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ABOUT THE LOCATION
ABOUT
LE MIROIR
A BRIEF HISTORY
Characterized by its sweeping Alpine views, authentic French culture, and historic architectural charm, Sainte Foy Tarentaise is a region that has stayed true to its roots and is seemingly unspoiled by the modern world. With settlers dating back to the 5th millennial B.C. era, the area got its name when it was evangelized by Jaques de Tarentaise in the 5th century. Few locations have such vast and contrasting ranges in altitudes with the lowest point sitting at 890 meters and the highest point, the La Grande Sassière, reaching up to 3,746 meters.
Sprawling over 11,000 hectares and straddling both France and Italy, the Tarentaise Valley and its many hamlets has always offered an amazing array of ski opportunities. The area has been described as one of the birthplaces of skiing and is home to the almost century old ski club formally called, “Union Sportive La Tarine”.
Farming and pastoralism have always been present in the region. Cows and sheep roamed the valley floors, and local cheeses like Beaufort and Tome were made from the valley’s resources. Persillé, a raw goat’s milk cheese and a local favorite, first appeared in the 18th century and is still created today using the original process.
Le Miroir, a charming village located in the Tarentaise Valley, is distinguished by its pillar houses. With the earliest existence documented as far back as 1633, these historic dwellings were crafted by the Piedmontese masons with the help of the local landowners using locally sourced wood and stone. Builders carefully designed these structures using large pillars and wide roof overhangs to create well vented, covered areas where farmers could store hay and wood, as well as find protection from the elements themselves.
Today, the traditional ways of the past are still prevalent in the region. Cows, sheep, and goats can be seen grazing quietly throughout the mountain pastures, and column houses and sweet chapels dot the village landscape. Restaurants and bars now fill the towns, and tourism is becoming one of the main contributors to the valley’s economy as people flock to the area to enjoy the rich natural beauty, the authentic culture, and the endless amounts of outdoor adventures.
