Passy is a municipality in Haute-Savoie covering 80.03 km² and comprising 11,319 inhabitants called Passerands and Passerandes. Located in the mountains, this village is part of the canton of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, and its peak rises to 2,880 meters. Its area of 8,003 hectares makes it the largest municipality in the department.
The municipality of Passy is divided into several hamlets:
- Le Plateau d’Assy
- Chedde
- Marlioz
- Les Plagnes
- L’Abbaye
The town of Passy is twinned with the German town of Pfullingen.
History and Heritage
The first settlements began with the Celts: the Ceutrons and the Allobroges, who were subdued by the Romans imposing respective territories. A Roman milestone is still visible at the Forclaz pass. The Roman occupation allowed the development of vine cultivation due to good sunshine. This agricultural economy lasted until the end of the 19th century. The creation of the electro-metallurgical plant in Chedde marked a turning point, signaling the beginning of the industrial era and workers in the municipality.
On the Plateau d’Assy, sanatoriums were built to take advantage of the local microclimate. Today, this plateau has more than 2,000 beds spread across 20 health establishments. It also employs over a thousand people.
The church Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grâce, built in 1950, is the symbol of the revival of sacred art in the 20th century. The decoration was entrusted to great contemporary artists: Rouault, Bonnard, Lurçat, Matisse, Braque, Léger, Chagall.
The tourist sites of Passy
There are three major tourist sites: the Plaine-Joux ski resort which is well-suited for families, the leisure base of Lake Passy and its Garden of Peaks. For thrill-seekers, you must try: the Himalayan footbridge of Nant Bordon and the beautiful via ferrata of Curallaz. The Garden of Peaks is an opportunity to discover the flora of the Alps during an unforgettable walk.
At Lake Passy, you can picnic or swim in the pretty coves. Nearby, there are many tourist activities: mini-golf, treetop adventure, orienteering course, volleyball court, health course, inflatable games for children, equestrian center, pedal boats, electric boats, and aquapark.
The tourist sites of Passy also include the Platé desert composed of lapiaz, typically characteristic of a karst relief.
The natural reserve of Passy above the Arve valley is magnificent. It offers the opportunity to discover the fauna: ibex, eagle, marmot, and chamois. The site is open all year round, except during snow periods. It also features beautiful mountain lakes, such as those of Anterne and Pormenaz.
The Garden of Peaks is an invitation to a walk around nature, mountains, and gardens facing Mont-Blanc. The two-hectare park can be visited in an hour. Activities on the art of gardening are also offered. The shop and the restaurant “Café du Jardin” allow for a small break. Open from May to September. Address: 447, route du Dr Davy, 74190 Passy.
The best-rated hotels
Tourist accommodations, particularly apartments, are plentiful in Passy. They are located on the hillside or in the valley, about twenty minutes by car from the Plaine-Joux ski slopes.
Depending on your budget, we have selected two establishments in Passy that offer excellent value for money and receive very good customer reviews:
Hotel Le Tourisme
In the charming alpine town of Passy, this traditional establishment offers well-equipped rooms with private bathroom and bathtub. You can visit the natural reserve and picnic by the lake while enjoying the magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains.
From €65 per night.
Mont Blanc Views Apartments
This accommodation in Passy features a large terrace and a jacuzzi. It is ideally located to discover the natural spaces of the plateau. The welcome is very warm, and you can benefit from many tips from the hosts to make your vacation a success.
From €140 per night.
What to do in Passy in case of rain?
The resort offers many activities if the weather is not favorable:
- The municipal bowling alley with 8 covered games and 8 outdoors for practicing Lyonnaise bowling. Address: 844 avenue de l’Aérodrome, Marlioz, 74190 Passy.
- The associative cinema “La Caméra” which screens films every Monday at a price of €5. Address: Rue de l’Église, 74190 Passy.
- The fitness area of the Palais is the largest sports hall in the Alps with 1,200 m². Address: 247, route du Palais de sports 74120 Megève.
