1600m
-4.4°c
7°c
4 km/h - North
2500m
3°c
5°c
6 km/h - North West
°c
7 km/h - South
2°c
8 km/h - North West
Flaine
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Grand Massif
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Set in the heart of the French Alps, the Platé Desert is a natural wonder that offers visitors a wonderful experience. In summer, this unique limestone plateau extends over more than 1,980 hectares, revealing its full splendour. Its lunar landscape, dotted with chasms and limestone, contrasts beautifully with the surrounding greenery.
Listed since 1998 for its exceptional landscape interest, the Platé Desert’s extraordinary appearance holds great appeal to visitors. One of the largest limestone pavements in Europe, this vast chalky plateau was carved out by glaciers and meltwater, giving hikers who adventure there the feeling that they are walking on a fossilised glacier, or even on the moon!
Summer is the perfect time to explore the Platé Desert, with marked paths leading you through fascinating rock formations with breath-taking views. Hikers of all levels will find routes to suit their requirements, whether it’s a gentle stroll along the geological path, or a more challenging outing. You will find fossils indicating that 40 million years ago the mountain was actually a seabed! Each step takes you closer to spectacular views over the Mont Blanc massif.
For those wanting to learn more about the geology and history of the Platé Desert, Flaine also organises guided walks with a mountain leader.
The highlight of your visit will undoubtedly be the majestic view over the Mont Blanc mountain range. From the heights of the Platé Desert, admire the Roof of Europe in all its grandeur. On a clear day, the view extends for kilometres, revealing snow-capped summits and lush green valleys. It’s the perfect spot for photographers and nature lovers looking to capture the beauty of the Alps.
The Platé Desert is more than a geological curiosity. In summer, the region comes alive with colourful Alpine flora and a variety of fauna. You may catch sight of marmots, ibex and many different birds, whilst admiring the beautiful wildflowers that grow on the rocky mountainsides. This biodiversity adds a whole new dimension to your hike, making each visit unique and rewarding.
Flaine offers a wealth of services and activities to round off your walk perfectly. After a day of exploring, relax in one of the resort’s many restaurants and cafés, or use the Flaine Summer Pass to make the most of more than 35 summer activities, including the big air bag, waterslide, inflatable castles, trampolines, crazy golf, rock climbing… not forgetting the shows and live music concerts at the end of the day.
To make the most of your visit to the Platé Desert, we recommend you plan in advance. Make sure you have a good pair of walking boots, plenty of water and sunscreen. Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, so be prepared for all eventualities. You can get to the Platé Desert via the GR 96 hiking trail (approx 3 hour hike), or via the Grandes Platières cable car.
The Grandes Platières cable car is open from 28th June to 31th August 2025, 7 days a week non-stop from 9am to 5pm.
Prices for summer 2025: return ticket – free for children under 5 and over 75.
In the event of bad weather, the cable car will be closed all day.