What to do in autumn at La Norma
Golden larch trees in the Vanoise National Park
The Vanoise National Park is an unspoilt natural setting that invites you to escape and discover. The trail via l'Orgère is an emblematic itinerary for hikers.
In autumn, the larch trees in the Orgère valley (some of which are almost 1000 years old!) turn golden. The view of the valley is spectacular, with chalets, waterfalls, the stream that meanders through the bottom of the valley and the view of the peaks. A real postcard!
The walk (easy and accessible for the disabled) also allows you to learn more about the local flora and fauna. You may even be lucky enough to spot ibex as they begin their descent from the highest peaks (don't forget your binoculars)!
Listen to the deer bellow
The mountains and forests of La Norma and Haute Maurienne Vanoise are home to a wealth of wildlife: ibex, chamois, eagles, bearded vultures, wolves, ermines... But also stags and hinds, whose mating season is between late September and early October. At this time, the powerful bellowing of the stag resounds throughout the mountains. A rattle that allows stags to intimidate their rivals and establish their dominance over a herd of hinds. After these vocal jousts, the dominant bucks often come face to face with each other. During this period, the bucks lose some of their distrust. Hiding in the depths of the forest for the rest of the year, they move to open spaces in autumn to gather a herd of females and confront the other contenders.
At La Norma, you'll often hear bellowing at this time of year. If you'd like to try your hand at deer spotting, head for l'Orgère, but be careful to avoid being mistaken for a threat (or competitors!) by the males. Nearby, on the Val Cenis side, the Sardières plateau or the Sollières airfield area are also open, easily accessible areas where you may be lucky enough to hear a stag bellow.
Fun on a toboggan
In autumn, as all year round, La Norma offers a must-do activity: tobogganing on rails. What could be better than a fun activity for young and old alike?
At the entrance to the resort, this experience combines safety and adrenalin to perfection. The course, punctuated by tight bends and thrilling descents, allows adventurers to control their speed thanks to an intuitive braking system, offering total control over the descent.
As you glide along, marvel at the breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks of Haute Maurienne Vanoise.
An evening by the fire?
What better way to create a unique atmosphere at the end of the day than with an open fire when you're back from an autumn stroll? Discover our selection of the most beautiful apartments and chalets with fireplaces at La Norma. And at this time of year, you'll also benefit from very competitive rates.
Enjoy the Forts de l'Esseillon: accrobranche, tyrolienne and via ferrata
Les Forts de l'Esseillon, at the foot of La Norma, offers a range of multi-sport activities for thrill-seekers and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. The site is renowned for its accrobranche course, spectacular zip lines and and via ferrata routesaccessible all year round in the vertiginous gorges du Diable.
Each of these activities allows you to take on exciting challenges while admiring breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Tree climbing, for example, invites you to make your way through the trees on a variety of courses, while zip lines offer a thrilling aerial descent, alone or in pairs.
Also not to be missed: a visit to the Forts. Spectacular structures built in the early 19th century. The Marie-Thérèse Redoubt (just under La Norma) is open in September. There's a museum area where you can find out all about these forts, and even try your hand at escapades. The site lends itself perfectly to this! And on the other side of the river, once you've crossed the vertiginous Pont du Diable, you're free to visit the immense Fort Victor-Emmanuel.
Visit Avrieux church
The village of Avrieux, at the foot of La Norma, is home to a veritable treasure trove of Baroque art: the church of Saint Thomas Becket. Massive and austere from the outside (even if the astonishing fresco of the "vices and virtues", to the left of the entrance, is already a must-see), the church radiates from the inside. Carved doors, a richly decorated altarpiece, twisted columns, cherubs, a profusion of gilding and ornamentation... A Baroque style that was meant to be a foretaste of paradise. In autumn, the church is open to visitors on request.
Mountain biking, climbing, cross-country skiing...
La Normaand the whole of Haute Maurienne Vanoise, offer activities and cultural discoveries all year round. Mountain biking, rock-climbing at Rocher des Amoureux or on the Aussois side, visits to the Museobar in Modane or the archaeology museum in Val Cenis, trampolines and games for children... And from November you can put your cross-country skis back on at Bessans, the 1st resort to open in France!
