Jarsy can be explored through a variety of hiking and cultural experiences: a one-hour loop leads to the Chapelle de la Lézine, while La boucle d’Orgeval is planned as a five-hour hike. The village is also shaped by historic buildings, its preserved layout and paths through forests and pastures. When planning your day, the key decision is whether to focus on a short loop or a longer route.
Hiking: a short loop or a long day
The loop to the Chapelle de la Lézine is very easy, 2.3 kilometres long and takes one hour. It starts and ends at the church car park in Jarsy. With 67 metres of ascent and 52 metres of descent, it is clearly different in duration from La boucle d’Orgeval: this moderately difficult loop is 11.5 kilometres long, takes five hours and includes 916 metres of ascent and 914 metres of descent. The ascent and descent figures help you consider the elevation profile as well as the walking time when making your choice.
The Chapelle de la Lézine was built in 1665, completely rebuilt in 2015 by an association, and dedicated to the Archangel Michael. It is open and can be visited free of charge; check access again before setting off. There are information boards and picnic tables on site. This means the short loop combines a walk with a destination where you can also learn about the chapel’s history.
La boucle d’Orgeval leads to the Orgeval mountain pastures and the viewpoint at the Col d’Orgeval. From there, you can see peaks in the Massif des Bauges and the Massif des Bornes. The entire loop lies within the Bauges National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve; check its regulations before setting off. The short chapel loop and Orgeval therefore differ both in the time required and in their respective destinations and protected-area status.
Village history and buildings
There are also distinctive features in the village itself that offer clues to Jarsy’s history. The church was built in 1867 to plans by the architect Joseph-Samuel Revel. It is the largest church in the Bauges and is therefore often called the “Cathedral of the Bauges.” The nickname refers to its standing within the Bauges; the specific size comparison makes it easier to understand how it compares with other churches in the region.
The preserved village layout includes an undeveloped central area. Another characteristic feature of the village is its gardens, enclosed by stone walls. Together, these details offer a different view of Jarsy from its hiking trails: they draw attention to the village’s traditional layout and to individual features that shape its character.
Long-distance trails, forests and seasonal offerings
The first stage of the GRP Tour de l’Arcalod runs from the village of Jarsy through the remote hamlet of Très Roche and across the wooded valley of Bellevaux, shaped by its pastures, to the Refuge de Coutarse. It provides access to the Hautes-Bauges and, in particular, to the Bauges National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve in the Parc naturel régional du Massif des Bauges. Check the protected area’s regulations before setting off. From May to October, the Chalet Refuge de Coutarse offers lunch, a culinary break or an overnight stay; ask about seasonal availability in advance. From the Nant Fourchu car park in École-en-Bauges, the chalet is accessible on foot only. The ascent takes two hours and covers 600 metres of elevation gain.
Forests take centre stage on the Jarsy–Aillon section of the GRP Tour des Bauges: the route runs mostly through forest and crosses beech and fir woods. This makes it a different landscape from La boucle d’Orgeval, which leads to mountain pastures and reaches a viewpoint at the Col d’Orgeval. On the trail to the Pointe de la Fougère, the Chéran is crossed by a bridge. The mountain stream rises at the far end of the Bellevaux valley; these two place references describe different points along the Chéran.
The region also offers a seasonal culinary highlight: in summer, cheese is sold directly at the mountain cheese dairy on the summit of the route to the Croix d’Allant. As this offer is seasonal, ask about availability in advance. To reach Jarsy from Le Châtelard or the Col du Frêne, take the D911 to École, then follow the D60b into the village centre.
Discover more destinations: Bessans, Voglans, Doucy-en-Bauges, Saint-Jean-De-Chevelu, Feissons-Sur-Salins, Barberaz, Flumet, Lanslevillard.
Back to the main travel guide: Savoie.
