La Giettaz offers a range of discoveries: an easy circular walk to the waterfall, a distinctive church building, village history and topics related to mountain farming. There is also a snowshoe trail and a ski touring route, whose conditions depend on snow and weather. If you are looking for accommodation in La Giettaz, you can plan your stay around the things that interest you most.
Trails and time required
The easy circular walk to La Cascade du Dard starts in La Giettaz, is 2 kilometres long and takes 45 minutes. The waterfall is 70 metres high and is known by local residents as “voile de la mariée” (bride’s veil). Before setting off, check local conditions; route information may change.
The L’Abbaye snowshoe trail is a short walking route starting in La Giettaz. One variation is listed as taking 1 hour and 45 minutes and covering 4.1 kilometres. For comparison, that is one hour and 2.1 kilometres more than the Cascade loop. The trails also differ in their focus: this is a snowshoe route, and conditions depend on snow and weather. L’Abbaye passes the Oratoire des Clapières, described as the oldest oratory in the Val d’Arly.
The Les Chalets d’Alpage route focuses on the hamlets and heritage of La Giettaz. These include a church, an oratory and alpine chalets. It therefore offers a different way to explore the local heritage than the specific architectural features in the village or the topics on display in the museum; no walking time is provided for this route.
For ski touring, La Rose du Chapet runs from Pont de l’Armoy in the Plan de la Giettaz to the summit of Tête du Torraz. It is one of twelve marked ski touring routes in the Portes du Mont-Blanc area. Snow, weather and the operating conditions of the ski area determine whether this route is suitable; the marked route network may also change. Check current local conditions before setting out.
Church, museum and village history
The Église Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens is dedicated to Saint Peter in Chains. In the mid-19th century, it was rebuilt in place of a medieval church. Its floor plan is shaped like a Greek cross, and the central dome contains frescoes dating from 1848. The church also has an onion-shaped bell tower and historic furnishings. It is considered an example of the late Baroque style of Savoy—a number of readily distinguishable features for anyone interested in religious architecture and its forms.
The Musée A la Rencontre du Passé is housed in an old building in the centre of the village. It presents traditional Savoyard homes and domestic life, alongside a woodworking workshop and an exhibition on snow featuring skis, sleds and bobsleds. Different aspects of everyday life are thus brought together: the design of homes and the use of snow and winter equipment. The museum complements the church’s architectural history with insights into domestic life and crafts.
Mountain farming and local produce
Ferme de la Gardette produces Reblochon, Tommes and Raclettes cheeses and sells them directly from the farm. In winter, free visits are available during milking. The farm also offers guided visits covering mountain farming, animals, milking and cheesemaking; advance reservations are required. Dates and seasonal visiting arrangements may change, so check in advance which type of visit and date would suit you.
Planning options therefore have different focuses: the short Cascade loop has precise duration and distance details, while the longer snowshoe variation also passes the Oratoire des Clapières. The church and museum offer cultural and historical topics; at Ferme de la Gardette, the focus is on farming, animals and cheesemaking. Check local conditions for weather-dependent outings and book guided farm visits in advance.
Discover more destinations: Aigueblanche, Aussois, Valmeinier, Lescheraines, Pralognan-La-Vanoise, Queige, Barberaz, Le Châtelard.
For the main travel overview: Savoie.
