Tour of Planlebon in the Encombres Valley

In the 18th century, as the population of the Belleville Valley continued to grow, even the most remote villages became permanent habitats and all usable plots were cultivated. Consequently, the hamlet of Planlebon had 36 inhabitants in 1773. They spent their winters cut off from the world. The Encombres valley takes its name from the heavy avalanche activity in the area. The archives hold the memory of an avalanche that submerged the inhabitants of the village as they went to Mass in the administrative centre. After 1850, the exodus depopulated the mountains and the isolated villages were abandoned. The hamlet of La Gittaz (pronounced La Gitte), located at the entrance of the valley, experienced the same evolution as Planlebon. Sunnier and accessible by vehicle, this village has been restored.

The hamlets of Priots and Gittamelon have also been restored. By contrast, they were only ever summer habitations used for a pit stop on the path of Encombres which at that time was an important route linking Maurienne to Moûtiers. At the time, all journeys were made on foot with mules carrying the loads. Imagine this valley covered by peddlers and merchants who came to buy the Belleville cheeses, pilgrims on their way to Notre Dame de la Vie, or farmers leading their flocks to the famous Saint-Martin fair?

From the crests to the torrent, the left bank of the Encombres valley is part of a hunting reserve which brings together about 1,300 chamois as well as rœ, deer and ibex. Susceptible to avalanches, this valley naturally protects them from winter disturbances which would be fatal to them in this time of rest. The animals occupy the southern slopes during the cold period as the snow dœsn’t hold there for long. On these sun-exposed slopes, the avalanches quickly pull out the dry grass on which they feed. In the spring, the greenery attracts them near to the ruins of Planlebon. They then return to the heights where they keep a lower profile, using the summer to fatten up.

Sheep, goats and cows... Herdsmen, cheese makers, refuge keepers, ... the Encombres valley is definitely always lively! Follow the herds by the sound of their cowbells, these bells of varying size hang around the animal’s neck and make them easier to find. The Refuge de Gittamelon welcomes hikers for short coffee breaks, a meal or an overnight stay. These are the Aiguilles de la Mœndaz (2,697m) which will wish you good night.

The black bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) is a subspecies of the domestic bee. Savoie’s ecotype has adapted to the climate and local flora and is used by the Valley’s apiarists. The creation of a black bee conservatory in the Vallée des Encombres in April 2016 included setup of breeding apiaries ensuring that young queens were only fertilised by males of the same ecotype. There’s a breeding apiary consisting of small-size hives on the spot where the trail leaves the Route des Encombres and takes you down to Les Priots. The power line that runs just above them doesn'tt seem to disturb their inhabitants.

The black bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) is a subspecies of the honeybee. Savoy’s ecotype, adapted to the climate and local flora, is used by the valley’s bee-keepers. The creation in April 2016 of a black bee Conservatory in the Encombres valley has led to the establishment of mating apiaries. These apiaries allow young queens to be fertilised only by males of this ecotype. These mating apiaries, small beehives, can be seen where the trail leaves the road of Encombres descending towards Les Priots. The power line which passes right above dœs not disturb them. The transmission of electricity from Albertville (Bathie) to Italy has been carried out since 1971.

Every spring, the cycle begins again: the meadow is adorned with the most beautiful flowers! On the bright corollas, insects are busy: butterflies, flies and bees fervently gather pollen. But on the splendid golden globeflower, jealously closed in on themselves, the contenders are rare. Only flies of the Chiastocheta genus can be creep into the globes to collect nectar and at the same time load themselves with pollen. But, hidden from view, the fly also lays its eggs in the flowers’ ovules, so that the larvae, as they develop, devour the budding seeds. Fortunately, the few sparse seeds will give other globes.