© Olivier Allamand
Where to stay in La Plagne
Discover the top La Plagne places to stay
You've made up your mind – you want to come to La Plagne on your next holiday. But where to stay? Let us help you choose.
With a global reputation for world-class skiing, La Plagne is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world. Its location, right at the heart of the Paradiski ski area, is largely responsible for its success.
There are several towns and villages that come under the umbrella of the brand ‘La Plagne’, linked by an efficient and free bus service, as well as an extensive network of lifts. La Plagne's six high-altitude villages and four lower-lying villages, each have their own character.
As with any resort, the best place to stay depends on who you’re travelling with, what you like to do, and how deep your pockets are.
Location | Km from La Plagne | Best for |
La Plagne Centre | - | Snow sure ski-in ski-out |
La Plagne 1800 | 1.3 | Pretty with proximity to ski area |
Belle Plagne | 5.5 | Family-friendly with great access |
Aime La Plagne | 32 | Quiet ski-in ski-out village |
Plagne Soleil and Villages | 1.8 | Quiet and well connected |
Plagne Bellecôte | 2.6 | Lively with great piste access |
Plagne Montalbert | 12.4 | Pretty family-friendly village |
Montchavin | 26.4 | Car free and family-friendly |
Les Coches | 28.8 | Pretty and affordable |
Champagny-en-Vanoise | 50 | Traditional budget-friendly village |
Five things to consider before deciding where to stay in La Plagne
When it comes to booking accommodation in La Plagne, there is certainly no shortage of choice.
Whether you are looking for luxury hotels, chalets for large groups or apartments that are as close to the lifts as possible, you’ll find it all here.
If you’re holidaying with kids
Trudging around in ski boots is no fun for anyone. If your kids are booked in for ski lessons, you might want to consider booking accommodation near one of the nursery slopes.
If you want ski-in, ski-out
La Plagne and its villages has a great selection of ski-in, ski-out accommodation, due to the high altitude Plagne Centre is very popular for this very reason.
If you want to party
You’ll want to stay as close to Plagne Centre as possible. most of the après-ski action is in town itself, but you shouldn't overlook Plagne 1800 and Aime La Plagne.
If you’re on a budget
Champagny-en-Vanoise is a good choice for studios and small apartments. Although on the smaller side, most of these places will have pull-out sofas and bunks. Les Coches is also worthy of your consideration.
If you want luxury
You'll find luxurious chalets in most parts of La Plagne, but 1800 and the low lying villages like Montchavin, Champagny, Les Coches and Montalbert have more than their fair share of hot tubs, home cinemas and indulgence.
La Plagne Centre: bustling village with piste access
Thanks to its high altitude, choosing accommodation in Plagne Centre means you can be sure of snow.
Who should stay in Plagne Centre?
If you want to be first on the lifts in the morning and last out of the bars in the evening, then booking accommodation in La Plagne Centre itself is a must.
Based at 2,050m, it was the first resort erected in the area and is dominated by the purpose-built architecture that is the hallmark of French ski resorts developed in the 1960s.
In recent years modern chalets and apartment buildings, that are rather more boutique than grey blocks, have been constructed. Many are ski-in / ski-out and the pistes are great for all levels.
It has some great facilities including the best ski schools, a large number of shops, restaurants and bars, and a reasonably lively après-ski scene.
La Plagne 1800: attractive resort set in the trees
Only 200 metres below La Plagne centre lies the attractive village of Plagne 1800, a smallish resort set in the trees offering mostly catered chalet accommodation.
Who should stay in Plagne 1800?
A big hit with British holidaymakers, La Plagne 1800 actually has a reasonably good nightlife, even if it is limited to just a few venues.
Another plus of Plagne 1800 is that it offers a very good lift connection to Plagne Centre and the Paradiski ski area, which also means that the ski schools and shopping are within easy reach.
Belle Plagne: pretty, family-friendly village
The charming village of Belle Plagne is located at 2,050m, just above Plagne Bellecôte. One of the most attractive of the La Plagne resorts, most accommodation here is chalet style.
