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Bozel (French pronunciation: [bɔzɛl]; Arpitan Savoyard: Bosél or Bozél) is a commune in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Southeastern France. Bozel acts as a base village for the largest ski area in the world, Les Trois Vallées. Specifically in the valley of Courchevel. Bozel does not yet have a lift of any sort or any ski runs as it lies at 870m above sea level. However, there are constant discussions and rumours that the town will get its own gondola lift which will go up to the village of Le Praz at 1060m. Le Praz has lifts and ski runs of its own which connect it to the main town of the Courchevel valley; Courchevel 1850. In the course of the French Revolution, it was briefly renamed Fructidor.

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A gateway for mountain cyclists

Beyond its ski‑season reputation, Bozel is increasingly popular with road‑bike enthusiasts who relish the rolling climbs from the village to the high alpine passes. The 870‑metre start point offers a gentle ascent to the historic Le Praz saddle, where the route pivots towards the iconic Col de la Loze. Riders appreciate the quiet, low‑traffic roads flanked by Alpine pastures, allowing a more authentic encounter with the region’s pastoral life. Overnight stays in family‑run gîtes provide hearty Savoyard fare—think tartiflette and locally produced Saint‑Jeoire cheese—fueling the long descents that follow. Compared with the busier neighbouring resorts, Bozel’s cycling corridors remain uncluttered, making it an ideal base for cyclists seeking altitude without the crowds.

Seasonal festivals that linger in memory

While the village’s calendar is modest, its seasonal fêtes reveal a strong communal spirit. In late summer, the traditional “Fête de la Vache” celebrates the transhumance of Alpine cattle, with farmers guiding herds through the streets and sharing cheese‑making demonstrations. Autumn brings the “Fête du Vin de Savoie”, where local winemakers showcase crisp whites and amber reds from nearby vineyards, paired with walnut‑laden desserts. These events afford visitors a window into the rhythms of mountain life, far from the commercialised après‑ski scene. Participating in a communal dance or tasting a barrel‑aged vin jaune offers a texture to travel that guidebooks often miss, grounding the stay in the lived heritage of the Vallée de Bozel.

Practical tip: navigating lift‑talk and transport

Rumours of a new gondola to Le Praz have circulated for years, prompting visitors to plan around uncertain lift access. The most reliable approach is to use the hourly shuttle that links Bozel with the nearest major ski‑area hub at Courchevel‑Méribel, a 20‑minute drive that runs year‑round. Booking a seat in advance during peak winter weeks avoids the occasional bottleneck at the small parking lot. For those arriving by train, the Albertville station provides a straightforward connection: a regional bus departs every two hours, timing its schedule to match the tram to the ski villages. Keeping a printed timetable handy helps circumvent any last‑minute changes that may arise from lift‑project negotiations.

Introduction

Commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, FranceBozel Bosél (Arpitan)CommuneThe church and surrounding buildings in BozelLocation of BozelBozelShow map of FranceBozelShow map of Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesCoordinates: 45°27′08″N 6°38′56″E / 45.4522°N 6.6488°E / 45.4522; 6.6488CountryFranceRegionAuvergne-Rhône-AlpesDepartmentSavoieArrondissementAlbertvilleCantonMoûtiersIntercommunalityVal VanoiseGovernment • Mayor (2020–2026) Sylvain PulciniArea128.8 km2 (11.1 sq mi)Population (2023)2,098 • Density72.8/km2 (189/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)INSEE/Postal code73055 /73350Elevation746–2,589 m (2,448–8,494 ft) (avg. 768 m or 2,520 ft)Websitewww.ot-bozel.com, www.bozelinfo.com1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. Bozel (French pronunciation: [bɔzɛl]; Arpitan Savoyard: Bosél or Bozél) is a commune in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Southeastern France. Bozel acts as a base village for the largest ski area in the world, Les Trois Vallées. Specifically in the valley of Courchevel. Bozel does not yet have a lift of any sort or any ski runs as it lies at 870m above sea level. However, there are constant discussions and rumours that the town will get its own gondola lift which will go up to the village of Le Praz at 1060m. Le Praz has lifts and ski runs of its own which connect it to the main town of the Courchevel valley; Courchevel 1850. In the course of the French Revolution, it was briefly renamed Fructidor.

Population

[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±% p.a.1968 1,380—    1975 1,344−0.38%1982 1,504+1.62%1990 1,690+1.47%1999 1,854+1.03%2007 1,992+0.90%2012 2,019+0.27%2017 1,841−1.83%2023 2,098+2.20%Source: INSEE

Gallery

[edit] Tour de Bozel and Église Saint-François-de-Sales Monument aux morts