Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the confluence of the Fier and Champfroid, Les Clefs is a very small village and the oldest in the valley. Located on the Thônes-Faverges-Annecy axis, the village is attached to the northern slope of Manigod. Many hikes leave from Les Clefs, in particular to go to La Tournette or La Clusaz.
Gateway to Val Sulens
A hilltop village
The elevated position of Les Clefs gave it a strategic role during the medieval period. Two castles and a fortified house were built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Little remains of these structures today: a coat of arms embedded in the cemetery wall and another on a private house. The current "Château des Clefs" is actually a bourgeois house built at the end of the 19th century. The village comprises eight hamlets scattered across the slopes of the Vaunessins massif, the Sulens mountain, and the Tournette. A so-called Roman bridge, five chapels, several ovens, and a stone for the dead, a relic of the plague of 1348, constitute the main heritage of this commune. Agriculture, livestock farming, and forestry remain the principal activities of Les Clefs.
A tour on the trails
Numerous beautiful hikes start from Les Clefs, beginning with the famous Tournette. You can reach the viewpoint overlooking Lake Annecy from Belchamp via a partially marked, wild trail. Allow a full day and a 1300m elevation gain.
On the Sulens side, various trails lead you through forests and alpine pastures , around the mountain, or to its summit and orientation table, which identifies the surrounding peaks. In spring, you might even spot the lady's slipper orchid, a rare and protected species that grows specifically here. Mountain bikers, and now e-bike riders, can also explore this beautiful mountain.
Mushroom enthusiasts can explore the commune's many forests, rich in black trumpets and wood sorrel. And fly fishermen can enjoy the excellent trout fishing offered by the Champfroid stream.
In the land of white gold
The Sulens mountain is a must-visit in winter. Snowshoers and ski tourers share the terrain as soon as the first snow falls! Its gentle slopes make for a particularly pleasant warm-up, much appreciated by skiers, and the beautiful scenery only adds to their enjoyment. Trails start from the Col de Plan Bois near the inn, and snowshoeing also begins from La Frasse. Consider hiring a local guide to ensure your safety during these activities.
Less than 10 minutes from Manigod and less than 20 minutes from other resorts (Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand), you can quickly reach one of the many downhill or cross-country skiing areas and enjoy all the activities on offer.
To make a break
The Auberge de Plan Bois, located at the pass of the same name, is a famous place and it is advisable to book to eat there. But you can also stop there just for a drink on the terrace while admiring the view of the Aravis and the Tournette. In a warm atmosphere, you will savor good local products and the famous potato fritters. Even better in the evening after a snowshoe hike!
Not to be missed
In the fall, come and listen to the deer roar in Belchamp!
A note of history
The Pont dit Romain is a 1450th century bridge that crosses the Fier. It was built in 1571 and repaired in XNUMX. It is "a semicircular arch built in a donkey's back" and is one of the historical monuments of France.
