Arvan-Villards Massif

The Arvan massif, located in the Savoie department on the borders of Isère and Hautes-Alpes, owes its name to the Arvan river, which cuts deep into the massif at Albiez and flows into the Arc further down the valley (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne).

The emblematic Aiguilles d'Arves, culminating at 3514m, are the main peaks. Other major massifs border the valley: the Grandes Rousses with the Pic de l'étendard (3464m) and the Saint-Sorlin glacier to the south-west, the Belledonne massif to the north-west. Sharp peaks, rounded summits, valleys, rocky outcrops, forests, string of lakes... these varied landscapes are home to a wealth of flora and fauna. The Villards valley stretches for 15km between the Col du Glandon and the Arc valley. Halfway up the pass, overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of Sambuis, Puy-Gris and Argentières, Saint-Colomban and Saint-Alban-des-Villards form the first gateway to Les Sybelles.