Fête de l’Alpe et des Guides – Mountain and Guide Festival
The program can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
It’s no coincidence that the Alpe et des Guides Festival takes place in Pralognan! Did you know that part of the history of mountaineering was written here?
Did you know that this is home to the third-largest mountain guide company in France? Every summer, the 35 mountain guides and leaders take keen hikers, budding mountaineers and seasoned climbers on a journey of discovery through the massif and the giants of the Vanoise, whose highest peak rises to nearly 4,000 metres! Every summer, locals and tourists pay tribute to these guardian angels of our mountains during a weekend dedicated to the knowledge and passion of the high-mountain guides and mountain leaders. On the programme: a sound and light show retracing the history of mountaineering and the ascent of the Grande Casse, the blessing of ropes and ice axes, a parade, and the presentation of medals… .
SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2026
6pm: Lantern sale / Town Hall Square
Buy your lanterns for the parade! Proceeds go to the Pralognan-la-Vanoise Ski Club.
9 pm: Refreshments / Town Hall Square
Refreshments in aid of the Pralognan Ski Club.
9 pm: Lantern parade / Town Hall Square
Join the lantern parade through the streets of Pralognan!
9.30 pm: Sound & Light show / Bouquetin car park
Sound and light show on the Rocher de la Louza: since the conquest of the Vanoise and the ascent of the Grande Casse in 1860, mountaineering techniques and the profession of mountain guiding have changed considerably.
10.30 pm: Festive atmosphere / Town Hall Square
DJ night until the early hours with a refreshment stand run by the Pralognan-la-Vanoise Ski Club!
SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2026
Throughout the day, a craft market and musical entertainment featuring: Magalie the Yodeller, Phillipe Fournier (accordionist), L’oura Do Damô (Alpine horn), Les Frontières (folk dance group), La Savoie (folk dance group), Les Tuaz (accordionists), La Cliqueraine (brass band), Messages (male choir), Banda (brass band) and Christian Gellon (accordionist).
9.30 am: Wreath-laying ceremony in honour of deceased guides / Cemetery – Guides’ Monument
10 am: Open-air mass and blessing of ropes and ice axes / Bouquetin car park
10 am: Refreshments / Pépé Gust’
10.45 am: Parade through the streets of Pralognan-la-Vanoise.
12.30 pm: Official speeches
2 pm: Live music on three stages in the village and a procession / Town Hall Square – Calvaire – Place du Barioz – Pont Noir – Procession and various entertainment
4.30 pm: Avalanche dog search demonstration / Beneath the cable car