In Plancherine, a vegetation-covered limestone cascade, a church with colourful interior plasterwork and the Tour Gaillarde each offer something different. Tamié Abbey and walking trails are also worth considering when planning your trip. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can think about which of these natural and cultural interests you’d like to shape your stay—without turning them into a fixed daily itinerary.
Tufière: spring and vegetation-covered cascade
The Tufière de Plancherine is a petrifying spring. It forms a striking, vegetation-covered cascade that can be seen from a viewing platform; information panels provide further details about the geological site. The Tufière is one of the tufa springs that flow year-round. Such springs often support specialised flora and an exceptional biotope; the precipitation of limestone shapes the habitat.
You can reach the Tufière on foot from the large roadside car park at Col de Tamié. Head towards the restaurant, leave it on your right, then follow the uphill forest path. There are signs from the drinking water reservoir onwards. Paths and signs may change, so follow the information on site during your visit.
Tamié Abbey and cheese
The Abbaye Cistercienne Notre Dame de Tamié stands at an altitude of 900 metres on the eastern slope of the Massif des Bauges, on the border between Savoie and Haute-Savoie. It was founded in 1132 by Saint Pierre de Tarentaise. The liturgy is open to everyone and celebrated in French; Gregorian chant continues to hold an important place there. If you’d like to attend a liturgy, check the current times in advance.
The abbey has a cheese dairy that produces around 400 kilograms of Tamié cheese every day. The unpasteurised pressed cheese is sold in the region, throughout France and online. This gives Tamié, as a visitor attraction, a connection to a local product as well as to its history.
Church and Tour Gaillarde
The present-day Église de Plancherine was built during the Sardinian period, from 1840 to 1844, on the site of a smaller earlier church. Its original interior features include coloured plasterwork. Despite damage caused by water ingress, it is well preserved and considered exceptional in the region—a distinctive aspect of the village’s architectural history.
The Tour Gaillarde served as the main residence of the abbots of Tamié for several centuries. The modest building has been preserved and is considered a symbol of their seigneurial power over Plancherine. The circular route to the tower leads to a fortified residence that has been inhabited since the 16th century. It is open from 1 May to 31 October in favourable weather conditions and is free to visit.
Two walking routes, different highlights
The Tour du vallon de Tamié is a shaded walking route connecting the Abbaye Cistercienne Notre Dame de Tamié with Fort de Tamié. The circular route to the Tour Gaillarde has a different focus: it leads to the fortified residence and has a seasonal access period, subject to favourable weather conditions. For planning purposes, the main differences between the two routes are their destinations and access conditions.
Discover more destinations: Lescheraines, Les Avanchers Valmorel, Séez, Bessans, Planay, Saint-Pierre-D'entremont, La Tania, Albens
For the regional travel overview: Savoie.
