A short loop around Lac du Môle and a difficult mountain hike up Le Môle give La Tour two distinct attractions. They are joined by the history of the Chapelle du Calvaire and the Église Saint-Pierre, as well as the ruins of Château de Thy. When planning, the key difference is between a short loop and a long climb to the summit: the two routes require very different time commitments.
The transport route also helps put the village in context: the busy D907 departmental road runs through La Tour between Viuz-en-Sallaz and Saint-Jeoire-en-Faucigny.
Lac du Môle: Landscape and Trails
Lac du Môle is artificial and lies in a marshy area. It is partly in La Tour and partly in Ville-en-Sallaz. The mountain region is known for its remarkable animal and plant life, including endemic plants. Nature here extends beyond the view across the water: the lake’s distinctive flora is also part of the landscape.
The Tour du lac du Môle is an easy 2.6-kilometre circular route, which takes about 25 minutes. Free parking, a picnic area and public toilets are available along the route. If you are relying on these facilities when planning, check their current status before your visit if needed.
The difficult Le Môle depuis La Tour hiking trail takes considerably longer. The out-and-back route is 6 kilometres long, with a walking time of about 6 hours 35 minutes. The elevation gain and descent are both listed as 1,213 metres. The route leads to the 1,863-metre summit of Le Môle, where you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the Mont Blanc range, the Aravis and Lake Geneva. Compared with the lakeside loop, the mountain hike differs not only in walking time but also in its difficult rating and elevation gain.
Chapel, Church and Castle Ruins
The Chapelle du Calvaire was built in the neo-Gothic style and inaugurated on September 15, 1889. Visitors reach the chapel via a path and a Stations of the Cross route; from there, they can see Lac du Môle and the Giffre mountains. Architectural history and scenic views come together at this site.
The Église Saint-Pierre tells a different architectural story: it was rebuilt in the mid-19th century according to the principles of Sardinian Neoclassicism. An engineer, along with artists and craftsmen from Turin, took part in the reconstruction. The style and the origins of those involved offer two concrete points of reference for understanding the church’s history.
The ruins of Château de Thy stand on a motte and retain historical and architectural significance as a medieval fortification. Their ruined state and the vegetation are also part of the site’s appearance. Together with the chapel and the church, the castle ruins offer another perspective on La Tour’s architectural history, distinct from that of its religious buildings.
Discover more destinations: Fillinges, La Baume, Faverges, Doussard, Champanges, Cluses, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Chens-sur-Léman
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
