Sainte Foy
It's the place to go to really get away from it all. Bordered to the south by the Isère river and to the north by the Italian border, this resort makes a great base for mountain biking, river rafting, rock climbing and hiking. Our accommodation is located in the 'resort', not village (which is lower down).
Choose between a gentle trek up to the high mountain pastures to admire the pretty Tarine cows or, for more challenging walking, there are plenty footpaths close to the Vanoise national park as well as projects like the “Glacier Haute Route”. Many of the area’s waymarked paths pass through unspoilt traditional Alpine villages and peaceful mountain lakes like the Lac Noir in the Clou valley. Some offer stunning views of Mont Blanc, the Lord of the Alps.
Sainte-Foy is at the centre of some of the largest resorts in the Tarentaise which makes it wonderful mountain biking territory. Near the Vanoise national park, there are some exhilarating freeride descents in a wild untamed setting where routes of more than 1000 vertical metres take in goat tracks and shady forest paths.
The commune of Sainte-Foy is actually made up of 100 hamlets in total including Le Miroir, a protected site which is known for its eye-catching Italian-style colonnaded chalets and important religious architectural heritage. The listed farming village of Le Monal has a breathtaking panorama of the Mont Pouri glaciers. There are several excellent eateries in the area offering Savoyard specialties in charmingly rustic surroundings.
Within easy driving distance of Sainte-Foy are the resorts of Tignes (Tignes les Brevieres, Tignes 1800, Tignes le Lac & Val Claret) and Les Arcs and Val d’Isère which both offer a wide range of additional activities for the whole family. La Rosiere is also a little bit further down the road. Day trips to Italy are also a possibility from here.
Top summer activities to experience in Sainte Foy
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Here are some ideas of activities, however there is plenty more on offer!
Family adventure park
10 aerial routes accessible to children from 9 years (and 130cm tall), accompanied by responsible adult. 5 aerial routes from 7 years (and 120cm tall). Equipment on site. Open Mon-Fri in July and August.
Ringos
Aged 3 years+. Open Mon-Fri. Use the magic carpet and take a rubber ring down the slope.
Mini-golf
5 modules. Clubs and balls can be collected from the Lama Llama restaurant next to the course. Free in July and August.
Tennis court
A tennis court is located at Sainte Foy (Chef Lieu). Open all summer.
Ping Pong
Tables are available free of charge on the Placette des Charmettes and rackets and balls can be borrowed from the tourist office in July and August.
Children play area/park
There are 2 playgrounds for children with swing, slide, climbing games ... Ideal for entertaining children. Under the supervision of parents.
Hiking
Sainte Foy offers magnificent varied hikes that stretch between the mountain of altitude, forests and pastures. From 890m in the Isère valley to 3747m at the top of the Grande Sassière. This is reflected by three stages of vegetation: mountainous, subalpine and alpine extended beyond 2700 to 3000m altitude by a nival level. You can take a guide for day trips or half day walks.
Mountain biking
A network of natural trails offers superb all-mountain descents and long cross-country routes in one of the most unspoiled parts of the region, close to the Vanoise National Park. The routes allow vertical
Climbing
10 minutes from the listed village of Le Monal, you can experience the pleasure of climbing in a unique setting, between larches and the Vanoise glaciers.
Watersports in Bourg St Maurice
If you are amateur of thrills or simply if you search escape, come on to discover our activities whitewater rafting at Bourg Saint Maurice. Raft, canoé, kayak, swimming whitewater (from 9 years old). Every day from May to September, morning and afternoon.
Canyoning in Bourg St Maurice
The introduction to the canyon will let you glide down the flow of a river completely naturally.
Equipped with a neoprene wetsuit, socks and gloves to keep you warm, you will jump into the basins of deep water, glide along the natural slides or abseil down under the waterfalls.
Cani-kart
Connected to the dog by a scooter, an instructor will teach you how to move around and manage your companion.
Cani-rando
A few refreshing breaks will be provided for you and your companion. Walking with dogs.
Pilates with Sarah Sisson
Daily pilates over the summer. Group or individual sessions.
Sainte Foy church
The chef-lieu church is open to the public every Thursday in July and August from 4pm to 6.30pm. There's a choice of self-guided tours or guided tours led by members of the local heritage association.
Sainte Foy restaurants and bars
Various bars and restaurants are open in the summer in Sainte Foy.
Cashpoint, delicatessen, newsagent, sports shop, post office, pharmacy, Superette mini market.
Getting to Sainte Foy, France
By road
Driving distance from Calais to Sainte-Foy is approx. 995km (610 miles) (approx. 9hr 30). Motorway A43 Lyon/Albertville. Main road N90 Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
By rail & air
The nearest train station for Sainte Foy is Bourg St Maurice, 25km away.
4 international airports are nearby. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 190km, approximately 2hr
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 111km, approximately 1hr 30 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 178km, approximately 1hr 30 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 188km, approximately 2hr 30 mins
Private taxi transfers
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
News and Events 2024
News:
Small farmers market every Thursday between 5pm and 8pm.
Events:
- Fireworks: 14th July 2024 and 15th August 2024,
- 14th July Ball: 14th July 2024,
- Baroque Festival: 29th July-14th August 2024,
- 15th August Ball: 15th August 2024.
