In Combloux, the first activity is free and takes no effort at all: looking at Mont-Blanc, which stands right opposite the village. Around that view, the village offers enough to fill a stay in any season: the baroque church of Saint-Nicolas and its onion-domed bell tower, the biotope lake for summer swimming, trails for every level, a pump track and a bike park, then, in winter, skiing in Les Portes du Mont-Blanc, snowshoeing and sledging.
Combloux remains a village on a human scale, where people do their shopping at the Wednesday morning market and where children easily find their place. Here is what our HOMKA team recommends to guests staying in Combloux, in summer and winter alike, with information checked with the tourist office.
Mont-Blanc opposite, the village’s first show
People come to Combloux first and foremost for the view. From the village and its hamlets, the eye takes in Mont-Blanc, but also the Fiz range and the Aravis: a 360° panorama that changes colour from morning to evening.
The tourist office has even picked out ten benches with a view of Mont-Blanc, to reach along your walks: the bench under the walnut tree, the Arvillon bench, the designer bench at Le Vernay, the two benches at La Cry, a hundred metres or so from the car park, and those at Fontaine Désir and Cuchet. An online map shows where they are, for a picnic or a sunset break.
Saint-Nicolas, granite and a palace: Combloux’s heritage
The church of Saint-Nicolas and its double onion dome
Built between 1702 and 1704 on the site of an earlier church, the church of Saint-Nicolas is one of the fine examples of baroque art in the Pays du Mont-Blanc. Its 45-metre bell tower, destroyed during the Revolution and rebuilt in 1828, with its double octagonal gallery and double onion dome, is said to be the most beautiful in Savoyard onion-dome architecture. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1971, and the altarpiece in gilded, polychrome carved wood is also listed.
Inside and under the porch, look out for the frescoes depicting the life of Saint Nicholas, the organ brought from Nevers cathedral and the sundial, the oldest in the Pays du Mont-Blanc. The tourist office runs guided tours of the church.
Chapels and the Baroque Trail
Combloux also has several chapels, including those of Ormaret, Le Cruet and Le Médonnet, built in 1637. Above all, the village is the starting point of the Sentier du Baroque (Baroque Trail), a 20 km route with around 200 m of ascent starting from the church of Saint-Nicolas and passing through Saint-Gervais and Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce. You can follow it on foot or by mountain bike, in sections if you prefer.
La Ferme à Isidore
Built in 1832 and listed as a historic monument, La Ferme à Isidore is named after its last inhabitant. It is one of the few farms in the area to have kept its original state: you can see the cowshed built into the house and the imposing “boerne”, where meat was smoked. In summer it opens for self-guided visits during a temporary exhibition; guided tours and activities are offered during the school holidays.
The PLM and Mont-Blanc granite
At the entrance to the village, the large white PLM building recalls the early days of tourism. Opened in 1912 as the Grand Hôtel du Mont-Blanc, it was bought in 1923 by the Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée railway company, which installed the village’s first ski tow there in 1935. Now divided into private apartments, it can be admired from the outside.
Another defining feature is granite. As the glaciers retreated some 15,000 years ago, they left blocks from the Mont-Blanc massif scattered across Combloux. The Sentier des Graniteurs (Granite Workers’ Trail), about 1 km through the forest, tells the story of how they were quarried, and the Laurenzio family business, which has kept this craft alive since 1967, opens its workshop on Fridays at 5 pm.
Summer in Combloux, between swimming and trails
The biotope lake, chlorine-free swimming
Opened in 2002 and fully renovated in 2022, the biotope lake was the first ecological swimming lake created in France. The water receives no chemical treatment: it is filtered by more than 10,000 aquatic plants in regeneration pools, facing Mont-Blanc. The site has a swimming pool with four 50 m lanes, a granite sun deck and a grassy beach. The water is generally between 18 and 26°C.
The biotope is open from mid-June to early September, with limited capacity. During the school holidays, book your entry online, by 10.30 am on the day at the latest: it is often full in high season. The wristband is valid all day and also gives access to the temporary exhibition at La Ferme à Isidore. Please note: swim briefs or swim boxers are compulsory, and swim shorts are not allowed.
Hiking around the village
Easy walks start right from the centre, towards the panoramic benches or along the Sentier des Graniteurs. Experienced walkers will aim for the Petit and Grand Croisse Baulet hike, starting from Combloux: 18.2 km and 1,257 m of ascent, about 7 hours, rated difficult.
Pump track and Mont-Blanc Bike Park
Behind the town hall, in the Louparc play area, the free pump track has two circuits, a red one of 110 m and a blue one of 100 m, open to everyone on mountain bikes, BMXs, scooters, skateboards or rollerblades, all year round when the weather allows. More recent, the Mont-Blanc Bike Park offers a 2.1 km green loop that needs no ski lift, from 15 April to 1 November. Ideal for trying mountain biking as a family.
