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Arc 1800 is the biggest and busiest of the Les Arcs villages, and it is really four pedestrianised quarters side by side: Les Villards, Le Charvet, Charmettoger and Le Chantel. Choosing the right one makes a real difference to how far you walk in ski boots and how lively your evenings are. Here is how they compare.
The short version
- Les Villards: the centre of things, and the best choice for most families.
- Le Charvet: central and busy, close to the bars and restaurants.
- Charmettoger: quieter, set back among the trees.
- Le Chantel: higher up, with newer premium residences and valley views.
Arc 1800’s quarters compared
| Quarter | Feel | Shops and restaurants | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les Villards | Lively and central | Main après ski bars, restaurants, supermarkets and bakeries on the doorstep | Families and first timers who want everything close |
| Le Charvet | Busy and central | Supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants and nightlife | Groups who want to be near the action |
| Charmettoger | Calmer, forest flanked | Fewer facilities on the doorstep | Those who want a quieter base |
| Le Chantel | Upmarket, scenic | Fewer facilities; some residences have pools and spas | Larger groups and those wanting premium facilities |
Descriptions are drawn from the Erna Low guide to Arc 1800, which also notes that most accommodation in Arc 1800 is within about 90 to 270 metres of the pistes. Always check the exact location of your building before you book.
Les Villards
Les Villards is the heart of Arc 1800, with the main après ski bars, restaurants and shops close by. Supermarkets and bakeries are spread across Les Villards and Le Charvet, which makes self catering easy. Erna Low recommends it for families, partly because it is within walking distance of the Mille8 leisure centre and its pool, and of the evening activities.
We stayed at Résidence Le Thuria in Les Villards in a self catered two bedroom apartment in February 2026, and we are going back in February 2027.
Le Charvet
Le Charvet sits alongside Les Villards and shares its supermarkets and bakeries. Erna Low says Les Villards and Le Charvet put you in the thick of things, close to the main après ski bars and restaurants, so it suits groups who want to be near the action. Light sleepers and families with young children may prefer a quieter spot, or a building set back from the main square.
Charmettoger
Charmettoger is set back from the centre, with forest on its slopes, and has a calmer atmosphere. Erna Low describes it as a quieter setting for guests who want to get away from the bustle. Expect to walk a little further for shops and restaurants.
Le Chantel
Le Chantel is higher up the village, with more modern, premium residences and elevated views over the valley. Some of the newer residences here have pools and spas, which can suit larger groups. Check each building’s distance to the nearest lift before you book.
Four places to look at in Arc 1800
These are a starting point, not a ranking. We have stayed at Le Thuria ourselves. The other three are researched from the operators’ and the resort’s own information (checked October 2026), not from personal stays. Facilities change, so confirm the details for your dates before you book.
| Residence | Quarter | Ski access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Thuria (stayed) | Les Villards | Short walk; check your building’s entrance | Families who want the centre |
| Le Belmont (Pierre & Vacances) | Charmettoger | Ski in, ski out | Young families who want it quieter |
| Les Alpages de Chantel (Pierre & Vacances Premium) | Le Chantel | Ski in, ski out | Families who want a pool |
| Edenarc (Odalys Prestige) | Le Chantel | Ski in, ski out | Bigger groups after top facilities |
Résidence Le Thuria, Les Villards (where we stayed)
We stayed here in a self catered two bedroom apartment in February 2026 and we are going back to Les Arcs in February 2027. It is in Les Villards, the liveliest and most central quarter, so the shops, bakeries and ski school meeting points are close by. Maeva’s listing mentions lifts and ski lockers in the building.
- Suits: families and mixed groups who want everything on the doorstep.
- Drawbacks: apartments are individually owned and let through different agencies, so size, layout and equipment vary between listings. Central means busier.
- Check before you book: the floor area and number of real bedrooms, whether linen and cleaning are included, and parking if you are driving (Maeva lists the covered Villards car park as closed until further notice).
Le Belmont, Charmettoger
A Pierre & Vacances residence on the edge of the forest in Charmettoger. Pierre & Vacances describes it as ski in, ski out at the foot of the Paradiski slopes, about 500 metres from the Charmettoger shops, with a Skiset hire shop on site and an Arc Aventures kindergarten (from age 3) at the foot of the building.
