Below the hamlet of Gruyère, walking paths follow the Fier and Fillière rivers. There are also forest trails, leisure facilities and buildings from different periods. You can tailor your stay in Argonay to your own interests: riverbanks and nature on one hand, architecture and history on the other.
Walks by the Rivers and in the Forest
Paths along the banks of the Fier and Fillière pass small beaches, picnic areas and benches. The leisure area on the Fier also has numerous paths, picnic tables and benches, as well as access to the river. At the leisure area on the Fier, you will find picnic tables and access to the river; the riverside paths along the Fier and Fillière pass small beaches and picnic areas.
The forest of Argonay is also crisscrossed by numerous walking trails. Some trails may be temporarily closed during forestry work. A botanical trail near the clinic, maintained by the French National Forestry Office (Office National des ForĂŞts), gives families the chance to discover the local plant life. If you would rather watch animals, the Parc Ă daims on Route de la Vouettaz offers another highlight: around ten fallow deer live there and are easy to see throughout the year.
You can get a free booklet with several routes from Argonay Town Hall. Check with the town hall in advance to confirm availability. This lets you match your choice of trails to the local conditions in effect at the time.
Leisure Facilities and Local Rules
The pump track in Argonay is free to access and designed for all age groups. It is intended for bicycles, scooters and skateboards; hard wheels are not allowed. This makes it quite different from a walk by the river or along the forest paths: the focus here is on riding the circuit with permitted equipment.
Another option is Route du Gros-Chêne. It is closed to motorized traffic and connects Argonay with the municipality of Filière (Saint Martin Bellevue). Bicycles are permitted there only uphill. Check the local restrictions before setting out so you can take the permitted use of the route into account.
Architectural History from the Middle Ages to the 19th Century
Château du Barioz was built before 1379 and is a fortified Savoyard house. Its round towers and entrance portal have been preserved. Église Saint-Christophe has the appearance of a late-medieval rural church; it was rebuilt in the early 15th century. The two buildings illustrate different forms of older architecture: the fortified house with its surviving features, and the church with its medieval appearance.
Later, Chapelle Desjardins was built: the Neo-Romanesque funerary chapel was constructed from dressed stone in 1896. Together, the château, church and chapel offer a comparison across time, from medieval architecture to the late 19th century. If you are interested in architecture, these distinct building styles are all highlights, and their periods of origin should not be conflated.
Annual Festivities
Argonay’s traditional apple festival takes place every year on the last Sunday in September. In March, the two-day Festiv’AAMA adds a celebratory music festival to the calendar. The two events bring different seasonal highlights; check the current event dates before your trip.
If you are looking for a hotel in Argonay, the themes of your stay can help you decide where to begin: riverside and forest walks sit alongside leisure facilities and architectural history. Consider which of these interests matter most for your trip, and take seasonal events into account.
Discover more destinations: Alex, La Roche-Sur-Foron, Cons-Sainte-Colombe, Praz-Sur-Arly, Lullin, Cran-Gévrier, Bonneville, Les Carroz-D'arâches
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
