A classical wooden organ, an oratory dating from 1807 and Mont Lachat, with its 360-degree panorama, offer different ways to experience Les Villards-sur-Thônes during a stay. Alongside religious and local traditions, you can go hiking, snowshoeing in winter and fishing on the Nom. You can choose your focus based on whether you are looking for cultural history, recurring events or time outdoors.

Cultural history and local traditions

The church of Saint-Laurent-des-Villards has a classical wooden organ made by a local resident to the standards of the 16th century. The remains of the church date from the end of the same century. The organ and the remains therefore point to different aspects of the church: an instrument made to a specified craftsmanship standard and the dating of the structural remains. There is also an oratory dating from 1807 in the hamlet of Les Fours. It adds a clearly dated site from the early 19th century to the area’s historical landmarks.

A historical memory is also preserved at Mont Lachat: the first iron cross on Mont Lachat was erected in spring 1909 by young people from the municipality, under the direction of Abbé Blanc. The date and the people involved give this part of local history a specific context. On the same named mountain, a hike to the summit with panoramic views offers another possible focus for a stay.

The Saint-Laurent festival takes place every year at the end of July and includes traditional events. If your stay falls during this period, check the exact festival dates in advance. The traditional skittles game follows a different schedule: it takes place every Friday in July and August as a time-limited competition. When planning, you can therefore compare a festival at the end of July with a weekly competition held over two summer months. The bread oven at Carouge is also used for various occasions and events, including the Heritage Festival and village festivals. Local traditions are thus expressed both through recurring events and at various community gatherings.

Hiking, winter and nature

The hike to Mont Lachat starts in the hamlet of Entre Deux Nants in Les Villards-sur-Thônes and leads to the summit, where a 360-degree panorama unfolds. The starting point and the view provide two clear landmarks for the route: it begins in a named hamlet and climbs to a summit with sweeping views. If you want to make a summit hike the focus of your trip, this offers a specific point of interest.

Other activities vary by location and season. In winter, you can explore the forests of Les Villards-sur-Thônes on snowshoes. Along the Nom, natural fishing spots offer opportunities to fish for brown trout. This means a specifically winter activity in the forest and a fishing opportunity by the stream sit alongside the summit hike at Mont Lachat. You can choose between these different focuses based on whether winter forests, brown trout fishing or a summit destination is your priority.

Where to stay in Les Villards-sur-Thônes

Les Ecotagnes offers two treehouses, connected by walkways, for a stay in nature. The number of houses and their connection by walkways give the accommodation a distinctive character. A stay at Les Ecotagnes thus complements the local cultural and nature-based attractions with a specific type of accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Thônes, Bonnevaux, Mont-Saxonnex, Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin, Marcellaz-Albanais, Bellevaux, Cervens, L'etale.

For the regional travel overview: Haute-Savoie.