Who should stay in Belle Plagne?
It is very popular with families as, while there is a mini village centre here, it's pretty quiet in general. It also offers a good-value option for those looking for easy access to the fantastic La Plagne ski area and the link to Les Arcs via the Vanoise cable car.
Aime La Plagne: quiet and ski-to-door accommodation
At 2,100m, Aime La Plagne (also known as Aime 2000) is not to be confused with Aime village. One of the highest purpose-built resorts in the Alps, offering an abundance of ski-in / ski-out accommodation.
Who should stay in Aime La Plagne?
The location is great for those wanting to make the most of the Paradiski ski area. There is a small but lively nightlife scene here too.
Accommodation is made up mostly of apartments and hotels in a large, unique looking complex at the top of the mountain.
Plagne Soleil and Plagne Villages: small, quiet villages
Plagne Soleil and Plagne Villages are both satellite suburbs of La Plagne Centre, situated at 2,050m.
Who should stay in Plagne Soleil and Plagne Villages?
Well-connected to the resort centre and ski area thanks to the extensive lift network, they both offer good-value ski accommodation right on the slopes and a quieter nightlife scene than you'll find in Plagne Centre.
These villages are best suited to skiers looking for small chalets or self-catering apartments.
Plagne Bellecôte: bustling town with unbeatable piste access
Located at the convergence of several pistes, Plagne Bellecôte rivals Plagne Centre as the hub of the whole resort scene.
Who should stay in Plagne Bellecôte?
Anyone who wants to be the first one on the slopes in the morning and the last one down in the evening. Piste access doesn't get any better anywhere than here, thanks to its four chairlifts, a gondola and a drag lift all within metres of each other.
Plagne Bellecôte also has a great selection of restaurants, shops and bars, and accommodation here is in the form of self-catered apartments.
With plenty of things on offer and incredibly easy piste access, this happens to be one of the favourite resorts of the seasonnaires.
Montalbert: picturesque village with family-friendly accommodation
Situated at the far west of the ski area, Montalbert lies lower down the valley and is more of a traditional village than many of the other La Plagne areas.
Who should stay in Plagne Montalbert?
A great place to find family-friendly ski accommodation, but bear in mind that at 1,350m this pretty village doesn't hold the snow as long as other areas in the valley.
Montchavin and Les Coches: family-friendly villages with easy access to the Paradiski area
The villages of Montchavin and Les Coches are situated on the edge of the La Plagne ski area, right where the Vanoise Express lift linking La Plagne and Les Arcs stands. A privileged location for those willing to explore the whole Paradiski ski area.
Who should stay in Montchavin?
A great choice for families looking for accommodation in the Paradiski area. A small, modern, Savoyard-style village with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, the centre of Montchavin is practically car-free and has a reasonable amount of facilities including shops, bars and restaurants.
The main La Plagne ski area is easily accessed from Montchavin and the village's northerly aspect means that the snow lasts longer here.
Who should stay in Les Coches?
Those looking for more affordable accommodation in a picturesque setting with easy access to the whole Paradiski area. Located deep in the trees at 1,450m, the town of Les Coches is certainly one of the most attractive villages in the La Plagne area.
Linked to the main ski area by lift but not by road, it has a traditional Alpine village feel, even though it is actually purpose-built. the town offers a fair amount of good-value ski-in/ski-out accommodation. The nightlife is, however, relatively quiet.
Champagny en Vanoise: quiet Alpine village with cheaper accommodation options
Unlike the other resorts in the area, Champagny en Vanoise is a traditional Alpine village with real heritage.
Who should stay in Champagny en Vanoise?
Those looking for a bargain in a traditional Alpine village.
Accommodation in Champagny-en-Vanoise is generally cheaper and there are several mid-range budget hotels and chalets here that are ideal for those looking for a more authentic ski holiday.
The main ski area is accessed via just two lifts and, while nightlife is minimal, there is a small handful of restaurants and shops in town.
