Suggested Local Itineraries in and around Sainte Foy
With so much choice in local activities it can be hard to decide how to spend your day. To help you plan your stay we've laid out below a small selection to whet your appetite.
Plan d'eau: cycle, swim, picnic (or barbeque):
Visiting the Plan d'eau in Aime is a great day out for the family. There is a natural lake for swimming that has a cafe, sandpit, high ropes course and play ground. There are also barbeque areas and ready made barbeque pits.
The plan d'eau can be reached either by road or via the 'no-cars' cycle and foot path which follows the Isère river. Travel by car if you want to set up a picnic spot for the day at the Plan d'eau with a stop at the local supermarket in Bourg Saint Maurice to pick up charcoal or wood as well as your picnic food.
Alternatively the pretty cycle route alongside the Isère river is relatively flat and can be enjoyed by the whole family, including younger children. If you don't have bikes you can hire them in Bourg Saint Maurice. The ride is about 12km each way and there are plenty of cafes along the route for those that don't fancy the picnic or barbeque idea.
Whichever you choose, don't forget swimming costumes and towels, as a cool off in the lake will be most welcome.
Monal: walk (or mountain bike) & picnic
Walk or mountain bike from Sainte Foy the 5km up to the award winning village of Monal or take a car part of the way and walk the last 2km. A stunning summer paradise with fields of pretty wild flowers, rustic farm buildings, bubbling brooks and amazing views of the Mont Pourri glacier on the opposite side of the valley.
There are plenty of places alongside the river to lay out a blanket and soak up the mountain scenery whilst enjoying a picnic and perhaps a glass of wine or two. You can also visit the local fromagerie, buy locally made cheeses and see the process by which they are made. For those that don't want to bother with a picnic there is a mountain refuge where you can buy a simple lunch of local produce.
There's also a natural climbing wall for those that fancy taking up a harness and ropes.
Le Crot / Refuge du Ruitor: walk & lunch
A beautiful walk from the hamlet of Le Masure (you can drive there or get a Premiere Neige transfer bus to the start point) up through the valley to the tiny hamlet of Le Crot (a ski through destination in the winter months). This is under 3km walk, but it is worth going on up to the Refuge du Ruitor (another 5km) to have a drink and a snack and then return for a well earned lunch to the Restaurant at Le Crot. Sit at the garden tables and enjoy a rustic mountain lunch and listen to the sound of the river running by.
Chez Merie: walk, lunch, swim
A walk across country from Sainte Foy Station to the pretty hamlet of Le Miroir and lunch at Chez Merie is a must during your stay. There are a couple of routes, all under 5km, so a great choice for all the family. Lunch at Chez Merie is worth the effort, delicious food (large portions, so arrive hungry!) from an extensive menu board and an eclectic mix of garden tables under the shade of the trees is holiday bliss. Follow this up with an afternoon by their pool, equipped with loungers and amazing views. A few lengths of the pool for the energetic before the walk home - or better still book one of our transfer busses for the return journey.
Tignes: Water activities, mountain biking, views
A great day out for all the family with lots to keep everyone happy. The lake is circumnavigated via a foot/bike path with a plethora of activities available. There is a skateboard park, water ramp, sailing & canoeing, golf and mountain bike circuits to name just a few. Stop at one of the many varied restaurants surrounding the lake, or take a picnic and grab baguette or two from one of the bakeries.
Bourg Saint Maurice: Water sports, market
The home of rafting, canoeing & hydrospeed (swimming with flippers and a sturdy float). Travel down the Isère river the 15km to Aime with a professional watersports guide. They will supply wetsuits and all the necessary gear. Great fun for all the family. Then some relaxation and a well earned lunch at the rafting centre cafe. For those that don't quite fancy the watersports, a visit to Bourg High Street for some retail therapy is recommended. If you are there on a Saturday there is the market with lots of local produce to be enjoyed.
