Saint-Avre: Church, Mining History and Cheese

Saint-Avre offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: Romanesque features on the church, traces of its mining history, cheese and regional products, and short walking routes at the foot of the mountain. You can focus on local history, a visit arranged by appointment, or walking routes and leisure activities. Some offers are subject to specific conditions or dates.

Church and Local History

The church in Saint-Avre preserves Romanesque reliefs on its exterior façade and a Romanesque bell tower. The church also contains two statues: one of Saint Peter and one of Saint Avre. Both date from 1682. It is helpful to distinguish these features when considering the building: the reliefs and tower are the Romanesque features, while the date refers to the two statues. Those interested in church architecture and historical details will find several specific points of reference here, without attributing the statues’ date to the architecture.

Traces of Mining

At the entrance to Saint-Avre, a mining cart is on display as a surviving testament to the area’s mining past. Mining dates back to Roman times; later, under the Saracens, veins of lead, copper and zinc were worked along the Nantuel stream. The mining theme in the village therefore encompasses both an exhibited object and several metals and historical periods. The mining cart and references to mining add another aspect of local history to the church’s cultural points of interest.

Cheese and Visits

Ferme Cartier produces “Tomme de Saint Avre” and “Beaufort.” It also sells cheese and regional products directly every day. Product availability and sales arrangements may change. Visits are available by appointment; arrange the details before visiting. Production, direct sales and visits are separate offerings: a prior arrangement is required for a visit, while sales take place daily. If cheese and regional produce are among your travel interests, you can take these options into account separately when planning.

Walking Routes and Leisure

Saint-Avre has short walking routes at the foot of the mountain. The route “From La Chambre Station to the Refuge de la Grande Léchère” also passes through the village. The walking routes and the named route offer different ways to explore: short walks at the foot of the mountain on the one hand, and a specifically named route between La Chambre Station and the Refuge de la Grande Léchère on the other. The open-air boules court adds another leisure option. The choices range from a short walk to a route with named starting and ending points, without implying that the two are the same.

Easter Bread and Getting There

A special tradition is associated with the recently restored communal bread oven. On Easter Sunday, traditional bread is baked there in the old-fashioned way and sold by the village events committee. The tradition takes place at Easter; if you would like to plan your trip around it, check the exact date locally.

There is a TER ticket machine at Saint-Avre-la-Chambre station. If you are planning to travel by TER, you can take this specific information into account when arranging your tickets and check the right connection for your travel dates. Together with its clearly defined points of interest, Saint-Avre offers several ways to shape a stay around local history, regional products or outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Hélène-Du-Lac, Courchevel 1550, Jarrier, Saint-Nicolas-La-Chapelle, Belmont-Tramonet, Aigueblanche, Bozel, Saint-Martin-Sur-La-Chambre

For the main travel overview: Savoie.