Saint-Nicolas Church stands on a rocky spur, far from the other villages. From here, the view stretches across the entire Aigueblanche basin and the surrounding peaks. This striking location connects the church site with far-reaching views of the landscape.

Watercourses and high ground

The municipality of Le Bois extends across the Sècheron basin, which drains Lac de la Coche. It reaches from the ridges above the lake to the Pas de Pierre Larron, at an elevation of 1,789 metres. The Sècheron rises at 1,611 metres below Mont Longe-Chat, flows for 3,200 metres within Le Bois, and joins the Isère at Aigueblanche. Its source, course and confluence place the stream within the landscape; at the same time, the municipal boundaries extend to the ridgelines and the pass.

The Nant Noir also helps define the area: part of its course through the municipality forms the boundary with Bellecombe. The La Coche dam is in Le Bois at an elevation of 1,401 metres. It should not be confused with the Barrage d’Aigueblanche, which spans the Isère between Aigueblanche and Le Bois and is visible from the RN90 national road.

Church, château and historical traces

Saint-Nicolas Church dates from the 17th century; its altarpiece was renovated in 1694. These two dates take the story from the building’s construction to a later change inside the church. Together with the rocky spur and views across the basin, they illustrate the connection between the building’s history and the landscape.

The Château de Le Bois dates from the 15th century. Its surviving features include the former lord’s residence, a round tower, a spiral staircase spanning three floors, the main building and a square tower. The château is privately owned. Check current access arrangements before planning a visit.

Another historical connection is the Lyon–Milan Roman road, which ran along the foot of Le Bois on the left bank of the Isère. A Roman milestone at La Pierre in Sainte-Hélène-du-Bois marked its route. The two details refer to different places: the road’s course near Le Bois and a marker at La Pierre.

The slopes of Le Bois were once home to vineyards, orchards and pastures. Gouche Noir was considered the most widely grown grape variety; most of the vineyards have since been abandoned. Viticulture is therefore part of the slopes’ historical character, not a documented current offering.

Hydropower and walking routes

The La Coche hydroelectric power station uses reversible turbines to pump and generate power from water. The 2026 summer programme included guided tours of the power station. If you are planning a visit at a later date, check the latest dates in advance.

The walking route to the Morel waterfalls passes through Le Bois. Check the latest route information before setting out if you plan to include this walk in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Grésy-Sur-Isère, Tresserve, La Motte-En-Bauges, Le Pré, Épersy, Fontaine-le-Puits, Lépin-Le-Lac, Saint-Martin-De-Belleville.

Return to the main travel overview: Savoie.