# La Grave in a day from Lyon: cable car to 3,200 m facing La Meije, lunch at La Cabine and the Jardin du Lautaret La Grave cable car up to the Girose glacier, lunch at 3,200 m at La Cabine and an afternoon among flowers in the Jardin du Lautaret, about 2 h 45 from Lyon by car. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/provence-alpes-cote-dazur/ecrins/itineraries/cable-car-3200-m-and-lautaret-lyon · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## El día - 06:45 · Salida: 2 h 45 by car (via Grenoble and the Romanche valley; past the Chambon reservoir, a narrow stretch for cars only) - 09:30 · Meije glacier cable car, from La Grave to 3,200 m (€37 return, €25 up to 18 years; ice cave, €7) · Téléphériques des Glaciers de la Meije, From €37 per adult - 1 min on foot - 12:15 · La Cabine, the restaurant at 3,200 m on the La Grave cable car (at the 3,200 m station; last descent at 16:15) · La Cabine, the restaurant at 3,200 m on the La Grave cable car, €€ - 13 min by car, 11,4 km - 15:00 · Jardin du Lautaret, the alpine garden at the pass (€9, free up to age 12; free guided visit at 16:00) - 17:00 · Vuelta (in Lyon around 20:00) La Grave is the place in the Écrins where high mountains are most within reach: from the village square, a cable car climbs in two sections to 3,200 m, at the edge of the Girose glacier, with the north face of La Meije opposite. This plan combines it with lunch on the terrace at the top and a quiet afternoon in the alpine garden at the col du Lautaret, a quarter of an hour away by car. It is a long day from Lyon, but it fits in whole. ## Getting there from Spain From Spain you have two ways. By car, take the A9 to the Rhône and then via Valence and Grenoble, or via Lyon if you come from the north; from Barcelona it is a long journey, so the usual thing is to sleep on the way or in La Grave. The other is to fly to Lyon and hire a car there: from Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport there is even a bus link to La Grave, according to the cable car company. If you sleep in the valley the night before, start straight away at 8:30 on the first regular cabin. ## The day, hour by hour 6:45 · Leave Lyon. By motorway to Grenoble and then the D1091, up the Romanche valley. Past the Chambon reservoir there is a narrow emergency stretch, for cars only: if you are in a motorhome, you have to go via Gap or through the Fréjus tunnel. 9:30 · Cable car to 3,200 m. It climbs in two sections, with a stop at 2,400 m. At the top you have the marked glacier path, the ice cave (€7) and the terrace. Bring winter clothes: at that height it is cold in August too. 12:15 · Lunch at La Cabine. At the top station. Tartiflette, pizzas, a wok, or the goat's cheese salad from the Ferme des Molières, in La Grave. Eat early: the last descent is at 16:15 and the terrace fills up at midday. 15:00 · Jardin du Lautaret. Go down and drive a quarter of an hour to the top of the pass. About 2,000 species of mountain flowers at 2,100 m, facing La Meije. If you arrive in time, join the free guided visit at 16:00. 17:00 · Return to Lyon. The same way. ## What it costs The cable car costs €37 return for an adult and €25 up to 18 years; the family pack, €84. Eating at La Cabine, between €15 and €30 per person. The garden, €9, free for under-12s. Not counting the car, the day comes to €70 to €90 per adult. ## Cómo llegar ### By car It is the natural way to do it: Lyon, Grenoble and the D1091 to La Grave, about two hours and three quarters. ### Without a car There is the LER 35 bus from Grenoble to La Grave and Briançon, with advance booking, and a link from Lyon airport. In a single day from Lyon it does not all fit: sleep in La Grave. ## Consejos ### Check the webcams before you set off If the summit is in cloud or very windy, swap the order and go to the Alpe refuge. ### Bring a winter coat It is cold at the top even in the sun. ### In September, Thursday to Sunday only The cable car operates those days until 13 September 2026, and the garden closes on the first weekend of the month. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Can it be done on a Sunday? Yes. In July and August the cable car, La Cabine and the garden open every day. ### Is it a good plan with children? Yes. There is hardly any walking, the garden is free for under-12s and the cable car has a family rate. ### Do you need to book? It is not compulsory. You can buy the cable car ticket at the ticket office or on its website. ### How long does it take from Lyon? About two hours and three quarters by car to La Grave.