Ville-en-Sallaz extends across an elevation range of 610 to 1,220 metres. Two points of interest stand out when choosing a place to stay: Lac du Môle, with its lake and circular-walk themes, and the archaeological and ecclesiastical remains. The range from 610 to 1,220 metres makes the commune’s elevation a notable feature. When planning, consider whether you would prefer to spend your time by the lake, at the historic sites, or at both.
Lac du Môle and its landscape
Lac du Môle lies between the communes of Ville-en-Sallaz and La Tour. It is artificial and was created in 1969 by excavating a former marshland. Water lilies in the lake provide a habitat for fish, frogs, and herons. Thus, at Lac du Môle, both its origins and its flora and fauna are in focus. Those interested in bodies of water will find a concrete contrast here between the lake’s human-made form and the habitat provided by its water lilies.
The Chemin du Raffort is also a local point of reference: this small, inconspicuous path separates Ville-en-Sallaz and La Tour. This geographical relationship links the path to the boundary between the communes; Lac du Môle, for its part, lies between them. Both place references help locate the area in relation to La Tour.
Circular walks by the lake
The “Walk around the Mole's Lake” circuit is an easy 2.6-kilometre loop that takes 25 minutes on foot. This gives you a concrete timeframe for planning: you can consider it a short walk rather than setting aside a whole day for hiking. The circuit has a car park, free parking, a picnic area, and public toilets. The combination of a short distance, a stated walking time, and a picnic area makes the route a clearly defined option for a stay by the lake.
PAYSALP also offers the playful “Dis-moi le lac” circuit at Lac du Môle. Its availability is seasonal and may change. If you would like to include this circuit in your plans, check the current PAYSALP programme before your trip. This lets you adapt your plans to the specific offering without confusing the names of the two circuits.
Archaeological and ecclesiastical remains
The Villa des Tattes was inhabited from the 1st to the 3rd century AD and covered approximately 2,300 square metres. Archaeological excavations uncovered pottery, roof tiles, and bricks. The approximate area gives an idea of the complex’s size; the finds include both pottery and building materials. Taken together, the period, extent, and artefacts point to different aspects of the Villa des Tattes, without any one discovery needing to take centre stage.
The Chapelle de Prévières is dedicated to Saint François de Sales. Ambroise Broise, a local resident at the time, built it in 1683. The chapel also commemorates a miracle attributed to François de Sales in 1606: while praying to the Virgin Mary, rosaries are said to have multiplied. The account therefore remains clearly identified as an attributed event.
The church of Saint-Pancrace-et-Sébastien is also dedicated to Saints Pancras and Sebastian. Its onion-shaped tower is typical of the region. Beneath the church is an older church, which was probably built on an ancient Roman site. When looking at the local remains, you will therefore encounter different periods: the Roman-era villa, an older church whose site is interpreted with some uncertainty, and the dated chapel and the church with its characteristic tower.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Julien-En-Genevois, Taninges, Les Houches, Étrembières, Nancy-Sur-Cluses, Doussard, Essert-Romand, Bloye.
For the overarching travel guide: Haute-Savoie.
