Though the people of Salvan led a mainly pastoral life until the end of the 19th century, the beauty of the place and the quality of the air lured illustrious holidaymakers. Marie Troillet, Eugène Rambert and then Igor Stravinski trod «Rue des Millionnaires», as the principle avenue of the village is called - not without irony - by its inhabitants, who are used to living in difficult conditions. Marconi, openly on a break in Salvan to treat a respiratory ailment, made a decisive breakthrough in the development of what would become the radio. It was the summer of 1895. «Positive waves» can still be felt all around the «Pierre Bergière», an erratic block that dominates the Salvan village, the scene of the young scientist's first trial transmissions. Also not to be missed is the touching little Marconi Foundation Museum, needless to say, at the Rue des

More information: www.fondation-marconi.ch
Photo: Musée de la fondation Marconi

Only a few minutes by train and we arrive in Marécottes, a village faraway from the bustle of the neighbouring resorts. Aside from the beauty of its landscape, and being the departure point for numerous hikes in the summer, the place is also famous for its alpine zoo. Observe these animals in what is practically their natural environment: ibex, beavers, snow owls, deer, marmots, mouflon, bears and even the very elusive lynx. In the summer, there's nothing to stop you from taking a dip - under the gaze of the bears- in the alpine swimming pool carved lengthwise between two rockfaces. In the winter, if you are a skier or snowboarder, bliss awaits you at the Creusaz resort. Also, tour, in this country of gorges and canals, all the more or less thematic and endlessly stunning paths strewn with larch footbridges on boulders and over turbulent streams.

More informations: www.marecottes.ch
The Marécottes alpine zoo: click here 
Uncanny gorges: click here 
Photo: Gorges du Trient (Salvan-Les Marécottes Tourisme)

Finhaut appears as you follow a bend; a mountain village with an old-fashioned charm, the arrival point of the old stagecoach road and a point of departure for numerous walks. Among the most spectacular excursions: the ascent to the Emosson dam. The first section was created in 1920 by the Funiculaire du Châtelard with the aim of building pressure pipelines to bring water to the centre of Châtelard. With its bare appearance, a reference to its initial industrial use, the convoy is a world champion in the «steepest slope» category with its 87%. The ascent only lasts twelve minutes but you rise 698 meters ! The peak of your emotions are not met at the summit, however. A small panoramic train takes over, following amazing precipices to the foot of the Emosson dam, whose summit is conquered with the help of a «Mini-funic», mini but steep! And here, at 2400m, with the Mont-Blanc at its back, is the Emosson lake, held in check by the dam which overhangs it. A pretext for fresh walks on the concrete crown, or for a search for dinosaur tracks, engraved in the rock for more than 200 million years.

More information:

The Châtelard transport network: www.chatelard.net
Dinosaur tracks: click here 
Emosson dam:  www.emosson.ch
Photo: Petit train panoramique du Châtelard, CCA

From the Châtelard station, the Mont-Blanc Express heads for its last stopover: Chamonix. A border crossing and the world capital of mountaineering reveals its famous charms: The Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), Brévent, Aiguille du Midi. Everyone disembarks: the last station, and a starting point for new discoveries.

Photo: CCA