La Bauche combines a long religious and architectural history with wooded slopes and small streams. The village’s history dates back to its mention in a religious document from 1142; the church, château and thermal history add their own historical highlights later on. At the same time, Mont-Beauvoir, Montagne de Lépine and the waterways offer different ways to explore the landscape.
Church, Château and Historic Traces
A religious document from 1142 refers to La Bauche as “Eclésia di boschia,” translated as “Church of La Bauche.” The church was rebuilt in the 19th century and remains at its historic site, which was already marked on the 1729 Sardinian cadastral map. It also houses a painting by Xavier de Maistre: he painted the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Pisa in 1828; in 1982, the painting was classified as a work of art.
The Château de La Bauche was also built in several stages: the Perrin family had it built in the 18th century, starting with a tower in 1733. Four crosses stand in the territory of La Bauche, mostly at crossroads. The former establishment of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in La Curriaz is also part of the religious heritage. The ruins of former mills near Le Moulin are of a different kind. A Gallo-Roman site with two springs was identified in 1862.
The Thermal History of La Bauche
The iron-rich thermal spring was rediscovered in 1862 by the Sardinian Count Crotti de Castiglione. Édouard Crotti subsequently developed the spa business in La Bauche and began marketing bottled water and lozenges. The historic spa at the Château de La Bauche was built in 1877. The spring’s rediscovery, the development of the spa business and the later construction of the spa mark different stages in the history of the village.
Wooded Slopes and Waterways
The wooded slopes of Mont-Beauvoir rise above La Bauche. Montagne de LĂ©pine is classified as a ZNIEFF for its botanical and geological significance. These two natural features are distinct: at Mont-Beauvoir, the hillside landscape shapes the view above the village, while Montagne de LĂ©pine is notable for its botanical and geological significance.
At the western edge of La Bauche, the Morge stream winds through the plain. Several small streams rise on the western slope of Montagne de LĂ©pine, flow into the Morge and cross La Bauche from east to west. There are more than ten small streams in total. Both the course of the Morge and its smaller tributaries are part of the village landscape.
Getting Around and Local Offerings
The D 921 crosses La Bauche from north to south, connecting Les Echelles with the shores of Lac d’Aiguebelette. The road therefore provides a clear geographical reference point between the village, Les Echelles and the lake.
Local offerings include Fournil Les mains dans la pâte, a local organic bakery with a wood-fired oven. It offers sourdough bread, brioche, cookies, and sweet and savoury specialities. This adds a specific culinary connection to La Bauche alongside its historical and landscape themes.
Discover more destinations: Mercury, Levassaix, Verrens-Arvey, Bourdeau, Champagny-En-Vanoise, Les Coches, Saint-Jean-D’arves, Montagny.
For the broader travel overview: Savoie.
