La Côte-d'Arbroz is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 7 km northwest of Morzine.
Its territory of 12 km² ranges from 932 to 2240 m altitude, falling within the high mountains, within the Aulps valley, a natural region made up of the watershed of the course of the Dranse de Morzine, which flows from south to north, towards Lake Geneva.
If the village and the "eastern" part of the locality are located in the valley, around 1000 m above sea level, its "western" part is dominated by the Roc d'Enfer massif (whose summit is the highest point of La Côte-d'Arbroz) which is accessed via the Col de l'Encrenaz (1433 m). The latter also establishes the connection with the peaks overlooking Les Gets, to the south, including Mont Chéry. As a result, some slopes in the Portes du Soleil ski area are accessible from the pass and the town.
Covered with natural grassy or shrubby environments (53% of its surface area), forests (30%) and meadows, La Côte-d'Arbroz (hamlet detached from Les Gets during the Revolution) now has 360 inhabitants. Ensuring the transition between the historic provinces of Savoie of Chablais and Faucigny (to the south), in summer you can enjoy hikes punctuated by preserved landscapes and views of Mont Blanc, among others, and in winter, it is a good base for reaching neighboring resorts!
Mentioned from the 14th century, the village was not established as a parish until 1722. Until then, the faithful were "content" with a chapel built in the 12th century in the small village, dependent on the Aulps abbey., and in summer, a small chapel was also in operation in the mountain pastures to the west. The Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church was built in 1742 and replaced the medieval chapel. Damaged during the Revolution, it was restored then rebuilt in 1882: the initial building has since constituted the transept of the church. The sober architecture evokes, at the level of the bays and the bell tower, some Romanesque and Gothic principles. Inside, there are several beautifully crafted statues, an altarpiece and a carved wooden pulpit.
This is the main heritage site of the locality, where we can however notice some beautiful homes and chalets facing "due south" with typical architecture. On the heights, agricultural operations and tourist establishments reminiscent of large chalets, towards and after the Encrenaz pass, are also worth mentioning, which have adopted the principles of mountain buildings and residences called upon to withstand snowy winters (the wood is highlighted and the roofs are deliberately sloping…).
In terms of leisure, in summer, several hiking trails starting from the village or the Col de l'Encrenaz allow you to enjoy preserved fauna and flora, and are punctuated with viewpoints over the massifs Mont Blanc or Aravis. Some including sections dedicated to mountain bikers, these loops can include alpine meadows where herds graze. So, in season, a break is welcome at the Aup mountain pasture or at the Caly farm where milking is generally scheduled around 5 p.m. Contact on +33 6 64 01 85 43.
Always in summer, clubs offer paragliding baptisms from the summits of the town.
In winter, some of the hiking trails turn into cross-country ski trails or are dedicated to snowshoeing. Near the Col de l'Encrenaz car park, there is a chairlift which provides access to Mont Chéry and therefore constitutes one of the gateways to the Les Gets ski area and therefore the Portes du Soleil (the latter bringing together around ten resorts, the equivalent of more than 300 slopes of all levels accessible via a single package).
Maps and information for hikers and skiers from the Aulps valley tourist office on +33 4 50 72 15 15 or the Les Gets tourist office on +33 4 50 75 80 80.
At the end of May, "l'emmontagnée" perpetuates the tradition of transhumance of herds from their farms to the high altitude meadows and mountain pastures. In a colorful and friendly atmosphere, in the commune, the cattle are taken from the Mont Caly farm to the Eau mountain pasture (to the north, in the commune of Saint-Jean-d'Aulps). Gourmet and musical entertainment punctuate the event.
August 15, village festival with gourmet and musical entertainment.
