Les vacances à la neige, inventées au XXe siècle, ont inspiré les architectes et donné vie à un nouveau patrimoine. Revivez l'épopée des créateurs de stations.
Les « sports d’hiver »… une expression relativement récente pour des activités nées au XXe siècle. Car auparavant, personne n’aurait eu l’idée de monter si haut, dans le froid et la neige, pour le plaisir de la glisse !
Naissance des stations
Les stations naissent pour accueillir un sportif d’un genre inédit : celui qui, chaussé de planches de bois recourbées au bout, dévale les champs enneigés.
Pour accueillir les pionniers des sports d'hiver, les années 1920-1930 voient apparaître les remontées mécaniques et les hôtels ouverts tout l’hiver. Mais c’est au cours des Trente glorieuses que le ski se démocratise ; les stations se multiplient dans les Alpes, sous l’impulsion de l’Etat et de promoteurs privés.
La montagne se transforme en laboratoire d’aménagement du territoire. En altitude, les sites vierges se révèlent un terrain idéal pour des urbanistes novateurs, capables de transformer de paisibles alpages en « cités des neiges » futuristes.
Au pied des pistes, le patrimoine contemporain
À Courchevel, dès 1946, Laurent Chappis et son équipe énoncent les grands principes de la station skis aux pieds, et conçoivent des chalets d’avant-garde, faits pour se confondre avec les versants. Aux Arcs, Charlotte Perriand applique les principes de Le Corbusier à l’habitat de loisirs. Le Corbier, né en 1967 dans le cadre du Plan neige lancé par l’Etat, traduit l’enthousiasme de ces années-là en donnant à ses immeubles des noms comme Cosmos, Soyouz ou Baïkonour.
Toutes nos activités Archipels d'altitude
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Dates
Commune
Guided Tour: "Once Upon a Time in Val d'Isère"
Relive the fabulous history of Val d'Isère as you explore this mountain village that became a world-class ski resort. What an adventure!
Guided tour: Once upon a time in Courchevel Le Praz, Olympic and sporting heritage
Once upon a time there was Courchevel Le Praz: a mountain village in Savoie, perched at an altitude of 1,300 metres, which became a winter sports resort in 1946 and an Olympic venue in 1992. Let a local guide tell you all about its rich history.
The epic of a resort: history of La Plagne-Guided tour
Discover the history of the development of La Plagne and the adventure of winter sports. Follow in the footsteps of La Plagne's pioneers and inventors.
Visite guidée - Le Revard : 150 ans de vacances à la montagne !
Guided tour: Once upon a time in Courchevel Le Praz, Olympic and sporting heritage
Once upon a time there was Courchevel Le Praz: a mountain village in Savoie, perched at an altitude of 1,300 metres, which became a winter sports resort in 1946 and an Olympic venue in 1992. Let a local guide tell you all about its rich history.
Villages engloutis, de la légende au barrage : visite à 2 voix
Let us tell you about the thousand-year-old history of Tignes, from the peddler to the skier, from the mountain pastures to the villages.
The church of Saint Jacques, rebuilt exactly as it was when the dam was built, will give you an insight into the village's rich history.
Discovering the village of Beaufort
Welcome to Beaufort! In the company of Pascaline, discover the rich history of this mountain village. Architecture, agriculture, lifestyle, the arrival of tourism, Baroque art... these are just some of the themes that will give you a new perspective on Beaufort!
Guided tour: Once upon a time in Courchevel Le Praz, Olympic and sporting heritage
Once upon a time there was Courchevel Le Praz: a mountain village in Savoie, perched at an altitude of 1,300 metres, which became a winter sports resort in 1946 and an Olympic venue in 1992. Let a local guide tell you all about its rich history.
Unusual visit of the church: Secrets of gold and colors
Awaken your senses for an original discovery of the richness of the decorations of this remarkable church.
Discover the mysteries of the know-how of baroque craftsmen: leaf gilding and pigments will no longer hold any secrets for you
Visite guidée : il était une fois Courchevel Le Praz, héritages olympiques et sportifs
Once upon a time there was Courchevel Le Praz: a mountain village in Savoie, perched at an altitude of 1,300 metres, which became a winter sports resort in 1946 and an Olympic venue in 1992. Let a local guide tell you all about its rich history.
Visite guidée : il était une fois Courchevel Le Praz, héritages olympiques et sportifs
Once upon a time there was Courchevel Le Praz: a mountain village in Savoie, perched at an altitude of 1,300 metres, which became a winter sports resort in 1946 and an Olympic venue in 1992. Let a local guide tell you all about its rich history.
Il était une fois Saint-Sorlin : le village et l'église
Visite guidée : Art et Histoire à Notre Dame de Bellecombe avec la Fondation Facim
Guided tour: Once upon a time La Rosière
Take advantage of the evening light to discover the history of a mountain village that has transformed into a ski resort. Our heritage guide will share with you the stories and anecdotes of La Rosière.
Once upon a time in Tignes: guided tour
Let us tell you about the thousand-year-old history of Tignes, from the peddler to the skier, from the mountain pastures to the villages.
The church of Saint Jacques, rebuilt exactly as it was when the dam was built, will give you an insight into the village's rich history.
Guided tour: gourmet walk in Pralo
Follow the guide through the streets to discover Pralognan-la-Vanoise, the cradle of mountaineering in Savoie, and get to know local producers and mountain products. Tasting at the end of the tour.
Tignes, history of a resort: guided tour
From the 1930s onwards, winter sports developed and the mountains were transformed.
Architects, town planners and residents invented a new way of living at 2000 meters altitude. A real challenge!
Guided tour: Architecture Aperitifs
Discover the key stages of the construction of Les Menuires and the bold and innovative architectural choices thanks to an outdoor tour and a projection of images. To finish, share a glass of friendship and enjoy a Savoyard aperitif.