Montvalezan: Hotels between hamlets and mountain trails

When choosing a hotel in Montvalezan, the activities you have planned for your trip can be a useful guide: the municipality spans elevations between 850 and 2,900 metres. The area includes around forty hamlets, many of which were organised around former agricultural activities. Hiking trails, historic buildings and seasonal activities give a stay different focal points. You can decide in advance whether you would like to explore the hamlets and chapels, hike, cycle or include the cross-border ski area in your trip.

Hamlets and architectural heritage

The hamlet houses are characterised by stone and wood, slate roofs and compact construction. Several chapels feature Baroque elements typical of Savoy’s religious art. Together, these features give the cultural landscape a distinctive character: the architecture and chapels are points of interest in their own right if you are considering Montvalezan for more than just sporting activities. The Le Chemin des Ecoliers circular hike passes through hamlets, by chapels and typical houses, combining these impressions with a set route.

Hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty

The Le Chemin des Ecoliers passes, among other places, by the Chapelle Saint-Michel in Châtelard. The moderate route in La Rosière–Montvalezan is listed as taking 2 hours and 40 minutes. It is designated as open year-round; in winter, check snow conditions, and snowshoes may be necessary. Duration and difficulty may vary depending on conditions.

The Le Chemin des Bergers has a different duration and difficulty rating: this difficult hike takes 2 hours and 50 minutes, runs around the Combe des Moulins and starts at Plan de l’Arc in La Rosière–Montvalezan. It goes via Plan Pigeux and Putétruit before returning to the leisure area at Plan de l’Arc. The listed times for the two trails differ by only ten minutes, but their difficulty ratings are different. The seasonal opening period for the Le Chemin des Bergers also depends on snow conditions. When planning, consider not only the time but also the rating and local conditions.

Chapels and historical heritage

Individual buildings also offer distinctive cultural highlights. The parish complex in Montvalezan includes a tower built in 1674 and listed as a historic monument. The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Liesse in Le Villaret houses an altar, an altarpiece and associated furnishings dating from the 18th century. This information helps you see the chapels not only as stopping points on a hike but also as subjects for a visit in their own right.

The Chapelle Saint-Michel in Châtelard was part of the 2026 summer programme, during which Montvalezan’s chapels were opened to the public from 9 July to 20 August. This opening was part of that dated summer programme. No opening hours for current access can be inferred from it.

Cross-border activities and seasonal planning

Espace San Bernardo is a cross-border ski area between France and Italy. It connects La Rosière to La Thuile via the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard. Lift access and operating hours are seasonal. This should be distinguished when planning your trip from the summer connection: the S80 summer shuttle connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Montvalezan, La Rosière and the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard. Check the current timetable before a summer trip; seasonal routes and travel times should be checked again.

Cycling in La Rosière

In 2026, the La Rosière Bike Park includes four downhill trails and six enduro and e-bike loops with up to 1,200 metres of elevation gain. The different trail types give you an overview of the cycling options without implying that they all have the same level of difficulty. A marked route in the Bike Park connects France and Italy; it is accessible to mountain bikes and e-bikes and has charging stations along the route. Bike Park operating details and route layouts may change. Before your trip, check the latest information about the activity you plan to enjoy.

Discover more destinations: La Rosière, Notre-Dame-De-Bellecombe, Avressieux, Thoiry, Attignat-Oncin, Queige, Hautecour, Montsapey.

For the broader travel overview: Savoie.