In Mâcot-La-Plagne, mining history, sacred art and outdoor activities offer distinct avenues for discovery. One specific cultural highlight is the main altarpiece in the Église Saint-Nicolas, created in 1806 by the Piedmontese sculptor Delponte. The Baroque altarpiece depicts Saints Nicholas and Joseph beneath a painting of the Assumption of Mary. It is located in the church choir. The artist, date of creation and figures give the work a clearly defined art-historical focus.
Churches and chapels: specific dates
The architecture of the Église Saint-Nicolas also tells a story of changes over time. Its bell tower was damaged in 1794 and rebuilt in the same architectural style twenty years later. Its features include an imperial-style roof and two cupolas. The Chapelle Saint-Grat is believed to be the village’s oldest chapel. Evidence suggests it was used as a church in the late Middle Ages, before the village developed. This cautious interpretation makes it a distinct subject in the history of the area without turning an inherited supposition into certainty.
Other chapels mark additional dates: the Chapelle Saint-Blaise-et-Saint-Guérin in Sangot was already in existence in 1594. The Chapelle Saint-Sébastien dates from 1628 and is also known as the Chapelle de la Salette. Those interested in sacred art and local history can thus distinguish between different buildings and periods, rather than reducing the area’s history to a single monument.
Mining history and waymarked trails
Visitors can discover the history of mining and the remains of the mine on the Sentier des mineurs de Mâcot. The trail is accessible from the multipurpose hall in Mâcot. The mining history also includes the Lequenay anthracite mine, also known as Lequerray. It was worked from 1848 to 1960; the Lequenay concession was the largest of the three anthracite coal concessions in Mâcot. This gives the subject a specific historical timeframe and a clear connection to the area.
For a different kind of wayfinding, there is the “Patrimoine Macot” trail. It is open to everyone, free of charge and suitable for families with children. Its ten checkpoints are spread throughout the village. The blue orienteering and sports hiking course in Mâcot-La-Plagne has different measurable features: it is 4 kilometres long, covers 385 metres of elevation gain and has five checkpoints. The course is free and freely accessible every day throughout the year. When planning, you can distinguish between the routes based on the features actually specified: the number and distribution of checkpoints are the main features of the Patrimoine Macot trail, while the blue course also specifies its length and elevation gain. The blue designation does not indicate a difficulty rating.
Water-based recreation and getting there
The Base de loisirs des Versants d'Aime, also known as the “plan d'eau de Mâcot”, offers a family-friendly beach, pedal boats, a large transparent water-walking ball and a freely accessible area with playful water jets. You can reach the site by car. You can also get there by bike, on foot, on roller skates or by kick scooter via the Voie Verte along the Isère. A free shuttle runs from Plagne Centre, but must be booked in advance. Parking spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility are available in the car park.
When looking for a hotel for a stay in Mâcot-La-Plagne, these different highlights can guide your choice of destination: sacred art and mining history, waymarked trails or water-based recreation. First, consider which themes you would like your stay to focus on.
Discover more destinations: Aussois, Saint-Marcel, Bellentre, Grésy-Sur-Isère, Le Pontet, Villarembert, Saint-Sorlin-Darves, Le Bois
View the broader travel guide: Savoie.
