Challes-Les-Eaux: Nature Trails, Landscape and Thermal History

Challes-Les-Eaux can be explored through several distinct themes: trails connecting natural and urban areas, forest, a wetland, and the history of the spa town. The different routes, landscapes and traces of its heritage offer starting points for planning your trip.

Walking Trails and Outdoor Activities

The Promenade confort connects natural and urban areas. It has no incline, features an accessible surface, and has benches along the route. Another option is the Aux sources de Challes-les-Eaux loop: it is 4.1 km long, with an elevation gain of 15 metres. Its length and elevation gain give you specific details to help you plan the loop.

On the slopes of Mont Saint Michel, the Forêt Sport Nature & Santé area offers three interconnected loops that can be combined. Forêt Sport includes a boardwalk through moss-covered woodland, along with play features such as wooden figures and balancing trails along tree trunks. Forêt Sport also has a panoramic viewpoint with loungers.

On the Parcours d’orientation patrimonial Challes-les-Eaux, discover the commune’s diverse heritage by answering questions at the checkpoints. The starting point is the parking area at Colombier. As local access arrangements may change, check the starting point before your visit.

Landscape and Water

The Marais des Chassettes in Challes-les-Eaux is a type 1 continental ZNIEFF site. It covers 15.07 hectares and is a former peat bog. Its role contributed to the formation of unique woodland in the Chambéry cluse. This landscape’s present-day woodland is therefore also connected to its history of past land use.

The Plan d’eau de Challes-les-Eaux is used for fishing and unsupervised swimming throughout the year. Regulations for both activities may change; check the local rules before your visit. This allows you to take these conditions into account when planning, without conflating the two activities.

Thermal History and Heritage

The development of the spa town can be traced through several historical dates. On 12 February 1872, a thermal establishment was built at the site of the spring. In 1874, the Cercle du Casino de Challes was founded; the society had a casino built on piles driven into the marsh. In 1876, the thermal establishment welcomed its first bathers, the spa guests of the time.

The thermal establishment closed in 2023. Its thermal heritage is still evident in a tree-filled park and Belle Époque architecture. Challes-Les-Eaux thus combines the history of spa treatments with architectural and landscape features that you can discover in the town.

Parc de Triviers

At Parc de Triviers, you’ll find centuries-old trees, a pond, flower beds and a manor house. Individuals and groups can visit the park independently and free of charge. Check the visiting information before your trip. These features give the park a distinct character alongside the town’s trails, wetland and thermal history.

Discover more destinations: Hautecour, La Bâthie, La Bridoire, La Trinité, Belmont-Tramonet, Doucy-en-Bauges, Barby, Peisey-Nancroix.

See the regional travel overview: Savoie.