Villar d'Arêne

Last update on Sep 9, 2026

35 km North-West of Briançon via the RD1091 road.

Discover the village of Villar d’Arêne in the Hautes-Alpes

You reach Villar d’Arêne by taking the scenic road that climbs toward the Col du Lautaret, nestled among impressive rocky peaks and high summits over 3,000 meters, including the legendary Meije at over 3,900 meters with its eternal snows.

Le village de Villa d'Arêne dans les Hautes Alpes.

Located in the Écrins National Park, past the Col du Lautaret, Villar d’Arène is a quiet little mountain village, proud of its magnificent yellow-stone church, which stands on a pretty little square with a fountain.

Halfway between two small ski resorts—La Grave-La Meije (1,525 m) and the Col du Lautaret (2,000 m)—which, despite their small size, feature several ski lifts and more than ten kilometers of trails, Villar d’Arène is ideally situated for families who love skiing amid a landscape of majestic high mountains.

What to see

Lord's oven (tradition of boiled bread).
Mill.
Alpine garden at Le Lautaret.

Things to do

In winter:
Downhill skiing, snowboard, cross-country skiing, snow shoes, skating rink.
Skiing area: waymarked ski runs at Lautaret, skiing area of La Grave-La Meije (ten minutes in a car).
**
In summer:**
Hiking paths, bicycle touring.
Fishing, mini-golf.
Mountaineering, climbing.