Loop from Crest-Voland which leads on the heights of Mont Lachat.
A loop to discover all the facets of Crest-Voland / Cohennoz. From the Tourist Office, the Entre deux Villes then Cernix road leads to the hamlet of Cernix. From there, take the road then the Prarian track going up towards Bois de Ban (picnic area). Go through the barrier and reach the Boeu du Cohen crossroads. Turn left towards Mont Lachat and join the lake. Go around it to the right and go down to the "Le Manstu" signpost (little marked path). Continue downhill to Crest-Voland, passing through the “Bellegarde”, “Le Tovat” and “Les Bérets Verts” signposts.
10 km
|
max. 1629 m
min. 1243 m
350 m
350 m
| |||
Style : Mountain |
The church of Crest-Voland, which is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady, was built between 1863 and 1866 on the site of the old 16th century church.The neo-Gothic style church has a single nave with three spans, separated by granite pillars, and a large, low-built chancel. Note the beautiful stained glass windows installed in 1913, the bright colours of the paintings inside and the altars made from white Carrare marble. The bell tower houses a collection of ten bells which ring regularly everyday.
Originally dedicated to St Claude, this chapel existed already in 1677. Rebuilt around 1850 and placed under the protection of Ste Marie. Look out for its polygonal bell tower, neo-classical altar and golden statue of the Virgin Mary. Recently restored.NB: this chapel is not open. You can only see it from the outside.
Come and visit Ainoz watermill, living testimony of Crest-Voland Cohennoz's history. Ghislaine and Patrick will reveal to you the secrets of this unique building that was once a watermill as well as a flourishing manufacturer of wooden handles.The Ainoz watermill, which bears the name of the family that has owned it since 1750, sits on a piece of land called Nant du Moulin, natural border between the two villages of Crest-Voland and Cohennoz. The miller was an important person in any village: it is he who received everyone’s grain harvest to mill it into flour, which was then used to make bread, a basic daily food. Originally the mill was equipped with an impeller which used the stream water to power three grind stones: one for barley, one for oats and one for wheat. In the 1930s, the miller’s business declined: the three Ainoz brothers decided to diversify their business and installed wood lathes. The impeller was replaced by a hydraulic turbine. Another turbine was installed to work the lathes. The little Ainoz factory made all sorts of wooden handles for hand-tools, saucepans, knobs etc. But also dolls’ legs for the famous shop, La Samaritaine, in Paris! The business flourished and production was intense (300 handles per hour). But the arrival of plastic soon brought an end to the business. The mill finally closed its doors in 1963, sealing all its treasures inside. The mill’s inheritors have done an amazing amount of restoration work to open the site to the public and by doing so, have given life back to this historical building.
A simple wayside shrine in 1663, the chapel dedicated to Saint Aubin and Saint François de Sales was blessed in 1668. The facade has a recess, font and the date of the blessing. The tavaillon-covered roof is topped with an open pyramid-shaped pinnacle.
At the summit of Mont-Lachat, you will find the Lachat lake where swimming is not permitted but which is a brilliant private fishing site. BBQ facilities available.Permits are on sale at the Crest-Voland Cohennoz Tourist Office, at the restaurant La Belle Métairie, at the Boulangerie Au Sommet des Anges and at Intersport.
Lake view
Mountain location
Lake 5 km away
Village 2 km away
Office de Tourisme du Val d'Arly - 23/01/2024
www.valdarly-montblanc.com
Report a problem
From 15/06 to 15/10.
Phone : 04 79 31 62 57
Email : sentiers@valdarly-montblanc.com
Map references :
Sports VTT map on sale in the Uffizi at € 4 OR Espace Diamant MTB card on sale in the tourism office at € 2.50.