Bauges Autumn 2022In the heart of the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park, 14 authentic villages open their doors to you. From Aillon-le-Jeune to Sainte-Reine, each reveals its own character, history and traditions. Here, the communal ovens, grangettes and tavalans tell the story of centuries-old mountain know-how, while the slate roofs and picturesque hamlets reflect an art of living where time slows down. Come and experience it for yourself.
The beating heart of the mountains
At Aillon-le-Jeune, the mountains vibrate to the rhythm of the seasons.
Here, it all begins in the hollow of an open valley, nestled between the wooded slopes of Mont Pelat and the spectacular cliffs of the Margériaz.
In winter, the village comes alive with its family-friendly Aillons-Margériaz 1000 ski resort.
In summer, the footpaths take over, leading you to flower-filled mountain pastures, breathtaking panoramas and unspoilt nature.
Aillon-le-Jeune is also an art of living. You can meet up at the cheese dairy, at the market, or on the terrace of a café to share a moment. The village spirit is strong, the conviviality natural. Aillon-le-Jeune is a blend of mountain authenticity and a drive towards the future, offering you a concentrate of raw emotion.
Discover the Aillons-Margériaz resort
Discover the hikes starting from Aillon-le-Jeune
The soul of the Bauges in its purest form
Silent and majestic, Aillon-le-Vieux embodies the wisdom of the mountains. This ancient hamlet, set into the side of a valley, is a haven for those seeking beauty without artifice. There’s no hustle and bustle here: just deep forests, stone chalets and the strong imprint of a rural past that’s still very much alive.
It’s an ideal starting point for lovers of peaceful strolls or more challenging hikes. Let yourself be surprised by the softness of the meadows, the freshness of the undergrowth, and that rare impression of having found a place that welcomes you without overdoing it. Aillon-le-Vieux doesn’t try to shine. It’s a place that lets itself be tamed… and never forgotten.
A window onto geology and the forest
In Arith, nature invites you to discover. Between the Chéran river and the limestone cliffs, this village is home to one of the massif’s geological gems: the Prérouge cave. This spectacular cave plunges you into the mysteries of the Bauju subsoil, where water has been sculpting the rock for thousands of years.
But Arith is also the spirit of the forest. A dense, living forest, full of wildlife and ancient stories. Here, you’ll come across more deer than people. You can breathe deeply and recharge your batteries. In summer, hikers can be found criss-crossing the nearby Margériaz. In winter, the snow wraps the landscape in a muffled blanket. Arith is the Bauges on the wild side… and the sensitive side.
The village that moves, naturally
Nestling at the foot of Trélod and Mont Julioz, Bellecombe-en-Bauges combines tradition with new energy. This committed village is at the heart of the Bauges Massif Regional Nature Park. It’s a place where autonomy, transmission and living together are cultivated. Its inhabitants are craftsmen, farmers, plant gatherers and mountain storytellers. People come here to discover, learn and understand.
But Bellecombe is also a huge playground. There are many hiking trails and spectacular viewpoints. From the heights, the Bauges are revealed from a unique angle, with the sharp silhouettes of Pécloz and Arcalod as a backdrop. A lively, vibrant and deeply engaging place.
The hidden charm of the heights
Doucy is a balcony overlooking the sky. Discreet, almost secretive, this perched village offers a bird’s eye view of the Chéran valley and the iconic peaks of the Bauges. If you look up, you’ll see the Arcalod looming proudly above you. Close your eyes and you’ll hear the wind blowing through the branches and the bells of the herds.
Here, we live to the rhythm of the mountains. The built heritage – alpine chalets, old farms – bears witness to an agricultural past that is still very much alive. Doucy is the confidential address whispered about by lovers of tranquillity and escape. The kind of place you don’t just visit. You have to experience it.
A simple name for a great nature lesson
At École, it all starts with the river. The Chéran, a designated “Wild River Site”, flows through the village, guiding you towards an exceptional natural environment. Here, water reigns supreme, the rock is a storyteller, and the forest an endless field of exploration.
But École is also a school of life, where you learn through experience, the senses and contemplation. Every hike becomes an immersion, every encounter a story to be shared. Whether you’re a budding botanist, a patient fisherman or a curious walker, you’ll find your playground here. And perhaps… a lesson in humility in the face of the world’s raw beauty.
Between sky and valley, raw beauty
In Jarsy, the mountain becomes a sculpture. Perched on a balcony above the Bellevaux valley, this village seems to watch over the massif like a benevolent guardian. The Pécloz and Trélod ridges form a mineral horizon, while the deep forests invite adventure.
But Jarsy also has a soul. A chapel, an inn, exceptional cheeses, and local people who take the time to chat. From the Bellevaux valley, a place of spirituality and silence, to the most challenging peaks, every step you take in Jarsy is an encounter with something greater. It’s a powerful, inspiring place, a call to elevation.
