Vars Sainte-Marie

Village life

It’s known as the first gateway to the ski area, but it’s also a small village where life is good. With its local shops, typical little streets where you can enjoy a stroll and the gentle music of the Chagne and Chagnon torrents, you’ll soon feel right at home in a mountain setting open to all the surrounding peaks.

Welcome to

Vars Sainte Marie

Vars Sainte Marie is the first gateway to the ski area: the hire shop and ski lifts will take you straight to the top!

A number of gourmet restaurants in the vaulted rooms bear witness to life as it was in the past, with all the comforts of the present: a charming hotel with “relaxation and Spa” areas, traditional or bistronomic restaurants, a bakery, a mini-market, as well as administrative centres such as the post office and the town hall, not forgetting the library.

A small village life where“everyone knows everyone”, with pretty little streets mixing modern-style chalets and old-fashioned farmhouses, and a large play area along the Chagne torrent for young and old alike.

©Alpesphotographies.com Vars Sainte Marie (18)

A little history

Since the winter of 2004-2005 and the installation of the new Peyrol detachable 6-seater chairlift, the village of Vars Sainte Marie has been given a growing role in accessibility to the ski area, hiking and mountain biking, reinforced by the completion in January 2021 of the Bois Noir 6-seater chairlift: This will make the village the main gateway to the ski area, with fast, comfortable access to the heart of the Forêt Blanche. The Sainte Marie is the community and administrative centre, home to the Vars town hall and post office. It is also a place of worship thanks to the ecumenical centre, which is still very active.

The first hotels were built here, most of them in old buildings with traditional local architecture. The restaurants welcome you under the vaults of restored cowsheds. The floors once used to store hay are now the hotel rooms.

The first ski lifts were installed at Vars Sainte Marie in 1938. The development of the resort stretched to Vars les Claux from 1939 with an effort to equip it that would resume at the end of the Second World War.

©Alpesphotographies.com Vars Sainte Marie (12)

©Alpesphotographies.com Vars Sainte Marie (5)

©Lea Scappini Ot Vars 15082023 6|Lea_SCAPPINI

Heritage Day

Between local customs and village history, the Sainte-Marie festival embodies the spirit of the quintessential folk festival. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Varsinc summer at the must-see festival on 15 August.

Discover

Free shuttles

From 5 July to 31 August 2025, a free shuttle service is being provided by the commune of Vars and the ski lift company to enable you to get around in and between the villages.

Discover the timetable1MB

Where can I park?

If your accommodation does not have a private car park, we recommend that you park your vehicle in the car parks available at Vars Sainte-Marie and use the free shuttle service.

Consult the village map9MB

Tourist Office

Our information point and holiday advisors welcome you throughout the summer season from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00 on the village square.

Outside these dates, the Sainte-Marie tourist office is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. (Only reception point open in the off-season due to works)

Always more

Heritage festivals

Vars is also home to heritage festivals that allow you to discover our villages from a different angle!

Find out more