Saint-Jean-de-Belleville offers a variety of reasons to visit: mountain hikes with very different stated durations, churches and chapels with their own architectural histories, and locally made Beaufort. When planning your hikes, it is worth looking first at walking times and elevation gain. The route to Plan Lombardie and the ascent to Cheval Noir have distinctly different profiles in this respect.
Mountain hikes with different time requirements
The route to Plan Lombardie starts and ends in La Flachère. It is rated very easy, is 12.1 kilometres long and is listed as a there-and-back route taking approximately one hour and 30 minutes. The recorded elevation gain is 474 metres, with 469 metres of descent. This makes it possible to plan the hike based on a specific walking time and a more manageable elevation profile.
The ascent to Cheval Noir from La Sauce is also a there-and-back route, but the listed figures are quite different: 14 kilometres, a walking time of seven hours, and 1,241 metres of elevation gain and descent alike. The comparison highlights the time required and the elevation change; these are clear points of difference when choosing between the hikes. From its summit at an altitude of 2,832 metres, there are views across the Lauzière range; a metal sculpture in the shape of a rearing horse also stands there.
Chapels, churches and architectural styles
The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste stands on a promontory and was built in the 17th century. Its rosary altar depicts five of the 15 rosary scenes in total, and there are two additional altars. Guided visits can be arranged on request through the mairie déléguée of Saint-Jean-de-Belleville. Bear this visiting arrangement in mind when planning your trip.
The Chapel of Notre-Dame des Grâces is halfway between Villarly and Saint-Jean-de-Belleville, on a rocky spur, and offers views of the mountains. It was built in 1740–1741 on a Greek-cross floor plan. The roof is distinguished by a cupola lantern and a small bell tower above the entrance. Inside are three altars, including one covered with Cordovan leather.
La Sauce and La Flachère also offer reasons to take note of their architectural history. The Chapel of Saint-Barthélémy in La Sauce dates from before 1633 and was renovated in the 2000s. The hamlet of La Sauce is considered the best-preserved village along the route to Plan Lombardie; its characteristic rural buildings illustrate how construction adapted to the hillside. La Flachère has a small chapel of Romanesque origin. The coats of arms of the Archbishops of Tarentaise can be seen on its bell tower.
Landscape and Beaufort
The landscape also includes the dense Forêt de Longefrasse: it protects settlements from avalanches and holds back earth and scree during rockfalls. The view from Cheval Noir and the forest’s protective functions show two different sides of the mountain landscape: expansive views from the summit and the forest’s practical role on the slope.
Beaufort is associated with several local offerings. La Ferme des Combes in La Sauce produces Beaufort d’alpage in summer. Beaufort is made and sold on site at the Combes mountain pasture, which is a 20-minute walk from La Sauce. As production and sales are seasonal, it is advisable to confirm locally in advance.
The refuge at Plan Lombardie serves homemade meals, desserts and tarts seasonally; some are made with very local products. It is also equipped with solar panels, which can be used to safely charge the batteries of electric-assist bicycles. Confirm that the facility is open before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-De-Belleville, Montmélian, Albiez Montrond, Valloire, Tresserve, Beaufort, Serrières-En-Chautagne, Ruffieux.
For the broader travel overview: Savoie.
