L'Ecot, high altitude hamlet

The hamlet of l'Ecot, located at an altitude of 2000 m, a classified site since 1971, represents a treasure of preserved mountain authenticity. With its old stones and its roofs of lauzes it is a completely preserved cultural and architectural heritage.

Description

Located 4 km from Bonneval sur Arc, l'Écot is accessible in summer by a small road leading to a parking lot, a 15 minute walk from the hamlet.
If you have already forgotten the car, you can also reach the hamlet from the village in an hour of walking and contemplation, following the charming "sentier des Agneaux", going through the pastures, and following the canyon of the Arc and its picturesque potholes spanned by the Pont de la Lama, a superb Roman vaulted bridge.
L'Ecot is both the goal and the starting point of many walks for all levels (family, bucolic, hikers, mountain people, ...)
The paths of the mountain pastures will lead you to the refuge of Carro or Evettes, to fantastic glacial cirques, or to the pure and wild sources of the Arc... Here are other suggestions for walks and hikes via and towards Ecot.
Cupules engraved on the rocks polished by the glaciers testify to the prehistoric imprint of the place. Shepherds from Piedmont would have settled there with their herds around the 5th century, surviving the harsh and frugal conditions of the altitude. Inhabited all year round until 1960, then abandoned in winter, l'Écot is now home to several young Bonneval households.
L'Écot represents a completely preserved cultural and architectural heritage that seduced Nicolas Vanier when he was looking for a film location for his movie Belle et Sébastien. Many people remember this television series from the 60's about the extraordinary encounter between a mountain child and a wild dog. The hamlet of l'Ecot was exactly right for the scenario, the shooting took place in 2012, the film was released in 2013 and "made" 3 million entries. Christian Duguy directed in 2014 the sequel to this story entitled Belle et Sébastien, l'aventure continue. The Ecot is obviously the main setting, the film was released in December 2015.

Belle and Sebastian 3 was released in theaters in February 2018. This episode was also shot in Bonneval and the hamlet of l'Ecot.

The hamlet of l'Ecot exudes the authenticity and simplicity with which you will be welcomed in Bonneval!

Environments

• In the mountains

Rates

Free access.

Opening period

From 01/01 to 31/12, every day.

Spoken languages

• French

Location

Access to the hamlet of l'Ecot by car from Bonneval sur Arc is regulated and charged by credit card in July and August, as is the shuttle bus which runs on the same route during the summer. Don't hesitate to take the pretty Chemin des Alouettes for a pleasant hike.

Animals

Animals accepted : No