Charmaix Chapel and Chemin des Essarts

On arrival in Valfréjus, park on Rue des Bettets in one of the car parks on the right, opposite the Maison du Thabor. Plenty of parking available.

(S/E) Walk back down the road a few metres and turn left: signposts are in place, as they are almost all along the walk. You’ll reach the Notre-Dame du Charmaix Chapel very easily.

A switch on the right allows you to light up the interior of the chapel and explore it more fully. Cross the bridge and, just after it, on the right, you’ll find the Weeping Rock. It is said to have the power to cure eye diseases! In 2022, for the first time, it stopped weeping.

(1) Just a little further down, join the road heading up towards Valfréjus, just before the first hairpin bend. Take this road to the right, heading uphill. Leave this road very quickly at the next bend by taking the path into the woods on the left. The Sentier des Essarts is clearly signposted.

All along the path, remember to look back regularly to admire the view of Arplane, Le Truc, etc.

(2) On the left, there is a bird feeder, followed a few metres further on by a drinking trough.

(3) On the right, a beautiful view of the Grand Vallon Waterfall. You can also see some sections of the Via Ferrata set against this magnificent backdrop. Further on, you’ll catch sight of other sections of the Grand Vallon stream and/or the Via Ferrata.

At the three-way junction, keep to the right, ignoring the path that climbs left into the forest. Take the wooden bridge on the right. Once back on the road, turn right to head back down towards Valfréjus. You can see the Charmasson chairlift, and you pass right by the bottom station of this chairlift.

(4) Take the signposted path on the right which winds through the undergrowth down towards Valfréjus. There are numerous paths (mountain bike tracks). Bear in mind that you need to reach the start of the Charmasson chairlift. With this clearly visible landmark, it’s impossible to get lost!

Emerge onto Rue du Cheval Blanc, cross the road to reach the chairlift terminus. Then take the road on the right to quickly reach the car park (S/E).

The route is almost entirely in the shade.

Watch out for mountain bikes in the final section through the woodland, particularly if the Charmasson chairlift is in operation.

In summer, guided tour of the chapel on Wednesdays at 6.15 pm for €4 (2022 information; bookings at the Tourist Office). A very comprehensive tour covering the history of Valfréjus, Savoie and the chapel, including a visit inside.

Grand Vallon Via Ferrata: can be tackled independently by experienced climbers with the necessary equipment. Sessions for beginners are organised with a guide. Enquiries at the Valfréjus Tourist Office.

In winter, ice climbing.

In summer, the Charmasson chairlift operates one day a week (Wednesdays in 2022), providing easy access to the mountain bike trail or the Essarts path (for a route in the opposite direction to the one suggested here)