Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb (ski season)
- avoid Oct–Nov (possible road closures)
- Airport
- CMF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Modane17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Modane, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyModane is safe; main risks are mountain weather and occasional road closures in winter.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 15 fire and ambulance · 112 Medical emergency (SAMU) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMF Chambéry Airport (Domestic and seasonal European flights; about 1 h 30 min by car via A43).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact; most sights are a 5‑minute walk from the station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealPizza slice€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Budget bedHotel double room, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €120 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMF Chambéry Airport (Domestic and seasonal European flights; about 1 h 30 min by car via A43)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Nov (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Modane: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Valfréjus ski resort
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Car via D1006, about 15 km (9.3 mi), 20 minCar via D1006, about 9.3 mi (15 km), 20 min
Winter season; ski lifts open Dec–April.
Briançon
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Bus or car, about 45 km (28 mi), 1 hBus or car, about 28 mi (45 km), 1 h
Check bus schedule; limited in off‑season.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hôtel Le Commerce
3‑star hotel opposite the train station; convenient for arrivals by TGV.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–80 (≈ US$65–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–120 (≈ US$95–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €110 | €110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €80 | €160 |
| TGV Paris–Modane (2nd class)2 × €45 | €90 |
| Ski‑lift pass (1 day)2 × €35 | €70 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €43 |
| Trip total≈ €237 per person per day, bed included | €473≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Croissant | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Pizza slice | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| TGV ticket Paris–Modane (2nd class) | €40–50 (≈ US$50–60) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check tunnel/road closure status in winter (snow may affect A43).
- High‑altitude weather can change quickly; bring warm layers.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 15
- Medical emergency (SAMU)
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ModaneModane
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance15
- Medical emergency (SAMU)112
Embassy
US consulate in Lyon (check address); other embassies in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Paris → Modane TGV: about €45 (≈ US$55) 2nd class, 5 h
- Modane train station → Hôtel Le Commerce: ≈ €2 taxi or 5‑min walk
Say or show
- Excusez‑moi — Excuse me / Sorry (exküzé mwa)
- Merci — Thank you (mehr-see)
- C’est combien ? — How much is it? (say kom-byan)
- Où est la gare ? — Where is the train station? (oo eh la gar)
- Le menu, s’il vous plaît — Can I have the menu? (lə mənyu, sil vu pleh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Modane. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb (ski season) · avoid Oct–Nov (possible road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a ski‑season night stay at Hôtel Le Commerce.
- Include a guided tour of Fort Saint‑Gobain for history buffs.
Sources
- secondaryModane train station info
- secondaryFort Saint‑Gobain museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Modane, revision 5208724 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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