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Here, you couldn’t be further from the "concrete resorts" you find elsewhere. The villages in the Aravis massif have a rich heritage which goes back hundreds of years. Indeed, the first written records mentioning Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz date from the 13th century !
The traditional chalets in the ARAVIS Massif consist of a lime-cemented stone base, on top of which the entire chalet is made of wood. The walls are built of thick planks cut from the heart of spruce trunks and squared off using an axe. The roof is covered with wooden tiles known as ancelles or tavaillons. Since 1993, any new building must be roofed using tavaillons, to preserve the architectural character of the Aravis.
Near the chalet a small windowless hut, or mazot, was built in the same style, and this was where the family’s preserves, hams, grain and Sunday linen were kept. If there was a fire, unfortunately a common occurrence in these wooden chalets, at least some of their belongings would be saved !
Today there are still large number of these chalets with their mazots in all the valleys of the Aravis. Some were built over 200 years ago, and all of them are still inhabited.
The Maison du Patrimoine in Le Grand Bornand is a restored farm dating from 1830. It is a fine example of the local architecture and stands as a testament to daily life at the turn of the century. Tel : 00 33 450 02 79 18.
Heritage tours in the Aravis with professional guides are available. More information from the Tourist Offices.