The peaceful capital of the Bauges
Welcome to the heart of the heart. Le Châtelard is the geographical and historical centre of the Bauges massif. A village square lined with stone buildings, a friendly market hall, a discreet church, and that little something in the air that tells you: here, we take our time.
Here, we live to the rhythm of the seasons and the people we meet. In summer, hikers set off for Colombier or Mont de la Coche. In winter, the snowflakes transform the landscape into a fairytale setting. Le Châtelard is also a lively village, with its farmers’ market, local events and passionate craftspeople. It’s the perfect base for those who want to explore the Bauges, without ever losing touch with authenticity.
Between streams and mountain tales
With its gentle, lilting name, La Compôte is an invitation to simplicity. This little village nestles in a lush green setting on the banks of the Nant d’Aillon, not far from the wild Chéran. Here, water is omnipresent, nourishing and invigorating.
Walkers will be delighted by the forest paths and shady banks. Nature lovers will marvel at the discreet fauna and mountain flowers. Speak softly, listen to the sounds of the forest and watch the flight of a black kite. At La Compôte, you can reconnect with nature… and with yourself. It’s a source of calm, a concentrate of the Bauges to be savoured slowly.
The elegance of discretion
La Motte-en-Bauges doesn’t seek the limelight. It prefers the soft morning light, the snow-covered roofs in winter, the quiet paths between the meadows. It’s a peaceful interlude, a village that exudes sincerity.
The houses are huddled together, and the narrow streets smell of warm stone and wood. Here, people live close to the land, the seasons and the animals. The essentials are cultivated, and you can feel it.
A refuge between mountain pastures and summits
Le Noyer is pure indulgence. A village full of charm, at the crossroads of forests, pastures and peaks. The scenery opens up like windows onto the mountain range, with the majestic Pécloz as a backdrop. People come here to hike in complete freedom, to take a break or simply to enjoy a picnic on the terrace with a view.
Its inhabitants are passionate about their land. Here, they are happy to share their good walks, family recipes and memories of the mountain pastures. Le Noyer is a place on a human scale, lively and authentic, where each season reshapes the contours of unspoilt nature.
The village that loves water… and life
In Lescheraines, water is a shared joy. You’ll find it in the lakes of the Îles du Chéran leisure park, a playground for young and old alike. You can listen to it murmur in the streams and savour it in the cool of the waterfalls. Here, happiness is simple and generous, just like village life.
Lescheraines also has a beating heart: events, markets, shops, craftspeople, community life… Everything is here to make you feel at home. A stone’s throw away, the Maison du Parc des Bauges invites you to gain a better understanding of this remarkable area. Come and stroll around, taste the local produce and meet the locals. And why not… relax.
Gourmet break in the traditional chocolate factories of the Bauges
The hidden belvedere of the Bauges
As its name suggests, Sainte-Reine reigns supreme. Perched on a discreet promontory, this village offers one of the finest panoramas in the massif. Here, sunrises are spectacular, the stars seem closer, and the horizon is all yours.
Sainte-Reine is a confidential village, almost a secret. You go up there as if you were looking for treasure. And you always come back changed. The stone houses tell stories of days gone by, and the boxwood-lined paths invite you to wander. It’s a place that has to be earned… and savoured.
Between secret nature and living heritage
Away from the main roads, Thoiry cultivates the art of discretion. No crowds, no facades. Just the essentials: a generous natural environment, inhabitants attached to their land, and a rural heritage that’s discreet but very much alive. The village seems to sit on a balcony of greenery, bordered by deep forests and peaceful meadows.
It’s the perfect starting point for exploring the western foothills of the Massif des Bauges**. With its shady paths, breathtaking views and winding lanes, Thoiry will appeal to lovers of tranquillity and walkers in search of authenticity.
The village also boasts some fine old buildings that bear witness to its rich agricultural past. It invites you to slow down, listen and observe. And why not try some of the local produce from the nearby mountain pastures.
In the heart of the Bauges, every step leads to a new thrill. Hike through forests and mountain pastures, try your hand at climbing Arcalod or Pécloz. Feel the adrenalin of a canyon at the Pont du Diable, cling to a via ferrata or climb a vertiginous rock face. Look up, take to the skies in a paraglider, then descend to the heart of the adventure courses. Here, you can experience the mountains to the full, whether you’re looking for an intense or contemplative experience.
It’s impossible to leave without tasting the Tome des Bauges PDO, the emblematic cheese made from milk from the high meadows. But you can also be surprised by the other flavours: Valbleu, Montpela, Margériaz, Saint-Bruno, Béret… not forgetting the herbal teas, wines and mountain liqueurs, the artisan chocolates from Bellecombe-en-Bauges and Lescheraines, or the organic breads and pastries with the flavours of yesteryear. Behind each product, there’s an encounter, a passion, a story to share.
The Cœur des Bauges is an area to experience. Here, you take the time to breathe, taste and marvel. Let yourself be surprised by the generosity of the local people and by the power of unspoilt nature. Every moment becomes a memory, every encounter an emotion.
