Discover Les Chapelles

If you’re looking for a hotel in Les Chapelles, you can choose your destination based on specific interests: the commune brings together striking hillside terrain, sacred architecture, the history of a historic farm and an art gallery. This offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: views from Picolard, art-historical details in churches and chapels, and works by three artists at Art Espace Chevrière.

Hillside terrain and views in Picolard

The commune’s landscape is largely defined by its slopes, extending from around 800 m to a highest point of 2,900 m—a difference in elevation of approximately 2,000 m. This range shapes the landscape of Les Chapelles. One specific landmark is the hamlet of Picolard, situated at 1,250 m on the hillside terrace of Versant du Soleil. From here, you can enjoy views of the Les Arcs, Montchavin-les-Coches, La Plagne and La Rosière ski areas, as well as the Col de la Madeleine and Mont Pourri. Picolard thus combines a precisely stated elevation with views of several ski areas and other distinctive landscape features.

Churches and chapels

The Eglise Saint-Martin was built between 1681 and 1686. Its Neoclassical high altarpiece features a painting of Saint Martin, while the altar table bears a bas-relief of the Last Supper. The church’s age is only one part of its character: the subject matter and the placement of the artworks on the altar furnishings also give it a distinctive art-historical profile. Guided tours of the Eglise Saint-Martin are available for individuals and groups.

The interior paintings in the Chapelle-Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel have been restored. St Antoine's Chapel in the hamlet of Picolard dates from 1702 and contains a Baroque altarpiece with typical iconography. It also lies on the “Chemins du Baroque” sightseeing route. These sacred sites therefore have different points of interest: restored interior paintings, a Baroque altarpiece and a chapel’s connection to a sightseeing route.

The Ferme de Villarivon and its façade

The Ferme de Villarivon is partially protected as a historic monument. Its monumental façade features two rows of false windows and Italianate paintwork associated with a style that was popular in Turin around 1850. The false windows and paintwork together define the façade’s design. The farm’s history also includes a family of local notables who, from the 18th century onward, began reshaping the Ferme through architectural changes as an expression of their social success.

Two dates should be distinguished for context: the architectural changes began in the 18th century, while the style associated with the paintwork was popular in Turin around 1850. The estate’s history can therefore be viewed both through its development and through a specific feature of its façade.

Art and routes

Art Espace Chevrière is an art gallery in the hamlet of Chevrière in Les Chapelles, above the Tarentaise Valley, with views of the Vanoise massif. Opened in 2017, the gallery displays works by sculptor and painter Bruno Barbieri, sculptor Yannick Chirat and photographer Pierre Bottex. Painting, sculpture and photography offer different ways to engage with the works on display, while the artists’ names and disciplines make the gallery’s focus concrete.

The route connections also vary: St Antoine's Chapel lies on the “Chemins du Baroque” sightseeing route. The “Les Hameaux du Soleil” route is marked with blue markers. Shortly after the village of Bellentre, it follows a greenway leading to Aime. If you’re considering cycling along this section, check local cycling access and route conditions before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Levassaix, Jongieux, Valloire, Salins-Les-Thermes, Lanslebourg-Mont-Cenis, Jarsy, La Ravoire, Montagnole.

For the regional travel overview: Savoie.