Between old stones, woodland and mountain pastures, towards La Croix de Feissons
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Between old stones, woodland and mountain pastures, towards La Croix de Feissons
BOZEL

Between old stones, woodland and mountain pastures, towards La Croix de Feissons

Architecture
Flora
History
Viewpoint
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A varied route which immerses you in the long-standing history of this mountain region, with some gorgeous views in store.
This is a route where you can get your fill of prehistoric sites, chapels and churches, Baroque heritage and unmissable viewpoints. From Bozel as far as La Roche, progress leisurely along a single-track path lined with vines, on a raised ledge with stunning viewpoints. You'll then cross through a clutch of villages, perched on the mountainside, as far as Feissons-sur-Salins, which particularly faces the Courchevel slopes. Make your way back along the road, crossing through several villages as you go.

13 points of interest
Know-how

E-bike rental Génération Road Trip (Sport 2000 La Cage O Sport)

E-bike rental:

Génération Road Trip (Sport 2000 La Cage O Sport)
Immeuble Les Soldanelles
73350 BOZEL
+33 (4) 79 55 00 39
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History

Bozel Village

The name of this village comes from the low Latin term Buxellus, diminutive of Bocus (wood) which became Boselus. During the French Revolution, Bozel went by the name of Fructidor. Traces of human presence in Bozel date back to 2500 BC!
Perched on the banks of Le Bonrieu stream at an altitude of 860m, on the sun-facing slopes, this village is brimming with things to see and do. There is a wealth of Baroque heritage to discover here, not least with Notre-Dame-de-Tout Pouvoir Chapel, St François-de-Sales Church and Sarrazine Tower, which is a surprising building. There is a lakeside leisure centre nearby where you can unwind and cool off on returning from your outing! And let's not forget that Bozel also lies at the foot of the sweeping ski areas of the 3 Vallées and Paradiski, as well as being the start point for a wide range of hikes.

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Small heritage

Baroque church of Saint-François-de-Sales

Saint-François-de-Sales Church is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Savoie, and its interior décor is heavily steeped in Baroque influences. It is graced with two bell towers: one has a spire with two onion domes, the other an onion dome crowned with a cross and weather cock atop a globe, but the bell tower, its spire as well as the interior furniture were damaged during the Revolution. Incidentally, this church was even used as a warehouse for storing the saltpetre necessary for making gunpowder until 1800. Between 1840 and 1856, various sculptors crafted new altarpieces in succession: the main altarpiece located on either side of the central scene, where the pulpit is remarkable, and the Rosary altarpiece, which is typical of the Baroque period. In light of the growing population, the building was extended in 1976 to create a new, bigger gallery.
Open all year round from 9:00 to 19:00, to visit at your leisure.
One-hour tours for individuals and groups can be organised in French, English and Italian. Find out more at: https://fondation-facim.fr/

This building is included in the "Escapades Baroques des Alpes" initiative, aimed at showcasing Baroque heritage in the Alps.

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Small heritage

Baroque chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Tout-Pouvoir

The eye-catching paintings on the façade of the Baroque chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Tout-Pouvoir inspire you to step inside and see the equally exquisite interior! The chapel is laid out in a Greek cross, crowned by an octagonal dome. Between 1780 and 1850, an array of religious scenes were painted to decorate the sides of the dome, pendentives, walls and pillars. There used to be a statue in the 1754 altarpiece of the miraculous Virgin, whose veneration prompted the building of the chapel, but this was destroyed during the French Revolution and replaced by a Virgin with Child from the 19th century.

Open all year round from 9:00 to 19:00, to visit at your leisure.
45-minute tours for individuals and tours can be organised in French, English, Italian and German.
Find out more at: https://fondation-facim.fr/

This building is included in the "Escapades Baroques des Alpes" initiative, aimed at showcasing Baroque heritage in the Alps.

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Small heritage

Sainte Barbe's Chapel

This chapel can only be viewed from the outside. That said, once a year, on the first Saturday in December, it is opened specially to celebrate Mass. The local congregation then gets together around a traditional soup prepared at night in a big cooking pot.
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Viewpoint

Vine-lined track with viewpoints

Old vines abound along this south-facing track, which is surprising given the mountain setting. The Tarentaise region's warm, dry climate has helped them thrive. Low rainfall and a warm wind, the Foehn, were ideal conditions for farmers in the Bozel Valley to cultivate vines through until the 1950s.
The very low wine yields were not sold, incidentally, but consumed by the local community. In the plots of Brides and Montagny, some climbing vines are still tended to.
There's a lovely view as you pass alongside the River Doron de Bozel below.

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Small heritage

Gothic Revival Church of St Germain

Located in the village of Montagny, this church, dedicated to St Germanus, was rebuilt for the first time in the 17th century. But sinking subsoil threatened its foundations, so it was built on another site in the 19th century in a Gothic Revival style. Inside is a Historical Monument-listed organ with 23 rollers, dating back to circa 1832. In 1943, the heavy spire of the bell tower was demolished as it posed a threat to the solidity of the whole church. A new, copper-plated spire was finally erected in 2007.
Open all year round to visit at your leisure.

