Hidden heritage trail through the village of Le Praz. Saint-Bon and Le Praz were the two biggest villages before the Courchevel resort was founded in 1946. Most of the local population still lives here to this day. Saint-Bon, at an altitude of 1100m, is the capital of the area where you’ll find a town hall and parish church. The first hotel, Le Lac Bleu, opened here in 1908. Le Praz, at an altitude of 1300m, was the highest constantly inhabited village until Courchevel’s foundation with which it is linked by ski lifts and pistes. Both villages still have the traditional charm of the mountain setting. The sole village built on a berm was where some of the most extensive farm work in the area occurred. Nowadays most of its appeal comes from the existence of a natural lake and beautiful spruce forest. Soak up the age-old village atmosphere as you hunt for the site of the old bread oven on the square which is also home to the chapel devoted to Sainte Marie-Madeleine (15th century and extended in 1697). Don’t forget to stroll along Rue des Beauforts where you’ll find some traditional houses and a former Beaufort maturing cellar.
Courchevel
