Lakes, the Arve, a waterfall, chapels and mountain trails give Sallanches a variety of highlights for a stay. The time required also varies considerably: the promenade to the Chapelle de l’Immaculée Conception takes 35 minutes, while the Tour des Aravis is a four-day circuit. You can choose between a short walk, outings focused on culture and water, and a multi-day mountain trek.
Lakes, the Arve and Cascade d’Arpenaz
At the Base de loisirs des Ilettes, the central lake offers supervised swimming in summer, especially in July and August between 12 and 18. Check the dates and supervision hours before your visit. Swimming is permitted only in the designated bathing area; paddleboarding and a solarium are also available there. Windsurfing is permitted on the northern lake, and a life jacket is required.
The “au fil de l’eau” promenade connects the lakes of Les Ilettes along the Arve to the Cascade d’Arpenaz. The waterfall is 270 metres high and has been classified as a natural site since 1991. There are free parking spaces, picnic areas and starting points for hiking and mountain biking trails at the site. As facilities may change, it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.
Walks and longer mountain trails
For a short walk, the easy loop to the Chapelle de l’Immaculée Conception is 1.3 kilometres long and takes 35 minutes. From the viewpoint, you can look out over Sallanches, with Mont Blanc in the background. The chapel overlooks the town and is visible from the town centre. The Tour des Aravis, face au Mont-Blanc, offers a different time commitment: this four-day circuit includes three nights in the Aravis Massif and starts in Sallanches town centre. For this multi-day trek, check seasonal hut opening times and mountain conditions.
The Arête des Saix loop connects the alpine pastures of Mayères and Doran. It leads to two pastures and three mountain refuges; weather and access to the mountains affect conditions. Traditional agro-pastoral and cheesemaking activities take place at the Doran alpine pasture from June to September. Visitors can buy fresh cheese there. Check access and current availability before your visit.
The Bois de Fessy offers a different kind of experience: this woodland walk is accessible to everyone and showcases a wide variety of coniferous and deciduous trees. Weather, snow and ground conditions can affect access. A trail through the Bois de Fessy leads to the hamlet of Le Psot, from where you can enjoy a view of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Chapels, a church and mountain scenery
The Route des chapelles passes through the hamlets of Sallanches to ten small, typical chapels, considered testimonies to the local religious heritage. Prior arrangements may be required to visit the interiors of the chapels. One of these buildings, the Chapelle de l’Immaculée Conception, also known as the Chapelle de Lévaud, has its own history: it was built between 1855 and 1857 and consecrated on 4 October 1857.
The Chapelle de la Pierre was built between 1856 and 1860. The building formerly housed both a chapel and a school. At the Collégiale Saint Jacques, you’ll encounter different periods and architectural styles: the church was completed in 1847 in the Sardinian Neoclassical style, elevated to the status of a collegiate church in 1893, and classified as a historic monument in 1974.
The Château des Rubins, now the Observatoire des Alpes, adds a modern, entertaining and interactive exhibition about the mountains for the whole family to your outings, and is open year-round. The Centre de la Nature Montagnarde offers free nature outings and children’s workshops; check in advance which activities are currently available.
Discover more destinations: Marcellaz-Albanais, Le Grand-Bornand, Marin, Les Clefs, Argonay, Menthonnex-en-Bornes, La Chapelle-Rambaud, Lullin.
For the overview of the wider region: Haute-Savoie.
