Driving Tour along the Rhone River

A top-level climbing site, it attracts the greatest climbers and enthusiasts alike, whatever the season. It's often a sight to behold for visitors passing through the area.Number of lanes: 180 Site height: 40 - 45 m Difficulty/grading: 4b - 9a Rock quality: Limestone Exposure: North Approach time: 3 min Topo / map: 3232 ET Technical advice: Most of the cliff is classified as a "sports site". The cave area is classified as "adventure terrain". In "terrain d'aventure", the equipment of the routes is random and may not comply with the standards of the Fédération Française de Montagne et d'Escalade. Before setting off, you should be able to judge the condition of the rock and the equipment in place. Parking is available near the Pont de la Balme crossroads on the Belley/Chambery road. The site is not visible from the road. It is located up the road on the right in the Belley/Chambéry direction. Follow the footpath for two minutes to get there. Two climbing topos are available for sale at the Tourist Office: €0.70 each. - Le Devers de La Balme - La Balme cave Topo of the La Balme climbing site included in the book "Escalade en Savoie - Tome 1 ; Avant Pays et Lac" available from the Yenne Tourist Office.

The old Fontaine tile factory operated from 1860 to 1900. Two other tile factories were also in operation in the commune of La Balme. Their activity ceased around 1914. The railway then made it possible to transport less heavy mechanical tiles.