Hermillon brings together religious heritage, historical traces and nature. The Chapelle de Montandré is near the hamlet of Montandré and overlooks Hermillon from an altitude of 850 metres. From Hermillon, the Voie Romaine leads to the chapel in about a 45-minute walk, passing several oratories along the way. This makes it possible to follow a route with specific stops connected to local history.
Chapel, pilgrimage and local history
The annual pilgrimage to Montandré takes place on 8 September. Pilgrims pray at each oratory before taking part in an open-air mass near the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Montandré. The Chapelle Notre-Dame in Montandré also houses an 18th-century antependium, which is listed as a protected object. In front of the Chapelle de Montandré stands the Table d’Orientation: it overlooks the valley and provides information for walkers.
Another local landmark is the Oratoire Saint Michel in Champessuit, built at the initiative of a Hermillon resident. The Câbles à foin also tell the story of former connections between mountain pastures and the village: around twenty hay cableways transported “Barillons” from the pastures to Hermillon. They have been dismantled, but traces remain. Wine has been grown in Hermillon for many centuries.
The three-day Les trois Glorieuses festival is also associated with 8 September; it was established in 1960. The pilgrimage takes place every year on this exact date. The Salon du Livre d’Hermillon is organised by the LE COLPORTEUR association, founded in 1989. These different traditions give the local calendar a cultural framework; check specific dates in advance when planning a trip.
Nature and activities in Hermillon
The Montandré plateau is the only known habitat of Tulipa montisandrei. In addition to the Chapelle de Montandré and several oratories, the Voie Romaine leads to a botanical discovery trail and a picnic area. In this way, the route combines heritage stops with botanical interpretation and an opportunity to take a break, without requiring you to assume there is another trail.
Other activities are available in the local area as separate options: the Forêt d’Hermillon has a hiking route. The Canyon d’Hermillon amont is a canyoning route at the Hermillon site. These activities differ considerably from the Voie Romaine, whose described stops are primarily connected with the heritage of Montandré.
The Falaise d’Hermillon is classified by the FFME as a “terrain d’aventure” and is currently temporarily closed. Check its status before planning a climbing visit. This keeps the classification separate from current access conditions, so you can plan your activities according to the relevant information.
There is also a cultural space in the village centre: the Médiathèque – Hermillon offers free access to books, CDs, computers and the internet. Opening hours may change, so check them before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Lescheraines, Le Pré, Verrens-Arvey, Chamoux-sur-Gelon, Le Châtelard, Valloire, Sardières, Aigueblanche.
For the broader travel overview: Savoie.
