Plan Your Trip: Local Transportation

 The village of La Grave is located on the Route Nationale de Grenoble on D1091.

Le Grenier des Alpes is located on the top floor of Hotel des Alpes on the main route through the village of La Grave.  The entrance to Le Grenier des Alpes is up a small cobbled street on the back of the building.

Via Commercial Airports
Grenoble, France
Lyon-Saint Exupery
Turin, Italy
Geneva, Switzerland

In the winter season, we would suggest avoiding Turin airport due to the fact that the drive from Turin to La Grave requires crossing two high passes subject to closure in snowy weather.

In winter season and if traveling by auto route from North of Grenoble, be sure to ignore any GPS directions via the Col du Galibier — this high mountain pass is closed from late November to May. Instead, follow directions to La Grave via Grenoble.

Via train:
Rail service is available to Grenoble.  Continuing service to La Grave is via bus or prearranged taxi service.

From North America

Direct flights to Geneva from the East Coast are available with arrival times of approximately 8 AM.  La Grave is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes by car from Geneva.  This arrival time gives guests ample time to ski in the afternoon, go for a hike, bike ride or otherwise shake off the overnight flight.

Car rental at the Geneva airport is straight-forward, however we would strongly suggest prior booking of your vehicle — especially if you require a station wagon, minivan or any of the large multi-passenger vans that are available.  Infant seats and small child booster seats are available but should also be pre-booked.

In winter season, rental vehicles are equipped with snow tires.   Also in winter season, check the trunk of your rental vehicle for tire chains prior to leaving the rental garage.  On a rare occasion, they may not have chains in your vehicle.  Chains can be purchased along the route from Geneva to La Grave.  Be sure to keep the receipt for this purchase and the car rental agency will refund the cost upon return.

One last item — in winter season we’ve not found it necessary to rent four wheel drive vehicles.  Front wheel drive vehicles and the occasional use of chains have always served us very well.

Safety

Please be aware that there are some important road safety regulations that are specific to France and strongly enforced.  There are some items that are either specific to the activities of the area or at the top of the French government’s list of enforcement.  These items include:

Cycling — it is imperative to have a minimum of one red light pointed in the rearward direction on your bicycle.  The tunnels on the area’s mountain roads are very dark and automobile drivers are temporarily blinded upon entering these tunnels.  Failure to have an operating red light on your bicycle carries a cash fine administered by the police.

Speeding — speed limits in France are enforced by radar cameras, as well as marked and unmarked vehicles.  Do not be surprised if you are asked to pay a fine on the spot if stopped for speeding.

Alcohol — the French government has decided to make its roads safer through the use of frequent alcohol checkpoints.  The current maximum blood alcohol level of 0.8 is strictly enforced and, unlike some countries, drivers do not have the right to refuse an on-site breathalyzer test.  One does not have to display the effects of alcohol to be given this test nor are the results of the breathalyzer the enforcement officer’s only criteria of evaluation.  These checkpoints are administered frequently and at random times of the day.   France is sending a clear message.