Villarodin-Bourget is a village of Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 38 km south-east of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.
The communal territory is in the high mountains, ranging from 1070 to 3418 m altitude. Occupying both sides of the Arc Valley, in Haute Maurienne, the town is composed of several villages: Villarodin on the right bank of the Arc, Le Bourget on the left bank, and the winter sports resort of La Norma, set on a plateau overlooking the Bourget in the 1970s.
Today inhabited by about 530 inhabitants, the town has lived mainly on agriculture (breeding, hemp and potato cultivation) on the banks of the Arc and some higher pastures. From the 1920s until 1972, a plant producing calcium carbide was established there.
It was in 1775 that the two parishes were united in one entity by the Duke of Savoy.
Now, tourism is the main economic resource of the town, which has it's true heritage of quality and a very rich natural environment, which benefits in winter as in summer.
In terms of heritage, we visit with interest at Paris Saint-Pierre church, completed in 1678 in baroque style. Listed in 1984, it was restored in 1895 and in 1935 its Roman steeple Note with Lombard arches.
On Villarodin, which depended Bourget in religion, the church is however earlier. Dedicated to St. Julien and St. Ferreol, it dates from 1528 its oldest parts. It also Gothic style, the church was given a new choir and dome in 1631 and then stands in 1666. At the entrance of the village, see the Saint-Roch chapel of the sixteenth century and the dedicated to St. Sebastian, which looks more like an oratory. A polychrome wooden statue of the seventeenth century is preserved there.
Also in terms of architecture, we also notice the ancient fortifications that sheltered the calcium carbide plant (known in the village of Fort Saint-Gobain), the small heritage elements at the discretion of villages and hamlets such as laundries and fountains and on the tops of the town, the mountain chalets with traditional Savoyard architecture.
In terms of sports and recreation, Norma station concentrates most of the equipment.
In winter, dominated by the eponymous peak of Norma, which rises to 2917 m, the area devoted to alpine skiing has 65 km of slopes on a total of 700 hectares for a vertical drop of 1,400 meters. 13 lifts serve 2 black runs, 11 reds, 7 blue and 7 green. A placeholder to free ride, a stadium dedicated to slalom and two toboggan runs are also available.
Norma, popular resort of a family audience, has a branch of the French ski school. Information +33 4 79 20 33 10.
Daily package lifts from 20 to 25 euros.
Nordic walking enthusiasts are also at the party (contact +33 6 10 80 96 65) as vacationers eager for snowshoeing (contact +33 4 79 20 33 10).
In summer, the resort tennis courts are available and introductions to climbing are possible. A fitness trail has also been fitted. Finally, it is possible to learn paragliding by contacting +33 6 30 08 24 53.
Information on the activities offered for Norma, summer and winter, at +33 4 79 05 99 06.
On the station as the whole community, on both sides of the Arc, many hiking routes are available to vacationers. Some circuits have technical difficulties. More accessible, a footpath for all public was laid at Le Bourget. Courses for lovers of mountain biking or horseback riding were also designed. Brochures and information +33 4 79 05 99 06.
Finally, fishermen are not forgotten. The Arc will be for them a plot of prime exercise. Learn about the regulation +33 4 79 85 89 36.
