Welcome the the practical information page for Les Arcs. Essentially this is the place I put any sort of enterprise which adds value to the whole Les Arcs experience.

At first, it will just be a basic list of businesses, but I hope to develop it over time to include reviews and more in-depth information of services offered etc…

Should you visit any of these establishments, tell them I said “hi.”

Massage Therapists

Whether you come to the Alps to shred powder, cruise the slopes, ride mountain bikes, hike trails or grind up famous Tour de France climbs, or simply relax and get back to nature… there is often a good reason for a massage. One thing I know about in the Tarentaise valley is where to get an excellent massage (I’m very happy to recommend everyone listed below). In Les Arcs you can get deep-tissue sports massages, relaxation therapies, world-exclusive Kiom treatment and practically everything in between. We are lucky to have incredibly skilled massage therapists in this region who are able to treat the body, mind and soul and who regularly work with everyone from world-class athletes to Audrey the ski technician, millionaires and fans of millionaire’s shortbread.

Massage Revolution – Providing mobile massage across the whole Tarentaise (Paradiski, Tignes, Val d’Isere, La Rosiere, Ste Foy, etc). Bespoke treatments incorporating a wide range of techniques. Offers professional sports massage, Swedish relaxation, Indian head massage, acupressure… you name it…. whilst tailoring to your needs.

Kiom Theraphy – Combining western deep-tissue techniques with traditional Chinese acupressure, Kiom therapy is an energetic way to heal the body and maintain many of its vital systems.

Charley Batt – Specialising in Craniosacral therapy and Kiom, in addition to more common western techniques. Has a massage studio just outside of Bourg Saint Maurice as well as offering in-accommodation treatments in local resorts.

Cafés

I remember when you couldn’t get a decent coffee this side of the channel. It’s true that there are still whole towns where the concept of a cappuccino never really sunk in. It is still surprising that, being but a Col’s-climb away from Italy, there are still so many places where you can’t get a decent espresso, let alone a latte, macchiato or, dare I say it, cortado…. (Spoiler Alert: France doesn’t have cortados, and they probably don’t have macchiatos… the closest you’re going to get is a noisette… although that itself is a wildly varying concept…)

Fortunately, Bourg Saint Maurice has two excellent coffee shops and there’s even a place I’d recommend in Arc 1800.

Pause Coffee & Kurtos – The original Les Arcs coffee shop. I remember reviewing Pause for seetheworld in 2018, soon after it first opened as a coffee nook within shouting distance of the train station. Many years and a significant expansion later, Pause is still selling genuinely world-class coffee and their signature kürtös… Coffee aficiondos should put Pause on their list, particularly as you anyone going to Les Arcs, La Rosiere, Ste Foy, Tignes or Val d’Isere literally has to pass it on the way in (or out). My recommendation: a snowbird latte with a warm vanilla kurtos – dip the latter into the former. Repeat.

Allez! Café – An exceptionally welcome addition to the café culture of Les Arcs biggest town, Allez Café offers a warm welcome, a great selection of beverages and locally-made cakes, ice creams and ancillary treats, perfect for cyclists and skiers alike. Furthermore, Allez! houses a bike workshop where you can get expert work done on your rig. Redemptive cake and caffeine for you, redemptive TLC for your bike… Wonderful place with wonderful people.

Arcus Coffee – Situated just below the (newly upgraded) Transarc lift in Arc 1800, Arcus coffee makes a decent, international-style cup of coffee. I’ve only visited a couple of times but the offering and standard is certainly reasonable for a practically-pisteside coffee shop. A good mid-morning pick-me-up when you need it.

Bars

Charly’s Factory – Situated at the bottom of the funicular from Bourg Saint Maurice to Arc 1600, Charly’s is a well-established starting/finishing point for thirsty skiers (in the winter) and MTB-ers (in the summer). In December 2024 it is being taken over by new management – our good friends at PSB brewery (another place that got my seetheworld treatment back in the day and another place that has gone from strength to strength in the intervening years…) So very exciting times ahead and a guaranteed fun and friendly welcome just off the slopes. The ideal place for a ‘finisher.’

Accommodation

Slope & Trek – Modern apartments in Seez, just up from Bourg Saint Maurice – an ideal location for exploring the Tarentaise and its many world-class ski resorts.

Chalet des Sangliers – A traditional Alpine chalet close to all the local amenities of Bourg Saint Maurice and a short, free bus journey away from the Les Arcs funicular. Offers luxury half-board service throughout the winter season.

White Rooms MTB – One for the mountain bikers who want an exclusive-access pass to the best tracks, trails and berms of the Tarentaise. Exceptional riders to guide you around the mountains, exceptional hosts to feed and water you when you finish a hard day’s riding.