Bourg-Saint-Maurice: Isère, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Bourg-Saint-Maurice offers several starting points for planning your stay: trails along the Isère, a natural landscape in the town centre, water sports and cultural heritage. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes matter for your trip. This can help you tailor your stay to your interests without confusing the different offerings.

Exploring the outdoors: the Isère, parks and water

The Voie Verte follows a 24-kilometre route along the Isère between Aime and Villaroger, passing through Bourg-Saint-Maurice. It is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, people with pushchairs and kick-scooter users; the gradient is slight. Usability is subject to local conditions. The route therefore offers a practical way to combine your stay with activity along the river.

The Parc des Marais, a 30-hectare natural landscape, is located right in the town centre. Its central location sets it apart from the longer Voie Verte, which runs between Aime and Villaroger: the park is a natural area within the town, while the route follows the Isère over a greater distance.

For water activities, Bourg-Saint-Maurice has an international whitewater centre. Check operating conditions before taking part. The Centre Nautique has two indoor pools, including a 25-metre competition pool. Renovations may affect the layout, so check the current status before planning a visit. There is also a nine-hole mini-golf course in front of the Centre Nautique, with holes themed around outdoor activities in the destination. Its availability may change.

Culture and history

Fort de la Platte, also known as Fort 2000, was built between 1893 and 1896. The decree of 3 July 2024 listed the entire fort, including the structure and plot No. 1130, as a historic monument. The fort also offers an exceptional viewpoint over the upper Isère valley.

The Baroque church of Saint-Martin de Tours stands in Hauteville-Gondon. It was rebuilt in 1691. Its distinctive features include original polychrome stucco reliefs on the vault keystones. These were revealed and highlighted during renovation work. According to the municipality, these motifs are unique among the Baroque churches of Savoie.

The Arc 1600 and Arc 1800 resorts also have a distinctive architectural connection: they now hold the “Architecture contemporaine remarquable” (ACR) label. They were previously awarded the “Patrimoine du XXe siècle” label. The two designations mark the resorts’ former and current recognition.

The Micro-Folie at La Friche in Bourg-Saint-Maurice–Les Arcs is a modular digital museum space. It opened in June 2023 and is overseen by the French Ministry of Culture. It also offers virtual reality activities, including an augmented reality immersion in Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. The programme may change; check its current status and the activities available before visiting.

Regional produce and the market

The Coopérative Laitière de Haute-Tarentaise has a two-storey museum space covering 300 square metres. It is dedicated to the cooperative, its mountain pastures and AOP Beaufort cheese. The themes connect the cooperative and the mountain pastures with a regionally designated cheese; the exhibition details may evolve.

The weekly market in Bourg-Saint-Maurice offers local produce and takes place year-round every Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. Vendors and product selection may vary; the schedule may also change seasonally or administratively. Check the market hours before your visit.

Getting your bearings in town

The tourist office is located at the SNCF railway station, close to the town centre, the Voie Verte and the funicular. When choosing a hotel, you can use the themes of your stay—such as culture, nature or outdoor activities—as a guide, then look for options that suit your own plans.

Discover more destinations

Arc 1800, Arc 1600, Arc 2000, Villaroger, Apremont, Brison-Saint-Innocent, Orelle, Termignon

For the overview of the wider destination: Savoie.