Parc naturel régional du massif des Bauges, Regional natural park between Chambéry and Annecy, France.
The Parc Naturel Régional du Massif des Bauges is a protected area featuring limestone mountains, meadows, forests, and traditional villages spread across the landscape. It occupies a region situated between Chambéry and Annecy in the French Alps.
The park was officially created in 1995 to protect the geological formations and natural resources of the region. This designation helped preserve the mountain landscape and the traditional way of life that had developed there over centuries.
The villages here display traditional architecture featuring tavalans, which are wooden balconies built under barn roof overhangs for drying timber. This building style remains visible today and reflects how local life was shaped by forestry and mountain living.
The area can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or hiking, with trails suited to different fitness levels. The best time to visit is from May to September when weather conditions are most stable and paths are easily accessible.
The park's UNESCO Global Geopark label, awarded on 17 September 2011, rests on two geological features cited in its candidacy: the karst forms and the raised synclines of the Bauges massif. The park became France's third geopark, the 87th worldwide.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,754 contributors worldwide.
