The Bessans devil
The legend of the Bessans devil
Diabolique BessansIn Bessans, the devil can be seen at fountains, in shops and even on schools and houses. Along with cross-country skiing, it's even the symbol of the village!
Bessans and the devil have a long history. In 1857, a dispute between the brotherhood of cantors of Bessans and the village priest was "resolved" thanks to a wooden sculpture depicting the devil holding a priest under his arm... Since then, the tradition has been perpetuated!
Take a stroll through the village streets and stop off at "Le Chapoteur", the woodcarving workshop where Georges and Fabrice Personnaz carve devils and keep the legend alive!
Find out more about the devil here!
The Nordic soul
The open spaces of the far north, with the added bonus of steep slopes! An invitation to travel between Vanoise and Italy.
The Nordic soul
Label Terre d'alpinisme
Recently awarded the "Land of Mountaineering" label, the people of Bessans are continuing their commitment to helping as many people as possible discover the assets of this beautiful mountain.
Label Terre d'alpinisme
Averole and hamlets of Bessans
The Vallée d'Averole is a major valley on the right as you leave Bessans in the direction of Bonneval sur Arc.
Averole and hamlets of Bessans
The international biathlon stadium
Thanks to the advantages of the Bessans plateau's altitude and snow cover, the inter-communal project for an international biathlon stadium, led by the Communauté de Communes Haute Maurienne, was launched in 1998, with the support of medal-winning athlete Hervé Flandin, a native of the valley.