Cycling trip: Col des Glières

Chapel near Château de Thorens The Château de Sales, in which Saint-François de Sales was born, was destroyed during the French occupation of 1630. In 1672, his nephews erected the present chapel on the site of the room where the Saint was born.Inside the chapel, the Baroque altarpiece dating from 1677 is perfectly preserved. It was in the chapel of the former château that Saint-François de Sales was inspired by God to create the Order of the Visitation with Sainte-Jeanne de Chantal. The cross beside today's chapel was erected on this site in the 19th century.

Born on the Plateau des Glières at an altitude of 1400m, I wind my way between Glières and Parmelan, before flowing into the Fier 24 km further on.Sometimes wise, sometimes wild, I visit the communes of our land that bears my name: Pays de Fillière. Like a hyphen, I cross the communes of Thorens-Glières, Groisy, Les Ollières, Charvonnex, Saint-Martin-Bellevue and Villaz. Evires sends me the Daudens, Aviernoz the Nant de l'Aup and Nâves-Parmelan watches from afar. I used to turn the mills to thresh hemp and grind flour. I wasn't always a good girl and often got out of bed.

A magnificent waterfall that gushes out abundantly in spring or during heavy rainfall.Visible from below from the Pont de Pierre on the Plateau des Glières road, or from above after a 1-hour hike.

This site is a haven of peace with nature that is still pristine. What a surprise for the visitor who, having climbed the limestone escarpments, discovers this plateau, where grassy valleys alternate with rocky crests and conifer forests.At the heart of the Haute-Savoie region, this superb valley is made of limestone rock. It is situated in the Bornes Massif, between the mountains of Auges (1,800 m) and Frêtes, 29 km and 15 km away from La Roche-sur-Foron and Thorens-Glières respectively, and located in the communes of Petit-Bornand-les-Glières and Thorens-Glières. The pass is situated at an altitude of 1,440 m, the Plateau des Glières offers a number of activities. In fact, it is the key meeting place for passionate Nordic skiers in winter, and hikers in summer. In winter, snowshoeing is common, and a toboggan slope is set up each year children. Caving activity is also popular, with some fifteen cavities of over 150 metres deep identified on Les Frêtes. The deepest cavity of which we are currently aware on the Plateau des Glières is the Tanne à Paccot, also known as the "hole of the A2". Its estimated depth is around 400 metres. History lovers will be able to devote themselves to guided tours to discover - or supplement their knowledge of - the events that took place on the plateau during the Second World War that made it a centre of resistance. There is also a discovery trail, to learn while enjoying nature.