- Marlioz Swimming Pool: this indoor pool has a 25-meter pool. In summer, the pool opens onto a shaded park. Address: 489 avenue de Saint-Martin, 74190 Passy.
- The church Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grâce: a guided tour for juniors to understand the contribution of contemporary art in the construction of religious buildings. Address: place de l’église, 74190 Passy.
Cultural and sports facilities
Sports
Passy has a synthetic football field, tennis courts, a swimming pool, paintball, hiking trails, a via ferrata, and treetop adventures.
The municipality offers the possibility to practice water sports on the Arve River with rafting. A performance hall, the Parvis des Fiz, awaits you for your events.
The Passy Plaine-Joux ski resort
The Plaine-Joux resort is ideal for families. You can learn to ski on easy slopes, facing the Mont-Blanc massif. More experienced skiers can also enjoy themselves and progress on the upper part of the area. The Passy Plaine-Joux resort has 2 km of cross-country ski trails. And for those who prefer snowshoeing, you can tour the Ayères by passing through the Lac Vert.
Cultural events
The town of Passy hosts quality cultural and festive events throughout the year:
The Festival of the High Plateaus
It offers every August an open-air theater performance in nature. During the day, many cultural events are proposed: artistic walks, musical readings.
The Musicales of Assy
This cultural event offers a high-quality classical music program at two sites: the church Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grâce and the Garden of Peaks.
The event takes place in the first week of August.
The Nature Adventure Film Festival Otherwise
Every year, at the end of May, adventure film enthusiasts gather to discover new productions. The festival is organized by the association Les Yeux Ouverts.
Address: rue de l’Église, 74190 Passy.
Péplum Odyssée et Cie
This event offers the experience of filming a grand spectacle film in the peplum style. This original event brings together about a hundred children and amateurs. The public participates in the filming as extras. Address: route des lacs, 74190 Passy. Opening from June 5, every Saturday at 7 PM. Price: €13 for adults and €9 for children under 9 years old.
Education
Several educational institutions are located in the municipality:
- The primary school of l’Abbaye: 62 rue du Lycée,
- The nursery school of Chedde-Faubourg,
- The primary school of Marlioz, 61 avenue des Grandes Platières,
- The elementary school of Chedde-center, 226 Grande rue Salvadore-Allende,
- The primary school of Chedde-le-Haut, 59 rue Pierre Bosson,
- The primary school of Passy-chef-lieu, 65 avenue Henry Ducoudray,
- The elementary school of the Plateau d’Assy, 108 rue des Clairs,
- The college of Varens, 361 avenue Paul Eluard,
- The high school of Mont-Blanc René Dayve, 71 rue du Lycée.
Market in Passy
The market is held every Tuesday from 8 AM to 1 PM in Chedde. You can buy many local specialties, cured meats, fruits and vegetables, and a wide selection of Alpine cheeses.
Public transport
The municipality of Passy is served by the Montenbus service, a demand-responsive transport allowing travel in the following municipalities: Combloux, Cordon, Demi-Quartier, Domancy, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Megève, Passy, Praz-sur-Arly, Saint-Gervais, and Sallanches.
It is necessary to register online, go to the town hall or the tourist office to register by paying a weekly subscription of €15 or €40 for the year. Trips are made by reservation at 0 800 20 13 74. Montenbus picks up people with reduced mobility at their homes. This public transport operates every day except Sundays and public holidays from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM and from 1:45 PM to 6:30 PM.
Town Hall
The Town Hall of Passy
It is located at 1, place de la Mairie 74190 Passy. The town hall is open: from Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5 PM (closing at 4 PM on Fridays).
Website of the Town Hall of Passy
The Tourist Office
It is located in the reception hall of the Mountain Store, avenue Léman Mont Blanc.
Website of the Tourist Office of Passy
For skiing nearby
- Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval ski resort
- Flaine ski resort
- Combloux ski resort
- Saint Gervais Mont Blanc ski resort
