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!
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.
It is also the starting point for walks to the Carro and Evettes refuges, to the sources of the Arc, a natural and wild glacial cirque, and for a beautiful canyoning descent of the 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
Piedmontese shepherds then settled here with their herds around the 5th century, surviving the harsh, frugal conditions of altitude.
Inhabited year-round until 1960, then abandoned in winter, l'Écot is now home to several young Bonneval sur Arc households.
A little history...
Romanesque art is an essentially architectural artistic style that originated in Western Europe at the end of the 10th century and ended with the emergence of Gothic art (early 12th century). Its technical features include a basilica floor plan, round barrel vaults, groin vaults, domes, spans and buttresses. Decoration is influenced by Antiquity, Eastern art and Celtic traditions. Two periods can be distinguished: the first Romanesque (950-1070) and the second Romanesque (1060-1130), the evolution and culmination of the first.