The history of Le Monal began in 1888, when the property opened in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise as a coaching inn for horse-drawn carriages. From its very origins, the house has been a place of passage, encounters, and exchange — a vocation that time has never erased.
Several generations
Six generations of the Arpin family
For six generations, Le Monal has been run by the Arpin family, who have shaped over the decades the unique identity of the house, deeply rooted in the mountains and its values. Generation after generation, the same spirit has been passed on: sincere hospitality, natural conviviality, and a deep attachment to the local area.
Michel Arpin and the golden age of skiing
In the 1960s, the story took a major turn with Michel Arpin. A member of the French national ski team and competitor at the 1968 Winter Olympics, coach of Jean-Claude Killy and close friend of mountaineering legend Lionel Terray, he fully embodied the sporting and mountain spirit of his era.
Yves and Hélène: the enduring family soul
The family story continued with Yves, then his daughter Hélène, the sixth generation, who perpetuate the spirit of Le Monal with the same high standards and kindness. Guest well-being and good spirits remain at the heart of their commitment, making Le Monal much more than a hotel: a place where you feel at home
a new chapter
2023: a new chapter, the same spirit
In 2023, Le Monal entered a new era with its acquisition by the GCA group and its president Delphine André. A devoted lover of the Tarentaise Valley and owner of the iconic 5-star Hôtel Les Barmes de l’Ours in Val d’Isère, Delphine André was immediately drawn to the soul of Le Monal: its family spirit, authenticity, and excellence—values that have always guided her group.
1888Six generations of the Arpin family have shaped the history of this place
2023A new chapter is beginning, true to the spirit of this unique place
Far from wanting to reinvent everything, she chose to continue the story with the utmost respect for the heritage passed down through six generations. The spirit of the house remains unchanged: preserving authenticity and conviviality, along with the warm, sincere hospitality that has defined Le Monal for more than a century.
Le Monal is more than 130 years of history in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, along with a sincere desire for every stay to become, in turn, a lasting memory.
