From Méribel to Courchevel via the Col de la Loze

Espace VTTCroisette Courchevel 185073120 Courchevel+33 (0)6 18 08 18 41

Cette chapelle de la station de Courchevel 1850 a été construite en 1953, agrandie en 1970 puis inscrite aux Monuments Historiques en 2005. Elle est en outre labellisée « Patrimoine du XXe siècle » depuis 2003. Particularité de cette chapelle : sa baie vitrée coulissante permet de suivre les offices même depuis l'extérieur et le prêtre bénéficie d'un autel circulaire !

Construit en 1949 par l'architecte Denys Pradelle, ce chalet est l'un des premiers de la station de Courchevel 1850.  Les commanditaires étaient Frédéric et Irène Joliot-Cury, célèbre couple de scientifiques.Inscrit aux monuments historiques depuis 2005, il associe des lignes modernes et l'utilisation de matériaux traditionnels.

Au coeur de la station de Courchevel 1850 est construit dès 1950 un nouveau quartier d'habitations pour les vacanciers. Il s'agit d'un regroupement original d'anciens greniers et mazots (petits abris en bois pour les biens précieux de la famille, construits à l'écart du chalet) adaptés pour abriter une famille de 4 à 6 personnes. L'un des greniers "La Goupille" est inscrit comme monument historique depuis 2005. Il est la propriété de la famille Claudius-Petit.

This mountain pasture chalet with its barn was also used as a high-altitude chalet by skiers between 1930 and 1945. After spending the night there, the skiers would then ascend the main surrounding peaks wearing seal pelts - La Vizelle, La Saulire and La Loze - before heading back down to the valley. Summer was the season for livestock farming, and this is still the case today. Guided tours organised by the FACIM (Foundation for International Cultural Action in the Mountains) through Courchevel Tourisme.Find out more from Courchevel Tourisme.

This high-altitude lake with clear waters lies on the Loze plateau at an altitude of 2,244m. It is surrounded by myriad peaks culminating at more than 3,000m and you'll have a wonderful view over La Grande Casse, the tallest summit in the Vanoise and Savoie mountain range (3,855m). With picnic tables available, this is a perfect spot for taking your first break before continuing on up to the Col de la Loze pass.

A little further up, along a small track behind the restaurant Le 1928 is an orientation table - at an altitude of 2,305m. This is a good opportunity to stop a few moments and take in the view over the surrounding peaks. Look closely, in amongst them is Mont Blanc!

At an altitude of 2,304m, this mountain pass is the third highest mountain pass in Savoie and the connecting route between the Courchevel and Méribel valleys. A stunning panoramic viewpoint awaits with sweeping vistas over the glaciers of La Vanoise, La Grande Casse and Mont Blanc. Motor vehicles are not allowed along this famous pass - since 2019 it has been fully accessible to cycles, and is the highest such pass in Europe incidentally. It combines a woodland trail and track through mountain pastures, retaining the topography of a mountain path with its abrupt changes in slope and gradient. It marks the first stage in a much larger project aimed at making the whole of the 3 Vallées accessible to bikes along the famous "Via 3 Vallées". Steel your calf muscles for some serious action! As an arrival stage on the 2019 Tour de l'Avenir (the Tour de France for U23 riders), the Col de la Loze is an arrival stage in the 2020 Tour de France. This final, 168km stage in the mountains runs from Grenoble to the Col de la Loze. Find out more on the Tour de France website: www.letour.fr/

As you go, you'll come across a herd of Tarine and Abondance cows reared for the production of Beaufort cheese. Don't be surprised if you see some on the cycle track, for they have right of way too.

Just below the take-off runway of Méribel airfield and above the golfcourse is a gorgeous viewpoint over Moûtiers Valley. It's also a start point for other routes from Méribel.