The Viewpoints of the Virgin

This ‘mountain’ trail offers a walk enhanced by 3 explanatory panels on local heritage and history. The Vierge site is also equipped with an orientation table.

Walk in the footsteps of ancient paths and discover the history of the Vacheresse Madonna, from whose belvedere you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Lac d'Aiguebelette region. The route is mainly through woodland.

The Virgin of Vacheresse:
Before retiring to the hospice, Noël Buisson sold all his possessions and donated 625 francs to erect this statue of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the parish. It was unveiled on 26 August 1894, and became the focus of a pilgrimage that was repeated from 1912, the year of its first restoration. This pilgrimage was lost over time. Broken by a lightning strike on 26 July 1969, it was repaired and reinstalled a year later, giving rise to its first popular festival associated with the religious ceremony. Since its centenary in 1994, the festival has been held on the site every year.

You can also admire the Vacheresse plateau and the Rochette cross.

Departure from Mairie de Verthemex 660 m
1/ Go up towards the Vierge site on the rural track on the left. After a 40-minute climb, you reach the Croix de la Rochette and its viewpoint.
2/ At the cross, leave the main track and turn right, crossing pastures.
3/ A quick round trip takes you to the Butte de la Vierge and its lookout point. 4/ Continue along the road towards the hamlet of La Vellaz.
5/ At the crossroads with the fountain, turn right onto a road offering wide-open views. After 800 m on this road, just before the forest, take the track that descends on your right as far as La Drettaz.
6/ Return to the starting point. After 500 m of steep descent, at the crossroads of 5 paths, take the furthest right. Cross a road and you'll soon come back to the village.