Description
Along the Tour du Léman, explore the Voirons massif step by step.
Start your adventure in Bonne, a village with a rich heritage dominated by the church of Saint-Nicolas and ancient ramparts. The climb picks up pace after the Notre-Dame du Pralère oratory, where Mont-Blanc rises to the horizon. Through forest paths and steep cliffs, you reach the summit of the Pralère. Continue up to Saut de la Pucelle, a chasm with a fascinating history, before reaching Signal des Voirons, the highest point on the mountain.
After a steep descent to the Notre-Dame-Des-Voirons chapel, recharge your batteries in this place of pilgrimage. Extend your spiritual interlude at the Monastère Notre-Dame des Voirons, where the Bethlehem sisters invite you to discover their handcrafted creations. Facing Mont Blanc, continue your hike to the Col de Saxel.
From Super-Saxel, take in the unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape as far as Col de Cou.
Plain text period
All year round daily.Subject to favorable weather.
Accepted customers
- Individuals
Points of interest
Points of interest
1Orientation table et viewpoint: Le Signal des Voirons
Orientation table with panoramic view of Lac Léman and the Salève.
2Bourg de Haute Bonne
The commune of Bonne has a rich history marked by fighting and trade. Its varied landscapes, ranging in altitude from 496m to 1303m, have fostered the development of a variety of economic activities.<br/>Bonne was a strategic military point, with its fortified castle and active market town divided into Haute-Bonne and Basse-Bonne. The territory was ruled by various lords, from the Sires de Faucigny to the Dauphins du Viennois, before joining the States of Savoy in 1355.
Take the Maxime ramp up to the village, which has a typical, authentic atmosphere, with the Saint-Nicolas church at its center. Its construction was undertaken in the early 13th century by Aymon, Sire de Faucigny.
The Château de Haute-Bonne, fortified in the 13th century, was a key position. In the 17th century, its fortifications were dismantled, but the town of Basse-Bonne remained a commercial center thanks to its franchises.
3Notre-Dame des Voirons Chapel
Perched on the ridge between earth and sky, this Gothic chapel has all the necessary components to be a perfect place for contemplation.<br/>The chapel of Notre Dame des Voirons was built in the 15th century, with its back to a rock that climbs higher still and is the source of a little spring. This gothic chapel has all the right elements to make it a place for contemplation.
Located 10 minutes on foot from the monastery, you can reach the recently restored Notre-Dame des Voirons, whose interior has recently been restored, via a woodland path. The chapel is worth the detour in itself, not just for its decor, which is exemplary in its rustic restraint, nor for its attendance, as it is rarely visited. It is worth the visit because, unlike many other religious buildings, this chapel has soul.
There are no ornaments or paintings. It is simply decorated with a statue of the Virgin Mary (Black Madonna, of course), a plain, stone altar and basic furnishings. This simple rectangular stone Gothic chapel measures around 15 metres in length and provides a serene space for those in search of silence and inner peace.
4Les Voirons
From the Voirons crest (altitude 1 480m), you can enjoy a panoramic view across Lake Geneva, the Vallée Verte, the Giffre mountains, the Aravis and Mont-Blanc.<br/>Take a family walk along the Balcons du Léman long-distance path, which also takes you all around the lake.
5Notre-Dame des Voirons Monastery
At the summit of the magnificent Monts Voirons with views of Mont-Blanc, come and visit the Notre Dame des Voirons Monastery, the chapel and Petites soeurs de Bethléem's art studios.<br/>Les Voirons was already a cult site for the Allobroges and Romans. Lord Louis de Langin founded the first chapel here in the 15th century, housing the black Virgin and called it Notre Dame des Voirons. The chapel then became a pilgrim site and welcomed Saint François de Sales in 1595. Following a fire, the black Virgin is now kept in the Boëge Church. In 1967 the first Soeurs de Béthléem nuns came to Les Voirons. There are now 100 of them.
6Signal des Voirons
Summit of a forest walk which is accessible even for very young children. When the weather is good, the whole valley is all yours.<br/>Enjoy panoramic 360° views from the Signal des Voirons with the Léman and Jura on one side and Mont Blanc, the Môle and the Chablais peaks to the other side.
