Private transfer from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport to Les Arcs 1600 / 1800

Les Arcs 1600 (Pierre Blanche) and 1800 are the two lowest and most forested of the Arc villages, built on the slope directly above Bourg-Saint-Maurice in the Tarentaise valley. Arc 1800 is the largest, split into Charvet, Les Villards and Le Chantel, with most of the shops, ski-in ski-out apartments and the Transarc gondola. Arc 1600 is quieter and tree-lined, linked to the valley by the Arc-en-Ciel funicular. Both connect into the Paradiski area, joined to La Plagne by the Vanoise Express cable car. Winter brings families and intermediate skiers who want short walks to the lifts; summer draws hikers and mountain bikers heading for the Aiguille Rouge and the Vanoise trails.

The route leaves Lyon-Saint-Exupéry on the A43 motorway heading east toward Chambéry, then continues to Albertville. From Albertville you follow the N90 dual carriageway up the Tarentaise valley, passing Moûtiers and Aime before reaching Bourg-Saint-Maurice at the valley floor. Most of the journey is fast, straightforward motorway and expressway. The character changes at Bourg-Saint-Maurice: the final climb to Arc 1600 and 1800 is a tight, switchbacking mountain road that gains over a thousand metres in a short distance. Expect roughly two and a half to three hours in normal conditions. In winter the last section can be snow-covered, and the two resort levels have separate access roads, so the exact drop-off depends on which village your accommodation is in.

Tell your driver the exact village and residence name: Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 (Charvet, Villards, Chantel) have different access roads, and getting this right avoids a long walk with luggage. Many apartment blocks are pedestrianised, so confirm the nearest vehicle drop-off point with your rental agency in advance. In winter, carry chains or expect the vehicle to use them on the climb from Bourg-Saint-Maurice; allow extra time on Saturday changeover days when valley traffic is heaviest. If you arrive before check-in, Bourg-Saint-Maurice has supermarkets at valley level that are cheaper than resort shops for stocking up. Keep ski passes and warm layers accessible, since the temperature drop between the airport and resort altitude is significant even in spring.