Best attractions and places to see around La Bauche include a variety of natural features and historical sites within the Savoie department of France. Situated in the northern Prealps, the commune is part of the Chartreuse Regional Natural Park, offering diverse landscapes. The area features prominent mountain passes, summits, and a notable lake, providing opportunities for outdoor exploration. La Bauche and its surroundings blend natural beauty with points of historical interest.
Last updated: June 22, 2026
Highlight • Mountain Pass
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Highlight • Lake
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Highlight • Summit
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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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Lake Aiguebelette is a natural lake located in France in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Main lake of the Savoyard Avant-Pays, in the southern end of the Jura massif, it is located approximately 10 kilometers from Chambéry, approximately 40 kilometers from Grenoble and approximately 100 kilometers from Lyon. It has an area of 545 hectares and is as such the seventh natural French lake after Lake Geneva (in part), Lake Hourtin and Carcans, Lake Grand-Lieu, Lake Bourget, Lake Annecy and Lake Marville (at Kerguelen). Bordered to the east by the Épine chain which culminates with Mont Grelle at 1,427 meters and to the west by Mont Tournier, its maximum depth is 71 meters. At first glance, it is characterized by its often green color, whereas, in the same region, Lake Annecy is bluer and Lake Bourget is more often steel gray. Lake Aiguebelette is a private lake which belongs to the Rivérieulx de Chambost de Lépin family and Électrcité de France, who have entrusted its management to the Communauté de Communes du Lac d'Aiguebelette. Its banks are shared between five riverside municipalities: Aiguebelette-le-Lac, Lépin-le-Lac, Saint-Alban-de-Montbel, Novalaise and Nances. In the southern part of the lake there are two islands, surrounded by reed beds. In order to preserve the quality of its waters and its environment, thermal motor boats have been prohibited on the lake since a decree of 1967. It has also been the first regional freshwater nature reserve in France since March 2015. Source: Wikipedia
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The Col du Banchet is a mountain pass located at an altitude of 590 m in the Mont Tournier range, south of the Jura massif, in the Savoyard Avant-Pays, in the Savoie department.
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Very beautiful panorama of the Chartreuse seen from the north-west, with Mont-Blanc in focus to the north-east, the Belledonne massif behind the Chartreuse and the foothills of the Vercors to the south, as far as Obiou which can be seen when the weather is nice. And all after a short climb, with a few slightly steep passages however...
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La Bauche is nestled within the beautiful Parc Naturel Régional de Chartreuse, offering diverse landscapes. You can visit prominent mountain passes like Granier Pass, Col du Banchet, and Crucifix Pass, which provide scenic views and routes into the Chartreuse massif. The summit of La Cochette Cross offers panoramic vistas. Additionally, Lac d'Aiguebelette, known for its distinctive green waters and mountain backdrop, is a popular spot for relaxation and water activities.
Yes, La Bauche has a rich history. The most significant site is the Château and Thermal Baths of La Bauche, featuring an 18th-century castle and a 19th-century thermal establishment built around a spring used since Roman times. Although now private, its historical significance is notable. You can also find the Monument Charles Emmanuel 2 Saint Christophe, erected in 1674, and the historic Caves Saint Christophe nearby.
The region around La Bauche is ideal for various outdoor activities. Hiking is very popular, with routes ranging from moderate to difficult, including trails to Mont Grelle and Mount Outheran. For cyclists, there are challenging road cycling routes that take you over passes like Col de la Cluse and Granier Pass. The Lac d'Aiguebelette offers opportunities for swimming and easy rides around its shores. In winter, several ski resorts like Le Désert d'Entremont are accessible.
Yes, Lac d'Aiguebelette is considered family-friendly, offering a beautiful setting for swimming at Plage Du Sougey and easy rides around the lake. The Parc and Pond of the Château also provide a serene setting for relaxation. For a more adventurous family outing, the Walibi Rhône-Alpes amusement park is located in the broader region.
The area offers numerous hiking opportunities, particularly within the Chartreuse Regional Natural Park. You can find routes like the Mont Grelle Summit loop or the Pissoire Waterfall loop. For more challenging mountain hikes, consider trails to Mount Outheran or the Col de Léchaud. You can find detailed routes and difficulty levels in the Hiking around La Bauche and Mountain Hikes around La Bauche guides.
The summer season is particularly popular for visiting Lac d'Aiguebelette and enjoying water activities. For hiking and cycling, spring through autumn generally offers pleasant weather. Winter provides opportunities for skiing at nearby resorts. Always check local weather conditions before planning your trip.
Absolutely. The region features several road cycling routes, including challenging ascents over mountain passes. Popular routes include loops that take you through the Gorges du Guiers Vif, past the Granier Pass, or to the Col des Mille Martyrs. You can explore various routes in the Road Cycling Routes around La Bauche guide.
Visitors frequently praise the scenic beauty and the rewarding views from the mountain passes and summits. For instance, Granier Pass is considered a classic for its panoramic vistas, and the view from Col du Banchet is said to reward the effort of the ascent. Lac d'Aiguebelette is cherished for its natural beauty and pleasant atmosphere, especially in summer.
Yes, for a taste of local life and produce, you can visit markets in nearby towns. Le Pont-de-Beauvoisin hosts a market on Mondays, Saint-Laurent-du-Pont on Thursdays, Novalaise on Wednesdays and Sundays, and Chambéry has markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and Saturdays.
While not directly in La Bauche, the broader area features remarkable gardens such as Les jardins du Prieuré and Parc du château du Touvet, both located approximately 20km away, offering pleasant excursions for garden enthusiasts.
You can find additional details about the historical significance and features of the Château and Thermal Baths of La Bauche on the Chartreuse Tourisme website. For information in French, visit chartreuse-tourisme.com (French), or for English, visit chartreuse-tourisme.com (English).


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