Sallanches

Visit Sallanches, Rhone-Alpes

Sallanches is situated on the Sallanche river near Mont Blanc, west of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and north of Megeve. The imposing form Mont Blanc ensures that there are impressive views from many places in and around the town.

Exploring Sallanches

Sallanches features two notable historic monuments: the bridge of Saint-Martin, and the collegiale Church of Saint-Jacques.

The collegiale church was constructed in baroque style in the 17th century on the site of an older church) and has a decorative interior with wall and ceiling paintings added in the 19th century by Italian artists, and a medieval tabernacle. The sundial on the church was added in the middle of the 19th century.

The bridge is very ancient in origins (certainly pre-1300) although the river has several times damaged the bridge causing it to be rebuilt at various times over the centuries. Now pedestrian only there are lovely views from the middle of the bridge along the wood lined banks of the river and to the mountains beyond.

There is also the smaller Church of Saint-Martin and several small chapels in Sallanches, and a walk along the river banks.

An interesting and extensive nature centre in Sallanches is found in a 14th century manor house, and provides a good introduction to the landscapes and wildlife of the region, while the waterfall at Arpenaz is a 270 metre high series of waterfalls above a nicely maintained picnic area.

Activities in the region

Given the location of the town, not surprisingly the focus is on outdoor activities - hiking, mountain-biking, horseriding and others - in the surrounding mountains and valleys. Rest assured there are almost unlimted opportunities for both summer and winter visitors!

Among the unmissable highlights within the region is the cablecar ride to the Aiguille de Midi (near Chamonix) - if the sky is clear there are exceptional views in all directions from the peak at an altitude of 3842 metres.

See Rhone-Alpes for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Sallanches: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Sallanches, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Avoriaz 30km; Talloires 34km; Albertville 35km; Menthon Saint Bernard 35km; Veyrier du Lac 36km; Lake Annecy 38km; Abondance 39km; Annecy 39km; Les Arcs 43km; Thonon les Bains 49km;

Sallanches tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Lac d'Anterne - site of natural beauty (14km) : Le Brévent - site of natural beauty (16km) : Lac Cornu - site of natural beauty (17km) : Jardin botanique alpin La Jaÿsinia - remarkable garden (18km) : Glacier des Bossons - site of natural beauty (19km) : Aiguille du Midi - site of natural beauty (21km) : Cirque de Sixt Fer a Cheval - grand site of france (22km) : Mole - site of natural beauty (23km) :

See more places and a map at places near Sallanches