Culture and heritage in Haute Maurienne Vanoise

Discover the culture and heritage of Haute Maurienne Vanoise. The region boasts a wealth of natural, historical and architectural treasures: rocks engraved 2,000 years ago, sumptuous Baroque churches, finely restored traditional housing, a former bunker transformed into a museum... There's something for every taste and every age.

A thousand years of history

Foot stone ©P.Huart
Foot stone ©P.Huart

Haute Maurienne Vanoise is a land with a history stretching back thousands of years. In the mountain pastures, mysterious signs were engraved by the first inhabitants. Caves have been inhabited since Neolithic times.

A valley of passage since ancient times, Haute Maurienne Vanoise is also rich in traditions, tales and legends, where the devil is never far away... In each village you can also discover churches and chapels revealing treasures of Baroque art.

Forts and local culture

Culture and heritage at Haute Maurienne Vanoise, Forts and local culture: the Forts de l'Esseillon at Aussois

A frontier zone since the creation of Italy at the end of the 19th century, Haute Maurienne Vanoise is also studded with fortifications, some of which can be visited. For example, you'll find many remnants of the Maginot Line in the Alps. And to find out more, discover the region's museums: from the creation of a prehistoric necklace to the hunt for dark matter, not forgetting the trades of yesteryear and the bistros of the Belle Epoque, you'll discover the history, culture and secrets of Haute Maurienne Vanoise in an entertaining way.

New!

pÔp!

From past to present: La Haute Maurienne Vanoise est pÔp!
affiche-le-patrimoine-en-hmv-est-pop
With pÔp! Enjoy new experiences linked to the well-known and little-known heritage of Haute Maurienne Vanoise

 

On the strength of its rich and varied heritage, its assets and its attractiveness, Haute Maurienne Vanoise wishes to showcase and share with you its local, social and economic heritage, through a variety of experiences and unique tours.

 

pÔp! What is it?

⦁ It's an approach with a slightly offbeat tone that accompanies you, our visitors, as you discover the heritage of Haute Maurienne Vanoise and experience the past in the present.
⦁ And to illustrate it, we've introduced an acronym: "pÔp!" Diminutive of: passé Ô présent.
An interjection that plays with the "Ô" (a nod to Savoyard dialect) and has fun with the homophones of the word passé to pay tribute to the singular history of our territory.
⦁ pÔp! Finally, it's different media (physical and digital) and formats: a paper guide and dedicated map1, a board game1, an address book and an updated calendar of events for each season that lift the veil on our magnificent valley.

 

Downloads :

► Guide pÔp !
► A ddress book of heritage sites
► Events calendar

 

1 Dematerialized support downloadable free of charge from our websites, or in physical format for a fee, available from Haute Maurienne Vanoise tourist offices or from the Maison Cantonale reception desk (Guide + paper map: €10, Code Name Images-style board game: €15).