La Chapelle-du-Bard offers several ways to enjoy a stay combining culture and outdoor activities: the Church of Saint Blaise, the ruins of the Saint-Hugon forges, the Pont du Diable and the Circuit des coteaux hiking trail. There is also a farm that produces cheese and offers guided tours.
The church, the forges and the Pont du Diable
The Church of Saint Blaise is dedicated to Saint Blaise, who is considered the protector of animals. A stained-glass window above the entrance portal depicts the saint. The church was rebuilt between 1827 and 1833, while its bell tower dates back to the 17th century. These two dates give the building a clearly defined historical outline: the reconstruction and the older tower belong to different periods.
The ruins of the Saint-Hugon forges tell another chapter in the town’s history. They preserve the site of an ironworks founded by Carthusian monks about five centuries ago. The forges also link the area’s industrial heritage with the Pont du Diable: the bridge’s historical significance relates both to the forges and to the former border between Savoy and France. The structure includes an ornate stone boundary marker.
The Pont du Diable connects La Chapelle-du-Bard with Arvillard. At 34 metres high and 30 metres long, its two measurements make for an interesting comparison. A visit focused on history can explore several themes: the former iron industry, the history of the border and the bridge’s architectural details. The Church of Saint Blaise adds its dedication and different phases of construction to this historical focus.
Landscape and hiking
The local boundaries are also noteworthy: the Bens mountain stream forms the boundary between La Chapelle-du-Bard and Arvillard in Savoy. Half of the Le Collet d’Allevard ski area lies within the territory of La Chapelle-du-Bard. The town’s location can therefore be described in terms of both a natural boundary and the municipal area covered by the ski resort.
For hiking, the Circuit des coteaux runs from Le Moutaret to La Chapelle-du-Bard. This moderately difficult trail is 10 kilometres long and has 400 metres of elevation gain. It is marked with yellow-red GRP trail markers and yellow PR markers. The distance, elevation gain and difficulty provide concrete points of reference for planning your own route; also take the stated starting and finishing points into account.
A look at local farming
Ferme de la Grangette raises Abondance and Montbéliarde cattle according to organic principles and produces several cheeses, including Tomme de Belledonne, Montgaren and Raclette. The selection may change, so if you’re interested, ask about the current range.
Ferme de la Grangette offers bookable guided tours for children, adults, school classes and other groups. During educational visits, children can learn about the lives of dairy cows and pigs, animal husbandry and feeding, as well as various farming activities. The programme also includes turning milk into cheese, maturing the cheese and tasting the products. Programme components may change; check the group conditions and booking arrangements with the farm in advance, too.
Plan your stay to suit you
If you’re interested in the town’s history, you can plan cultural visits to the church, the forges and the Pont du Diable. For a hike, the details of the Circuit des coteaux and its route from Le Moutaret to La Chapelle-du-Bard are key. A visit to Ferme de la Grangette adds a separate bookable activity to your itinerary. Choose based on which of these interests matters most to you, and confirm any time-sensitive booking details directly with the relevant provider.
Discover more destinations: Villard-Reculas, Montferrat, Susville, Charantonnay, Colombe, Laffrey, Veurey-Voroize, Voreppe
For the main travel overview: Isere.
