8-In search of the hamlet of Les Prioux's secrets

10 points of interest

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  Pastoralism

  Chavière goat farm

  Audrey, Sylvain and their team would be delighted to welcome you and have an extensive range of farmhouse goat’s cheeses available: pressed cheeses (such as tomette de chèvre and tomme de Chavière), fromage frais, Sérac (whey cheese) and faisselles as well as other goat-based produce (goat meat sausages, goat terrine, soap made from goat’s milk). There are also other local farmhouse products too. Why not ask the team for some recipe ideas? 
  If you’d like to find out more about life at the goat farm, your hosts would be delighted to organise a guided tour for you, from December to April.
  On the programme: presentation of the farm, milking and tasting sessions...! In milder seasons, so from mid-April to the end of October, the goats spend their days out of doors, and graze in the mountain pasture over July and August. Chapendu mountain pasture lies at the heart of Vanoise National Park (regulated area), an hour-and-fifteen-minutes’ walk from Pont de la Pêche car park. 
  The Goat farm is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year! A photo exhibition both inside and outside the farm, open-air screenings, the Chapendu mountain pasture festival and many other surprises are in store!
  
  Find out more and book tours at:
  https://www.chevreriedechaviere.fr/
  
  Contact details:
  GAEC La Chevrerie de Chavière
  Audrey & Sylvain CHEVASSU
  237 Route de la Portettaz
  73710 PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE
  +33 (0)4 79 00 70 84
  as.chevassu@orange.fr
  
  The farm is open:
  From December to April: daily from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 16:30 to 18:30.
  From May to September: daily from 9:00 to 12:00.
  In October and November: by appointment
  
  For health & safety reasons and to avoid any disturbance, Chavière goat farm would ask that you please not come with any pets.
  

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  Water

  Entrance to Chavière Valley

  Here, you’ll find the entrance to Chavière Valley with an explanatory panel about the valley and the sustainable measures in place to protect it.
  
  The power plant is located further down, in Le Villard village in the municipality of Le Planay. It gets its name from the waters it channels through turbines. Since the first half of the 20th century, Pralognan has had a hydroelectric power plant to capture the water from the Doron de Pralognan and its smaller tributaries (Isertan, La Glière, La Vuzelle) and turn it into electricity. In Savoie, water has been harnessed for key services ever since the late 19th century, as it was considered a plentiful resource.
  
  In 1943, construction began on Pralognan power plant following the merger of two hydroelectric development plans. But the war put the works on hold. In 1946, electricity was nationalised and the building work resumed with the national electricity provider, EDF. The plant was commissioned in 1949. Its architecture is typical of the post-war period, with imposing proportions. Nowadays, the plant’s three units, all fitted with two Pelton wheels (double turbines), generate the equivalent of the annual household needs of 64,500 inhabitants. Major efforts are being taken to ensure that the energy generated is 100% sustainable, does not emit greenhouse gases and is capable of meeting consumption peaks. 148,000 tons/year of CO2 were avoided this year.

  Find out more about Pralognan power plant here (in French): https://www.edf.fr/sites/default/files/Hydraulique/pays-de-savoie/documents/EDF_Pralognan.pdf

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  Viewpoint

  Viewpoint over La Grande Casse

  Along this route you can look forward to scenic viewpoints over the Vanoise glaciers and La Grande Casse, the highest peak in the Vanoise mountain range.
  As the birthplace of mountaineering and a pioneering resort for winter sports, Pralognan-la-Vanoise has remained a leading destination in the French mountains for more than 150 years. Steeped in legend, with a special place in locals' hearts, the resort's history and culture are deeply anchored in the Alps. Its breathtaking natural scenery and stunning vistas make it a unique and memorable playground for all mountain lovers.

  At the foot of the panoramic view over La Grande-Casse, discover the typical hamlet of Chollière.

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  Flora

  The blue thistle path on the GR®55 (Couloir des Diés)

  The Blue thistle (Eryngium alpinum) is a rare, declining and protected species in France. It lives mainly in the hay meadows and some avalanche paths between 1,000 and 2,000 metres in altitude. It dœs not tolerate competition with shrubs and overly premature grazing. When the paths where it grows are no longer used by agriculture, the Vanoise National Park conducts late mowing to maintain the species.
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  Water

  Chavière water abstraction point

  Four water abstraction points capture the waters of the Doron de Pralognan and its smaller tributaries - the Chavière, Glière, Isertan and Vuzelle - before they are transported to the power plant. This is the Chavière water point. 8m3/s transit through an underground gallery around 13km long with a diameter of more than 2 metres and join a 1,700-metre penstock with a change in gradient of 765 metres.

  Find out more about the Pralognan power plant (in French): https://www.edf.fr/sites/default/files/Hydraulique/pays-de-savoie/documents/EDF_Pralognan.pdf

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  Viewpoint

  View of the Grande Casse

  This renewed postcard summarises both the main physical changes to the landscape –glacial melting, forest recolonisation and agropastoral decline. The Grande Casse, the highest summit of the Vanoise massif and hallmark of the National Park, seems to provide a generous cradle to man who offers his thanks by drawing a heart in the centre of the landscape.

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  History

  Les Prioux hamlet

  At the edge of Vanoise National Park, Chavière Valley unveils its natural wonders along a refreshingly varied path: the Savoyard discovery tour around Les Prioux.

  Life in this hamlet, perched at an altitude of 1,700m, is still very much in step with nature and the winter and summer seasons, and residents have had to adapt accordingly. As they are cut off from the world through the long winter months, they have so much to share with you about life in the past: the mountain pastures, making Beaufort cheese, the growth of tourism and mountain crafts and trades...

  This refreshingly varied path unveils the wonders of Chavière Valley to you, with its awe-inspiring peaks and more relaxing hamlets.

  The route is accessible to everyone, including families with pushchairs, the elderly and wheelchair users with helpers.
  • Round trip takes: 40 minutes
  • Elevation gain: 10 metres
  • Distance: 1km 100
  People with reduced mobility can reach Les Prioux via an adapted shuttle bus.
  Open from 15 May to 30 September, except if snow closes the road to Les Prioux.

  On-site you’ll find a cheese dairy, restaurants and accommodation options, to make a proper holiday out of your trip!

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  Know-how

  Les Prioux

  "Stop at the hamlet of Les Prioux, to witness (depending on the time) the making of Beaufort at Rolland. This cow’s cheese, cooked, pressed and smear-ripened (salted and rubbed) has been labelled PDO (formerly CDO) since 1968. It is known as the “prince of gruyères”. Only the tarentaise and abondance breed can claim to give their milk. The appellation ""Beaufort d´Alpage"" is attributed only to cheeses made in summer, with the milk of a single herd, as is the case with your hosts."
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  Architecture

  "Passerelle des anciens" footbridge

  This footbridge at the heart of Petit Mont Blanc botanical reserve overlooks the Doron de Chavière. There is an explanatory panel telling you more.
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  Know-how

  E-bike rental: Skimium - Régis Sport

  Skimium - Régis Sport
  18 rue du dou des ponts
  73710 Pralognan la vanoise

  +33 (0)4 79 08 72 41