Discover Manigod through a range of themes: Baroque churches and chapels, cheesemaking, nature and winter sports. When planning your stay, it’s worth deciding what you’d like to focus on. That way, you can choose whether to explore cultural sites, learn about regional products, or set aside time for landscapes and seasonal activities.
Nature between mountain-pass views and a waterfall
The Plateau de Beauregard Natura 2000 site covers parts of the municipalities of La Clusaz, Manigod and Thônes. Its geographical scope therefore extends beyond Manigod alone. For a closer look at the landscape, head to Col de la Croix Fry: at an altitude of 1,477 metres, it offers views of the Aravis mountain range. On a clear day, you can see as far as Mont Blanc.
Another natural highlight is Cascade Nant Burgeat. The waterfall consists of four cascades and can be reached via a forest path. The mountain pass and the waterfall offer different landscape experiences: here, views across the mountain range; there, flowing water in a wooded setting.
Church, organ and chapel route
The Church of Saint Pierre de Manigod was rebuilt in the Baroque style at the end of the 17th century. Written records of the church date back to 1414. The organ is also part of the site’s history: installed in 1996, it has 22 stops, 1,372 pipes, two manuals and a full pedalboard. The building’s history and its musical details offer two different perspectives on the same structure.
If you’re interested in religious architecture, you can also explore the Route des chapelles de Manigod. This cultural route leads to six rural chapels dating from the Baroque period. Information boards outside each chapel tell its story. The route complements a visit to the church with further chapels and historical information.
The history of the Resistance is also commemorated at a specific site: a memorial plaque at Chalet Collomb marks the La Cola resistance camp in the hills above Manigod. You can include this memorial as a distinct part of your cultural exploration of Manigod.
Cheesemaking and regional products
Guided tours at Paccard cheese dairy are offered in French. They introduce visitors to the craft of cheese affinage. If the tour fits your plans, check the reservation requirements and availability before you travel. This lets you distinguish a tasting of regional products from an insight into the work of an affineur.
La Ferme de l'Étale sells products made on the farm in its farm shop: Reblochon, butter, honey, cow’s and goat’s cheese, and fresh milk. Availability of individual products may vary. Another culinary option pairs a tasting of four or five cheeses with wine from Savoie. This is a separate way to discover cheese and wine together; it should not be confused with a tour of Paccard cheese dairy.
Summer activities and winter sports
The Parcours ludique nature en forêt is a free, self-guided nature trail in the forest. Games and nature workshops are part of the offering. The trail is signposted in summer and suitable for families with young children; opening dates may vary as it is a seasonal activity. Keep its summer schedule in mind when planning, and check the available dates.
In winter, the Manigod ski area offers a different focus. It is part of the LA CLUSAZ-MANIGOD ski area, which has a total of 125 kilometres of pistes. At Col de la Croix Fry, the Télésiège de Cabeau chairlift takes visitors to the summit of Tête de Cabeau. Lift operations are seasonal and schedules may change, so check the timetable before your visit. This helps distinguish information about the ski area from the operating conditions of the individual lift.
Tailor your stay to your interests
When looking for a hotel in Manigod, it helps to decide first what you’d like to focus on. For culture, the Church of Saint Pierre, its organ and the chapel route are highlights; anyone interested in local history can also include the memorial plaque at Chalet Collomb. Nature lovers will find different landscapes at Col de la Croix Fry and Cascade Nant Burgeat. A cheese tour, farm shop and tasting add culinary options to the mix. For a stay with young children, the seasonal nature trail is a practical option; winter sports, on the other hand, put the focus on the ski area and seasonal chairlift. For activities with reservation, seasonal or timetable conditions listed, check the details before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Cuvat, Collonges-sous-Salève, Bogève, Verchaix, Montmin, Saint-Blaise, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Ville-En-Sallaz.
For the regional travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
