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Voykit pocket guide · France
Modane
Spend a half‑day in Modane to see the historic forts and the granite fountain; add a night if you need a base for ski trips to Valfréjus.
Modane is a small Alpine town on the French‑Italian border, serving as the gateway to the Frejus tunnel and nearby ski areas. Its sights cluster around the centre and can be visited in 4‑5 hours; a night is useful for ski‑season arrivals.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb (ski season)
- Avoid
- Oct–Nov (possible road closures)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €55–80 excl. bed · Mid €80–120 excl. bed · High €120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire and ambulance 15 · Medical emergency (SAMU) 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | €2–3 |
| Croissant | €1–2 |
| Pizza slice | €5–8 |
| TGV ticket Paris–Modane (2nd class) | €40–50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CMF · Chambéry Airport
- Domestic and seasonal European flights; about 1 h 30 min by car via A43
Typical fares
- Paris → Modane TGV
- about €45 2nd class, 5 h
- Modane train station → Hôtel Le Commerce
- ≈ €2 taxi or 5‑min walk
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is compact; most sights are a 5‑minute walk from the station. Parking is available near the A43 exit for car visitors.
See and do
Known for
- Granite fountain (Place de la mairie)
- Église Notre‑Dame‑de‑l'Assomption
- Muséobar (industrial heritage)
- Fort Saint‑Gobain museum
- Leaning House
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Valfréjus ski resort | Car via D1006, about 15 km (9.3 mi), 20 minCar via D1006, about 9.3 mi (15 km), 20 min | ≈30 min total |
| Briançon | Bus or car, about 45 km (28 mi), 1 hBus or car, about 28 mi (45 km), 1 h | ≈1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Hôtel Le Commerce
- 3‑star hotel opposite the train station; convenient for arrivals by TGV.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moiexküzé mwa |
| Thank you | Mercimehr-see |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?say kom-byan |
| Where is the train station? | Où est la gare ?oo eh la gar |
| Can I have the menu? | Le menu, s’il vous plaîtlə mənyu, sil vu pleh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Check tunnel/road closure status in winter (snow may affect A43).
- High‑altitude weather can change quickly; bring warm layers.
Modane is safe; main risks are mountain weather and occasional road closures in winter.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Modane yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Granite fountain (Place de la mairie)
- Église Notre‑Dame‑de‑l'Assomption
- Muséobar (industrial heritage)
- Fort Saint‑Gobain museum
- Leaning House
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Modane train station info: www.trenitalia.com/en.html
- Fort Saint‑Gobain museum: www.fortifications-maurienne.com/saintgobain.htm
- Wikivoyage: Modane, revision 5208724 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5208724
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/modane). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.