The village of Villaz in Haute-Savoie in the Rhône-Alpes region is located 10 km northeast of Annecy.
Geographical situation
Villaz currently has more than 3,400 inhabitants called the villazois and covers an area of 1,527 ha. At the foot of the mountain of Parmelan, the village is situated at an altitude of 705 meters, with the top of Parmelan being around 1800 meters. Villaz is part of the Grand Annecy urban community. Surrounding municipalities include Naves Parmelan, Annecy-le-Vieux, and Argonay.
Monuments and tourist sites
Church of Villaz
This church, dating from the 19th century, has stained glass windows, including one of the Virgin and Child, and two bells cast in the prestigious Paccard workshops. It has been classified as a historical monument since 1963 and welcomed Saint Francis de Sales on October 6, 1607, during a pastoral visit.
Château de Bon Attrait
This castle is currently a rehabilitation and follow-up care clinic. It was originally a fortified house.
Massif du Parmelan
Discover the most beautiful lapiaz in Europe in the mountain of Parmelan, hiking trails, Roman road, high medieval burials, and the seat of an archpriesthood in the 16th century.
Montagne du Mont Veyrier
The Mont Veyrier is located near the municipality of Villaz, as well as Annecy-le-Vieux and Veyrier-du-Lac and overlooks the lake and the surroundings of the Annecy basin.
The Veyrier offers numerous panoramas for all those who love nature and beautiful views.
The best-rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels near Villaz that offer excellent value for money and receive very good customer reviews:
La Grange des Pères
A very nice Appart’Hôtel located in Pringy near Pringy. The decor is contemporary and the rooms are spacious. The proximity to the city of Annecy and the resorts allows you to explore the region during your vacation.
From €104 per night.
Hôtel de Novel
This establishment is located north of Annecy and close to the exit of the A 41 motorway. The city center is a 10-minute walk away for visiting Annecy. The restaurant serves good traditional cuisine with also Italian specialties.
From €95 per night.
Hôtel F1 Annecy Argonay
This budget establishment offers quality services with breakfast served in the dining room in buffet form. Located in the economic zone of Argonay, a car is necessary to visit the city of Annecy and its surroundings.
From €35 per night.
B&B Hôtel Annecy
A beautiful establishment that offers spacious air-conditioned rooms with bathrooms. Breakfast is served as an all-you-can-eat buffet with breads, pastries, and jams. The city of Annecy is located 7 km away.
From €60 per night.
Logis hôtel Annecy nord – Argonay
The hotel was renovated in 2014 and awarded for its ecological approach. Located 6 km from Annecy and 30 minutes from the ski resorts of La Clusaz and Grand-Bornand. The large terrace faces south.
From €70 per night.
Cultural facilities
Municipal library
18, rue du Porche Rond
Opening hours: Wednesday from 4 PM to 5 PM, Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM, and Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12 PM.
Sports facilities and clubs
Villaz has several facilities for athletes such as a skatepark, a football field, and tennis courts. You will also find clubs for: paragliding, mountain biking, and tennis. For those who prefer to walk, marked trails are available around the village.
The tourist trails of Villaz
Four fairly easy tourist circuits are offered for beautiful walks in nature, all starting from the town hall square:
- The Ailles circuit: starting from the town hall square, you will pass by the church and the Château des Paquelet de Moyron built in 1591. The fortified house is private with a beautiful gate. At the beginning of the Pré fleuri road, you have on your right La Roseraie which is one of the houses of the Compagnons du devoir. By taking the Grand Nant road, then the Ailles road, you will have a beautiful view of the Salève, the Mandallaz, and the bell tower of Saint Martin Bellevue located at the top of the forest. You return via the Pré Fleuri road back to the town hall. The circuit measures 3 km.
- The Coteaux circuit: heading towards the hamlet of Vignes, you benefit from a magnificent view of the mountains of Lake Annecy. You pass under the power line following the path that goes towards the Grattepanche stream and then onto the road of the same name. You will see the vineyard slope of the Girondales replanted in 2017, then the stadium and the tennis court, to cross a hamlet towards the Filière bridge. You then emerge onto the paved road of the chemin du Vieux Four. The return is via the Rossand path and then the Arcey path until you reach the Crêt de Paris road.
- The Cheese circuit: starting from the town hall square, you follow the Bonattrait avenue with the Château de Bon Attrait on your right. You can visit the Parmelan dairy which produces 5,000 reblochons per day. A shop area allows you to buy this cheese. Continuing straight on the chemin de l’Épine, you then turn right onto the road des Mivres to stop at the GAEC des Narcisses farm. You can acquire one of the best reblochons in the region and taste a unique specialty: the fondant du Parmelan.
- The Old Village circuit: you can start by visiting the beautiful church of Villaz dedicated to the Nativity of Mary which welcomed Saint Francis de Sales on October 6, 1607. On the left, you can admire the Château des Paquelet de Moyron. Then on the Pré Fleuri road, on the right, you have La Roseraie which is one of the houses of the Compagnons du Tour de France. To return, take the path of the Cruets on your right and then again to the right the Grand Nant road to admire the Château Bon Attrait, a fortified house from the 13th century.
Services & Administrations
The library
It is located next to the church at: 18 rue du Porche Rond. The management has been entrusted to a team of volunteers: the “Bibliothèque de Villaz” association.
Hours:
- Monday from 10 AM to 12 PM
- Wednesday from 4 PM to 8 PM
- Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM
- Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM
The school of Villaz
It includes a kindergarten and a primary school. For the youngest, a multi-reception nursery with 28 places and a micro-nursery with 10 places are available.
Sports equipment
Villaz is equipped with: a climbing room, a football field at Varday, tennis courts, and a sports course at Varday as well. The jardin des Moufflets welcomes children in the morning with about fifteen childminders.
The post office
Address: 316, Avenue de Bonatray
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 2 PM to 5 PM
Thursday from 9:15 AM to 12 PM and from 2 PM to 5 PM
Saturday from 9:15 AM to 12 PM
Social worker
Monique Moussy, sector social worker, receives by appointment at the Villaz town hall, the first Tuesday of the month from 2 PM to 4:30 PM.
Villaz waste disposal site
Located on the Grand Nant road, it only accepts green waste:
- Summer hours (April to October): Wednesday from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
- Winter hours (November to March): Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Town hall
1 place de la Mairie
74 370 Villaz
Tel: 04.50.60.61.64
Opening hours:
Website of the Villaz Town Hall
