Sardinian way - Roman bridge - History - Tourism - Savoy

The Site of the Sardinian Way

At Saint Christophe La Grotte, the former Roman road was an uneven passage which required a huge amount of construction work. It was the major route between Chambéry and Lyon, and ran along the border between France and Savoy.
As well as the Caves, the site has a number of interesting visits to offer: the Charles Emmanuel II monument, the Roman bridge, the chapel of Our Lady of Grace, the belvedere at Gerbaix. There are a number of footpaths that give access to the site.

The Sardinian Way (Listed as a Natural Area of Ecological and Faunal Interest).

The Dukes of Savoy decided to convert the Way into a royal road fit for carriages. Between 1667 and 1670, a monumental dressed stone ramp over 400 yards long was built. A commemorative monument to the glory of Charles Emmanuel II was also erected.
A number of famous travellers have used the Sardinia Way, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Pope Pius VII when he came to France in 1804 to consecrate Napoleon I as emperor. The route is now abandoned, however, because Napoleon thought it too arduous, and ordered the tunnel to be built in 1820. The tunnel still bears the Emperor's name.
The Sardinian Way thus became gradually dormant.

The Charles Emmanuel II Monument (listed on the national register of Historical Monuments)

Charles Emmanuel II monument. The Sardinian Way. Unique site in Savoie - Chartreuse - Dauphiné - France

Charles Emmanuel II was the man behind the Sardinian Way project.

The construction of this monument required a large retaining wall, which is almost 60 feet high in places.

The parapet on the top of the wall is built of semi-circles of dressed stone, a technique rarely used in the region.

The Roman Bridge (or Saint Martin's Bridge)

A picturesque vestige of the former frontier

Situated at the foot of the Sardinian Way ramp, this bridge formed the passageway from one bank to the other of the Guiers Vif (the natural border between the Duchy of Savoy and France).

The remains of the sentry boxes with the arms of Savoy and the Dauphiné can still be seen nearby

The Roman Bridge formed the passageway from one bank to the other of the Guiers Vif (the natural border between the Duchy of Savoy and France).

The Chapel of Our Lady of Grace
	This chapel was built by the Carthusians and consecrated on July 29^th, 1503. It became a parish church from 1806 to 1889. It was damaged by the explosion in which the Sardinian Way was blown up, in June 1940, and was destined for demolition. Its gothic porch was worthy of preservation and it was decided to restore it to show gratitude to the Virgin Mary, because the inhabitants of Saint Christophe La Grotte were spared the reprisals of a
German convoy which was attacked by members of the Resistance above the tunnel on 13^th and 14^th August 1944. All the villagers participated in the restoration and on August 15^th 1949, the new chapel, renamed Our Lady of the Caves, was blessed by his His Grace de Bazélaire, Archbishop of Chambéry.
Currently the chapel is undergoing major renovations of its facades, interior paintings and roof.

The Gerbaix Belvedere

This belvedere, which is worthy of trip in itself, offers outstanding views of the valley stretching out below the Caves at Saint Christophe.

You will be able to pick out the surrounding villages which are nestled in this lush green valley, Saint Christophe sur Guiers, Les Echelles, Entre Deux Guiers.

In the background are the hills of Miribel les Echelles and the Menuet, among other sites.

The valley - In the Regional Nature Park of the Chartreuse

The Footpaths
A network of paths, marked with yellow, will allow you and your family to discover these picturesque sites. In addition to the Sardinian Way, the different routes begin near the wash house at Pont Saint Martin.
The Echaillon footpath Formerly a track used by the border guards, this path will take you up into the gorges of the Guiers Vif, past the Fru archaeological site to the viewpoint over the Chartreuse valley.		The Goats Footstep Path A dangerous track which is currently undergoing work to make it suitable for all the family. This steep path leads from the site of the Sardinian Way up to the Gerbaix plateau.