Bourg-Saint-Maurice is a beautiful haven deep in the French Alps. In summer it’s popular with walkers for its crisp and clear air and in winter it attracts skiers who stay in the village, catching the funicular railway up to Les Arcs.
The Isere River is popular with extreme canoeists and international slalom races have been held on its raging waters. The course of the river differs each year with the melt water from the mountains above. In the town there are a number of friendly bars and restaurants serving excellent local food.
Bourg-Saint-Maurice Mini Guide
About the Town
Bourg-Saint-Maurice is the last town located far up the Tarentaise Valley in the Savoie region of the French Alps. It is a popular summer and winter destination and many people have holiday homes there to take advantage of the town’s attractions.
History
The town was originally a Celtic settlement before becoming an important Roman town called Bergintrum on the road from Milan to Vienna. In recent years it has grown to accommodate year round tourism.
Getting There
There is a railway station for the spur SNCF line from Moutiers. From there a funicular railway travels up to the ski resort of Les Arcs. Road travel is easy following the N90 valley road again up from Moutiers. This road starts from the A430 which in turn comes off the A43 from
Chambery. There is an infrequent bus service up the valley road too with stops in various locations around the town.
What's There to see in the Town?
There’s not a lot to see in the town as most of the area’s attractions are based in the surrounding valley. The town developed rapidly to accommodate tourists and has many hotels and second homes
Things to do
The town is mainly a dormitory for the tourists who visit the surrounding valley and mountains. It comes alive at night in summer and winter for the après ski. A number of bars and restaurants are found in the centre, often crowded of an evening in peak season. Don't worry if you're not that active. Just hire a car in Bour Saint maurice and drive around the beautiful Vanoise National Park where you'll get the excitiement of extreme views but without the effort.
Activities
Skiing in winter is the main draw and many stay in the town for its facilities, using the funicular to access the slopes of the resort of Les Arcs. In summer, the valley and the Isere River give great opportunities for walks and canoeing. Many tourists use the funicular railway in summer too to reach the alpine meadows where it is cooler than in the valley below for walking or mountain biking many of the trails there.
Shopping
There are not a lot of shopping possibilities, although many shops exist to satisfy the needs of mountain bikers, skiers and walkers with outdoor sports shops abounding. There are a few tourist shops selling local souvenirs and postcards.
What if I Want to Dine out?
There are a number of good restaurants in the town serving traditional food for this region. Roast wild boar is popular as are the dishes that use locally caught game. These are often served with a rich wine sauce and lashings of vegetables.
Festivals
Most events in the town centre around outdoor sports and in the seasons where ski championships take place at Les Arcs, the town is frenetic. The same happens in summer when the kayaking championships hit town. At these times, bars and restaurants often put on special evenings to attract the enlarged crowds.
- Bourg has set itself up as the outdoor sports capital of the region. As well as skiing, walking and mountain biking, you can now do white water rafting on the Isere as well as learn to climb on the mountains that rise out of the valley.