Tristan Shu

OT Thônes Cœur des Vallées

Tristan Shu

Thônes Cœur des Vallées

Between lake and mountains

Massif des Aravis
Département et Région : Haute-Savoie and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (AURA)
Principal passes : col de la Colombière, col des Aravis, col de la Forclaz, col du Marais, col de la Croix-Fry, col de Plan Bois, col de l'Épine
Étape sur Route des Grandes Alpes ® : du Grand-Bornand à Lescheraines

Summary

Suggestions for cycling loops
Our major passes
Biking in Thônes Cœur des Vallées
Summer in Thônes Cœur des Vallées
Other seasons
Other events
Services
Testimonials
FAQ
Access
Contacts
Other villages and resorts close to Thônes Cœur des Vallées

Suggestions for cycling loops around Thônes Cœur des Vallées

Our major mountain passes

Thônes Cœur des Vallées conceals several small secret passes where it's good to ride in complete serenity. But beware, they're no less sporty for all that!

The Col de Plan Bois (1299 m) on the slopes of the Montagne de Sulens offers a magnificent view of the reverse side of the Tournette and provides access to the Col de la Croix-Fry.

At the foot of Mont-Charvin, the Col de l'Épine (947 m) takes you through hamlets and mountain pastures in a calm, wild and mountainous atmosphere.

Tristan Shu

Cycling in Thônes Cœur des Vallées

The Thônes Cœur des Vallées region is the ideal place to enjoy cycling in all its forms (road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel), whether in sport mode to conquer the passes (Col de Plan Bois and Col de l'Epine), or in discovery mode to admire the local landscapes and heritage.
All routes are available with electric assistance. Via the Accueil Vélo label, there are plenty of places to recharge your batteries: restaurateurs, rental companies, tourist offices.
In 2024, Thônes is the starting town for the final stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné.

OT Thônes Coeur des Vallées

Summer at Thônes Cœur des Vallées

Thônes Cœur des Vallées is a central stopover in an environment with a rich natural heritage. This destination is made up of the town of Thônes and 7 villages: Alex, La Balme-de-Thuy, Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin, Les Clefs, Dingy-Saint-Clair, Serraval, and les Villards-sur-Thônes.

A starting point for numerous hikes, the territory enjoys a diverse network of hiking trails suitable for all, which, like the Plateau de Beauregard, offer exceptional panoramic views without too much effort. The more athletic will prefer to climb emblematic peaks such as Parmelan, Lachat, Sulens or Mont Charvin, the magnificent summit of the Aravis Range and the highest point in the Thônes Cœur des Vallées area (2,409 m). The area is criss-crossed by the GR 96 and the GRP Tournette- Aravis, offering a wide range of possibilities for hut-to-hut itineraries.

Thônes Cœur des Vallées is renowned both locally and nationally for the famous Reblochon de Savoie (PDO), produced by local farmers. The making of this ancestral cheese can be seen on the surrounding farms (alpine pastures in summer) and at the Coopérative du Reblochon Fermier.

The town is built around the church of Saint-Maurice. Its bulbous bell tower and listed 18th-century Baroque altarpiece make it a remarkable monument to visit. Surrounded by 15th-century arcaded houses, the town center hosts the famous Saturday market all year round. Thônes was awarded the French Resistance medal in 1945, and is home to the Nécropole nationale des Glières and the departmental museums of the Resistance and Deportation. To learn more, the Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt, the Musée Patrimonial du Pays de Thônes and the model room of the Amis du Val de Thônes tell the story of the valley.

Thônes vibrates throughout the summer to the rhythm of festivals, animations and other cultural events. Music, theater, dance, films, concerts... the program is rich and eclectic!

Coming back in winter

Thônes Cœur des Vallées is a destination that can also be enjoyed in winter: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ski touring, dog sledding, ice climbing... The Guinguette de Noël (craft Christmas market and festive area) kicks off the winter festivities!

Other events

Many highlights throughout the year: La Saison Culturelle, Thôn'arts récup, La Guinguette Gourmande, Foire Saint-Maurice, La Guinguette de Noël, ...

Services

Thônes, a central town, offers all the services you need all year round: tourist office, bus station, supermarkets, electric kiosks, parking lots, camper van parks...

Testimonials

"Very nice Thônes! Also very well located in Haute-Savoie, between Annecy and La Clusaz, I've already stayed there on vacation (in summer)and I don't regret it."Thomas V.

"Thônes is a very beautiful and lively town, between lake and mountains. Fabulous destination, at the start of many hikes, it's a great place to live!" Nathalie and family

"At the foot of the mountain and close to the lake, the compromise is perfect! Quality entertainment all year round in this magnificent Reblochon capital."Yanis

cyclistes plan bois — Crédit photo Tristan Shu

FAQ

What cheese is Thônes the capital of?
Thônes is the capital of Reblochon but also of Chevrotin, a goat cheese matured like Reblochon.
What is the highest point in the area?
Although La Tournette peaks at 2,351m, the highest peak is Le Mont Charvin at 2,409m.
How many refuges are there in our territory?
7 refuges dot the destination and make it possible to hike around: Larrieux, l'Aulp de Marlens, Praz d'Zeures, Lindion, Parmelan, l'Alpage du Freu and Les Fontanettes.

Access

SNCF train station and bus station :

Annecy

Road access

D16, then D909 from Annecy (A41).

Thônes enjoys a central geographical location. Halfway between Annecy and the ski resorts of the Grand-Bornand and of La Clusaz, it's easy to get to. Thônes is just 30 minutes from Annecy TGV station and 1 hour from Geneva international airport. Regular bus routes serve Thônes: 40 minutes Annecy - Thônes and 20 to 30 minutes from Thônes to the Aravis ski resorts (route Y62/63).