Saint-Jean-d'Aulps – Abbey, Alpine Pastures and Hiking Trails

In Saint-Jean-d'Aulps, hamlets are spread out on both sides of the Dranse. This gives the place the character of an inhabited mountain landscape. When choosing a hotel for your stay, the themes of your trip can help guide you: the village brings together monastic heritage, chapel and pasture landscapes, and a range of hikes.

Abbaye d'Aulps and monastic heritage

The ruins of Abbaye d'Aulps were classified as a historic monument by decree on 6 October 1902. The Domaine de Découverte de la Vallée d'Aulps presents the remains of an abbey church dating from the 11th century. The site also includes the restored former monks' farm, which houses a 650 m² interpretation centre. The church remains and the centre therefore represent different aspects of the abbey's history: the architectural remains on the one hand, and their interpretation on the other.

ABBAYE D’AULPS 3D lets you discover the abbey as it looked between the 16th and 18th centuries. The experience can be accessed with a virtual reality headset or on a digital tablet; device availability may vary. Before your trip, check whether the seasonal offering falls within your travel dates.

The participatory tour offers another way to learn about monastic life. Using props, it recreates the gestures and activities of a typical day in a monastic community. The tour may be scheduled seasonally. If this experience is important to your trip, check the dates in advance.

Chapel, Alpine pastures and local experiences

The Chapelle de Graydon was founded in 1859 and fully restored in 2009. During the summer season, a pastoral Mass is held there every Wednesday; the exact programme may vary. The chapel is therefore part of both the area's history and a recurring seasonal tradition.

Cows and goats graze on the Alpage de Graydon at the foot of Roc d’Enfer. For families, Le Clos aux chèvres offers culinary shepherding walks during the summer holidays. They end with a cheese tasting that includes AOP Chevrotin. The activity is seasonal and requires a reservation. The chapel, alpine pasture and shepherding walk each offer a different focus—from a religious occasion to a pastoral landscape and a guided culinary experience.

Hikes with different highlights

The hike to Lac du Fouyet passes through an alpine pasture at the foot of Pic de la Corne. It is listed as a moderate route, 5.7 km long, taking around 2 hours and 55 minutes. The time given is approximate; duration and conditions may vary by season. The route length, listed difficulty and approximate duration can all be taken into account when planning your day. Check seasonal trail conditions before setting out.

The hike to Pointe de Nantaux follows a different route as described: a very steep trail first leads through the forest, then to the alpine pasture and finally along a long ridge to the summit. Check alpine hazards and seasonal conditions before setting out. This hike is defined by the sequence of terrain, while the Lac du Fouyet route is also listed with a difficulty rating, distance and approximate duration. These details offer different starting points for planning a hike, without implying any ranking of exertion.

Connections within the ski area

Roc d’Enfer is connected by shuttle to the other resorts in the Portes du Soleil ski area. The shuttle operates seasonally. If this connection is important to your travel plans, check the service schedule for your dates.

Discover more destinations: Vétraz-Monthoux, Les Houches, Yvoire, Nancy-Sur-Cluses, Meillerie, Collonges-sous-Salève, Taninges, Arthaz-Pont-Notre-Dame.

For the regional travel overview: Haute-Savoie.