The Chapelle du Villard already existed at the time of the 1633 pastoral visit, while the Sentier des Vignes is a circular trail through the vineyards. Churches, a museum in a former school and a guided tour in Montméry that requires a reservation offer additional ways to explore. This lets you tailor your stay to your interests—perhaps architectural and local history, or a walk with a clearly specified route length.

Sacred buildings and their distinct historical periods

The Chapelle du Villard is dedicated to Saint Blaise and Saint Anne. It already existed at the time of the 1633 pastoral visit; the Baroque church of Saint-Laurent belongs to a later building phase and was constructed between 1702 and 1714. These dates help distinguish the buildings historically rather than grouping them into a single period.

Saint-Laurent has three naves covered by groin vaults and a narrow choir. A groin vault is formed where two barrel vaults intersect; the term thus describes a specific ceiling shape. Together with the narrow choir, this description gives an impression of the church’s interior layout. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié in La Côte-d'Aime houses a chalice made of silver and gilt silver. This furnishing adds a specific reference to the fittings found in sacred places to the architectural history.

School history and a guided tour in Montméry

The Musée «L'Ecole d'autrefois» is housed in the former school in the main village of La Côte-d'Aime and offers a glimpse into the lives of schoolchildren in the past. Unlike the churches, it focuses on school life in earlier times. Opening arrangements may vary, so check the current visitor information before your visit.

The Maison de Joannès is included in a guided tour of the hamlet of Montméry. The tour takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and must be booked through the Syndicat d’Initiative. At one hour, it is a specific activity with a set time. Book through the Syndicat d’Initiative and confirm the appointment before your visit, as times and visitor arrangements may change.

The Sentier des Vignes and a geological perspective

The Sentier des Vignes is a 5.1-kilometer circular trail; walking time is about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The route includes 200 meters of ascent and 200 meters of descent. An easy, sunny walking trail, it follows a broad path through the vineyards of La Côte-d'Aime and is suitable for families with small children. Compared with the one-hour guided tour, it is a longer walking option with ascents and descents. Weather and trail maintenance can affect conditions, so it is worth checking the trail conditions before setting out.

There is also a specific point of interest for exploring nature: the northwestern flank of the Adrets de Tarentaise Natura 2000 site within La Côte-d'Aime includes areas of carbonate sedimentary rock. These include calcareous flysch, dark limestone and gypsum. The rock types add a distinct geological focus to the themes of architectural history and walking. If you are deciding what to explore on your trip and are interested in culture, local history or landscape, these different themes offer a concrete guide.

Discover more destinations: Brides-Les-Bains, Lescheraines, Les Échelles, Villarodin-Bourget, Moutiers, La Ravoire, La Table, Chambéry

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