Jarsy: Hiking, Chapel, and Village History

In Jarsy, hikes of varying durations sit alongside historic buildings and a distinctive village setting. The route information ranges from a one-hour loop to the Chapelle de la Lézine to a five-hour hike to Orgeval. Stages through the Bellevaux valley and the village’s history also offer useful pointers for planning your trip.

Hiking by Duration and Elevation Profile

The loop to the Chapelle de la Lézine is very easy, 2.3 kilometres long, and listed as taking one hour. It involves 67 metres of ascent and 52 metres of descent. The start and finish are at the church car park in Jarsy. The chapel is open and can be visited free of charge; check access before setting out. Information boards and picnic tables are available at the site.

La boucle d’Orgeval is a moderately difficult circular hike covering 11.5 kilometres, listed as taking five hours. The ascent is 916 metres and the descent 914 metres. This makes it a clear contrast to the very easy, one-hour loop. La boucle d’Orgeval lies entirely within the Bauges National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve. Check the reserve’s regulations before setting out. The route leads to the Orgeval alpine pastures and the viewpoint at Col d’Orgeval, from where you can see the peaks of the Massif des Bauges and the Massif des Bornes.

Village History and Buildings

The Chapelle de la Lézine was built in 1665, completely rebuilt in 2015 by an association, and dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Jarsy also has a church built in 1867 to the plans of architect Joseph-Samuel Revel. It is the largest church in the Bauges and is therefore often called the “Cathedral of the Bauges.”

The village’s character includes a preserved village layout with an undeveloped central area. This has been documented since 1730 in the Mappe Sarde, the first European cadastre. Gardens enclosed by stone walls are also a distinctive feature of Jarsy. Together with the two churches, these details offer different insights into the area’s building and village history.

Forests, Pastures, and Protected Nature

The first stage of the GRP Tour de l’Arcalod leads from the village of Jarsy through the remote hamlet of Très Roche and across the wooded, pastureland-dotted Bellevaux valley to the Refuge de Coutarse. It provides access to the Hautes-Bauges and, in particular, the Bauges National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve in the Parc naturel régional du Massif des Bauges. Check the protected-area rules before setting out on this hike as well.

The Jarsy–Aillon section of the GRP Tour des Bauges is a different route. It runs mostly through forests and passes through beautiful beech and fir woods. The trail to Pointe de la Fougère crosses the Chéran on a bridge. The mountain stream rises at the far end of the Bellevaux valley.

Practical Planning Information

The Chalet Refuge de Coutarse is at the end of the first stage of the GRP Tour de l’Arcalod. It can be reached only on foot from the Nant Fourchu car park in École-en-Bauges; the ascent takes two hours and involves 600 metres of elevation gain. From May to October, the chalet offers lunch, a gourmet break, or an overnight stay. Check access and the availability of seasonal services before setting out.

Seasonal sales may also be useful for planning: in summer, cheese is sold directly at the mountain cheese dairy at the summit of the route to the Croix d’Allant. Check seasonal availability before your hike. You can reach Jarsy from Le Châtelard or the Col du Frêne via the D911 to Ecole, then take the D60b to the village centre.

Discover more destinations: Dullin, Ruffieux, Saint-Oyen, La Ravoire, Serrières-En-Chautagne, Le Bettaix, Fontaine-le-Puits, Les Marches.

Go to the overview of the wider region: Savoie.