St Sorlin d’Arves
St Sorlin is a traditional Maurienne mountain village with some 320 permanent inhabitants. Ideally positioned in a stunning mountain setting, with its slopes facing the breathtaking 3000 metre Aiguilles d’Arves and at the foot of the Etendard glacier.
Situated between 1550 and 1700 metres it is the highest village on the Col de la Croix de Fer. Made up of 14 hamlets spread over 3 kms it has a famous Baroque church, several chapels, a cheese cooperative and a few farms giving it an authentic Savoyard village ambiance.
As a holiday destination it has been almost exclusively a French family resort and has been scarcely known internationally. As a late developer, lessons have been learnt and recent buildings have followed local styles.
Although well known to Tour de France cycling afficionados, in the international ski world St Sorlin truly deserves its reputation as France’s best kept alpine secret.
All the traditional and modern recreational activities are available, from archery, climbing, hiking, riding, dog or donkey trekking, swimming and tennis to paragliding, mountain biking and quad riding.
The village has various summer fetes and other activities, and regularly features in the Tour de France route. Whilst the Col de la Croix de Fer is a magnet for cyclists it also provides a good starting point for walks to the Trois Lacs and the Etendard Glacier (fishing, picnic sites and stunning viewpoints).
Besides skiing, winter activities include snow shoe walks, dog sleigh treks, snowmobile and quad biking and of course paragliding. Guides/instruction available for all these activities.
The cheese making cooperative just below the village is renowned for its high quality Beaufort - “better than the Beaufort of Beaufort”!!!!