Maurienne Gateway | Explore Maurienne

Maurienne Gateway

The area is an authentic gateway to the Maurienne valley, located at the confluence of the Arc and Isère rivers in Savoie. It combines unspoilt nature, local traditions and the mountain art of living. Between forests, hills and Alpine peaks, more than 200 km of signposted trails invite you to explore the mountains on foot, by bike or with your family, from gentle strolls to more challenging hikes.

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Aiguebelle (Val-d'Arc) Cradle of the House of Savoy

The history of Aiguebelle is closely linked to the history of Savoie, its neighbour Randens and the Château de Charbonnière. Its name comes from the spring water (aquabella) that flowed into the fountain in the centre of the village, probably from the Montgilbert stream. However, in a charter dated 1044, Aiguebelle was referred to as Charbonnière. It was not until 1129 that the name Aiguebelle was mentioned.

Situated at the entrance to the Maurienne valley, the communication route par excellence, Aiguebelle has seen many illustrious visitors pass through on their way to Piedmont and Italy. In 200 BC, Hannibal, on his way to conquer Rome, is said to have reached the Maurienne via the Col du Cucheron, Les Hurtières and Charbonnière. At the time of the Gauls, it was the Allobroges who occupied our region. In 763, on his way from Germany to Italy, Charlemagne stopped off at St-Jean-de-Maurienne, where he set about organising Savoie. According to the Chanson de Roland, Roland’s sword, “Durandal”, was made in Les Hurtières from iron mined in the area.

Numerous elements made this fortification a stronghold: a cleared rock face, making it easier to keep an eye on the enemy, steep cliffs and a summit crowned with walls. Many sieges took place in front of the Charbonnière fortress.

Aiton

At the crossroads of the Combe de Savoie, Maurienne and Savoie foreland valleys, Aiton is a commune with areas protected by environmental measures. The specific fauna and flora of different environments deserve to be safeguarded: the Natura 2000 zone and the Biotope zone. Aiton is made up of two parts: the plain of Aiton known as Le Plan, with its school, shops and prison, and at an altitude of 412 m, the Chef-Lieu d’Aiton, where the town hall and church are located. The former military fort at the top of Aiton, built in 1880, can be seen from several kilometres away. It is best known for the time it served as an annex to the French army’s disciplinary centre between 1962 and 1972. The Fort’s courtyard is open to the public. A number of rooms have been refurbished by the town hall for use by associations.

Argentina

Argentina lies at the foot of the Lauzière massif, around fifty kilometres from Chambéry. Argentine takes its name from the silver-lead mines that were briefly exploited here. The history of the village is closely linked to the Castagneri family, who owned blast furnaces. Vestiges of their presence in Argentina can still be seen, and their motto adorns the pediment of the church. Today, hydroelectric power stations have replaced the blast furnaces of yesteryear. Another source of wealth is the forest, with its chestnut and walnut trees, whose wood was renowned far beyond the village. Along the way, you can still discover hamlets that are now deserted but were inhabited until the middle of the 20th century.

Bonvillaret

Bonvillaret is a “hillside” village, clinging to the mountainside in the western foothills of the Grand Arc massif, on the right bank of the entrance to the Maurienne valley. Benefiting from plenty of sunshine, it’s not uncommon to see strollers coming to soak up the sun on late autumn afternoons. Bonvillaret is, as its name suggests, a place where life is good. There are magnificent views from the church square. If you look hard enough, you can even see the Aiguilles d’Arves. A picnic table, dry toilets and water point are available.

Epierre

Epierre is a great place to live, with local shops. Epierre is home to a number of hiking trails, including the family-friendly Chemin des Droux. The more adventurous can hike up to the Croix de la Coutire at 2,047 m or the Pic de La Lauzière at 2,829 m.

There are also some unusual places to discover: the 12th-century castle, the two churches, the heritage museum and the Moulins waterfall.

Montgilbert

The commune of Montgilbert faces the Grand Arc massif on two slopes known as “l’endroit et l’envers”, the two being linked by a transverse path. Its maximum altitude is 1470 m. The village is spread over 22 hamlets, with coniferous and deciduous forests and mountain pastures. There are two picnic areas where visitors can stop and enjoy the view of the Grand Arc and the valley.

Montsapey

Montsapey is a charming mountain village perched at an altitude of 1000m. It’s a haven of peace with an abundant variety of mountain flowers. The torrents, waterfalls and lakes at altitude will bring coolness and well-being for picnics and relaxation. In winter, ski touring is king, as are snowshoeing through unspoilt wilderness. As part of the Baroque circuit, you can visit the church dedicated to Saint-Barthélemy, which is listed as a historic monument. The Chalet du Tour is a lovely family walk. Located at an altitude of 1400 m, it is currently being restored thanks to its selection by Stéphane Bern. More than 100 km of signposted trails will delight both sports enthusiasts and lovers of nature and beautiful panoramas.

Randens

The commune of Randens was created from part of the territory of Aiguebelle in 1738, which on 1 January 2019 merged with the commune of Aiguebelle to form the new commune of Val d’Arc.

Saint-Alban-d'Hurtières

Situated on the “Baroque path”, the village of Saint-Alban-d’Hurtières is characterised by its white church, planted halfway up the hillside on the Hurtières slope, between the Arc valley (341m) and the Col de la Perche (1984m). Its lake, renowned for the quality of its environment, with supervised summer bathing and mild water temperature, is very popular with bathers. A fishing section and a Natura 2000 area reserved for biodiversity complete the picture. Located in the Belledonne massif, the Col du Grand Cucheron (altitude 1188 m) links the Vallée des Huiles with the Maurienne. It offers breathtaking views of the Lauzière massif. Hikers will find unguarded chalets at La Jasse (1600m) and l’Arbaretan (1810m) for shelter.

Saint-Georges-d'Hurtières

Saint-Georges d’Hurtières is located on the Col du Grand Cucheron road, in the Hurtières massif. Its territory stretches from the Arc valley to the crest line of the Hurtières massif, the northern end of the Belledonne mountain range. Opposite Saint-Georges, the Grand Arc and the Lauzière dominate the east bank of the Arc. Saint-Georges is best known for the mine that exploited the Hurtières vein until 1930. Since the 1990s, Saint-Georges has converted to soft tourism. The development of its heritage has enabled tourism to flourish, and the village now welcomes visitors to its museum-graphic spaces, craftsmen’s workshops and inns, as well as a fitness trail.

Saint-Léger

Saint-Léger, set on the slopes of the Hurtières massif, is a small village with many facets! You’ll be drawn to the simple beauty of its church, the rusticity of its bread oven, you’ll be surprised by the unobstructed view over the Arc valley… A humble village in the middle of all the others in the valley, Saint-Léger was no less famous, according to legend, for the presence within its walls of Fées….

The climbing cliff is reputed to be one of the three best in the département, and with its 87 routes, it is a popular spot for rock-climbing enthusiasts.

Saint-Pierre-de-Belleville

Saint-Pierre-de-Belleville is a geographical crossroads. The gateway to the Maurienne ski resorts, it is also close to Albertville and the Tarentaise, Chambéry and Saint Jean de Maurienne. It is also the foot of the ascent to the Col du Grand Cucheron (1188 m), which links up with the Vallée des Huiles. There are several hamlets, the main ones being : La Corbière, Belleville, Le Châtelet and La Combe. The “Nant Bruant” is the stream that forms the boundary with the commune of Saint-Alban-d’Hurtières.