Picturesque village of 67 inhabitants, clinging onto the Lauzière mountainside. MONTGELLAFREY is developping its tourism activity thanks to the succes of the ski resort of SAINT FRANCOIS LONGCHAMP , a third of whose land belongs to Montgellafrey.
The village has managed to retain all of its charm of old with a concentration of wooden attics, washhouses, chapels and the bread oven which is still in use.
Village particularity : see houses with « legs or columns ». This construction method was employed due to the nature of the land.
In the village centre there are 6 village-run gîtes: 1 gîte for 10/12 rated 2 épis and 3 gîtes for 4/6 rated 2 stars aux Gîtes de France, 2 gîtes for 2/4 rated 2 stars aux Gîtes de France. 1 refuge located next to lac de la Grande Léchère – see accommodation page
First mentions of a church can be seen as from &158.Dedicated to Saint-Théodule, patron saint of winegrowers. On the wall of the church above the entrance there is a small niche that houses a statue of the Patron Saint with a glass in his hand. The oldest villager fills his glass after the church service on the 15th August during the patronal village fête.
You will find a representation of baroque art in all its splendour inside this church. One of the altars is adorned with a painting by Dufour. St Théodule was also said to protect from hail, lightening and storms. There is no other representation of him elsewhere in the Maurienne.
Chapels and oratories can be found in the various hamlets and many crosses have been erected over the centuries.
Marked walking trails and orienteering circuit for all ages will help discover hamlets, forests, pastures, mountain passes and the Grande Léchère Lake.
A delightful spot to picnic and fish with a view of the Aiguilles d’Arves, the l’Etendard glacier and the Belledonne Mountain range.
Fête du pain – bread fête on the Sunday following the 15th August every year. Bread cooked in the oven and various entertainments with evening meal in the village square in front of the bread oven.
