A Stay Well Spent: A French Alps Itinerary, First Edition

A Sense of Place: Alpe d'Huez Overview & What to Expect

Alpe d'Huez sits at 1,860 metres on a south-facing plateau above the Romanche valley, in the Isère department of the French Alps. Known as l'Île du Soleil for its 300 days of sunshine each year, the resort occupies a distinctive position within the Oisans region, with the Écrins National Park as its near neighbour and the Grandes Rousses massif rising directly above.

In winter, the ski area extends across 250 kilometres of marked runs, reaching 3,330 metres at the Pic Blanc glacier. In summer, the snow retreats, revealing alpine meadows, lakes, and over 230 kilometres of marked hiking trails. The town itself is more spread out than many Alpine resorts, arranged across several distinct quarters, from the old village to the Les Bergers district, with the main avenue connecting them. We're here to show you a day-long itinerary that takes you from morning to evening.

Starting the Day: Coffee and Breakfast Near the Centre

Your morning begins at the Place du Cognet, the natural centre of the resort. Start with coffee and breakfast at O'Baroudeur, a gourmet canteen and coffee shop at the foot of the slopes, started by "travel lovers and life enjoyers". Here, everything is homemade and includes vegan options. They also have a terrace that catches the early sun. If you're looking for something cosy and social, Solar Coffee Shop on Rue du Coulet is a short walk away and worth seeking out for its speciality coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and juice bar. Either way, you are well positioned to reach the lifts without needing to cross town.r takeaway and continue along the promenade.

O'Baroudeur

Cuisine:  Homemade food for all diets and preferences, from savoury to sweet

Address: 126 Pl. du Cognet, 38750 Huez, France

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Solar Coffee Shop

Cuisine:  Speciality coffee, gourmet breakfast and lunch

Address: 125 Rue du Coulet, 38750 Huez, France

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Morning on the Mountain: Winter Skiing and Summer Hiking

After breakfast, the main lifts are a few minutes' walk away. The ski area spans four interconnected sectors with terrain for every level, so where you head first depends on what you are looking for. If you are a beginner, there is an expansive network of nursery slopes directly above the village, with additional green runs at Les Bergers. If you are an intermediate, the Signal de l'Homme sector is worth seeking out for its long reds and blues with plenty of room to build confidence. If you are looking for a challenge, take the Grandes Rousses telecabine up to Lac Blanc at 2,700 metres, then connect to the cable car that ascends to Pic Blanc at 3,330 metres. From here, the Sarenne descends sixteen kilometres from the glacier, the longest black run in the Alps, while the Tunnel run offers something steeper, passing through a 300-metre tunnel carved into rock before emerging into a mogul field on the far side.

In the warmer months, a free shuttle from the resort centre takes you to the higher ground, where the best walks begin without the uphill effort. From the top of the DMC lift, the walk to Lac Besson and Lac Noir is one of the most accessible routes in the area. The path leads through open alpine meadows, with wildflowers lining the route through July and August, before reaching the lakes themselves, surrounded by the peaks of the Grandes Rousses. For a longer outing, the Lacs de la Fare trail begins from the Alpette plateau, accessible by gondola from Vaujany or Oz-en-Oisans, and takes roughly one and a half to two hours through a striking glacial basin with views across the Belledonne and Taillefer massifs. The two circuits can also be linked for a fuller day in the mountains.

A Midday Stop: Where to Eat Lunch

In winter, there are several worthwhile options on the mountain, all open during the ski season only. La Cabane sits at 2,000 metres in a sheltered spot with a panorama stretching across the Écrins, Belledonne, and Rousses ranges. The kitchen works with quality produce, prepared fresh on-site, and the south-facing terrace and deck chairs make it difficult to leave. Signal 2108, accessible by the Signal cable car for both skiers and pedestrians, takes a more contemporary approach to mountain dining, with a refined menu featuring regional products and cheeses sourced from Les Alpages in Grenoble, owned by Bernard Mure-Ravaud, MOF and world champion of cheese ripening. The interior is furnished by Philippe Starck, and the terrace overlooks the resort and surrounding peaks.

