Discover Mercury

Mercury combines a location in the Parc Naturel Régional du Massif des Bauges with marked hiking trails and historic buildings. If you are choosing a destination based on nature, hiking or architectural history, you will find different points of interest here: the landscape, church, fort and chapels each have their own stories to tell.

Landscape and hiking

Mercury is located in the Parc Naturel Régional du Massif des Bauges. The municipality stretches from the foothills of Albertville to the Massif de La Belle Etoile, which reaches an elevation of 1,843 metres. This brings two distinct geographical reference points into view: the foothills of Albertville and the mountain range, with its precisely stated elevation.

Numerous marked hiking trails offer another way to explore Mercury from a hiking perspective. The trails make this a distinct focus alongside the municipality’s location in the nature park. When planning your trip, you can consider Mercury’s geographical extent and its marked hiking trails as separate aspects.

Saint Pierre de Mercury Church

The Eglise Saint Pierre de Mercury houses 54 gilded wooden statues. The church also preserves features from the 17th century and was remodelled in the 19th century by E. Melano. This brings together different historical periods in one building: older surviving features and a later alteration to the church. The statues add a specific detail about its interior to this architectural history.

The church is open daily throughout the year and offers guided tours. Check the opening arrangements and tour options before your trip.

Fort de Tamié

Fort de Tamié is located at the Col de Tamié, in the municipalities of Plancherine and Mercury. It was built in 1876 by 600 Italian workers and commanded the area around Albertville.

The site has a walking trail, picnic areas and views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges. There is also an adventure course. So, alongside its history, the site offers practical ways to spend time outdoors. Check access arrangements, facilities and the availability of the adventure course before your trip.

Chapels and different periods in history

The Chapelle de la Ramaz was built in 1752 on the initiative of Joseph Chevalier as the Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges chapel. It is open daily throughout the year and admission is free. Its construction date and the recorded initiative give the chapel a clear historical context; the practical information about access is also relevant to your visit. Check the opening arrangements before your trip.

The Chapelle de la Soffaz dates from the early 17th century. Skeletons found nearby may date from the period of occupation by the Saracens. This possible historical attribution remains explicitly uncertain. The altar includes a portable consecration stone, with statues of Saint Ferréol and Saint Bon standing above it. This chapel is also open daily throughout the year and admission is free; check the opening arrangements before your trip.

The construction dates offer a brief point of comparison: 1752 is given for the Ramaz, while the Soffaz dates from the early 17th century. The Soffaz also has its altar and the tentative historical attribution of the skeletons found nearby.

Discover more destinations: Brides-Les-Bains, Crest-Voland, Albiez Montrond, La Bâthie, Saint-Martin-De-Belleville, Les Échelles, Montalbert, Les Déserts.

See the regional travel guide: Savoie.