Bienvenue a Abondance, a teeny-tiny traditional Alpine village located in France on the 920m a.s.l. It can offer breathtaking mountain views, delicious cheese, a rich cultural heritage, and many outdoor activities. To be honest, there aren’t a lot of things to do there – but those that Abondance can offer are totally worth a visit. Interested? Stay with us and we’ll show you what to do in Abondance village in France.
Abondance is located in France, in the Northern French Alps in very close proximity to the Switzerland border, in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Thanks to close proximity to Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc, and Switzerland, Abondance is a great place to stay for a few days and slowly discover the area.
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What to do in Abondance, a typical Alpine village in France
Without a doubt, three things will dominate your visit to Abondance: mountain landscapes, traditional Alpine architecture, and outdoor activities.
What does Abondance look like?
Abondance is a small and quiet village with one main street, and only a few restaurants, cafes, shops, or hotels. Every Sunday morning a traditional market takes place in the parking on the main street.
Église Notre Dame d’Abondance & Abbaye d’Abondance
While wandering in Abondance village, sooner rather than later you’ll get to Abondance church, Église Notre Dame d’Abondance, and Abbaye d’Abondance which is located right next to it. Abbaye d’Abondance is a small cloister that was founded around the 12th century by monks from the Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune. Inside you’ll be able to admire wall paintings from the 15th century, depicting the life of the Virgin. In 1875 the abbey was classified as a Historical Monument. The entrance to the cloister is paid: €5 (May 2023).
Summer in Abondance, France – hiking & cycling
Summertime in Abondance is perfect for hiking or cycling lovers. If you are one of them, you can choose from many foot trails and cycling routes near Abondance. On alltrails.com you can check out foot trails, and on komoot.com cycling routes. Keep reading and we’ll recommend to you the one we did, and totally loved it.
Winter in Abondance, France – Ski resort
On the other hand, winter is perfect for skiing lovers. Abondance is part of Portes du Soleil – a very popular French-Swiss ski domain. The L’Essert, Abondance ski resort, can offer you about 17km of slopes, between 930-1730m. There are 14 runs available (4 green, 8 blue, 1 red, and 1 black), perfect for both beginners and experienced skiers. If you’re interested in learning more check out the Abondance website.
No matter in which season you’ll visit – get ready to enjoy spectacular views of the Alps.
The trail around Abondance village – our recommendation
As you already know, there are many hiking trails in Abondance. We chose one that seemed the best option for us at that time, but also changed it a little, matching our needs. We don’t know if it was the best one we could do, but we really enjoyed it as almost all the time it offered stunning views over the Abondance valley, Alps, and Abondance area surroundings.
Below you can check out the map of the trail we took. We walked it in about 6 hours, it wasn’t difficult nor very exhausting. From L’encrenaz route is well-signed, but at the beginning, you’ll need a map so you won’t get lost.
Abondance cheese & cows
Finally, one more interesting piece of information: Abondance is not only the name of the village but also of a type of cheese that is made in the region, and the name of the breed of cows from which milk the cheese is made. There are many Abondance Cheese sellers in the area so be sure to sample it while in Haute-Savoie.
How to get to Abondance, France?
Abondance is located about 27km from Thonon-les-Bains, 60km from Geneva, 90km from Chamonix, and 100km from Annecy. The most convenient way to get to Abondance is by car, either yours or rental.
Where to park in Abondance, France?
There’s a small free parking space available at the foot of the Abondance cable car station. There’s also a parking lot on the main street, opposite Café Tabac de la Place.
To Abondance by bus
You can also get to Abondance by bus. For example, the journey from Thonon-les-Bains will take about 50min and will cost €8. From Geneva, the journey will take about 2.5h with change in Thonon and will cost €29-45.
What To Do In Abondance village in France – Summary
Hopefully, by now you know what to do in Abondance in France. Despite the fact that it’s a small village and there are only a few things to do in the area, Abondance definitely is a place in Haute-Savoie worth visiting. Will you give it a chance?
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Abondance?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Abondance:
Where to sleep in Abondance?
Les Cornettes
Les Cornettes is a charming mountain hotel located in the French Alps, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. With comfortable rooms, delicious cuisine, and easy access to outdoor activities, it's the perfect retreat for those seeking a peaceful and active getaway.
La Joly – ChaletYap
La Joly - ChaletYap is a charming chalet located in Abondance, offering comfortable accommodations with stunning mountain views. This fully equipped and beautifully furnished chalet features modern amenities, including a hot tub, sauna, and fireplace, making it the perfect retreat for a relaxing mountain getaway.
Terra-Beka Lodge
Terra-Beka Lodge is a cozy mountain retreat located in the heart of Abondance. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation with stunning mountain views, delicious homemade cuisine, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Hotel Le Ferraillon
Hotel Le Ferraillon is a charming alpine-style hotel located in the heart of the Abondance Valley, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. The hotel offers cozy rooms, a restaurant serving delicious regional cuisine, and easy access to skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
