Located in the heart of Haute-Savoie, in the Aravis massif, the small village of Les Clefs is located on a rocky promontory, not far from Thônes, Annecy or Serraval. It takes its name from the Latin cletarum, meaning barrier, fence.
Of ancient origin, the commune of Les Clefs stood out mainly in the Middle Ages, dominating the Val des Clefs valley thanks to the power of its lordly family. Then equipped with a castle, which has now disappeared, it also subsequently saw the establishment of the counts of Geneva who had a count's castle built there. The expansion of the neighboring town of Thônes gradually caused its decline.
The Savoyard city is nowadays appreciated by visitors for the richness of its architectural heritage which testifies to its great importance in the medieval period.
