Summer activities in Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville: keep busy in the mountains!
Good reasons to choose the Belleville region for your summer holidays
Explore the flower-filled plateaus, get close to the summits and follow our advice to make the most of the activities in Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville.
The decision has been made, you want a different holiday, a holiday close to nature, full of relaxation and activities!
Trust us and follow our advice to make the most of your week.
Our local experts have put together a programme that combines relaxation, culture, sport and walking - just follow the guide!
The car is loaded and you're off to the Vallée des Belleville. On arrival, you'll take possession of the apartment or chalet you've pre-booked from our extensive catalogue.
Settle into your new home, take a moment to admire the view and let the lush green mountains take you back.
Situated in the heart of the Belleville Valley, Les Menuires is a prime summer destination for nature, mountain and authenticity lovers. As soon as the weather warms up, the area is transformed into a veritable playground: hiking trails, mountain bike trails, high altitude lakes and breathtaking panoramas. Les Menuires offers a wide range of holiday accommodation, from traditional chalets to modern apartments with views of the peaks. Whether you stay in Les Menuires or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, you'll enjoy an unspoilt environment, a warm atmosphere and services designed for summer tourism: open shops, shuttles, entertainment for young and old... Not forgetting the many activities you can enjoy with your family, partner or friends: via ferrata, cultural walks, farmers' markets or summer tobogganing. It's all about the mountains, conviviality and well-being.
Our programme for a week of summer activities between Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
1st day of your summer holidays: time for a "family hike" at Lac du Lou
Let's get straight to the point, after a gentle start in the morning, set off on an easy, level hike at Lac du Lou.
Starting from the Plan de l'Eau, a 2-hour walk, 5.2 km to the foot of Lac du Lou, breathtaking scenery and an immediate break from the hustle and bustle!
After this great hike, return to your chalet to relax with friends and family and why not sunbathe on the terrace?
A summer activity not to be missed in Les Menuires: a ride on an electric scooter
Get active! Set off on an electric scooter from the Croisette or Les Bruyères. Discover the mountains in a different way, with an environmentally friendly solution! This is your chance to try this unusual experience and reach the summits effortlessly.
In the afternoon, choose one of the following sports: petanque, volleyball, handball, football, etc. Get a team together and challenge your friends and family!
Discover Saint-Martin-de-Belleville... and swim!
If you're looking for peace and relaxation, St Martin de Belleville is the ideal place to spend the day. Discover the local heritage and stroll through the streets of the old village.
Follow the 11-stage heritage trail. Admire the buildings that make up the valley's cultural wealth. Click here to download the tour
After a morning of discovery, head to the sports centre. You can choose between those in Les Menuires (Croisette or Bruyères) or the brand new centre in Saint-Martin-de-Bellville: La Belle Vie, with its open-air swimming pool. Between dips, you can relax in a deckchair with a magnificent view of the mountains. Because holidays are also about doing nothing!
From the Belleville Valley to Les Menuires via the Vallée des Encombres: a summer pastime at your own pace
You're all pumped up and ready to set off to discover the flora of the mountains. Put on your walking boots and take the Planlebon circuit to the Vallée des Encombres. Park at the Frachettes car park and set off on an 8.5km walk (around 3 hours). It's a good idea to pack a picnic lunch so you can walk at your own pace and take a break to enjoy the unspoilt scenery.
In the afternoon, head for Les Menuires. Meet at the top of the La Masse cable car for the return trip to the summit. It takes just a few minutes to climb into the modern cabin. And step outside at an altitude of over 2,800m. Take a moment to admire the extraordinary panorama. Peaks as far as the eye can see, Mont Blanc, Aiguille de Peclet, Val Thorens ski resort, the rocky bars of the Southern Alps - you'll love it! Enjoy one of the best views in the Vallée des Belleville.
Bonus: book the glass floor gondola for a guaranteed thrill in this exceptional experience, new for summer 2022.
Downhill mountain biking: the ultimate summer activity for cycling fans
If you're looking for adventure and thrills, try downhill mountain biking!
If you're a regular downhill biker, grab a map and your pass, hop on your bike and choose your route from a dozen or so signposted trails!
