Member of the Most Beautiful Villages of France association, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval takes place in Haute-Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The town is located in the Haut Giffre massif, near Samoëns and Les Gets.
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval took off in the middle of the 12th century with the creation of an abbey by the monks of Abondance Abbey. Long agricultural and mountain village, the town experienced a demographic desertification at the beginning of the 19th century, before developing a century later a strong and appreciated tourist activity in the rest of Europe.
Today, the village is as well known for its preserved and authentic landscapes and its ski area linked to the Grand Massif via the 14 km long Cascades slope, its beginner slopes and its free SkiBus shuttles, as for its heritage. architectural interest. Full of charm, it allows you to discover centuries of history and to learn about a large number of sports and leisure activities.
Listed as a Historic Monument, the former abbey of the regular canons of Saint-Augustin was founded in the middle of the 12th century. Very prosperous between the 12th and 16th centuries, it saw its canons dispersed following the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century. The former abbey church has become a church dedicated to the Annunciation and notably features a 13th century choir, as well as a treasure and a 19th century bulbous bell tower.
Built in the 13th century, the current Sainte-Madeleine church was linked to the Church of the Annunciation in the 17th century following a fire. As you walk through the town, you can also admire the Saint-François-de-Sales and Fay chapels.
Listed as a Historic Monument, the oratory of Maison-Neuve takes place not far from the former abbey of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.
But it is the natural heritage of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval that mainly makes the reputation of the place. Do not miss the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, a natural glacial-type cirque listed as a natural heritage site and revealing waterfalls. In June, more than thirty waterfalls suddenly spring from the steep cliffs. Part of the national nature reserve of Sixt-Passy, this site classified as a Grand Site de France, reveals a four-hour hiking trail leading to the sources of the Giffre and the Bout du Monde.
During your walks, you will be able to appreciate the Rouget, Savefaz and Pleureuse waterfalls, listed sites, as well as the Anterne and Vogealle lakes.
Not far away, you will also discover the Pic de Tenneverge, the Grenier de Commune, or the Gorges des Tines and the Platé desert, both listed as natural sites.
The town also has a winter sports resort allowing the practice of downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, climbing frozen waterfalls, mountain biking, via ferrata or rock climbing. classic.
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is crossed by the two GR5 and GR92 long-distance hiking trails.
A summer market is held every Monday afternoon, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from July to August.
For the National Day, the town offers a popular dance and fireworks in July.
Every week in July and August, find Music'o Jardin: concerts for all, accessible free of charge in the Jardins de l'Abbaye.
The Tourist Office, Haut-Giffre Tourisme organizes in August a festival of yoga, meditation, well-being and music with demonstrations in particular.
Leisure and activities: mountain biking, rafting, climbing, via ferrata, horse riding, fishing, mini-golf, swimming pool at 6 km, golf at 25 km, leisure bases with swimming areas, tree climbing.
