Lauzet, a family-friendly trail leads to the Alpe du Lauzet mountain pasture. More athletic hikers can continue on to the Grand Lac or the Béraudes and Ponsonnière passes.
Things to do
Spas: hot springs, spa facilities...
Skiing in the winter.
Hiking and biking in the summer.
Hotels
Located right in the center of the village, the Hôtel Restaurant Le Monêtier welcomes you with modern, spacious rooms, most of which feature a balcony and a direct view of the snow-capped peaks.
Vacation rentals
Chalet Swen offers absolute tranquility and a south-facing view of the glacier from a terrace that extends from the ground-floor living room. With a heated pool in the summer, a sauna, a hot tub, and a pool table, it has everything you need to never want to leave—and the village center is just a stone’s throw away.
Airbnb
Discover our selection of houses, villas and apartments on Airbnb for an authentic stay in this Provençal village. You will love your vacation here.
Accommodation
Hotels.
Vacation rentals.
Chalets.
Bed and breakfasts.
Your questions about Le Mônetier les Bains
You've sent us several questions about this alpine village. Here are our answers :
What are the admission prices for Les Grands Bains?
Admission to Les Grands Bains costs €25 per adult and €15 per child for a 2-hour visit. The family package (2 adults + 2 children, 2 hours) costs €68. Spa La Rotonde, reserved for guests 16 and older, costs €55 for 3 hours and €65 for 4 hours, including access to the pools. Other options are available: 3-hour admission, group rates, and introductory offers. Online reservations are required to secure your time slot, especially during school breaks. These prices are for reference only; please verify them before your visit.
What activities are there to do in Monêtier-les-Bains?
In winter, you can ski in the Serre Chevalier ski area, where Monêtier occupies the highest slope. In summer, you can explore the mountains on foot, by mountain bike, or by road bike on the Lautaret route. For relaxation, Les Grands Bains and Spa La Rotonde offer pools, a sauna, a steam room, treatments, and massages. Nature rounds out the experience: hikes to the lakes, marmot and ibex spotting, and rock climbing. The village tourist office can provide you with maps and itineraries.
Which hotels should you choose?
Accommodations in the village are concentrated within a few hundred yards, making it possible to do everything on foot. The Hôtel Alliey & Spa and the Hôtel Le Monêtier are among the most sought-after options, offering rooms, a spa, and a restaurant. You'll also find chalets, apartment complexes, and furnished rentals for family vacations. The key factor is proximity to the Grands Bains and the gondola. Compare reviews and the actual walking distance before confirming your reservation, and book early for winter vacations.
How do you get to Le Monêtier-les-Bains?
On a map of France, look for the far eastern edge of the Hautes-Alpes, near the Italian border. By car, National Route 91 runs through the village: from Grenoble via the Col du Lautaret, or from Marseille via the A51, then through Gap and Briançon. The nearest train station is Briançon, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) away, with buses and shuttles to the Place Stabatio stop. Airports in Turin, Grenoble, and Marseille offer additional travel options. Once there, the Serre Chevalier tourist information office and town hall are located in the center of the village.
What are the attractions in Monêtier-les-Bains?
The tour begins with the Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, a historic monument built in the 15th century on the site of a former priory. There you'll see its Lombard Romanesque bell tower from 1617 and a mural depicting Saint Eloi as a blacksmith. Right next door, the Saint-Pierre Chapel has housed a museum of sacred art since 1997, featuring one of the finest collections in the Southern Alps. The hamlet of Le Casset and its Saint-Claude Church are well worth a visit. Nearby, the Écrins National Park and the Col du Galibier allow you to continue exploring the region's heritage through its stunning landscapes.
What is the history of Monêtier-les-Bains?
During the Roman Empire, the village was called Stabatio and served as a staging post on the road connecting Grenoble to Briançon. The Romans were already harnessing the hot springs, which gush forth at 44 °C (111 °F). In the 9th century, monks from the Abbey of Novalaise founded a religious settlement that gave the town its current name. From 1343 until the Revolution, Le Monêtier was part of the Grand Escarton du Briançonnais. In 1889, the village took the name Monêtier-les-Bains to revitalize its spa resort. The tradition truly was revived in 2008 with the opening of the Grands Bains.
Where is Le Monêtier-les-Bains located?
Le Monêtier-les-Bains is a municipality in the Hautes-Alpes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It is situated at an altitude of 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) in the Guisane Valley, in the heart of the Southern Alps. Briançon is about fifteen kilometers (9 miles) away, with the Lautaret and Galibier passes just above it. The area covers 13,000 hectares (about 50 square miles) between the Cerces Massif and the Écrins National Park. The municipality comprises six hamlets, ranging from Serre-Barbin (1,400 m / 4,590 ft) to Lauzet (1,630 m / 5,350 ft).
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