Les Villards-sur-Thônes: Culture, Traditions and Nature

Les Villards-sur-Thônes offers several points of interest for a trip: the history of Saint-Laurent Church, traditions held at set times of year, and activities in the surrounding landscape. If you are looking for a hotel here, these topics can help you decide what you want to focus on during your stay. Cultural history, a seasonal event, and outdoor activities each appeal to different travel interests.

Cultural history and local traditions

Saint-Laurent-des-Villards Church is associated with two distinct connections to the 16th century. Its remains date from the end of that century; the church also has a classical wooden organ made by a local resident to 16th-century standards. Saint-Laurent thus brings together architectural history and craftsmanship: the dating of the remains and the organ’s adherence to historical standards each tell a different story about local cultural history.

Another dated religious building is located in the hamlet of Les Fours: an oratory dating from 1807. Compared with the remains of Saint-Laurent, it points to a later period. The Carouge bread oven is also part of local traditional life. It is used for various occasions and events, including the Heritage Festival and village celebrations. These examples show different forms of cultural life, from religious architecture to community events.

Events throughout the year

The Saint-Laurent festival takes place every year at the end of July and includes traditional events. The traditional skittles game follows a different schedule: it is held as a time-limited competition every Friday in July and August. This distinction is useful when planning a trip: the festival is tied to the end of July, while the skittles game takes place on Fridays during two summer months. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the events, check the exact dates in advance.

Mont Lachat: hiking and history

Mont Lachat brings together a specific hiking destination and a documented history. The hike to the summit starts in the hamlet of Entre Deux Nants in Les Villards-sur-Thônes. The marked trail leads to the summit, which offers 360-degree panoramic views. The starting point and the views give the hike a clear focus. The mountain’s history includes the first iron cross on Mont Lachat: young people from the municipality erected it in the spring of 1909 under the direction of Abbé Blanc. The views and the cross point to different aspects of Mont Lachat, one scenic and the other historical.

Activities in the landscape

The Nom River and the forests offer different opportunities for outdoor activities. Along the Nom, there are natural fishing spots for brown trout. In winter, you can explore the forests of Les Villards-sur-Thônes on snowshoes. The activities differ in setting and season: one involves fishing in a named river, while the other is a winter outing in the forest. When planning your trip, you can weigh up an activity by the water against a seasonal activity in the woods.

Discover more destinations: Rumilly, Argonay, Mont-Saxonnex, Saint-Jorioz, Entremont, Essert-Romand, Chessenaz, Dingy-Saint-Clair.

For the overview of the wider region: Haute-Savoie.