Geology around Bessans

From the summit of the Ouille Allegra, I gaze upon this plain. Seated, it’s time for some questions: where dœs this landscape at my feet come from? How did it come about? Would it be possible to go back to the dawn of time to understand how it was formed?

The Bessans plain

Rocks present

A green.... rock!

Overthrust sheets

Morainic arches

The valley behind bars!

Villaron
Before the village stands the chapel of Saint Bernard, patron of mountaineers and climbers. In the heart of the village’s houses is the last washhouse of Bessans, where the cows came to water, and the inhabitants took their water supply. It is still possible to do so! A little further on is the 13th century chapel of Saint-Colomban, which has been rebuilt three times after being destroyed by the avalanches! In front of the chapel is the typical cross of Bessans, which tells the story of the passion of Christ. Then in the same alleyway, a discerning eye will spot on the left a face carved into a beam once representative of Bessans houses. It is time to leave the hamlet and return back to nature but on the descent, you can still stop for refreshment at the gîte, the old school, or come to see the 17th century bread oven...

Alluvial cones, avalanches and screes.

Geology, stakeholder in tourism?

What is the geological future of the Bessans plain?
Description
Place de la Mairie, reach the Ribon car park. Take the path that gœs up the valley towards the biathlon stadium then Goulaz. Then return to Bessans on the paved road for 270 m then turn right onto a wide track. At the first intersection, take the path on the left which runs along a wood and then reach the hamlet of Villaron. From Villaron, go to the centre of Bessans by taking the GR5 path of Petit Bonheur.
- Departure : Place de la Mairie, Bessans
- Arrival : Place de la Mairie, Bessans
- Towns crossed : BESSANS
Altimetric profile
Information desks
Maison Cantonale<br>9 Place Sommeiller<br>73500 Modane,
http://www.cchautemaurienne.com/
info@cchmv.fr
04 79 05 26 67
Rue Maison Morte<br>73480 Bessans,
http://www.haute-maurienne-vanoise.cm/bessans
info@hautemaurienne.com
04 79 05 99 06 / 04 79 05 99 10
Vanoise Information Desk - Termignon
Place Vanoise, 73500 Termignon
http://termignon.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com/
04 79 20 51 67
Transport
Access and parking
Take the D902 in the direction of Bessans, stop in the heart of the village in the main square.
Parking :
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