Les Contamines-Montjoie combines hiking trails on the Tour du Mont-Blanc with a nature reserve, a cultural discovery trail and historic buildings. This gives you several ways to plan your trip: explore multi-day trekking options, combine individual hikes with nature and cultural experiences, or look into sports and leisure activities.
Hiking between stages and loop trails
Les Contamines-Montjoie is a stopover or stage location on the Tour du Mont-Blanc and offers various hiking options on this well-known GR trail. The Tour du Mont-Blanc variations include 15 stages, with walking times ranging from 3 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes; they also pass through landscapes that are still relatively little known. The Tour du Val Montjoie is a five-day trek between Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc and Les Contamines-Montjoie. If you are weighing up how much time to allow for your trip, you can compare this multi-day trek with the stated walking times for the Tour du Mont-Blanc stages.
A shorter historical hike leads from the village square to the hamlet of La Frasse. Along the way, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mont Joly; the return route passes via P’Tou and the parish church of Sainte-Trinité before reaching the village. This route combines a specific trail with a glimpse of the local heritage, making it a different option from the multi-day treks.
Nature reserve and discovery trails
Since 1979, the RĂ©serve naturelle des Contamines-Montjoie has been located entirely within the municipality of Les Contamines-Montjoie. The Espace Nature au Sommet provides information about the nature reserve. It hosts weekly exhibitions, films, debates and events, adding a program of different ways to learn about nature.
The Sentier de découverte runs along the Bon Nant. Its 16 illustrated stops introduce visitors to the nature and cultural heritage of Les Contamines-Montjoie. The stops offer a way to explore both themes: the landscape and local history are not presented as separate activities but are brought together along the same route.
Sports and leisure activities
The paved Piste de ski-roues is 2.5 kilometers long and 4 meters wide. It is located in a year-round Nordic area, is open to everyone and can be used independently or with a professional. The track is secured and connected to the Les Contamines biathlon stadium. The stadium is approved for the international circuit and hosts competitions for amateur and professional skiers throughout the winter.
The Parc de loisirs du Pontet covers 30 hectares of leisure and recreation space, with more than 20 activities for the whole family. The Lac de Baignade du Pontet is a separate attraction: its supervised swimming area covers 3,800 square meters. Swimming is seasonal; check the operating dates before your visit.
Churches, history and pilgrimage
The Sainte-Trinité church is a Savoyard Baroque church dating from 1759. Its square bell tower is based on a tower from the former Château de Montjoie, which once guarded access to the Col du Bonhomme. A pilgrimage takes place every year on August 15 at the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Gorge. The chapel was also listed as a historic monument by decree on June 22, 2015. Together, these sites illustrate different aspects of the cultural heritage: architectural history, historical function and a recurring religious tradition.
Getting around locally
A shuttle bus service is available for getting around the village of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Timetables vary by season; check them before your trip. This lets you start planning with the kind of stay you have in mind, rather than making broad assumptions about every accommodation option.
Discover more destinations: La Vernaz, Saint-Félix, Évires, Saint-Pierre-En-Faucigny, Le Biot, Dingy-Saint-Clair, Vétraz-Monthoux, Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
