Tignes Les Brévières Overview
France
- Countryside
- l’Espace Killy
- Country Life
- Snowy hamlet
The hushed, tranquil streets of Tignes Les Brévières are the perfect picture of traditional Alpine life but this charming village’s ski lift will whisk you up to a different world.
Rising to the glacier-clad peak of La Grande Motte at 3500 metres, the Espace Killy ski area is one of the finest in the world. Encompassing the resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isère, there are almost 200 miles of ski runs to enjoy in the most snow-sure region of the Alps. Ice driving, Olympic tobogganing, snowmobiling and even scuba diving under the ice of a nearby lake are just some of the ways to get the adrenaline pumping, but even nerve-jangled thrill seekers will be glad to have such a peaceful village to recuperate in.
Typically Tignes Les Brévières
You can’t help noticing the enormous dam that looms over Tignes Les Brévières. The locals practically fought a guerrilla war against its construction in the 1950s but it funded the area’s first ski lifts, too. The bravest of thrill seekers can dive the glacial waters under the ice for a strange and magical experience (www.tignesplongee.com).
Local Knowledge
- Taxis
- Pre-book a taxi via your chalet manager; there’s no permanent taxi office in the village but a ride can always be arranged. If you’re in Val d’Isere call Bozzetto Taxis on +33 (0)4 79 06 02 50.
- Tipping culture
- A service charge is normally added to your bill (service compris) in restaurants and cafés but it’s still customary to leave a small tip. For taxi drivers, add 10 percent to the metered charge.
- Siesta and fiesta
- Tignes Les Brévières is quiet and tranquil. If lively nightlife is what you seek then Val d'Isère has some fantastic bars and clubs; the young and energetic head to Dick’s Tea Bar. The hangouts at the main Tignes-Le-Lac resort are more nachos-and-live-sports affairs but no less popular. Angelbar is a fun place to party.
- Cuisine
- Raclette, tartiflette and fondue are delicious and will replace all the energy you’ve expended on the slopes. Wild mushrooms are particularly good in fondues and the local smoked pork and cured ham is full of flavour, too. Epogne is baked dough filled with cheese and vegetables and makes a great snack. Forest berries and orchard fruits are often made into irresistible desserts.
- Regional specialities
- Savoyard specialities include the region’s strong Beaufort and Reblochon cheeses. Pike, perch and trout come from the Alpine rivers and from Lake Annecy; Fera fish pâté is a regional delicacy. You should also try the herb-laden pormoniers sausages and local terrines with some of the region’s Mondeuse red wine.
- Currency
- Euro.
- Time zone
- GMT +1.
- Dialling codes
- Country code for France: +33. Tignes: (0)4.
- Do go/don't go
- Tignes is the most snow-sure resort in the Alps and its ski season is one of the longest. Thanks to the glacier at Grande Motte there’s skiing almost year-round except for a short period in September. The area is popular for canyoning and white-water rafting in summer, too.
Don't go home without...
If snow conditions are good then you can ski down the Sache black run all the way from Aiguille Percée down to the village itself. The descent is almost one thousand metres; how long it takes is up to you.
