[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10932] ’Highest pass of the Alps.’ With 2770 m the Col de l'Iseran is the highest road pass of the Alps, connecting the Tarentaise in the north with the Maurienne in the south. Being a curvy and narrow road, having fabulous views over the snow covered giants of Vanoise and Gran Paradiso, it is a favorite with motorbikers. The Iseran Pass is one of 16 passes in the famous Route des Grandes Alpes. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10946] 'Woolly welcome.’ During a hike in the upper Arc valley you might be welcomed warmly by the local inhabitants: sheep. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10943] 'Chapelle Sainte Marguerite in Écot.’ At more then 2000 m altitude the Chapelle Sainte Marguerite stands next to the hamlet of Écot, near Bonneval-sur-Arc. It dates from the 12th century and its rude architecture fits perfectly in the harsh world of the high mountains surrounding it. Écot is a favorite starting point for hikes in the upper Arc valley, where you enter the Vanoise national park. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10941] Écot.’ Perhaps the most beautiful hamlet of the Haute Maurienne is Écot, near Bonneval-sur-Arc. Is has been restored with love for authenticity and consists mainly of summer holiday houses. Because of its altitude of 2027 m it isn't inhabited in winter. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10939] ’Sculpted rock in river Arc.’ From Bonneval-sur-Arc upward the young river Arc has sculpted the granite. A good spot for a refreshing break during a hike. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10934] ’Saved from wintersports.’ Bonneval-sur-Arc is, at 1850 m altitude, the highest permanently inhabited village of the French Alps. But it didn't want an agressive wintersports exploitation like Val d'Isère had seen, also the last village of its valley, at the other side of the Col de l'Iseran. The inhabitants voted for a solution closer to nature, nearly without wintersports, and hotels were exclusively constructed in a separate quarter outside the historical village. Bonneval became car free and is a perfect example of local architecture. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10937] ’Embrace of God.’ God, shown as the Eternal Father, shows the way ... to the Chemins de Baroque (the baroque trail), for which the Haute Maurienne is known. It is a route connecting more then 60 churches and chapels. But even churches officially not part of the trail, like this church of Bonneval-sur-Arc, offer beautiful baroque art. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10933] ’Col de l'Iseran pass road.' With 2770 m the Col de l'Iseran is the highest road pass of the Alps, connecting the Tarentaise in the north with the Maurienne in the south. Being a curvy and narrow road, having fabulous views over the snow covered giants of Vanoise and Gran Paradiso, it is a favorite with motorbikers. The Iseran Pass is one of 16 passes in the famous Route des Grandes Alpes. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10944] 'Chapelle Sainte Marguerite in Écot.’ At more then 2000 m altitude the Chapelle Sainte Marguerite stands next to the hamlet of Écot, near Bonneval-sur-Arc. It dates from the 12th century and its rude architecture fits perfectly in the harsh world of the high mountains surrounding it. Écot is a favorite starting point for hikes in the upper Arc valley, where you enter the Vanoise national park. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10945] 'Valley of the Reculaz.’ Both the upper Arc valley and its side valley of the Reculaz (photo) offer flat floors and can be hiked without much effort. Yet you are surrounded with threethousanders, like Mt. Seti (3158 m). Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10942] 'Chapelle Sainte Marguerite in Écot.’ At more then 2000 m altitude the Chapelle Sainte Marguerite stands next to the hamlet of Écot (invisible in the photo), near Bonneval-sur-Arc. It dates from the 12th century and its rude architecture fits perfectly in the harsh world of the high mountains surrounding it. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10940] ’Canyoning in river Arc.’ From Bonneval-sur-Arc upward the young river Arc has sculpted the granite. A nice spot for an introduction course in canyoning. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10938] ’Sculpted rock in river Arc.’ From Bonneval-sur-Arc upward the young river Arc has sculpted the granite. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10935] ’Saved from wintersports.’ Bonneval-sur-Arc is, at 1850 m altitude, the highest permanently inhabited village of the French Alps. But it didn't want an agressive wintersports exploitation like Val d'Isère had seen, also the last village of its valley, at the other side of the Col de l'Iseran. The inhabitants voted for a solution closer to nature, nearly without wintersports, and hotels were exclusively constructed in a separate quarter outside the historical village. Bonneval became car free and is a perfect example of local architecture. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10936] ’God shows the way.’ God, shown as the Eternal Father, shows the way ... to the Chemins de Baroque (the baroque trail), for which the Haute Maurienne is known. It is a route connecting more then 60 churches and chapels. But even churches officially not part of the trail, like this church of Bonneval-sur-Arc, offer beautiful baroque art. Photo Paul Smit.

[FRANCE.ALPSNORTH 10931] ’Highest pass of the Alps.’ With 2770 m the Col de l'Iseran is the highest road pass of the Alps. (But not the highest road. That honour goes to the Col de la Bonette in the Maritime Alps. Although that pass only reaches 2715 m, an extra loop of asphalt brings you to an altitud of 2802 m). It connects the Tarentaise, in the north, with the Maurienne in the south. Photo Paul Smit.