- Suits: young families who want skiing and childcare close by, with a calmer evening.
- Drawbacks: a walk to the bars and restaurants of Les Villards. No pool is listed. Covered parking (€20 a day or €95 a week) and housekeeping cost extra.
- Check before you book: whether you want to pay extra to choose your view or floor, and what the baby kit includes if you need one.
Les Alpages de Chantel, Le Chantel
A Pierre & Vacances Premium residence higher up in Le Chantel, overlooking the ski front. The regional tourism listing includes an indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room, spa and fitness room, and Les Arcs Réservation lists it as ski in, ski out.
- Suits: families who want a pool for the end of the ski day.
- Drawbacks: Le Chantel is further from the main shops and après ski, and the pool and spa have set opening hours. Premium residences cost more.
- Check before you book: pool opening times, and whether linen, cleaning and parking are included in your price.
Edenarc, Le Chantel
A five star Odalys residence in Le Chantel. The official Les Arcs listing describes it as ski in, ski out and linked to Arc 1800 by a small gondola, with a heated outdoor pool, an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and hammam, plus a restaurant and 24 hour reception. Apartments range from two rooms for four people to four rooms for eight.
- Suits: larger groups who want hotel style facilities with their own kitchen.
- Drawbacks: usually one of the dearest options in Arc 1800, and away from the Villards centre. Laundry and covered parking cost extra.
- Check before you book: the gondola link’s hours if you plan to go out in the evening.
What to check before booking anywhere
- The building’s distance to the nearest lift and your ski school meeting point, on the piste map rather than the listing.
- Floor area and the number of real bedrooms, not just “sleeps”.
- Bed linen, towels and final cleaning, which are often extra in French apartments.
- Saturday to Saturday changeover rules, and luggage storage if you arrive early.
- Parking, if you are driving.
Getting to the lifts
Arc 1800 is built on the slopes, and the Transarc gondola, rebuilt with bigger, faster cabins, takes you from the village up to the high slopes. Many residences are ski in, ski out, but “ski in, ski out” is used loosely in some listings, so check the piste map and ask how far the building is from the nearest lift and ski school meeting point.
Types of accommodation
- Self catered apartments: the most common option, from compact studios to larger family apartments. French apartments are often smaller than UK visitors expect, so check the floor area and the number of real bedrooms.
- Residences with facilities: larger buildings with reception, and sometimes a pool or spa, especially in Le Chantel.
- Hotels and club hotels: fewer in number, but convenient if you do not want to cook.
- Catered chalets: usually sold by UK tour operators. Our guide to catered chalets explains what to expect.
Tips for choosing where to stay
- Families: stay near the centre and the ski school meeting point, so the morning walk is short. Then choose the right lift pass for Les Arcs for your group.
- Check what is included: bed linen, towels and final cleaning are sometimes extra in French apartments.
- Ski hire: there are hire shops in every quarter. Our guide to ski hire in Arc 1800 compares the options.
- Arriving by train: free shuttles run from Arc 1600, where the funicular arrives, to Arc 1800. See getting to Les Arcs by train.
Where to book in Arc 1800
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Look for somewhere close to the lifts or ski school, and check whether bed linen, towels and final cleaning are included. The searches below open with February half term 2027 dates as an example. Change the dates and group size to match your own trip.
Vrbo: holiday apartments in Arc 1800
We have used Vrbo for self catered apartments on our own trips.
Expedia: hotels and residences in Arc 1800
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
For the wider picture, see our Les Arcs ski guide and our general guide to where to stay on a ski holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of Arc 1800 is best for families?
Les Villards is usually the best choice for families, as it is central, close to shops and within walking distance of the Mille8 leisure centre.
Is Arc 1800 ski in, ski out?
Much of it is. Most accommodation is within a short walk of the pistes, and many residences are ski in, ski out, but check the exact location of your building.
Where is the quietest part of Arc 1800?
Charmettoger, set back from the centre among the trees, is the calmest of the four quarters.
Are there supermarkets in Arc 1800?
Yes. Supermarkets and bakeries are spread across Les Villards and Le Charvet.