Montaimont lies in the heart of the Maurienne Valley on the right bank of the Arc, above the La Chambre basin. The mountain cirque is dominated in part by Mont du Fût, whose summit reaches 2,822 metres. The landscape includes gentle alpine pasture slopes, woods and forests, as well as meadows and pastures used for agriculture. There is also more challenging mountain terrain, making for a varied setting for a stay shaped by nature, village culture and outdoor activities.
Baroque Chapel Art and Heritage Trails
A special destination for those interested in culture is the Notre-Dame de Beaurevers Chapel. It is a listed monument and is considered an important Baroque sanctuary. Its features include trompe-l’œil paintings, paintings on the Baroque altarpiece and a painting by Gabriel Dufour dating from 1683. The chapel is open to visitors on Fridays in July and August from 4 to 6 p.m. Check the current visiting dates before you travel.
The “De Bonvillard à Beaurevers” route passes through the characteristic heritage of the mountain villages and leads to the chapel. The listed points of interest include a communal bread oven, crosses, an oratory, traditional houses and basins. This route focuses not only on the destination, but also on the architectural heritage along the way.
Other chapels have their own dedications: Saint Roch in La Pallud is dedicated to Saint Roch, the patron saint of animals. The village of Le Loup is home to the Saint Bernard de Menthon Chapel, dedicated to Saint Bernard of Menthon, the patron saint of the people of the Alps.
Festivals and Local Traditions
Montaimont’s main festival is celebrated on 15 August for the Feast of the Assumption and is associated with the chapel of Beaurevers, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The celebrations include a procession in traditional dress and the local “r’zoules”, also known as bugnes. The Foire follows on 24 August. The exact programme may vary; if you are planning your trip around either date, check the event dates and programme in advance.
Hiking, Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Those planning a walking route will find several descriptions. “De Bonvillard à Montaimont” starts at the car park and cross-country ski centre in Bonvillard, passes through Le Loup, Taramur and Pierre Rouge, and ends at a point just beyond Montaimont. As route information is seasonal, check the current conditions before setting out.
Snowshoeing routes are also available around Montaimont, towards Lac du Loup, the Sainte-Marguerite plateau and along high-altitude trails as far as Saint François Longchamp. The Espace nordique du Grand Coin lies between Montaimont and Montpascal; the cross-country ski trails start in the village of Bonvillard. Activities in the Nordic area include cross-country skiing, sledging and snowshoeing. The area has twelve cross-country ski trails totalling 40 kilometres and ten signposted snowshoe routes totalling 35 kilometres. Check seasonal availability before travelling.
Cycling is another option: Montaimont lies on routes that are part of “La Maurienne – Le plus grand domaine cyclable du monde”.
Activities Around the Alpine Pastures
Randonnées Pays’Ânes offers donkey treks, farm workshops, cow milking, evenings in the alpine pastures and high-altitude hikes around Montaimont and its alpine pastures throughout the year. If one of these activities fits your travel plans, check the booking arrangements in advance.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Montaimont, it helps to decide first when to travel and what you would like to focus on. The chapel is open to visitors on Fridays in July and August; the main festival and the Foire take place on 15 and 24 August. Randonnées Pays’Ânes activities are available year-round, while Nordic activities depend on seasonal availability. Taking these different time frames into account can help you plan your stay.
Discover more destinations: Les Échelles, Hautecour, Crest-Voland, Cohennoz, Montagny, Saint-Avre, Saint-Jean-De-Chevelu, Bourdeau.
See the full travel guide: Savoie.
