Escapades: slow tourism in Savoie

In Les Saisies, embark on an astonishing trek dedicated to well-being. A five-day hiking tour, during which Hélène Durand, yogi and mountain guide, will take you to discover the most beautiful corners of the Beaufortain region... and yourself.

From refuge to refuge, you will cross this massif, one of the most beautiful in the Alps, at the pace of pleasant hikes of around five hours of walking per day (elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters). Along the way, Hélène Durand will guide you towards inner peace through talking circles, yoga and meditation sessions face to face with the peaks, writing sessions or drawing thoughts... A unique experience.

For those seeking a comfortable adventure, Explora Project offers a six-day yoga retreat in a cozy chalet in the heart of the Beaufortain region. Upon waking and at dusk, you'll learn viniyoga, as well as in-depth breathing and meditation techniques, in a soothing natural setting.

During the day, you'll discover the most beautiful trails in Les Saisies through walks accessible to all. In the evening, a spa area awaits you for a relaxing moment, before enjoying a delicious vegetarian meal prepared with local produce.

Reservations at sentiers-helene.com and explora-project.com

Take to the skies (in every sense of the word)! Try Aerial Yin Yoga, a unique practice that combines deep tissue physical work with weightlessness. The result: a complete stretch and deep mental relaxation.

In La Plagne, Nathalie, a yoga teacher since 2020, offers sessions several times a week. Upside down, at an altitude of 2,000 meters, with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, all your tension will melt away in the blink of an eye!

To go further (or higher, it's up to you), Flora will introduce you to aerial hoop acrobatics or even hammock, a circus practice that involves performing captivating figures using suspended fabric. Disconnection guaranteed!

More information on natinayoga.fr

After these spider-like experiences, land gently at the “Bains de Belle Plagne,” a true temple of well-being perched at an altitude of 2,050 meters, in the heart of the La Plagne ski resort. Saunas, hammam, salt cave, heated outdoor pools with a sensory aquatic trail, whirlpools, Nordic baths… And of course, various treatments and massages – including a package suitable for children! A perfect way to spend a rejuvenating moment with family, loved ones, or friends.

Prices and reservations on deepnature.fr

For an exceptional night's sleep, head to the Solaise refuge, overlooking Val-d'Isère from an altitude of 2,551 meters. The luxurious chalet, which already houses a hotel, a restaurant, and a spa, is innovating this summer with a 100% wellness retreat based on the “Shenkosha” method.

On the program: polar bath, summit massage, solar reflexology, tea ceremony in a private treatment bubble facing the mountain, but also meals based on plant enzymes, thematic workshops, conferences, individual coaching... Enough to offer you a break from time, (almost) alone in the world under the periwinkle blue of the Savoyard sky.

Prices and reservations on lerefuge-valdisere.com

Unusual. How about going to the cinema in the heart of the Val d'Arly, at an altitude of 1,650 meters, facing Mont Blanc? You read that right. Every summer, the Lapied family shows their own films on a giant screen, a stone's throw from the Mont-Lachat lake. An exceptional natural site, easily accessible on foot, by car, by mountain bike, and even by chairlift from the village of Crest-Voland. Starting at the end of June, follow Erik, Anne, and their daughter Véronique through the Gran Paradiso massif, following the subtle trail of mountain animals, in their latest film, 2000 Days in Paradise. Don't forget to bring a cushion and a blanket to enjoy an unforgettable moonlit screening, in the company of eagles, foxes, wolves, chamois, and ibex.

Programming on lapiedfilm.com

It's THE star of the summer. The 19th stage of the Tour de France, the last mountain race, is 100% Savoyard this year. The riders will cross the departmental border on July 24, completing the 18th stage at the Col de la Loze in Courchevel.

The next day, they will set off from Albertville to reach La Plagne, 130 kilometers and five passes further. The race is short but intense (and demanding!). The riders will quickly have to tackle the Héry-sur-Ugine hill, then continue the climbs of the Col des Saisies (6.4% gradient), the Col du Pré (7.7%) and the beautiful Cormet de Roselend (6.3%), where they won't have time to admire the turquoise waters of the lake below.

