# A Sunday in the Écrins from Lyon: the climb to the Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne refuge and lunch at Le Faranchin

The easy route from the Pont d'Arsine to the Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne refuge, at 2,071 m, and a Sunday menu at Le Faranchin, about 2 h 50 from Lyon by car.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/provence-alpes-cote-dazur/ecrins/itineraries/alpe-refuge-and-faranchin · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 06:45 · Salida: 2 h 45 by car (via Grenoble, La Grave and Villar-d'Arêne, towards Pied du Col)
- 09:30 · Walk to the Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne refuge from the Pont d'Arsine (1 h 30 up and 1 h down; the refuge does not accept cards)
  - 5 min by car, 2,6 km
- 13:30 · Le Faranchin restaurant, in Villar-d'Arêne (Sunday set menu, €28; book in summer) · Le Faranchin restaurant, in Villar-d'Arêne, €€
- 15:30 · Vuelta (in Lyon around 18:30)

It is the gentlest walk in the northern Écrins: an hour and a half on an easy path, with one steep stretch, from the Pont d'Arsine to the Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne refuge, at 2,071 m, in the upper Romanche valley. At the top you have a drink on the refuge terrace, come down in an hour and eat unhurriedly at Le Faranchin, in Villar-d'Arêne, which opens every day in summer and has a Sunday menu.

## Getting there from Spain

By car, take the A9 and the Rhône valley to Valence or Lyon, and from there to Grenoble and the D1091. If you prefer to fly, the airport that makes most sense is Lyon Saint-Exupéry: hire the car there. From Lyon the plan fits in a day, but if you come from Spain the easiest thing is to sleep the night before in La Grave or Villar-d'Arêne and set off walking at nine.

## The day, hour by hour

6:45 · Leave Lyon. Motorway to Grenoble and the D1091 along the Romanche valley. Past the Chambon reservoir, the road follows a narrow emergency stretch, for cars only. In Villar-d'Arêne, follow the signs for Pied du Col to the Pont d'Arsine car park.

9:30 · Climb to the Alpe refuge. 4.4 km and 400 m of ascent, an hour and a half each way. The refuge is staffed from June to September and serves light food all day: if the children are hungry, have a snack at the top. Bring cash, because they do not take cards. The descent, by the same path, takes an hour.

13:30 · Lunch at Le Faranchin. A few minutes by car, at the entrance to Villar-d'Arêne. On Sundays there is a three-course set menu at €28; on the menu, trout from Châteauroux, local lamb or the fondue. Terrace facing the Bec de l'Homme glacier. Book in July and August.

15:30 · Return to Lyon. The same way.

## What it costs

The route is free. The Sunday menu costs €28 and the children's menu €12. With something at the refuge, count €30 to €50 per person, excluding the car.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
Lyon, Grenoble and the D1091 to Villar-d'Arêne, about two hours and fifty minutes to the Pont d'Arsine.

### Without a car
The Grenoble or Briançon bus stops at Villar-d'Arêne, at the Hôtel les Agneaux stop, with booking at least 24 hours ahead. In a day from Lyon it is not worth it: sleep in the valley.

## Consejos

### Come down before three
In July and August afternoon storms are frequent.

### Bring cash for the refuge
You cannot pay by card.

### Ask before bringing the dog
In the heart of the park dogs are banned, even on a lead. Ask the park whether the route goes into it.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The refuge itself presents it as a family outing, with one steep stretch.

### Is Le Faranchin open on Sunday?
Yes, in season it opens every day at midday and in the evening.

### How far do you walk?
About 8.8 km there and back and 400 m of ascent, two and a half hours not counting stops.

### Can you eat at the refuge instead of going down?
Yes: it serves a midday menu from 12:00 to 15:00 when it is staffed.