The hamlets of Les Vincendières and Avérole as seen from the hamlet of Le Villaron

Between Bessans and Bonneval-sur-Arc, on the D902, head for the Villaron car park at the foot of the hamlet of the same name.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the road and take the path which starts to the left of the Notre-Dame des Grâces Chapel, by the cross.

(1) Follow the groomed track, signposted with mauve snowshoe symbols, towards the nearby hamlet of La Goulaz. 

(2) Leave the Route d’Avérole by turning left to enter the hamlet of La Goulaz. After a few chalets, turn right and leave the hamlet via the Chemin de la Goulaz. The route follows the summer road which runs along the right bank of the Torrent d’Avérole as far as the summer car park, where there is an information board with maps.

(3) From the car park, carry on straight ahead. The path continues to climb to the hamlet of Les Vincendières.

(4) Shortly after the hamlet, at the signpost for “Les Vincendières, alt 1860 m”, ignore the path signposted to the left towards “Hameau d’Avérole 0h35” (unless off-piste conditions allow it, depending on snow cover) and stay on the main path. After the hairpin bend, pass close to the old goods lift, which is still clearly visible with its cables.

(5) The path descends slightly before climbing again in a few bends to reach the entrance to the hamlet of Avérole.

(6) Continue towards the old houses. At the ruins, turn right to enter the heart of this old hamlet until you reach a promontory. Admire the panoramic views both upwards, towards the mountain ranges, and downwards towards the torrent and its small waterfalls.

(7) Turn back and head towards the church (and the picnic table at the back, where a well-deserved break awaits).
Then retrace your steps along the same path in the opposite direction to return to theVillaron car park (S/E).

There are no snowshoe walks listed for Bessans on Visorando, hence my suggestion for those searching on this site. On the Bessans website, several marked routes are available.

In summer, it is possible to cross to the other bank to return to the starting point.

Unless there has been recent heavy snowfall, snowshoes aren’t really necessary before (5) as the route is well-trodden. To continue beyond (5), it’s best to put them on to avoid sinking up to your knees.

Picnic table at Avérole church.

(S/E) Near the car park, you can walk to the small hamlet of Le Villaron, which features the Chapel of Saint-Colomban. 

(1) The Chapel of Notre-Dame des Grâces, where votive offerings and even wedding wreaths have been left.

(4) You can stroll through the narrow streets of the hamlet of Les Vincendières and admire the Chapel of Mary Magdalene.

(7) Panoramic view.

You can continue the climb (1 hour one way) to the Refuge de l’Avérole.

A few kilometres away, via the D902, you can visit the old village of Bonneval-sur-Arc. Food and drink available.

From Bonneval-sur-Arc, you can walk to L’Ecot (in winter, the route is groomed). This is the hamlet where scenes from the modern film *Belle and Sébastien* were filmed. A pretty hamlet made up of old houses.