If you're new to downhill mountain biking, we recommend a guided tour. Our guides are experts in the area and the sport, and will help you discover the most beautiful trails.
At the end of the day, you can round off your sporting escapade by discovering the Mellifera black bee in its dedicated museum on the Plan de l'Eau and learn more about the life of this bee and its conservation.
Finish off your summer holiday in Les Menuires in style with the shopping activity
On the last day of your mountain adventure, it's time to browse the shops in St Martin de Belleville and Les Menuires to take home souvenirs and other local products!
Last chance to try your hand at archery, play a game of volleyball or race down the 4km mountain kart track! Ride this wheeled go-kart and race down the 500m incline to get your adrenaline pumping.
At the end of your stay, why not end the evening in one of the restaurants of St Martin de Belleville and share some unique moments with your loved ones. The Montagnard restaurant will take you back in time with its Savoyard chalet décor and delicious local dishes.
Whatever your summer programme, there's something for everyone in the Vallée des Belleville.
Whether you're a couple, a family or a group of friends, make the mountains your destination for a breath of fresh air and a break from the daily grind.
Make the most of your summer in Belleville with cultural activities
As well as the sports and mountain activities on offer in Les Menuires in the summer, the local heritage deserves your full attention. Summer activities in Les Belleville include cultural discoveries such as a visit to the Saint-Martin-de-Belleville Museum, which tells the story of life in the past on the mountain pastures of the valley. Guided walks through baroque chapels, old mills and heritage trails will take you right into the heart of Tarentaise history. Between two walks, take a break and enjoy the summer events dedicated to local crafts and traditions.
The many other summer activities at Les Menuires Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Activities for children
The summer activities at Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Les Menuires are full of possibilities for families. The 'Family Plus' label guarantees a warm welcome and facilities adapted to the needs of the youngest visitors. Your children will love the play areas and themed trails, as well as the more dynamic activities such as summer tobogganing, ideal for a good dose of gentle thrills.
There is also mini golf, pony trekking and even discovery afternoons in the Forêt des Aventuriers, a safe tree-climbing course in the heart of nature. There's plenty to do, plenty to discover, plenty to laugh about and plenty to play in the great outdoors.
Do you have an adventurous spirit? Take to the heights and discover the mountains in a whole new way!
Thrill-seekers will be delighted by the variety of high-altitude outdoor activities on offer. Summer activities in Les Menuires include breathtaking vertical and aerial activities: try paragliding to admire the spectacular panoramas of the 3 Valleys, or challenge the natural walls with via ferrata or climbing routes.
All of these activities are supervised by professionals to guarantee safety and enjoyment while immersing you in Alpine nature. It's a unique way to experience the mountains in a different way, with a mixture of altitude, adrenaline and fresh air.
Water activities: coolness at the heart of your summer in Les Menuires
Summer in the mountains is also an opportunity to cool off! Swimming pools, aquatic centres and rivers await you in Les Menuires for a variety of pleasures... With these summer activities in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and throughout the resort, you'll be able to combine altitude and coolness for a holiday that balances adventure and relaxation.
Good practices to adopt during your summer holiday in the heart of Belleville
To preserve the beauty of the mountain pastures and landscapes of the Alps, a few simple gestures are enough:
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Respect the wild flora and fauna of the Alps by staying on the marked paths.
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Choose gentle means of transport: walk, hike or cycle.
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Avoid picking flowers or feeding animals.
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Check the weather forecast before you go hiking or mountain biking - nature is as beautiful as it is unpredictable.
By choosing summer leisure activities in Les Menuires or enjoying the summer experiences in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, you’re in for an authentic and unforgettable adventure in the heart of the French Alps.
Accommodation in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Les Menuires is ideally located, right at the starting points for many activities and hikes.
Whether it's a high-end chalet with a terrace and hot tub, a charming stay in the authenticity of the villages, or an apartment in the heart of the action and events just pick your cozy nest for the holidays.
To find the perfect accommodation for your holiday: get in touch with us!
For more information about activities in the Belleville Valley (prices, schedules, etc.), visit the official tourist office websites:
Photo credits: Clément DUCRUET, Vincent LOTTENBERG, AGENCE DES ALPES
C. TORCHIN
