Around Notre-Dame des Neiges in Saint-Laurent-les-Bains

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Make the most of your visit to the Abbey of Notre-Dame des Neiges by taking this short circular walk through the woods.

Details

n°40419741
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.85 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 308 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 305 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,852 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,543 ft
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Photos

The PAL Cross
Notre-Dame des Neiges Abbey

Description of the walk

Start at the northern end of the abbey’s large, shaded car park.

(S/E) Take the gently ascending path through the woodland.

(1) Cross the Rieufrais and arrive at a place called La Felgère.

(2) Walk past the ruins of the very first abbey and turn right onto theGR®7until you reach the Croix du Pal.

(3) Turn onto the path on the right and continue to the tarmac D4 road linking La Bastide to Saint-Laurent-les-Bains.

(4) Turn onto the path immediately on your right to head straight for the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,543 ft - Car park at the - Abbaye Notre-Dame des Neiges (Saint-Laurent-les-Bains)
  2. 1 : mi 0.83 - alt. 3,740 ft - Rieufrais (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Allier
  3. 2 : mi 0.99 - alt. 3,793 ft - La Felgère
  4. 3 : mi 1.34 - alt. 3,835 ft - Croix du Pal
  5. 4 : mi 2.16 - alt. 3,740 ft - Junction with the D4 road
  6. S/E : mi 2.85 - alt. 3,547 ft - Car park at the - Abbaye Notre-Dame des Neiges (Saint-Laurent-les-Bains)

Notes

An easy walk around the abbey, allowing you to explore the original site of the abbey, founded in 1850 by Trappist monks from the Cistercian abbey of Aiguebelle in the Drôme.

Worth a visit

The abbey: temporary exhibitions.
The Charles de Foucauld Chapel.
The old wine cellars and the small agricultural museum near the shop.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Metalika
Metalika

It's a shame because I did this walk again last September

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User 21381643

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

the circular bus stop at the abbey no longer exists...!

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54Cloclo
54Cloclo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very peaceful walk in beautiful surroundings, sunny for almost half the route and through woodland for the rest. The path is wide and accessible to all given the gentle gradient, but good shoes are recommended as the path is often stony.
We were there with a small dog and even found water for him to drink (a small stream).

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Dedette90
Dedette90
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy walk through the woods, starting from Notre Dame des Neiges.
Hike followed using the GPX track
Go to the place called La Felgère (statue of the Virgin Mary) for a view of the site.

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barberet
barberet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk that you can choose to combine with another, such as the Bastide!

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.