History

·    Dating from 1144 with the foundation of the Abbey, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is ranked among France's most beautiful villages.

Secular architecture

·    Attractions include a 16th century house and the polygonal water basin in the village square. The 17th century former abbey features a hay-loft and presbytery, with a 17th century ceiling to the former refectory.

· The hamlets of Passy and Salvagny, with chalets, chapel and fountains, are also worth visiting.

Religious architecture

·   The 12th-century abbey church of St. Madeleine contains relics of Ponce de Faucigny (1100/1178) and his 19th century tomb; the choir is 13th century, the nave rebuilt in the17th century. The parish church is 17th century.

· There are chapels at Salvagny, with a stone cross, and at Salmoiry (17th-20th century), a pilgrimage site. At the 17th century Chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Grâces, there is a fountain of miraculous repute. There are several oratories, including one at Maison-Neuve.

Museums

·    · The abbey sacristy houses a 12th century cross and candlesticks, 14th century mitre and 18th century censer.

· An ecological museum presents the life of the nature reserve.

· At the Chalet du Cirque du Fer à Cheval you can learn about the local flora, fauna and geology, and follow the waymarked paths with interpretative panels.

Sites of interest

·  The Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval Nature Reserve has been a classified site since 1977. Its 9200 hectares include the head of the Giffre valley. The Maison de la Réserve naturelle is a reserve centre.

· The Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval is a natural "circus" surrounded by 700m high cliffs. The many waterfalls run into the Giffre, whose source is located in the mountains above.

· Other waterfalls include the Cascades du Rouget, Cascade de la Saufflaz, Cascade de Pleureuse and Cascade de Sales

· There are panoramic view from the Croix de Commune, from the summit of the Buet and from the path at the Col d'Anterne.

· Other sites include Grand Mont Ruan; the narrow Gorges des Tines, the former path of the Giffre; the Lac de Vogealle; and the Désert de Platé.

· There are glacial areas at the Glaciers du Ruan and du Prazon.

Local produce and resources

·    Mineral resources include iron and marble, which is quarried and dressed. The Désert de Platé contains numerous fossils, which can also be found close to the chalets des Sales.

· Cows, goats and sheep all graze the alpine meadows, and beekeepers produce honey.

· Dairy cooperatives produce milk and the local cheese, tomme de Sixt.

Local events and attractions

Linked to the Grand Massif ski area, Sixt itself has 34km of pistes plus 59km of cross-country ski tracks. Winter activities include snowshoe walks and sled dog rides as well as alpine sports and climbing.

Other attractions include waymarked trails for hikers, hunting, fishing, and horse-riding. There are numerous camping spots. Sixt has its own tourist office.