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Architecture

Traditional architecture of Moranche

Basking on the sunny slopes of Montagny and only inhabited in summertime, this hamlet boasts quintessential traditional architecture found in villages of the highland pastures. Affording a beautiful view over the Vanoise and the 3 Vallées, it is also commonly referred to as a montagnette, i.e. a seasonal settlement above the permanent municipal villages. In times past, the villagers would take their livestock up there come spring, on their way to the mountain pasture, and stop off there again in the autumn on their way back down. Each family had a little house and barn where tomme cheese and butter were made. The animals were put out to graze together around the hamlets. Generally, the women went up with the children, while the men stayed in the village to work in the fields.
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Small heritage

Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Chapel

The first chapel was built in 1750 on La Chal plateau at La Bonne Fontaine, following the villagers' wish to express their gratitude to the Virgin Mary for having protected them from the unprecedented snowfall between February and June 1749; hence its name (Our Lady of the Snows).
But another harsh winter left the chapel, which was in any case too small and remote from the village, worse for wear, and the decision was made to rebuild it in 1889 where it now stands, closer to the villages.
In the 1920s, however, the structure was once again weakened, probably owing to detonations in the coalmine located below the chapel where operations had ramped up during World War I: from 15 August, religious services and pilgrimages had to be held outside until it was fully restored in 1970-1971. The 15 August pilgrimage still takes place to this day incidentally.
Since the chapel stands on the Le Châtelard hillock, the views over the surrounding valley alone make it well worth the trip.
The chapel can only be viewed from the outside.

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Small heritage

Le Villard Chapel

St Roch's Chapel stands amidst the narrow lanes of Le Villard. Gothic Revival in style, it was built before the pastoral visit of 1633. It was then completely rebuilt at the turn of the 20th century. The statue of Notre Dame de Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes) can be seen at the front of the chapel. Every year, the village fête is celebrated on the last weekend in August.
The chapel can only be viewed from the outside.

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Small heritage

Villemartin Chapel

The chapel of the most populated hamlet in the municipality of Bozel (350 inhabitants) stands right in the centre, and was founded in 1430 in honour of St James the Great, a temperamental man who would become Jesus' apostle. He is depicted as a bearded elder with a hat decorated with a shell, or dressed as a pilgrim with a travel bag and staff. Pilgrims began to travel the Way of St James after his burial place was discovered. Ever since 1935, the last weekend of July has been dedicated to this traditional pilgrimage route, and a celebration lasts for two days. Mass is held, a traditional soup is served to the poor, there are shows and a big public dance.
The hamlet also harbours an oven that is still used on special occasions, as well as a bachal, a stone basin that was once used as a water source, a drinking trough for animals and washing place.
The chapel can only be viewed from the outside.

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Small heritage

Les Mollinets Chapel

This hamlet is just as picturesque and rich in heritage as Bozel's other hamlets. Its name speaks to the presence of mills that were once powered by Le Bonrieu stream. Commonly referred to as the Presentation of Mary at the Temple, this chapel was established in 1755. Its origins lie in the dedication of the New Church of St Mary (Theotokos) in Jerusalem in November 543, which has long since been destroyed. An oven harking back to 1913 can still be found in the village.
This chapel can only be viewed from the outside.

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History

Sarrazine Tower

This tower was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, but its name (derived from 'Saracen') refers solely to its typical, solid, square construction. 19m tall, it was originally three storeys high and movement between floors was via ladders or steep staircases.
The thick walls provided a passive form of defence, and the roof was added later. The tower was probably used as a residence as well as a strategic observation post over the surrounding villages and valleys. The ground floor was most likely used for storing provisions (this level was partially filled in when the Bonrieu stream broke its banks) and the second floor by nobility. The upper levels were private quarters.
An ostentatious symbol of the local lords' power, the tower was surrounded by a series of buildings of unknown size and nature.
Open from mid July until the end of August, from 15:00 until 19:00, except on Saturdays.

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Description

Set off from the Bozel Valley Tourist Office along the vine-lined footpath as far as the hamlet of La Roche. From La Roche, continue on to Feissons sur Salins via the road. A steady, easygoing track with no technical difficulty then takes you through scenic mountain pastures to Moranche. There will be plenty of viewpoints over the Vanoise peaks and mountain ranges to admire! The descent from Moranche takes you back to Bozel via a mix of woodland trails and quiet mountain roads.

Follow the red waymarks: Croix de Feissons.

E-bike rental shops: 

Génération Road Trip (Sport 2000 La Cage O Sport)
Immeuble Les Soldanelles
73350 BOZEL
+33 (4) 79 55 00 39.
  • Departure : Bozel town hall, 73350 Bozel
  • Arrival : Bozel town hall, 73350 Bozel
  • Towns crossed : BOZEL, MONTAGNY, FEISSONS-SUR-SALINS

Altimetric profile


Recommandations

Rando Vanoise has been designed to help you pick and choose your outings, but cannot be held liable where they are concerned. The mountain offers up a wide range of routes and trails for cyclists of all levels, but remember, it is a living, unpredictable environment and it is important that you head out suitably equipped. Ask advice from cycle rental operators.
If in doubt, you can take an introductory lesson in how to ride an electric bike with an instructor.

If you see a herd ahead, slow down and go round it. If there is a patou, a guard dog, climb down from your bike and walk, pushing it alongside you. Avoid making any sudden or aggressive gestures towards the dog and move away from the herd slowly and calmly. The dog will only be checking that you do not pose a threat to its herd. Respect the parkland and close gates behind you after you've gone through them.

The mountain is living, please respect it by staying on the paths and tracks.

Information desks

118 Rue Emile Machet<br>73350 Bozel,

http://www.ot-bozel.com

info@ot-bozel.com

04 79 55 03 77


Find out more

Transport

Train services run as far as Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains. Find out more at: www.oui.sncf.com
You can then get a coach to Bozel.
Find out more at: www.transavoie.com
Have you also thought about car sharing

Access and parking

From Moûtiers, take the RD915 road towards the Bozel Valley as far as Bozel.

Parking :

Cemetery car park, 73350 Bozel

Report a problem or an error

If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: