Sallanches is a commune of Haute-Savoie with an area of 65.87 km² and a population of 16,000 inhabitants called the Sallanchards and the Sallanchardes. Its highest point is 2,749 metres and its lowest point is 515 metres. The commune is part of the canton of Sallanches.
History of the town
The human presence is attested from the 6th century. The small town developed as a religious and economic centre. A large weekly market allowed the inhabitants of the surrounding area to sell their agricultural and craft products. From the 19th century onwards, the town experienced an important economic boom despite a major fire in 1840. The development of the watchmaking industry and then the screw-cutting industry took place in the 20th century. The town is also a place of passage for tourists on their way to the ski resorts.
Sports and culture in Sallanches
Many public facilities are available to the population and tourists.
- The FJEP organises the cultural life of the town by offering many events, and every year, around May-June, an amateur festival called“Oh! les Beaux Jours” is held.
- The cultural season “Cultur(r)al”: this is the centre of live entertainment in Sallanches with meetings around theatre, dance, comedy and circus.
- The Ange Abrate media library is a place of life, leisure, culture and creation with all year round activities and meetings with authors. The youngest can enjoy the animation: “L’heure du conte”. It is located at 81 place du Commissaire Chesney.
- The music and dance school: it allows children to learn these disciplines from nursery school onwards.
- The Salle Léon Curral can accommodate up to 1,100 spectators for shows and concerts.
- Sallanches has a base, the Ilettes leisure centre, which consists of 3 lakes.
The Sallanches Mont-Blanc Aquatic Centre
An aquatic centre will be opened in 2021 with two swimming pools and a paddling pool. It offers an indoor wellness area with sauna, hammam and massage showers and 4 indoor pools. The presence of bleachers allows the organisation of regional competitions. A large water slide has been built for children. Outside, there is a playground as well as a solarium and planted beaches to enjoy the summer.
Environmentally, the project is powered by heat pumps to produce hot water and heating. The parking areas are greened and the rainwater from the roof is reused for watering and toilets.
Top rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected four hotels in Sallanches that offer excellent value for money and have very good customer reviews:
Auberge de l’Orangerie
Between Cluses and Mont Blanc, this hotel offers large rooms decorated in a contemporary style with a balcony as well as suites. You can enjoy the whirlpool and the outdoor covered swimming pool. There are 4 rooms for disabled guests,from €99 per night.
Ibis Hotel Sallanches
The train station is only 2 km away from this Accor hotel, which offers great services, including breakfast served in the breakfast room with a light version from 4 am. The Chamonix Mont-Blanc resort is 25 km away. The Campanile restaurant is located next to the hotel.From €58 per night.
Ibis Styles Sallanches Pays du Mont-Blanc
The Ibis Styles Sallanches Pays du Mont-Blanc is located in Sallanches and offers large, contemporary air-conditioned rooms with views of the Alps, a rooftop sauna and a large Jacuzzi for relaxing. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Private parking is free of charge andcosts from €82 per night.
Ibis Budget Sallanches
The Ibis Budget Sallanches is an excellent base for exploring the region and its many winter sports resorts. The reception is open 24 hours a day and the rooms are all air-conditioned with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. Free private parking is availablefrom € 52 per night.
School and family facilities
The commune has three municipal gymnasiums (Cayenne, Rosay, Vouilloux), two football stadiums and a rugby stadium. As far as schools are concerned, Sallanches has 4 public schools and one private school, with a total of 1,300 pupils. Extracurricular activities are offered on Wednesdays and during the school holidays.
The town has set up a Family Space which has three objectives:
- To provide parents with books and documentation on parenting.
- To offer festive events: fairs, games festival.
- Organise conferences and debates between parents and social workers.
Address: Espace Animations, 625 rue Cancellieri, 74700 Sallanches.
Companies
The headquarters of Dynastar (ski construction) is located in Sallanches, which is also the storage site for the commercial company Descours & Cabaud.
Tourist attractions and events
The town of Sallanches is rich in historical monuments:
The old Saint-Martin bridge
Built in 1783, it spans the Arve River and links the former commune of Saint-Martin to the rest of the town. Only pedestrians can use it.
The Collegiate Church of Saint-Jacques
This church was built in the 17th century with wooden frames in the baroque style. Its sundial and organ are remarkable.
The original church
A remarkable historical monument which includes the Callinet organ dating from 1850 and the tower which has thirteen bells.
The Town Hall
In a neo-classical style from the Sardinian period, it has similarities with thetown hall of Annecy which dates from the same period.
The Tuileries Washhouse
Built in 1889 in granite, it has a drinking trough for cattle and a fountain in front.
La Grenette
Built in 1868, it is a hall with granite columns and floor. It used to be the grain market of the region.
Rubins Castle
Built in the 14th century, it is located at the entrance to the Sallanches gorge. It is the home of the Centre de la Nature Montagnarde, which presents the flora and fauna of the Alps to the public.
The Cold Fair
Every year at the end of October, the town organises the traditional Foire Froide with a cattle competition of the Abondance breed and an event on the theme of gastronomy, local produce and know-how with some forty stands of exhibitors. A special menu for the fair is served. The Fête Foraine is held on the Grenette beach.
Visit to the Sommier d’Aval mountain pasture
This guided and commented visit allows you to discover a goat farm located at the Sommier d’Aval mountain pasture. The herd is composed of nearly 100 alpine goats, 45 kids and 6 billy goats. The visit is free. Cheeses for sale: Chevrotin AOP, goat tommes and serac are available at the chalet every day. Address: Sommier d’Aval, 74 950 Le Reposoir.
Other monuments and squares are worth a visit: the Château de Bourbonge, the Place Charles Albert and the Pré de Foire.
Practical information: During July and August, to make it easier for locals and holidaymakers to get around, a free electric shuttle will run between the information point in the shopping area, the Ilettes and Luzier lakes and the town centre.
Festival “Les Enfants d’Abord
For 23 years, the town of Sallanches has hosted a four-day festival dedicated to children. This event has been a great success with both the local population and tourists. Les Enfants d’Abord organises creative, leisure and sports workshops. Young children are accompanied by their parents and grandparents as they wander from stand to stand. At the end of the afternoon, the day ends with a show under a big top for the young public: concerts, street arts. This festival takes place every year during the second week of August.
Sallanches Market
The market in this Haute-Savoie town is held every Saturday from 8am to 1pm on the Quai de la Sallanches. The market offers food, garden and clothing products.
Town Hall and Tourist Office
The Sallanches Town Hall is located at 30, quai de l’hôtel de ville, 74700 Sallanches. Sallanches Town Hall website. Opening hours :
- Monday: registry office from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm
- Tuesday to Friday from 8.30am to 12pm and from 1.30pm to 5.30pm
- Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm
Sallanches TouristOffice website
