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L'Alpe d'Huez

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L'Alpe d'Huez (France)
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Practical info — L'Alpe d'Huez

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • If cycling the famous 21 hairpins, start very early in summer to avoid the midday heat and heavy traffic.
  • The resort is spread out over different altitudes; use the free intra-resort shuttle buses or the 'bucket' lift to save your legs.
  • Buy your ski pass online in advance to skip the morning queues at the main lift stations.
  • The high altitude means strong UV rays; always wear high-factor sunscreen and good sunglasses, even on cloudy days.

🍽 Food

🍽
Tartiflette

A hearty mountain dish made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, and lardons. Available at most traditional alpine restaurants.

🍽
Raclette

Melted cheese scraped over potatoes and charcuterie. Great for warming up after a day on the slopes in the resort center.

🍽
Génépi

A traditional herbal liqueur from the Alps. Served as a digestif in almost every local bar.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Regional Cheeses

Buy Reblochon, Beaufort, and Tomme de Savoie directly from local fromageries in the village.

🛍
Ski and Cycling Gear

The sports shops offer high-quality, specialized alpine gear, often with end-of-season sales in April.

🧘
Lac des Bergers

A small, peaceful lake accessible by a short walk, offering great reflections of the surrounding peaks.

🧘
Pic Blanc Lookout

While busy at the cable car station, stepping a few minutes away on the snow has wide-open, silent views over the Alps.

Highlights of 2026

2

Perched at an altitude of 1,860 meters in the heart of the Grandes Rousses massif within the Isère department, Alpe d'Huez is a legendary alpine destination that commands international reverence. Most universally recognized as a mythical and defining stage of the Tour de France, its grueling 21 hairpin bends challenge the world's greatest cyclists and attract thousands of amateur riders eager to test their mettle on the iconic ascent. During the winter months, this sun-drenched plateau transforms into one of Europe's premier ski resorts, boasting a vast interconnected ski area that includes the formidable Sarenne, known as the longest black diamond ski run in the world, stretching an incredible 16 kilometers. Beyond its formidable sporting reputation, the resort gives an extraordinary 360-degree panorama from the Pic Blanc at 3,330 meters, from which on a clear day you can see one-fifth of the French territory, including the towering summit of Mont Blanc. The local architecture is a mix of modern ski infrastructure and the unique modern concrete church of Notre-Dame des Neiges, characterized by its striking tent-like shape and impressive pipe organ. Whether tackling the legendary mountain pass or carving through pristine powder snow, Alpe d'Huez provides an electrifying and unforgettable high-altitude adventure.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-7-7-32611131295-1-6
Rain mm695467619071585959758979

Live webcam – L'Alpe d'Huez

See what it looks like near L'Alpe d'Huez right now.

Huez: Le Signal, Piste · 1.3 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
1,795
Coordinates
45.09080, 6.06830

Facts

  • Vertical drop from Pic Blanc to Enversin: 2,200m
  • Averages 300 days of sunshine per year
  • First ski lift was built in 1936 by Jean Pomagalski
  • View from Pic Blanc extends to the Massif Central
  • The 21 hairpins are named after Tour de France stage winners
  • Frequent and iconic mountain finish for the Tour de France

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town L'Alpe d'Huez (15)

Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges

A fascinating modern church with a highly unique tent-like structure and incredibly impressive colorful stained glass windows.

Pic Blanc

The highest peak in the region, offering a sweeping panoramic view of almost one-fifth of French territory on clear days.

Musée d'Huez et de l'Oisans

An interesting museum highlighting the exceptionally rich history, mining heritage, and cultural development of Alpe d'Huez.

Lac Blanc

A pretty, high-altitude glacial lake, beautifully surrounded by a dramatic, snow-capped mountain backdrop.

Route des 21 Virages

The famous, extremely demanding mountain road featuring 21 hairpin bends, made completely legendary by the Tour de France.

Site Archéologique de Brandes

The ruins of a historic, high-altitude medieval silver mining village that gives a remarkably valuable glimpse into the past.

Gorges de Sarenne

A wide-open, incredibly deep gorge that has spectacular views and is very popular for adventurous outdoor activities.

Palais des Sports et des Congrès

A massive sports and events center located directly in the heart of the resort, offering countless recreational activities year-round.

Monument aux Morts de l'Alpe d'Huez

A dignified stone monument dedicated to the victims of the World Wars, peacefully located at a quiet, scenic viewpoint.

Site Archeologique - Mines d'argent🏺 historical

Historical silver mines in L'Alpe d'Huez preserved as an important archaeological and cultural site.

Musee d'Huez en Oisans🏛 museum

A museum in L'Alpe d'Huez documenting the local history, archaeology, and traditions of the Oisans region.

Pylone de Fouillet🏺 historical

Former ski lift pylon in the Fouillet sector, now a historical landmark.

Mine de Brandes🏺 historical

An important medieval silver mining site and archaeological settlement in L'Alpe d'Huez.

La Grande Sure📍 landmark

A prominent mountain peak offering scenic views near L'Alpe d'Huez.

Signal de Villard🌿 nature

A viewpoint providing panoramic vistas of the surrounding Alpine landscape in L'Alpe d'Huez.

Frequently asked questions

What is Alpe d'Huez famous for in cycling?
The resort is legendary for its 21 hairpin bends, often serving as a stage finish for the Tour de France.
What is the longest ski run in the area?
The 'Sarenne' run is 16 km long, one of the world's longest black runs, starting from Pic Blanc.
What is the best way to get to Alpe d'Huez without a car?
Regular shuttle buses run directly to the resort from the TGV train station in Grenoble.
Are there summer activities in the resort?
Yes, it is a hotspot for mountain bikers and hikers, with over 250 km of marked trails.
How high is the village itself?
The village is situated on a sunny plateau at an altitude of approximately 1,860 meters.
L'Alpe d'Huez: where is it located?
L'Alpe d'Huez is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
L'Alpe d'Huez: what is there to see?
Highlights include Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Pic Blanc, Musée d'Huez et de l'Oisans.
L'Alpe d'Huez: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
L'Alpe d'Huez: why is it worth visiting?
Perched at an altitude of 1,860 meters in the heart of the Grandes Rousses massif within the Isère department, Alpe d'Huez is a legendary alpine destination that commands international reverence.
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