La Chapelle-Du-Bard: Cultural Heritage and Hiking Trails

La Chapelle-Du-Bard combines cultural history with opportunities for hiking and horseback riding, as well as insights into agriculture. A wide range of themes come together to help you plan your trip: Saint-Blaise Church and the forges of Saint-Hugon, border connections with Arvillard, and the Circuit des coteaux hiking trail. Cheese-making and a ski area are also part of the local picture.

Cultural Heritage and Border History

Saint-Blaise Church is dedicated to Saint Blaise, who is regarded as the protector of animals. A stained-glass window depicting him is located above the entrance portal. The church was rebuilt between 1827 and 1833, while retaining its 17th-century bell tower. The time between the rebuilding and the preservation of the tower gives the building a layered history.

The ruins of the forges of Saint-Hugon preserve an ironworks site founded by Carthusian monks around five centuries ago. This means local history extends beyond church architecture to include the former iron industry.

The Bens mountain stream forms the border between La Chapelle-Du-Bard and Arvillard in Savoy. Nearby border and industrial heritage also includes the Pont du Diable, which connects La Chapelle-Du-Bard with Arvillard. The structure is 34 meters high and 30 meters long. Its historical significance is connected with the forges and the former border between Savoy and France; it also includes an ornate stone boundary marker.

Hiking, Winter Sports, and Horseback Riding

The Circuit des coteaux runs from Le Moutaret to La Chapelle-Du-Bard. The hiking trail is of moderate difficulty, 10 kilometers long, and has 400 meters of elevation gain. Yellow-and-red GRP markings and yellow PR markings indicate the route. The distance, elevation gain, and stated difficulty together provide a basis for gauging the scope of the hike.

The Le Collet d’Allevard ski area also has a local connection: half of it lies within the territory of La Chapelle-Du-Bard.

Le Manège Enchanté offers horseback rides lasting two hours, half a day, or a full day, as well as a full weekend trip to a mountain refuge. In the Belledonne Mountains, the rides are accompanied by a state-qualified riding instructor. Booking details may change; check the current meeting arrangements with the provider in advance.

Agriculture and Cheese

Ferme de la Grangette raises Abondance and Montbéliarde cattle according to organic principles and makes several kinds of cheese, including Tomme de Belledonne, Montgaren, and Raclette. The product range may change.

The farm offers bookable, guided tours for children, adults, school classes, and other groups. During educational visits, children can learn about the lives of dairy cows and pigs, how they are kept and fed, and various farming activities. Possible topics also include turning milk into cheese, cheese aging, and tasting the products. Program details, booking arrangements, and any minimum group sizes may change; check with the provider in advance.

Weighing Your Travel Interests When Searching for Hotels

The activities also vary in duration: the Circuit des coteaux is a moderately difficult 10-kilometer hike with 400 meters of elevation gain, while the horseback rides range from two hours to a full weekend. A farm visit offers a different focus on agriculture and cheese.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Étienne-De-Saint-Geoirs, Mottier, Morestel, Tignieu-Jameyzieu, Paladru, Vaulnaveys-le-Haut, Panossas, Saint-Barthélemy-de-Séchilienne

For the broader travel overview: Isere.