information about the route
Perugia Field
the flower-filled balcony in La Toussuire
amidst alpine chalets and flower-filled meadowsA must-do hike
Fancy a walk that has it all? Head for the upper plateau of La Toussuire, where the landscape reveals itself at its very best: charming alpine chalets, vast fields of brightly coloured flowers and expansive pastures where numerous herds graze peacefully. Easy to access and offering stunning panoramic views, this walk is a real must-do in the resort – one you wouldn’t want to miss for anything in the world during your stay in La Toussuire.
The route
From the Tourist Office, turn left and head up the main street, which follows the RD78. At the top of the street, turn left, following the signs for Grande Verdette, Ouillon, Retenue d’eau and Champ Pérouze.
At a place called Les Ravières, follow the signs for “Boucle Champ Pérouze” towards La Lausaz. The path then takes you across the plateau, past alpine chalets and fields of flowers, with herds grazing peacefully in the background.
Once in La Lausaz, you can take a short detour to the Lauzaz cross, 200 metres higher up: a great opportunity to enjoy another viewpoint if you have a little time to spare. Then follow the path downhill, before turning right to rejoin the RD78.
The return to the Tourist Office takes you across the Toussuire plateau, offering one last glimpse of this beautiful alpine landscape before completing the loop.
Good to know
Highlights of the walk
The flower-filled plateau of Champ Pérouze
The main attraction of this walk is the high-altitude plateau where fields of brightly coloured flowers stretch as far as the eye can see. Gentians, rhododendrons, bellflowers and buttercups bloom in succession over the weeks, transforming the landscape with every visit. A scene that changes with the seasons, making this walk one of the most photogenic in La Toussuire: it’s hard to resist the urge to stop at every turn to admire the colours.
The alpine chalets
All along the route, you’ll come across charming alpine chalets typical of the Maurienne Valley. Built of stone and wood, often nestled on the hillside, these traditional buildings bear witness to local craftsmanship passed down through the generations. Still used today for tending herds in summer, they lend this walk across the plateau its unique charm and serve as a reminder that this landscape, peaceful as it may be, remains first and foremost a place of work.
Mountain Chalet
Pastures and their herds
The walk takes you through vast pastures where numerous herds graze – cows, sheep or horses, depending on the season.
An unchanging pastoral scene, punctuated by the tinkling of bells, which serves as a reminder that the mountains remain, above all, a place of life and work.
Take the time to watch these animals from a safe distance; they are an integral part of the charm of this walk.
Every summer, the herds are driven up to the mountain pastures to graze on the high-altitude grasslands: this is what we call transhumance. An age-old tradition that is still very much alive in the valley, and which has shaped the landscape you are travelling through for centuries. The chalets you pass along the way once served — and sometimes still do — as seasonal refuges for shepherds who came to look after their livestock throughout the summer.
The Lauzaz Cross
A short, optional detour from La Lausaz, this historic spot offers an extra panoramic view for walkers who wish to extend their walk a little. It involves a short climb of 200 m to reach it, which is more than rewarded by the unobstructed view it offers over the entire plateau and the surrounding peaks.
Lauzes are flat schist stones used as slabs or tiles. They differ from slates, which are thinner.
