Maurienne

As Maurienne an area in the French Western Alps is called, comprising the valley of the Arc and its side valleys.

Location

The Maurienne corresponding to the arrondissement of Saint -Jean -de- Maurienne the département Savoie, in the Rhône -Alpes.

Between the Col de l' Iseran and Modane one speaks of the Haute -Maurienne, to St-Michel -de- Maurienne from the Moyenne -Maurienne and to its confluence with the Isère of the Basse Maurienne.

The Maurienne includes the southern part of the Vanoise Massif and contributes founded Parc national de la Vanoise in 1963.

Alpine passes

The great Alpine passes, taking you to the Maurienne are:

• Col de l' Iseran and Col de la Madeleine from the Tarentaise
• Col du Mont Cenis from Italy
• Col du Galibier and Col du Telegraph of Briançon
• Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Glandon of Oisans and Grenoble

Tourism

Attractions

• Bonneval- sur-Arc, the only village of the department of Savoie in the list of "Most Beautiful Villages of France";
• Barrière de l' Esseillon, one consisting of five forts defense system, which was built in 1817-1834, before Savoy was ceded to France.

Hiking trails

The high-altitude long-distance trail GR 5 runs from the Col de l' Iseran to Modane by the Haute Maurienne.

Three stages of the new cross-border hiking trail Via Alpina lead, from the Tarentaise coming through the Haute Maurienne.

Sports

In the Haute -Maurienne allwinterlich competitions take place in the Biathlon IBU Cup. In the summer of 2008, the Summer Biathlon World Championships 2008 were held there.