Luxury hot spots in La Plagne
La Plagne is more about functionality and great skiing than luxury and glamour. Having said that, there are some high-end chalets and apartments to choose from dotted around resort.
Luxury chalets and apartments
You can find some luxury chalets in the charming resort of Plagne 1800, a quiet spot with great facilities.
The low-lying villages of Montchavin, Champagny, Les Coches and Montalbert offer picturesque catered chalets some of which boast small luxuries like hot tubs, saunas and large terraces with breathtaking mountain views.
As for apartments, there are fancy options dotted all around the La Plagne villages.
Five-star hotels in La Plagne
La Plagne has no five-star hotels, but there are a couple of fantastic four-star hotels with high-end facilities such as spas, Jacuzzis and gourmet restaurants.
There are also a handful of sumptuous chalet-style hotels catering for the wealthiest visitors.
Family-friendly areas in La Plagne
When travelling with young children, you ideally want to stay somewhere that has lots of facilities and services nearby so that you don't have to travel long distances to get to the slopes or the restaurants.
The quieter villages of Plagne 1800, Belle Plagne, Montchavin, Les Coches and Champagny tend to be especially popular with families.
Providing easy access to the Paradiski ski area, they offer a slower pace of life that appeals to those travelling with younger children.
Group accommodation in La Plagne
Groups have very specific needs, namely a big enough space and easy access to the slopes and the resort's amenities.
Large apartments and chalets for groups
Plagne 1800 is, once more, the best option for large chalets.
There are several bars and restaurants in town, as well as buses running to and from Plagne Centre until late to keep everyone entertained.
As for apartments, those in Plagne Centre and Plagne Bellecôte tend to be on the small side so it's usually better to look in any of the other satellite villages.
Cheap accommodation in La Plagne
La Plagne has a huge number of catered chalets and self-catered apartments on offer, many of which are on the affordable end of the spectrum. In general, the further away from the centre you get, the cheaper the prices are.
What’s the cheapest area to stay in La Plagne?
Anywhere, really.
Well known for its affordability, finding a bargain in La Plagne is easier than in many other Alpine resorts.
Plagne Centre, Plagne Bellecôte, Plagne Villages and Plagne Soleil offer budget-friendly apartments high on the mountain while, lower down, Champagny en Vanoise, Montchavin, Les Coches and Montarbert offer great value for money.
Ski-in ski-out hot spots in La Plagne
There's no greater feeling than arriving at your doorstep with your skis on, so you'll find ski-to-door accommodation is very popular in La Plagne. This means that prices are usually more expensive than the accommodation a bit further away from the slopes.
Most of the purpose-built villages in La Plagne offer ski-to-door accommodation of some sort.
The chalets in Plagne 1800 and the slopeside apartments in Aime 2000 are the most sought-after because of their snow-sure pistes.
Plagne Bellecôte boasts excellent piste access at more affordable prices.
Camping and glamping in La Plagne
La Plagne is a popular destination for campers, althought mostly in the summer months, and there are a few campsites and a couple of motorhome areas.
Where to park a motorhome or campervan in La Plagne
There are no campsites in La Plagne itself.
The closest ones are located in Montchavin, offering pitches and mobile home rentals both in summer and winter, and in Champagny en Vanoise, open in summer only.
You'll find a broader selection of campsites in and around the valley town of Aime, on the way up to La Plagne.
France is famous for its well-equipped motorhome areas or 'aires de camping-car' and La Plagne is no exception. A large car park in Plagne Villages, with four terraces and 40 large spots, is dedicated to motorhomes and camping cars. It has individual power outlets, a service area with waste disposal and drinking water, and payable WiFi access. Offering direct access to the ski slopes, there's also a bus stop nearby to get to the other resorts in La Plagne.
You can book your spot online in advance (select Parking Caravaneige).
More inspiration...
Now that you know exactly where you want to stay, it's time to choose between a chalet holiday, a self-catered apartment break or a hotel room.
Our dedicated chalets guide, apartments guide and hotels guide will steer you in the right direction.