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Holidays in Bourg St Maurice
Bourg-Saint-Maurice is a picturesque Alpine town in the Savoie department of southeastern France. It serves as the gateway to the Les Arcs ski resort and is part of the Paradiski ski area, one of the largest in Europe.
History of Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Ancient roots: The area was originally settled by the Gauls and later became a Roman town known as Bergintrum, located on a strategic route through the Alps.
Medieval period: It developed as a religious and trading center, thanks to its location near mountain passes.
Modern development: In the 20th century, the town expanded due to tourism, particularly with the creation of Les Arcs in the 1960s. The Funicular railway connecting Bourg to Arc 1600 transformed access to the ski domain.
It also played a logistical role during WWII and has since evolved into a vibrant town blending history with modern Alpine culture.
Description
Location: At 840m altitude in the Tarentaise Valley.
Access: Easily reachable by train (including direct TGVs from Paris and London in winter), car, or via nearby airports like Geneva or Chambéry.
Character: A mix of traditional Savoyard architecture and modern alpine infrastructure. While smaller and quieter than resorts higher up the mountain, it's authentic and year-round active.
Typical Food and Cuisine
Bourg-Saint-Maurice, like the rest of Savoie, is known for rich, comforting mountain cuisine. Key dishes include:
Fondue Savoyarde: Melted cheese (typically Beaufort, Emmental, Comté) served with bread cubes.
Raclette: Melted cheese scraped onto potatoes, served with charcuterie and pickles.
Tartiflette: A hearty bake of potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons, and onions.
Croûte Savoyarde: Bread soaked in wine, covered with cheese and baked.
Diots: Savoyard sausages often cooked in white wine.
Blueberry tart and Farçon (a local sweet-savory pudding with dried fruits and bacon) are local dessert specialties.
Local wines: Like Mondeuse, Roussette, and Jacquère, plus génépi, a herbal Alpine liqueur.
Summer Activities
Bourg-Saint-Maurice is a base for active and nature-focused holidays:
Hiking and Trail Running: Hundreds of marked trails with views of Mont Blanc, Vanoise National Park, and surrounding peaks.
Mountain Biking: Downhill and enduro trails in Les Arcs (lift-accessible).
Whitewater Sports: Rafting, kayaking, and hydro-speeding on the Isère River.
Paragliding
Climbing and Via Ferrata
Fishing and lakeside relaxation
Local markets, alpine farm visits, and cheese tasting.
Tour de France often passes through or nearby in July.
Winter Activities
As a direct access point to Les Arcs and the Paradiski area, winter here is snow sports paradise:
Skiing and Snowboarding: 425 km of pistes across Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, and La Plagne.
Ski Touring and Snowshoeing
Nordic Skiing in nearby valleys.
Dog Sledding
Ice Skating, snowmobiling
Après-ski and mountain dining.
Funicular from Bourg to Arc 1600 takes just 7 minutes.
Summary
Bourg-Saint-Maurice is:
A year-round Alpine hub with easy access to world-class skiing and summer mountain sports.
Rich in Savoyard history and culture.
Known for authentic food, cozy atmosphere, and stunning nature.
History of Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Ancient roots: The area was originally settled by the Gauls and later became a Roman town known as Bergintrum, located on a strategic route through the Alps.
Medieval period: It developed as a religious and trading center, thanks to its location near mountain passes.
Modern development: In the 20th century, the town expanded due to tourism, particularly with the creation of Les Arcs in the 1960s. The Funicular railway connecting Bourg to Arc 1600 transformed access to the ski domain.
It also played a logistical role during WWII and has since evolved into a vibrant town blending history with modern Alpine culture.
Description
Location: At 840m altitude in the Tarentaise Valley.
Access: Easily reachable by train (including direct TGVs from Paris and London in winter), car, or via nearby airports like Geneva or Chambéry.
Character: A mix of traditional Savoyard architecture and modern alpine infrastructure. While smaller and quieter than resorts higher up the mountain, it's authentic and year-round active.
Typical Food and Cuisine
Bourg-Saint-Maurice, like the rest of Savoie, is known for rich, comforting mountain cuisine. Key dishes include:
Fondue Savoyarde: Melted cheese (typically Beaufort, Emmental, Comté) served with bread cubes.
Raclette: Melted cheese scraped onto potatoes, served with charcuterie and pickles.
Tartiflette: A hearty bake of potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons, and onions.
Croûte Savoyarde: Bread soaked in wine, covered with cheese and baked.
Diots: Savoyard sausages often cooked in white wine.
Blueberry tart and Farçon (a local sweet-savory pudding with dried fruits and bacon) are local dessert specialties.
Local wines: Like Mondeuse, Roussette, and Jacquère, plus génépi, a herbal Alpine liqueur.
Summer Activities
Bourg-Saint-Maurice is a base for active and nature-focused holidays:
Hiking and Trail Running: Hundreds of marked trails with views of Mont Blanc, Vanoise National Park, and surrounding peaks.
Mountain Biking: Downhill and enduro trails in Les Arcs (lift-accessible).
Whitewater Sports: Rafting, kayaking, and hydro-speeding on the Isère River.
Paragliding
Climbing and Via Ferrata
Fishing and lakeside relaxation
Local markets, alpine farm visits, and cheese tasting.
Tour de France often passes through or nearby in July.
Winter Activities
As a direct access point to Les Arcs and the Paradiski area, winter here is snow sports paradise:
Skiing and Snowboarding: 425 km of pistes across Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, and La Plagne.
Ski Touring and Snowshoeing
Nordic Skiing in nearby valleys.
Dog Sledding
Ice Skating, snowmobiling
Après-ski and mountain dining.
Funicular from Bourg to Arc 1600 takes just 7 minutes.
Summary
Bourg-Saint-Maurice is:
A year-round Alpine hub with easy access to world-class skiing and summer mountain sports.
Rich in Savoyard history and culture.
Known for authentic food, cozy atmosphere, and stunning nature.
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