Nested in the heart of unspoilt countryside, the town of Bonne’s old market town and its chapel, steeped in history, are the first step on the road to the wild and secret landscapes of the Voirons. Less rugged and more forested than its neighbour the Salève, the Voirons massif is like a verdant crest where flora and fauna roam freely. You may be lucky enough to come across a toad, a discreet inhabitant of the area, or spot the tracks of a stealthy lynx. Here, rare orchids such as the sabot de Vénus or the superb œillet add a touch of poetry to the landscape.
At the summit of the Voirons mountains, between the sparkling Léman and the imposing Mont-Blanc range, stands the monastery of Notre-Dame de la Gloire-Dieu. Founded in 1967, this Marian sanctuary invites you to meditate in a silence conducive to prayer. The nuns practise their traditional skills here, particularly in the production of stoneware, a craft carried out with great care and simplicity.
As you continue to climb towards the Signal des Voirons, your gaze wanders over a breathtaking panorama: on one side, the Léman and the Jura, on the other, the majestic silhouette of Mont-Blanc and the peaks of the Alps. A veritable hanging balcony!
And on this ridge, between land and sky, stands the Gothic chapel of Notre-Dame des Voirons, a haven of peace and contemplation, where time seems to stand still. Here, your gaze widens, your mind lifts, and you let yourself be won over by the simple, grandiose beauty of the mountains.
