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Circuit découverte : Le Plateau des Glières

Road in Annemasse
107.0 km
Road
Easy
  • This mountain pasture coomb was the scene of French resistance to the occupation during the last world war. This epic is symbolized by a commemorative monument, the work of sculptor Giglioli, erected in 1973.
  • Departure
    Annemasse
  • Difference in height
    2405.5 m
  • Plain text period
    All year round.
    Please note that access to the Plateau des Glières may be disrupted in winter (snow).
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
  • Accepted customers
    • Individuals
Points of interest
1 Le Château de l'Echelle
Château de l'Echelle is a monument that has lived many lives.<br/>Built at the very beginning of the 13th century, it fulfilled its military role throughout the Middle Ages, before being modified in the 16th and 17th centuries for a long, more mundane and pleasant life, until 1973. After a brief stint as a scrap metal dealer, it has been owned by the town of La Roche-sur-Foron since 1982, and is a much-appreciated cultural center.

As well as being regularly open for art exhibitions and cultural events, it is home to a learned society and its university library.

The 4-hectare park, with its incredible views over the Arve Valley, is a popular public promenade for locals and visitors alike.
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2 Snowshoeing and walking itinerary - History discovering
Do you fancy a short, easy walk in the snow, in your boots or with snow-shoes? We suggest the Boucle des Frêts! On the Plateau des Glières.<br/>Set off from the "Centre Nordique" in the direction of "Chez Merlin" and then follow the direction of Chez Régina", the itinerary should go on your right. Some meters after the restaurant Chez Merlin, you must take a return itinerary in direction of the Chalet Sonnerat ( the old infirmary) and then you will go to the monument and you must stop to the historic information office.

Flat itinerary with a change in altitude of 200 m uphill - 1 1/2 hrs.
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3 Monument national à la Résistance de Gilioli
National Monument to the Resistance.
At the end of the 1960s, as plans for the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Maquis des Glières were being put forward, the idea developed amongst the survivors that it was becoming important<br/>"to do something appropriate to mark the event".
Selected following a national competition judged by a jury made up of 5 survivors from Glières and 4 personalities chosen because of their knowledge of the art world (such as the chief conservator of Paris' Modern Art Musuem, Bernard Dorival, and the painter Hans Hartung), the National Monument to the Resistance was inaugurated on 2nd September 1973 by André Malraux. The dimensions of the monument are impressive,measuring 15.20 meters high, 4 meters wide and 21 meters long and weighing 65 tonnes. It is not a monument to the dead, but rather a symbol of hope. Its creator, Emile Gilioli (1911-1977), wanted to create a architectural sculpture that expresses the commitment of Glières' fighters and remains in harmony with the surrounding mountains which lengthen it further by their ridge lines. The monument soars like a V of the victory. One of the two arrows shoots up towards the sky as a sign of hope. From the monument comes a solar disc symbolising rebirth and liberty. Its surprising balance reminds us that liberty, always under threat, constantly needs to be secured. The other arrow looks as if it has been snapped off, representing the fact that all victories bring struggles, suffering and death. The monument was conceived as a whole, with the mast and the Pleureuses (mourners) marking the entrance to this site.

The interior of the monument was planned as a sacred space; it displays various works that invite viewers to contemplate and reflect. Here you will find the Bataillon's slogan together with a text engraved in the concrete, recalling the fighting at Glières and a drawing showing a tracery of lines representing war. In the back there is a shining statue in the shape of a flame; it also points an arm towards the sky, whilst the other, like the statue, is truncated. The head of the statue is marked by the cross of Christ. It represents Joan of Arc and was offered by Gilioli who had originally made it for the city of Florence. It was the sculptor's aim to bring the concepts of Joan of Arc and the fighters of Glières together to evoke the idea of a resilient France.
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4 Le Pont de la Caille - Charles Albert
A bridge dating from 1839, representing the industrial engineering know-how of the period. The bridge has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1966. It is also one of the 25 emblematic tourist sites in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.<br/>The idea of building a suspension bridge was approved in 1834 by King Charles-Albert, Duke of Savoy, who gave his name to the structure. 180m long and 147m high, the bridge is now entirely pedestrianized.

Historically, crossing the gorges of the river Usses was difficult and dangerus. From the 18th century, the introdution of a new era of the appeasement of a dispute between the Calvinist Republic of Geneva and the Catholic Duchy of Savoy revitalised the Annecy - Geneva route, requiring a definite need for a suspention bridge. Savoy was under the authority of the House of Savoy, but it was engineers from the French Ponts et Chaussée establishment of engeneering that were retained, M. Belin and M. Lehaitre. Work began on March 10, 1838 and would last 16 months.
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6 Le Grand Parc d'Andilly
It is in the middle of a magnificent forest that you will meet the scarecrows. These strange characters stay there all summer and invite us to discover their mysterious and entertaining world.<br/>Start by discovering a multitude of these chaps who share their daily life with us. Then, in the middle of hundreds of colourful flowers, all ages can have fun and a great laugh with a life-size game of snakes and ladders. Beware - the children are champions at this game. But revenge is possible with the giant Mikado! The day continues with lots of other discoveries: the giant and his rocking horses, the maze, a musical village…
A day out in a dreamy setting...
- 8 hectares of lush, green forest with a stream ""Le Nant Trouble""
- here and there shaded clearings and ponds
- home to some one hundred animals: pigs, sheep, donkeys, goats, reindeer, geese, ducks...
Then it’s time for a show, with the owl contest or Amadeus, a musical show...
Snacks served in the tavern on-site or bring a picnic.
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7 Le Hameau du Père Noël
Explore the home of Father Christmas and his elves, Mother Christmas, Father Whipper and the Attic of Dummies all year round! There is lots to do in this magical world at any time of year, but the magic of Christmas is always at the heart of everything.<br/>Father Christmas has chosen to live in Savoie and has opened his home to you. Find out about his daily life by visiting his workshop, kitchen and bedroom... Places that have until now been kept secret, but which are now unveiled before your very eyes...
A bit further on you enter another world, that of his twin brother, Father Whipper! Much nicer than he seems, he will also show you his clean and tidy home.
Finally, to complete the family, one of the Mother Christmases has opened the doors to her cottage to show you a third, feminine, world of Christmas.
Finally, the latest arrival, the Sandman has arranged an Attic of Dummies for Father Christmas which is completely dedicated to this childhood object.
To complete the magic, there is a crêperie and souvenir shop.
Open all year, don’t hesitate to check the opening times and seasonal events. Father Christmas, Mother Christmas and the Sandman appear regularly to meet you and tell plenty of stories.
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2406 meters of difference in height