From the charming village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville to the lakes of Les Menuires, up to the peaks of Val Thorens, the Belleville valley has plenty to offer in summer.
Try the new La Masse lift
The new Pointe de la Masse cable car made its debut this winter and successfully carried thousands of skiers and snowboarders. And the good news is that this summer, the lift is open again from 09 July.
The lift covers 3.3km with a height gain of 1,050m. At a speed of 7 metres/second (more than 25km/h) it is one of the fastest in France. Hikers can reach the top in less than 8 minutes and enjoy incredible views and hikes.
New eMTB bike track
The new ‘Via 3 Vallées’ cycling track opens for the first time this summer. It is 34km long, reserved purely for cyclists.
Tarmac-surfaced from Courchevel to Val Thorens, passing through Méribel and Les Menuires, it is accessible on electric bikes and normal mountain bikes.
The whole Belleville valley has 260km of bike tracks, with a new beginners training area – ‘The Ludizone’ – at La Croisette, in Les Menuires.
Explore Vallée des Encombres
Relatively unknown, the Vallée des Encombres is accessible by mountain bike or on foot, either solo or with a guide.
Find it by leaving Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, then heading towards the Châtelard hamlet, with its tiny, winding alleys and renovated chalets. Stop at the Gittamelon refuge in the hamlet at 1700m, this former family chalet is one of the last private refuges in the Alps.
It’s a typical mountain hut, sleeping 18. It previously belonged to the grandparents of Marc Jay, the current guardian who has run it along with his wife Anne-Sophie since 1993.
The final ascent leads to the summit of the Col des Encombres at 2325m with 360° views of the Ecrins massif and the high summits of the Vanoise National Park.
Tarentaise Baroque Music Festival at La Bouitte, Saint Martin de Belleville
The 3-star Michelin restaurant, La Bouitte, hosts the 31st edition of the Tarentaise Baroque Music Festival this summer.
Enjoy a Michelin-starred dinner accompanied by music performed by soprano, Maria Cristina Kiehr, and harpsichordist Jean-Marc Aymes from Concerto Soave. Chefs René and Maxime Meilleur have a great rapport with the musicians who will taste each dish a few minutes before the guests, and then play music which takes into account the emotions that the food evokes. It is a unique musical, culinary and wine-focused experience.
The Three Lakes circuit
From the top of the new La Masse lift, you can enjoy 3 hour 30 minute descent on the Three Lakes Circuit taking in Longet Lake, Black Lake and Crintalia Lake.
Surrounded by majestic alpine peaks reflected in the 15 mountain lakes of this exceptional area you’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery in the Lou Valley.
The Black Honey Bee
Born in the valley, Kilbert Silvestre is a mountain guide in winter, but has been a beekeeper in La Biellaz since 2006.
He has been fighting to protect the black bee in the Savoie region. He owns a hundred beehives in the Vallée des Belleville and is part of a project to breed queens for other local.
You can visit his ‘honey house’ in La Biellaz by contacting the Bureau des Guides.
Accommodation in Les Menuires
Whether you would like to visit Les Menuires this summer or next winter, then please contact the Chaletline team.