The hamlet of l'Ecot
Authenticity and simplicity
It is a very lovely walk. The chalets of l’Ecot, made of stones and lauzes, overlook the bottom of the valley.
You will be amazed by the simple and austere architecture of this hamlet at the end of the world, which reflects the harshness of human life at high altitude!
En soirée, c’est aussi un endroit idéal pour admirer les étoiles loin de la pollution lumineuse des villes.
Cultural and architectural heritage…
This hamlet, steeped in history since the Middle Ages, completely restored and protected since 1971, was chosen to be the village of Sébastien and his endearing grandfather César. It is as if time has stopped in this hamlet where you can admire these traditional stone houses grouped together under the benevolent eye of the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel.
A unique character that has not escaped the film crews, who have managed to enhance its beauty in each of the adventures of Belle and Sébastien.
In summer, a 4 km family route from Bonneval sur Arc allows hikers to reach this hamlet to discover its treasures and walk in the footsteps of Sébastien.
C’est aussi le départ de balades vers les refuges du Carro et des Evettes, vers les sources de l’Arc, cirque glaciaire naturel et sauvage et pour une belle descente en canyoning de l’Arc.
With its old stones and slate roofs, it is a completely preserved cultural and architectural heritage
Who has won over the cinema!
L’Écot represents a completely preserved cultural and architectural heritage that seduced Nicolas Vanier during his search for a filming location for his film Belle et Sébastien. Many remember this television series from the 60s retracing the extraordinary encounter between a mountain child and a wild dog.
The hamlet of l’Ecot was a perfect fit for the script, filming took place in 2012, the film was released in 2013 and « made » 3 million admissions. In 2014, Christian Duguy directed the sequel to this story entitled Belle et Sébastien, l’aventure continue.
L’Ecot is obviously the main setting; the film was released in December 2015. Belle et Sébastien 3 was released in cinemas in February 2018. This episode was also filmed in Bonneval and in the hamlet of l’Écot.
Zoom on the Sainte Marguerite Chapel
Shepherds from Piedmont are said to have settled here with their flocks around the 5th century, surviving the harsh and austere conditions of the high mountains.
Inhabited year-round until 1960 and then abandoned during the winter, L’Écot is once again home to several young families from Bonneval sur Arc on a permanent basis.
Un peu d’histoire…
L’Art roman est un style artistique essentiellement architectural qui prend sa source à la fin du Xème siècle en Europe occidentale et cesse avec l’apparition de l’art gothique (début du XIIème siècle). Ses caractéristiques techniques consistent en un plan basilical, des voûtes en berceau plein cintre à doubleaux, des voûtes d’arêtes, des coupoles, des travées et des contreforts.
La décoration est influencée par l’Antiquité, l’art oriental et les traditions celtes. On distingue deux périodes : le premier art roman (950-1070) et le second art roman (1060-1130), évolution et aboutissement du premier.