The Monolith
Unusual, even bizarre!
Nature and time have sculpted this cargneous rock, a hard, compact dolomitic limestone that has withstood the erosion experienced on this site.
A breathtaking geologically induced spectacle that can be seen from afar and is one of the highest monoliths on the planet.
The nature of the mountaineer is to climb any rock in sight, and the Monolithe was first climbed in 1957 by Michel Paquier.
Climbing it has become a must for climbers who love difficulty and thrills.
The Monolith site is a mine of curiosities and a landmark! In this forest, families work on their wood harvesting for wood heating, search for morel mushrooms in the spring, and enjoy pleasant walks all year round!
Enter the Vanoise National Park
It was here, at the foot of the Vanoise massif, that the inauguration ceremony for the Vanoise National Park took place on June 26, 1965, the first of France's national parks to protect exceptional flora and fauna.
The four kilometers from the village ofAussois to the Sardières Monolith (in fact, the monolith is in the Val Cenis Sollières-Sardières commune) are accessible in all seasons and by all means: car (from May to November), bike, mountain bike, scooter, fatbike, on foot or on skis.
A must for winter walks
In winter, the road becomes a cross-country ski trail, leading to the village of Sardières, where you'll find part of the cross-country ski trails, the cross-country ski hostel, an out-of-bounds room and a restaurant.
The Monolithe Nordic ski area between Aussois and Sardières offers cross-country skiing and skating on 39 kms of marked and groomed trails. Ideal for beginners, but also for training.
For a day's snowshoeing, the Piste Blanche is a must! Starting from the Croix d'Aussois (1 km outside the village ofAussois in the direction of Sardières), this trail is 7.5 km long and has a positive vertical drop of 215 m. It is groomed and signposted, and is freely accessible.
What better way to recharge your batteries than in the midst of nature's bounty: the white of the snow, the blue of the sky, the green of the forest, the silence and gentle warmth of the sun's rays, the ideal altitude of 1,500m...
When art marries nature
For several years now, in the Monolithe forest, it's not unusual to come across a man on an ATV, chainsaw in his backpack... but where is he going? but what is he doing?
He's not a lumberjack, but an artist who gives free rein to his creativity by using natural essences on site.
Aussoy sculptor Serge Couvert shapes trees on the theme of family and happiness.
It's a real pleasure to follow the "Sculpture Trail", a land-art itinerary where each work bears an evocative name: "Fraternité", "Liberté", "Panique au sommet", "Un moaï en hiver", "Tototte"...
An original hike featuring visual and sensory discovery that lets the mind wander through the forest.
On foot, mountain bike or snowshoe along the forest trails, you'll discover the Arponts plateau (alpine chalets and a vast meadow which you reach after passing through Jomier), then the Fournette spring and the Chappe telegraph (part of the first mechanically-designed aerial and optical telegraphy system operating from station to station).