Les Sentiers Thématiques des Villards

The Vallée des Villards is the ideal place to discover the mountains in a different way. Between forests, mountain pastures and picturesque villages, its themed trails invite young and old alike to explore a rich natural and cultural heritage on accessible, fun walks.

Photo Rally Villards Valley

Turn your stroll through the village into a fun and original adventure! With the photo rally, go on the hunt for symbols hidden in the hamlets and nooks and crannies of the villages of Saint-Colomban-des-Villards and Saint-Alban-des-Villards. Using the photos on the flyer, observe carefully, search, discover… and take up the challenge.

This game combines curiosity, observation skills and team spirit, and promises fun moments to share with family and friends.

These photo rallies turn a simple walk into a real treasure hunt. An original and interactive way to rediscover the heritage, landscapes and hidden details that make these mountain villages so charming.

Roadmap

Chemin des Sculptures Saint-Colomban-des-Villards

In the heart of the hamlet of Châtelet, in Saint-Colomban-des-Villards, follow a path dotted with wooden sculptures, nestled between the houses and staged with creativity and poetry.

Along this short circuit, each work invites you to discover, observe and marvel. The sculptures reveal themselves as you stroll along, sometimes surprising, sometimes discreet, but always inspiring the imagination. Everyone will find their own interpretation, giving free rein to their sensibilities and their eyes.

Easy to access and ideal for families, this sculpture trail is an invitation to slow down and awaken the curiosity of young and old alike. It’s a gentle, inspiring walk, where nature and art come together to offer a playful, contemplative experience, out of time.

Open from June to October

Distance: 0.3 km
Duration: 20 minutes

Abandoned Hamlets Heritage Trail Saint-Alban-des-Villards

Plunge into the heart of mountain history on a unique hike between wild nature, forgotten ruins and the memory of ancient Alpine villages.

Abandoned during the XXᵉ century, these small hamlets still tell the story of life at altitude in the past: traditions, work in the mountain pastures and the daily lives of the valley’s inhabitants.

Along the trail, discover three abandoned hamlets and former mountain pastures, in an authentic, timeless atmosphere.
A 12-stage route will guide you through the history of these places steeped in memory.

Hiking information :
Loop starting from Saint-Alban-des-Villards town hall
Distance: 9 km
Difference in altitude: 670 m
Duration: approx. 4 hours
Waymarked trail with heritage signs
Discover 3 abandoned hamlets and former mountain pastures

Flyer

Chapels Route Villards Valley

There are two possible routes through the valley: Saint-Colomban-des-Villards and Saint-Alban-des-Villards.

During the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century, wealthy individuals or groups of peasants founded chapels in every parish; many of them were built in fulfilment of a vow made to be spared from a calamity.

Saint-Colomban-des-Villards

A looping route starting from the main town of Saint-Colomban and passing through the six chapels in the commune. The route includes two sections on footpaths. The route described is on foot, but all the chapels can be reached by road.

1. Starting point: Car park at Saint Colomban town hall and the chapel of Notre-Dame des sept douleurs, located in the car park.
2. Follow the road on foot towards Saint Alban to reach the hamlet of Villard-Martinan in ten minutes, where you will find the chapel of Saint-Claude, a monk and later bishop of Besançon in the 7th century. Built in 1598, it was restored in 1782 and again in 1989.
3. Take the side road directly to the hamlet of Nanchenu, then the Notre-Dame des Grâces chapel in the hamlet of La Pierre. The origins of this chapel have been lost, but there are written records of its existence in 1646. It was completely restored in 2006, in particular the floral motifs dating from the 17th century.
4. The La Perrière leisure area is then reached via a path that starts at Nanchenu and crosses the Glandon twice by bridges. Cross the park and return to the D927.
5. Follow the road towards the Col du Glandon and branch off towards the hamlet of La Chal, once the most densely populated in the commune, to find the chapel dedicated to Saint-Sébastien and Saint-Roch. In 1598, the plague struck the inhabitants of Saint Colomban, who built the chapel in honour of these patron saints.
6. A few metres further on, a bridge will take you over the Glandon to Valmaure, where you will find the Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel. Built in 1691 on the site of an oratory dedicated to Notre Dame des Neiges and St Antoine Abbé, protector of livestock. The chapel houses two 18th-century paintings by Laurent Dufour.
7. Follow the narrow road down to the hamlets of La Sausse and Les Roches, where you will find the chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame de Pitié and Saint-Roch. The chapel houses an 18th-century painting by Pignol, depicting a Piéta at the top and Saint Colomban at the bottom.
8. Then walk up the street towards the top of the hamlet (on the right when you are opposite the chapel), from where the Pierre Bozon path takes you back to the centre of Saint-Colomban in a quarter of an hour.

Distance: 8 km
Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Difference in altitude: 100 m

Chapels Tour Saint-Colomban-des-Villards668KB

Saint-Alban-des-Villards

Round trip via footpaths. Two chapels to visit.
The route described is on foot, but all the chapels except Pied des Voutes can be reached by road.

1. Starting point: Park in the main town of Saint-Alban-des-Villards, not far from the church. Behind the church starts a balcony path that takes you to the hamlet of Premier Villard in half an hour.
2. Head down two switchbacks into the centre of the hamlet to find the Premier Villard chapel, dedicated to Saint-Roch and Saint-Sébastien. This very old chapel was richly endowed before the French Revolution. It burnt down around 1880.
3. Walk down to the bottom of the hamlet, where you will see a sign for the Chapelle des Voûtes, which you can reach in 20 minutes along a narrow path. Return along the same path or, if you want to make a loop, along the small road from Premier Villard to Saint-Alban.

Distance: 5 km
Time: 2 hours
Difference in altitude: 100 m