Pugny-Chatenod: Monastery, Churches and Hiking Trails

Pugny-Chatenod lies on the slopes of the Revard and overlooks Lac du Bourget. The history of its monastery and churches, traces of the former cog railway, and several hiking trails shape the themes you can explore during a stay in the village. When planning your visit, you can combine two interests: sacred architecture and trails that vary in length, difficulty, and route.

Monastic History and the Chapelle de l’Unité

The main building of the Monastère Notre-Dame de l’Unité was first a spa hotel, then an orphanage, and became a monastery in 1971. This sequence shows how the building’s use changed over the years. The monastery is near the village of Pugny-Chatenod, at an altitude of less than 700 meters. Pilgrims visit the site and appreciate its beauty and the mountain hikes in the surrounding area.

The Chapelle de l’Unité was built in 1926 in the shape of a Greek cross; its dome is inspired by the Christian East. The chapel is accessible only on foot. Its crypt can be visited. It holds the remains of Fernand Portal, a pioneer of ecumenism. A visit to the chapel thus also offers a glimpse of local history connected with Portal’s work.

The monastery’s Saint-Joseph Church also welcomes visitors and regularly holds religious services. The parish church of Saint-Maurice offers another architectural landmark: it replaced an older church, whose materials were reused in the new building. The new church has a regular floor plan with two side chapels. A group of seven stained-glass windows depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds. Together with the cross-shaped Chapelle de l’Unité, this offers a varied architectural perspective on the village’s sacred buildings.

Hiking Trails and the Historic Railway Line

Several described hikes pass through Pugny-Chatenod. Sur les Traces de la Crémaillère is 13 kilometers long, moderately difficult, and downhill. Balade autour de Mouxy, by contrast, is an easy 7.3-kilometer loop hike. This lets you compare the two routes based on specific differences: the Balade is shorter, is classified as a loop, and is easy; Sur les Traces is longer, moderately difficult, and downhill. Hiking conditions on Sur les Traces may vary by season.

Stage 5 of the GR® des Grands Lacs also passes through Pugny-Chatenod. On the way to Aix-les-Bains, it descends along the route of the former cog railway. This historic railway ran from Aix via Mouxy and Pugny-Chatenod toward the Revard. At the historic Ancienne gare et pont de Pugny site, only the bridge abutments remain; the station and water tower have disappeared. This stage brings together a specific route and visible remnants of railway history.

Churches and Local History

The parish church of Saint-Maurice connects the history of its predecessor with the reused materials and its own floor plan. Its seven windows depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds present a clearly defined visual motif. At the Chapelle de l’Unité, the cross-shaped layout, dome, and crypt draw attention to other architectural and historical aspects. Those interested in the history of sacred buildings will find a range of details in Pugny-Chatenod, rather than just a single building to explore.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Seez, Saint-Christophe, La Motte-En-Bauges, La Motte-Servolex, Novalaise, Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, Le Pontet, Verrens-Arvey.

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