3-An outing to the authentic listed village of Le Monal

Dedicated to St Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, this chapel was built in 1604. In very bad shape by the late 18th century, it was abandoned before finally being rebuilt a century later, a lttle further downstream. Understated and unassuming, it has nevertheless been completely restored and boasts a striking wrought-iron doorway and window through which you can glimpse the interior. It is not open to visitors.

A few metres away from the trail, along a fun, "rollercoaster" type track through the woods, is the terraced waterfall of La Raie, 150m high.

Accessed along a ledge track, the handful of houses in L'Echaillon seem to be suspended in time. There was once a chapel here but it is not known when it was destroyed. This is an ideal place to stop for a refreshing break (water body not far from the track) while catching a first glimpse of the glaciers.

A shining gem of architectural heritage in the mountains, Le Monal is a Historical Monument listed hamlet for its natural and heritage interest. It stands at an altitude of 1,874m, at the foot of the glaciers of the majestic Mont Pourri (3,779m). With its 18th and 19th century mountain chalets, the hamlet harbours one of the finest examples of authentic montagnettes, small seasonal settlements, in the Tarentaise area. The stone and timber making up its natural surroundings are in full evidence in the buildings here. Water, too, features prominently in the ponds and streams that meander between the houses.

Mention is already made of this quintessential chapel in 1633. Dedicated to St Clair, it was a draw for pilgrims from neighbouring areas who suffered from sight problems. Inside there is a painting of St Clair and St Basil, and the building is graced with remarkable vaulting.

Come and watch the goats being milked in the listed hamlet of Le Monal, in the late afternoon. All summer long, Yvette makes Persillé de Sainte Foy blue-veined cheese from goat's milk. You can buy her farmhouse cheese on-site. Open from June until August. Vallon du ClouLe Monal73640 Sainte-Foy-TarentaiseTel.: +33 (0)4 79 06 58 04