La Côte-D'aime – Chapels, Church and Sentier des Vignes

Cultural and landscape themes offer different ways to plan a stay in La Côte-D'aime: religious heritage with specific historical and architectural details, a guided tour in Montméry, a circuit through the vineyards, and a geological description of the Adrets de Tarentaise Natura 2000 site.

Chapels and Church: History and Architecture

The Chapelle du Villard is dedicated to Saint Blaise and Saint Anne. It already existed at the time of the pastoral visit in 1633. The Saint-Laurent church was built in the Baroque style between 1702 and 1714. These dates refer to different places and historical points of reference: the chapel’s existence is recorded in 1633, while Saint-Laurent’s construction period is given.

Saint-Laurent has three naves covered by groin vaults and a narrow choir. The three naves divide the church interior; groin vaults describe the shape of the vaults, and the choir forms another part of the building. This makes it possible to understand the architecture through more than its style: the spatial layout, vault form and choir each provide a distinct point of reference.

Another specific detail about the religious heritage concerns the chalice of the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié in La Côte-d'Aime: it is made of silver and gilded silver. Unlike the construction dates, this detail describes a single object and its materials. The building history, spatial form and object thus offer distinct ways of exploring the local cultural heritage.

Guided Tour in Montméry

The Maison de Joannès is part of the guided tour of the hamlet of Montméry. The tour is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; reservations must be made with the Syndicat d’Initiative. The set time slot helps you plan the visit as an appointment. As tour arrangements can change, confirm the current time and reservation requirements in advance.

The Sentier des Vignes: Distance and Walking Time

The Sentier des Vignes is a 5.1-kilometre circular route with a walking time of about 2 hours and 15 minutes. An elevation gain and loss of 200 metres each are listed. The approximate walking time helps with day planning; the distance and elevation figures offer further concrete indications of the route’s length and scope. The walking time is an estimate.

The route is described as an easy, sunny walk along a broad path through the vineyards of La Côte-d'Aime, and is also suitable for families with young children. Weather and trail maintenance can affect conditions. Check these before setting out when planning your route.

School History and a Geological Perspective

The Musée “L'Ecole d'autrefois” is housed in the former school in the main village of La Côte-d'Aime and presents the lives of schoolchildren in the past. The former school site gives the subject a local setting; the focus is on children’s everyday lives during earlier school days. School history thus complements the religious buildings with another perspective on local life. Opening arrangements may vary; check current visiting options before planning a visit.

For those interested in nature and landscapes, there is also a geological perspective. The northwestern flank of the Adrets de Tarentaise Natura 2000 site within the territory of La Côte-d'Aime includes areas of carbonate sedimentary rocks. These include calcareous flysch, dark limestone and gypsum. The description links a specific geographical area with several types of rock, offering a different focus from building history, school life or the measurable details of the circular route.

Discover more destinations: Cohennoz, Les Déserts, Chamoux-sur-Gelon, Le Bourget-Du-Lac, Bessans, Ruffieux, Montcel, Bonneval-Sur-Arc.

For the broader travel overview: Savoie.