In summer, the options shift. If hiking has taken you to Lac Besson, the Chalet du Lac Besson sits right beside the water, serving specialities cooked over a wood fire on the terrace or in its warm interior. Back in the village, La Ferme d'Hubert is a standout for a summer lunch. Situated in the heart of the resort with a terrace facing the mountains, it serves a short, changing menu built around local produce with Alpine touches throughout. Lunch guests are offered access to the outdoor wellness area, including a heated pool, Nordic bath, and sauna with views across the Écrins massif.

La Cabane

Cuisine:  French and Alpine classics alongside Asian woks, poke bowls and pasta

Address: Domaine skiable, Poutat, 38750 Huez, France

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Signal 2108

Cuisine: Regional French, mountain specialities, fondues made with cheeses from MOF Bernard Mure Ravaud

Address: Sommet du, Rte du Signal, 38750 Huez, France

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Chalet du Lac Besson

Cuisine: Traditional Savoyard specialities

Address: L' Alpe-d, 3758 Route des Lacs, lieu-dit, Les Roches, 38750 Huez, France

La Ferme d'Hubert

Cuisine: Seasonal, locally sourced, Alpine-inspired

Address: 425 Rte du Signal, 38750 Huez, France

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A Restful Afternoon: Back to Your Base

After a morning on the mountain, the afternoon is a good time to enjoy what your accommodation has to offer. Many of our chalets and apartments have saunas and hammams, and after a few hours at altitude, there is something to be said for sitting in the warmth with nowhere to be. Some have indoor pools and gyms too, for those who still have energy to spare.

Our concierge team can shape the rest of the day around you. A massage therapist can come to your door if your legs are feeling the morning, and if the thought of going out for dinner feels like too much, a private chef can take over your kitchen for the evening, working with local ingredients from apéro through to dessert. The rest of the day is yours to define, and our team is there to follow your lead.

As the Sun Sets: Where to Eat for Dinner

As the day turns toward evening, the restaurants along the main avenue and in the old village come to life. For a refined experience, Au Chamois d'Or is one of the most established addresses in the resort and is recommended in the Michelin Guide. The space is a warm, intimate setting of wood and soft lighting, with a ski-in terrace that catches the last of the day's sun. Chef Gaël Bogourou cooks somewhere between traditional and bistronomic, using classic French gastronomy as a starting point and pulling it toward the mountains with Alpine ingredients and local produce. The bar and fireside lounge are worth arriving early for or staying late in. For those with more time in the region, Maison Aribert is worth knowing about. Set in an eco-lodge in Saint-Martin-d'Uriage, roughly 45 minutes from Alpe d'Huez by car, the restaurant holds 2 Michelin stars and is the project of alpine chef Christophe Aribert, who built the restaurant around his commitment to the surrounding landscape, seasonal ingredients, and environmental responsibility.

Au Chamois d'Or

Cuisine: Bistronomic alpine, blending classic French gastronomy with local mountain produce. Michelin-recommended.

Address: 169 Rue de Fontbelle, 38750 Huez, France

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Maison Aribert

Cuisine: Seasonal and landscape-driven, rooted in alpine terroir and environmental responsibility. Two Michelin stars.

Address: 280 All. du Jeune Bayard, 38410 Saint-Martin-d'Uriage, France

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Before You Go: Getting Around and Final Thoughts

Alpe d'Huez is more spread out than many Alpine resorts, but most of the town is manageable on foot. In winter, a free shuttle circulates within the resort and connects to the neighbouring villages of Vaujany, Oz-en-Oisans, Auris, and Villard-Reculas, all of which share the wider ski area. In summer, shuttles also run to the higher trailheads and lakes. Late at night, the shuttle stops running, and taxis are limited, so it is worth planning your return if you’re staying outside the centre. This itinerary is one way to spend a day in Alpe d'Huez, with more to follow across the French Alps and the other destinations within our collection. If you are planning a visit, our properties in the area offer a well-situated base, putting you within easy reach of the slopes, trails, and the resort's life.