Winter in Combloux, beyond the slopes
Skiing facing Mont-Blanc
Combloux is one of the gateways to the Portes du Mont-Blanc ski area: 100 km of slopes between 1,200 and 1,900 metres, linking Combloux, Megève-Le Jaillet and La Giettaz. The Évasion Mont-Blanc pass also opens up the ski areas of Megève and Saint-Gervais. For details, see our guide to skiing in Combloux.
Snowshoeing up to the Beauregard mountain pasture
Snowshoeing is the best way to enjoy the snow without skiing. The signature route leads to the Beauregard mountain pasture, a building dating from 1885 perched at more than 1,400 metres: 6.2 km and 260 m of ascent, a loop starting from the La Cry car park, about 3 hours of walking (moderate level). In winter, a picnic room welcomes skiers and snowshoers. Mountain leaders and the Bureau des Guides also run guided outings, for families or at night.
Sledging, snow sports and ice swimming
Two free sledging areas, at La Cry and Cuchet, are reserved for children, under their parents’ supervision. The four-season toboggan, on rails, runs all year round. Ski touring, snow bikes and snow scooters round off the programme. From 8 to 10 January 2027, the biotope lake hosts a leg of the Winter Swimming World Cup, with events open to amateurs.
Combloux at a child’s height
The village is a naturally family-friendly destination. Here are our pointers:
- At the biotope: gently sloping access, a sandpit and, just above, the Mini-parc aventures playground, free to use for 3 to 10-year-olds.
- On the snow: the La Cry and Cuchet sledging areas, and ESF ski lessons from age 3.
- At the farm: milking the cows in winter at the Val Mont-Blanc farm, and holiday activities at La Ferme à Isidore.
- On wheels: the pump track and the bike park’s green loop.
Wednesday morning, market day
All year round, the Combloux market sets up on Wednesdays from 8 am to noon in front of the tourist office. You will find honey, eggs, cheese, seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat and local crafts. For what comes next, our favourite places are in where to eat in Combloux.
FAQ – What to do in Combloux
When is the Combloux biotope lake open?
From mid-June to early September. The number of swimmers is limited each day: during the school holidays, it is best to book your entry online in advance.
Is the church in Combloux a listed historic monument?
Its double onion-domed bell tower, rebuilt in 1828, has been listed as a historic monument since 1971, and its baroque altarpiece is also listed.
What to do in Combloux in winter without skiing?
Snowshoeing up to the Beauregard mountain pasture, sledging at La Cry or Cuchet, the four-season toboggan, a visit to the church of Saint-Nicolas or La Ferme à Isidore, and the Wednesday morning market.
What to do in Combloux when it rains?
The church of Saint-Nicolas, La Ferme à Isidore, a visit to the Laurenzio granite workshop on Fridays, the municipal library or an escape game. The tourist office also lends board games.
Planning your stay in Combloux
To enjoy the view every day, nothing beats a chalet or apartment facing the massif. Discover our chalets and apartments in Combloux, browse our Combloux page, and find our favourite tables in where to eat in Combloux.
Sources
- 360° view of Mont-Blanc, the Fiz and the Aravis: combloux.com (Combloux tourist office), “Une vue imprenable et des panoramas à 360°”
- Ten benches with a view of Mont-Blanc: combloux.com, article of 1 October 2026
- Church of Saint-Nicolas, dates, bell tower, 1971 listing, altarpiece, chapels: combloux.com, “L’église et le Baroque”; haute-savoie-tourisme.org, “L’Église baroque St Nicolas”
- Baroque Trail, length, ascent, start and finish: combloux.com, route page
- La Ferme à Isidore: combloux.com, “La Ferme à Isidore”
- The PLM, history and dates: combloux.com, “Le PLM”
- Granite, Sentier des Graniteurs, Laurenzio business: combloux.com, “Le Granit”
- Biotope lake, opening in 2002, renovation, how it works, facilities, season, booking, Winter Swimming World Cup: combloux.com, “Le plan d’eau biotope de Combloux” and “Plan d’eau biotope” facility page
- Mini-parc aventures: combloux.com, facility page
- Hiking and Croisse Baulet: combloux.com, “La randonnée”
- Pump track: combloux.com, “Le pumptrack”
- Mont-Blanc Bike Park: combloux.com, “Le Mont-Blanc Bike Park”
- Portes du Mont-Blanc ski area and Évasion Mont-Blanc pass: combloux.com, “Le Ski”
- Snowshoeing and routes: combloux.com, “Raquettes et balades”
- Beauregard mountain pasture: combloux.com, “L’alpage de Beauregard”
- Sledging areas and four-season toboggan: combloux.com, “Luge”
- Winter activities and ESF lessons: combloux.com, “Hiver”
- Rainy-day activities, cow milking: combloux.com, “Que faire à Combloux quand il pleut ?”
- Combloux market: combloux.com, “Marché de Combloux” event listing
