Attractions and Places To See around Les Marches - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Les Marches include a variety of mountain passes, a scenic lake, and historical sites. This region offers diverse landscapes, from challenging mountain climbs to tranquil natural monuments. Visitors can explore viewpoints, religious buildings, and man-made monuments, providing a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The area is suitable for those seeking outdoor activities and historical exploration.
Best attractions and places to see around Les Marches
- The most popular attractions is Granier Pass, a mountain pass that offers superb panoramas and is a classic route for cyclists. Once at the pass, it is possible to continue into the Chartreuse massif or descend towards the vineyards of Apremont and Lake Saint-André.
- Another must-see spot is Marocaz Pass, a mountain pass known for its beautiful and challenging climbs. This pass offers an access point for climbing in the Bauges and features little car traffic.
- Visitors also love Lake Saint-André, a lake nestled amidst vineyards. This natural monument provides a pleasant setting with a picnic area and a discovery trail.
- Les Marches is known for its mountain passes, historical sites, and natural monuments. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from challenging climbs to serene lakes and significant cultural landmarks.
- The attractions around Les Marches are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 300 upvotes and over 100 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: August 30, 2026
Granier Pass
Highlight • Mountain Pass
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Lake Saint-André
Highlight • Lake
In the leisure area, unsupervised, swimming is tolerated at the risk and peril of users. Prohibited in the rest of the lake.
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Marocaz Pass
Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass
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Mont Saint-Michel Chapel (Chambéry)
Highlight • Religious Site
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La Cochette Cross
Highlight • Summit
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Tips from the Community
Proper climb from Chambery, beautiful views of the Chartreuse.
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Magnificent view of the heart of the Chartreuse region, the plain of St. Laurent du Pont, and Mont Blanc in the background, seemingly within arm's reach. The access path via the ridge that connects to Outheran is very straightforward. The climb from St. Jean de Couz on the SW side is quite complicated. The path is barely visible and rather difficult to follow on a very steep face. The final section leads up a very steep couloir, through a slippery and unstable scree slope. Furthermore, the exposure to falling rocks is quite significant; extreme caution is required (helmet recommended). The final section consists of short climbing sections and very steep ascents in fairly exposed grassy terrain (fairly straightforward, but exposed).
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Warning: The climb from the east side is extremely steep! An average gradient of around 10% over 9-10 km.
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Very good and quite accessible as a pass. Be careful of overtaking cars.
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From Saint Pierre you pass through Entrement le veux and arrive at the top of Col de Granier, if you take the first right towards Col de Marcieu until Saint Hillaire de Touvet and descend into the valley to Grenoble, very calm, rolling and bucolic
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More interesting climb via the "direct" route, via Rocher Rousset, from Challes-les-Eaux.
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small viewpoint on Lake St André
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural attractions can I explore around Les Marches?
The region offers several beautiful natural spots. You can visit Lake Saint-André, a picturesque lake nestled among vineyards, perfect for a picnic or a discovery trail. The area is also known for its dramatic mountain passes like Granier Pass, which offers superb panoramas, and Marocaz Pass, known for its challenging climbs and scenic views.
Are there any historical sites or cultural landmarks in Les Marches?
Yes, Les Marches features several historical and cultural landmarks. In Chambéry, you can find the iconic Fountain of the Elephants, a well-known monument honoring Benoît de Boigne. Another significant site is the Mont Saint-Michel Chapel (Chambéry), a religious building offering wonderful views of Chambéry and the surrounding massifs.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near these attractions?
Les Marches is excellent for outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy various cycling routes, including challenging climbs around Marocaz Pass or scenic loops around Lake Saint-André. For more details on cycling, check out the Cycling around Les Marches guide. There are also gravel biking options, such as the difficult loop from Saint-Baldoph that includes Lake Saint-André and Granier Pass, which you can find in the Gravel biking around Les Marches guide.
Are there hiking trails suitable for different skill levels?
Yes, the region offers hiking trails for various abilities. For easy walks, consider the 1.8 km loop around Lake Saint-André. Moderate options include the 8 km Saint-André Cross loop from Les Marches. You can explore more hiking routes in the Hiking around Les Marches guide.
Are there any family-friendly attractions in the area?
Absolutely! Lake Saint-André is a great family-friendly spot, offering a pleasant setting with a picnic area and a discovery trail. Swimming is also tolerated in designated areas, making it ideal for a relaxing day out with children.
What do visitors enjoy most about the mountain passes in Les Marches?
Visitors particularly appreciate the stunning views and the challenge of the climbs. Granier Pass is praised for its superb panoramas, especially on the ascent from Saint-Baldoph. Marocaz Pass is often highlighted as one of the most beautiful climbs in the region, with little car traffic, making it a favorite for cyclists.
Is the Fountain of the Elephants accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, the Fountain of the Elephants in Chambéry is noted as being wheelchair accessible, allowing everyone to enjoy this famous monument.
Can I find places to eat or drink near the attractions?
While specific cafes are not listed for every attraction, areas like Lake Saint-André offer picnic areas, and towns like Chambéry (where the Fountain of the Elephants and Mont Saint-Michel Chapel are located) will have various dining options.
What are the best viewpoints in the Les Marches region?
For breathtaking views, head to Granier Pass, which offers superb panoramas of the surrounding landscape. The Mont Saint-Michel Chapel (Chambéry) also provides a wonderful vantage point overlooking Chambéry, the Massif de Belledonne, and the Chartreuse.
Are there any unique features about the Mont Saint-Michel Chapel in Chambéry?
The Mont Saint-Michel Chapel (Chambéry) is an octagonal chapel situated on a small plateau, offering a magnificent view. It was notably erected with the help of the Chartreux fathers and is easily recognizable from the valley of Chambéry, dedicated to Archangel Michael.
What is the significance of the Fountain of the Elephants in Chambéry?
The Fountain of the Elephants, also known as 'the four without ass,' was built in 1838 to honor General Count de Boigne, a local benefactor who made his fortune in India. The four elephant torsos symbolize his Indian military campaigns, and he generously contributed to his hometown of Chambéry.
Can I swim in Lake Saint-André?
Swimming is generally tolerated at Lake Saint-André within the leisure area, though it is unsupervised and at the users' own risk. Navigation and swimming are prohibited in other parts of the lake.
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