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    Col de l'Iseran

    France

    Col de l'Iseran

    Point of InterestMountainsNatureFor Families

    The Col de l'Iseran in Savoie is, at 2,764 meters (the sign at the pass summit reads 2,770 meters), the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. France
    7. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    9. Col de l'Iseran
    The Col de l'Iseran in Savoie is, at 2,764 meters (the sign at the pass summit reads 2,770 meters), the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. It connects the Tarentaise with the Maurienne and leads through a stark high-alpine landscape on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. It is a popular destination for cyclists.

    Sights

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Passhöhe Col de l'Iseran

    Passhöhe Col de l'Iseran

    At the summit of the Col de l'Iseran, you stand at 2764 meters (2770 meters according to the pass sign) and gaze all around at the peaks of the Vanoise. Here stands the small stone chapel Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Prudence from 1939. Cyclists and motorcyclists like to take their summit photo here at the pass sign.
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    Bonneval-sur-Arc

    Bonneval-sur-Arc

    At the southern foot of the pass, approximately 13 kilometers below the pass summit, lies Bonneval-sur-Arc, one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. In the narrow streets stand traditional stone houses with stone slab roofs (lauzes), typical of the Haute-Maurienne. The village has largely remained free of modern development.
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    Lac du Chevril & Barrage de Tignes

    Lac du Chevril & Barrage de Tignes

    On the way to Val d'Isère and the Col de l'Iseran, you drive past Lac du Chevril, a reservoir with greenish water. The Barrage de Tignes is around 180 meters high and, when completed in 1952, was France's highest dam. The old village of Tignes was flooded to create the lake. Along the road, there are several pull-offs with views of the lake and the dam.
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    Panoramastraße D902

    Panoramastraße D902

    The D902, part of the Route des Grandes Alpes, crosses the pass and is a destination in itself: a winding high-mountain road with changing views of alpine pastures, rock faces, and waterfalls. Only stop at designated pull-offs.
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    City walks in Col de l'Iseran

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Alpine Giants and Sky Chapel: A Hike at the Col de l'Iseran

    On this two-hour panoramic hike, explore the breathtaking high-alpine landscape of the Col de l'Iseran, one of the highest drivable passes in Europe. Enjoy spectacular views of two valleys, visit a charming chapel and immerse yourself in the unique alpine nature.

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    Stops (5)

    Restaurants & Cafes

    Restaurant du Col de l'Iseran

    Direkt auf der Passhöhe des Col de l'Iseran findest Du diesen gemütlichen Zufluchtsort. Hier kannst Du Dich nach der anspruchsvollen Fahrt oder Wanderung mit herzhaften regionalen Gerichten stärken und dabei die einmalige Aussicht genießen. Erwarte einfache, aber authentische savoyische Küche in einer unvergleichlichen alpinen Atmosphäre.
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    L'Edelweiss (Restaurant d'altitude)

    Auf dem Weg zum Col de l'Iseran von Val d'Isère aus empfängt Dich L'Edelweiss mit seinem charmanten Ambiente. Genieße herzhafte, traditionelle savoyische Küche, wie etwa eine Tartiflette oder einen Blaubeerkuchen, während Du von der Terrasse aus einen herrlichen Blick auf die umliegenden Berge genießt – ein perfekter Zwischenstopp.
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    Auberge d'Oul (Bonneval-sur-Arc)

    Im Herzen des malerischen Bonneval-sur-Arc bietet die Auberge d'Oul eine authentische kulinarische Erfahrung. Probiere hier lokale Gerichte aus frischen regionalen Produkten in einem traditionellen, familiären Rahmen. Die herzliche Gastfreundschaft und die urige Atmosphäre machen den Besuch zu einem echten Genuss und runden Deine Erkundungstour ab.
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    Food and Drink

    At the pass summit, there's a chapel and in summer a simple eatery. The main provisions are in Val d'Isère and Bonneval-sur-Arc.

    Beaufort

    Mountain cheese from Beaufortain and Tarentaise is sold in the valley cooperatives. The summer variety from alpine milk is the finest.

    Mountain huts on the route

    On both sides of the pass are huts offering simple meals. They open only during the summer season.

    Crozets and Diots

    Buckwheat noodle squares and Savoy Bratwurst are staple dishes in the valley towns.

    Provisions for the Pass

    There are no shops between the valley towns. You should bring water and something to eat from below, especially if you're cycling.

    The Col de l'Iseran: History and Alpine Heritage

    The history of the Col de l'Iseran is closely tied to the transport development of the Alps. Shepherds and valley residents used the pass for centuries on narrow paths; today's high alpine road only came into being in the 20th century.As part of the Route des Grandes Alpes, the road was opened in 1937, connecting the valleys of Maurienne and Tarentaise. At the summit stands the simple stone chapel Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Prudence, built in 1939 to offer protection to travellers.The region is characterized by alpine farming, particularly by the production of Beaufort cheese. The Tour de France has crossed the pass multiple times since 1938, making it a destination of symbolic value for many cyclists. The seasonal opening of the road still dictates the rhythm of tourism in both valleys today.

    Getting around here

    The Col de l'Iseran is primarily accessible via its impressive pass road and is a popular destination for motorists, motorcyclists, and especially cyclists. As the highest road pass in the French Alps, it connects the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys in summer. Direct public transport to the pass summit is rare, so access is usually individual or through special tour packages.

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    Nearby

    Gran Paradiso National Park (Piedmontese Part)

    Gran Paradiso National Park (Piedmontese Part)

    Gran Paradiso is Italy's oldest National Park, founded on December 3, 1922, on the territory of a former royal hunting reserve, for the protection of alpine flora and fauna. It lies on both sides of the border between Piedmont and Aosta Valley. The Piedmontese part includes the Orco Valley with Ceresole Reale and the Soana Valley.
    Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

    Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

    Chamonix-Mont-Blanc lies at the foot of Mont Blanc in Haute-Savoie and is regarded as the cradle of alpinism. The town is an international centre for mountaineers, hikers and winter sports enthusiasts. The cable car up the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 metres) takes you into the heart of the Mont Blanc massif, and the rack railway to Montenvers takes you to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France, with its ice cave carved anew every year. In the town centre, Savoyard architecture, Belle Époque hotels, outfitters and restaurants mix. The Musée Alpin shows the history of the opening up of the Alps. It is busiest in July and August and during the winter holidays in February; June, September and early winter are quieter. It is best to book tickets for the Aiguille du Midi online well in advance, ideally for one of the first rides in the morning.
    Albertville

    Albertville

    Albertville is located at the confluence of the Arly and Isère rivers in Savoy and hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics. Above the town, perched on a rocky spur, is the medieval Cité de Conflans with its cobbled streets and valley views. For the ski resorts of Tarentaise and Beaufortain, the town serves as a gateway and starting point.
    Megève

    Megève

    Megève is a ski resort in Haute-Savoie with the appearance of a Savoyard village. It has a large ski area, many upscale accommodations, and a largely car-free village centre with cobblestone alleys, boutiques, and cafés. In summer, hikers and mountain bikers come.
    Turin

    Turin

    Turin is the capital of Piedmont and lies on the Po. Duke Emanuele Filiberto made the city the capital of Savoy in 1563; from 1861 to 1865 it was the first capital of unified Italy. Baroque squares and around 18 kilometers of arcades characterize the center; in the 20th century, Turin became a car city as the seat of Fiat.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI