The first cross was made of wood and was destroyed by a storm shortly after its installation in 1861.
The current aluminum-clad structure was inaugurated in 1946 to replace a cross damaged during World War II.
The cross is internally reinforced with a steel skeleton to support its weight against wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h.
The site features a beacon light that glows at night, visible from the valley floor in Chambéry.
The elevation of 1,547 meters provides a strategic vantage point that overlooks the deepest lake in France, Lac du Bourget.
The Croix du Nivolet is a 21-meter high metal cross situated at an altitude of 1,547 meters on the Mont du Chat range, overlooking the Chambéry valley. Originally erected in 1861 to commemorate the annexation of Savoy to France, the current structure is the fifth version of the monument installed on this summit. The cross is constructed from a metal framework covered in aluminum plates, allowing it to withstand severe high-altitude weather conditions. Its location within the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park provides panoramic views of the Lac du Bourget, the Chartreuse Mountains, and the Belledonne range. The summit is accessible exclusively via marked hiking trails from the parking areas at Les Déserts or La Féclaz. The monument serves as a prominent navigational landmark for both hikers and local aviators.
From the rocky promontory directly in front of the cross, capturing the monument against the backdrop of the Lac du Bourget.
Check local weather forecasts specifically for the summit, as conditions differ significantly from those in the valley.
Wear sturdy, ankle-supporting hiking boots as the paths feature uneven limestone terrain.
Carry wind-resistant layers, as temperatures drop rapidly due to high wind exposure at the summit.
Do not attempt the hike during winter months unless you are equipped for snow and ice, as the trail becomes hazardous.
Practice leave-no-trace principles; remove all trash as there are no bins on the summit.
