France's only Olympic ski jumps - 1992 glory, 2030 return

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 📜 1

   Stand Where Olympians Flew

   history Free

   The landing zone of the 1992 Winter Olympics - France's only Olympic jumps.

   Walk to the base of France's ONLY Olympic ski jumps at Tremplin du Praz, Le Praz village (Courchevel 1300). Stand at the landing area and look UP at the 90m and 120m hills where athletes from 20+ countries launched themselves in 1992. These jumps hosted ski jumping and Nordic combined—nowhere else in France has Olympic ski jumps. Walk around the stadium bowl, look for Olympic rings (if still displayed). Free entry, open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. The venue that made history is right under your feet.

   🔄 BACKUP: If the stadium is closed for maintenance, you can still see the jumps from the village road.

   🍷 Log Memory
2. 📜 2

   Book the Guided Heritage Tour

   Optional

   history $

   Local historians explain the Olympic story and the village's 3,000-year history.

   Join the "Once upon a time in Courchevel Le Praz" guided walking tour covering 1992 Olympics, 2023 Alpine World Championships, and the 2030 Olympics returning to these same jumps. Book through Courchevel tourism office—the guide is from Pays d'art et d'histoire des hautes vallées de Savoie. The tour also reveals Le Praz's deep history: Iron Age graves (750 BC) with skeletons and jewelry were found here, making it one of the oldest mountain settlements in Tarentaise valley. Tour includes steps and stadium access, plus stories of how this "poor side" of the mountain became Olympic gold.

   🔄 BACKUP: If no tour available, visit Albertville's Olympic Museum (30min drive) for the full 1992 story.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 📜 3

   Discover the Iron Age Secret

   Optional

   history Free

   Le Praz has evidence of human habitation from 750 BC.

   Walk the old village streets of Le Praz and find the 17th century church, but understand the deeper story: archaeologists found graves with two human skeletons and Iron Age jewelry from 750 BC. This isn't just an Olympic venue—Le Praz has human habitation evidence spanning 2,800 years. The village was the "poor side" of the mountain (north-facing, snow lingered) until skiing made that an advantage. This is where Courchevel's workers and locals actually live—not the oligarch fantasy at 1850. Ask at tourism office for archaeological displays.

   🔄 BACKUP: Ask at the tourism office for any archaeological displays or information.

   🍷 Log Memory
4. 🍷 4

   Toast the 2030 Return

   wine $

   The Olympics are coming BACK in 2030 - be here first.

   After seeing the jumps, head to L'Elephant bar in Le Praz (open 3pm-2am daily) and toast the 2030 Olympics returning to these same jumps. Order vin chaud (€5-8) or local beer and toast the Olympic future—same jumps, new athletes, you're seeing it before it becomes famous again. Ask locals about their memories of 1992—many were children then and remember the circus arriving. L'Elephant is the only late-night spot in the village, the local hangout where Olympic history and future collide.

   🔄 BACKUP: If L'Elephant is closed, any restaurant in Le Praz village will work—this isn't about the venue, it's about marking the moment.

   🍷 Log Memory

Insider Tips

• ✦

  FREE entry, open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

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  Guided tours available through Pays d'art et d'histoire des hautes vallées de Savoie

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  Summer FIS Ski Jumping Grand Prix (July) is the best time to see athletes in action

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  Le Praz village has a 17th century church and Iron Age archaeological finds