The final climb to Plagne Villages, at an altitude of 2,052 meters, will be decisive. A steep 7.2% gradient over 19 kilometers and 24 impressive bends await your calves. The final switchbacks promise their share of emotions: the last time the Tour reached La Plagne was in 2002, with the victory of Dutchman Michael Boogerd.

Route on letour.fr

Twenty-three years later, it's the perfect opportunity to feel the rhythm of the peloton! And Savoie has no shortage of playgrounds for perfecting your skills or discovering all the facets of the little queen.

La Plagne boasts 220 kilometers of marked trails for electric mountain bikes, crossing mountain pastures, forests, and charming Savoyard villages. That's not all: 150 kilometers are dedicated to enduro and cross-country riding, including the Dré Val descent with its 1,100 meters of negative elevation gain in the woods, between Plagne Bellecôte and the valley. In the north of the department, the Val d'Arly offers more than 230 kilometers of FFC-certified trails between the Col des Saisies and Col des Aravis.

Forest trails, winding paths, endless mountain pastures, and breathtaking panoramas, of course. Good to know: enduro trails are accessible all summer long from the ski lifts!

In Crest-Voland Cohennoz, the Logère chairlift, which provides access to the beautiful Mont-Lachat, the starting point for numerous cycling and hiking trails, is equipped to charge electric mountain bikes. Up there, discover the Tour du Mont-Lachat, a lovely, easy 4-kilometer loop that alternates between tracks and fun trails, with breathtaking views of Mont-Blanc!

More information on la-plagne.com and valdarly-montblanc.com

Where to stay?

• Yurts at the Croix de Pierre refuge (beautiful panorama at an altitude of 2,000 meters, catering and toilets at the refuge) at the Col du Very, in Hauteluce 06 58 40 21 93

• Le Toî du monde (eco-lodge in a typical 1886 farm) in Flumet – letoidumonde.com

• Chalet de Foran (fully renovated communal mountain chalet, on hiking trails) in La Plagne – 04 79 09 45 60

Where to eat?

• Le Boui Boui (new, mountain street food on the Fornet trails), in Val-d'Isère – 06 10 28 70 64

• Le Passe Partout (traditional Savoyard cuisine, pastries, restaurant with the “Famille Plus” label) in Crest-Voland – 04 79 31 74 26

• Refuge de la Glière (high-altitude restaurant and pastries in the heart of the Vanoise park) in Champagny-en-Vanoise – 09 72 66 44 18

Not to be missed

• From July 5 to 11: 5th international chess festival (tournaments and events) in La Plagne

• From July 5 to 13: French Trail & High Trail Vanoise Championships in Val-d'Isère

• From July 11 to 13: 5th edition of the Super8 (mountain bike/mountain bike-electric, road bike, children's enduro cycling races, etc.) in La Plagne

• July 18, 25 and August 1: 15th Jazz en Bouche festival in Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, Crest-Voland Cohennoz and Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle

• July 20: Stage of the Tour de France (cycling race on the 10th stage, a few days before the arrival of the riders), between Albertville and La Plagne

• From July 21 to 24: Slowly Val d'Arly (family art and nature festival)

• July 24: arrival of the 18th stage of the Tour de France at the Col de la Loze, in Courchevel

• July 25: start of the 19th stage of the Tour de France in Albertville, finish in La Plagne

• August 10: 60th Arêches folk festival (discovery of old-fashioned trades, parade of floats, music, ball and fireworks) in Arêches-Beaufort

• August 17: 32nd Savoie wine festival in Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe

How to get there?

• By car: 2 to 3 hours by motorway

• By train: TER Lyon-Albertville (2 hours 15 with a connection in Chambéry or Aix-les-Bains) then bus (1 hour) / TER Lyon-Bourg-Saint-Maurice (3 hours 30 with a connection in Chambéry) then bus (40 minutes) / TER Lyon-Aime-la-Plagne (3 hours with a connection in Aix-les-Bains)