Montailleur offers several distinct reasons to stay: Château de Montailleur above the town centre, the Chapelle Saint-Michel associated with it, Église Saint-Maurice, and water sports at WAM PARK. The Haute-Combe de Savoie landscape also plays a part in the decision about where to travel. If you are looking for accommodation in Montailleur, you can start by choosing your main focus: architectural history, nature or an activity on the lake.

Landscape and Location

Montailleur lies within the continental ZNIEFF Type 1 area “Versant sud-est des Hautes-Bauges”. The wider Haute-Combe de Savoie landscape is characterised by cliffs and steep slopes; its relatively undisturbed forests are home to a diverse bird population. The connection with nature therefore extends from the town’s location within the designated area to the character of the Haute-Combe landscape. If you take nature and culture into account when choosing where to stay, you can consider this regional perspective alongside the historic buildings as a focus in its own right.

Château de Montailleur stands above the town centre and Les Bognons on a promontory overlooking the glacial trough of the Isère. Its location creates a direct spatial connection between the building and the Isère landscape. For travellers interested in landscape and local history, this setting adds a topographical perspective to the architectural history.

Chapel, Château and Church

In the 15th century, Chapelle Saint-Michel was associated with Château de Montailleur. The château was built on an oval feudal motte; what remains is a square tower from the 12th or 13th century, with sides measuring eight metres. The motte points to the château’s building site, while the tower is a surviving structure with its own date and clearly defined dimensions. Together with the chapel connection, these features provide a nuanced picture of the château’s history.

Église Saint-Maurice offers another perspective on religious architecture. It is Neo-Gothic, was built to the plans of diocesan architect Joseph-Samuel Revel, and was consecrated in 1885. Compared with Chapelle Saint-Michel, which was associated with the château in the 15th century, Saint-Maurice provides a later chronological and different stylistic point of reference. This lets you explore the history of the town through two distinct approaches: the story of the château and a 19th-century Neo-Gothic church.

The Saint-Michel tradition is also a cultural point of reference: a text published in 2019 recounts how regional parachutists revived the tradition in Montailleur. This shifts the focus from architectural forms to local tradition.

Water Sports and a Walk Around the Lake

WAM PARK has two water-ski lifts, one large and one small, for water skiing and wakeboarding. Alternatively, you can walk or cycle around the lake. This means water sports at the lifts and a circuit around the lake are two different options in the same place. WAM PARK is located at 866 RD1090, 73460 Montailleur. As operating details may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Les Marches, Valloire, Traize, Avrieux, Myans, Pralognan-La-Vanoise, Saint-Jean-De-Belleville, Domessin.

For the overview of the wider region: Savoie.