Paid
Atelier Ryokan
Thônes
Ceramic pottery workshop in the Aravis — wheel intro, hand-building, kids/adult courses, materials and firing included. By booking.
Paid · Book online
Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt
Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt in Thônes: the old hydraulic sawmill of Les Étouvières, with live sawing demonstrations and family workshops in the heart of the Aravis.
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
At a glance
Type
Forestry heritage museum
Access
April to October
Price
Adult €7 · child €5
Duration
1 - 1.5 h
Best season
April to October
Town
Thônes
Wheelchair access
💶
Price
7,00 €
5,00 €
0,00 €
0,00 €
What is Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt
The Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt is housed in the old hydraulic sawmill of Les Étouvières in Thônes, in the heart of the Aravis. The sawmill, built in the 19th century, still operates today thanks to its water wheel fed by the Nom stream, driving belts and gears in the basement — a rare and living testimony to pre-electric water-powered sawing.
Visits begin with a live sawing demonstration: the guide explains the mechanism, starts the system and saws a log before your eyes. It is the highlight of the site and a memorable moment for all ages, especially children, captivated by the rushing water and the moving gears.
Beyond the sawmill, the ecomuseum presents a display on mountain forest life: the trades of woodcutter and sawyer, local species (spruce, fir, beech), traditional forestry in the Pays de Thônes. A forest interpretation trail with information panels lets you extend your visit outdoors along the stream.
For families, woodworking workshops are available for children from age 6 on Wednesday mornings during school holidays. 2026 prices: €7 adult, €5 child 6-18, free under 6. Seasonal opening from April to October. Address: 1324 Route de Montremont, 74230 Thônes — phone +33 4 50 32 18 10.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
1324 Route de Montremont, 74230 Thônes View on map
Phone
+33 4 50 32 18 10
Email
info@ecomuseedubois.com
Season
April to October · closed in winter
Typical hours
Self-guided visit 2:30-5:30 PM (April-June, Sept-Oct) · extended hours in July-August
Coordinates
45.8806° N — 6.3231° E
Guided tours
Yes — guided sawmill visit in French (45 min – 1 h), included in the ticket. Other languages on request.
Parking
Free parking in front of the ecomuseum, route de Montremont, 2 km from Thônes town centre.
Wheelchair access
Partial: main building accessible, sawmill spread over several levels with stairs. Contact the team to adapt the visit.
Access
How to get there
By car
From Annecy: D909 to Thônes (30 min). In Thônes, follow direction Montremont for 2 km. Free parking outside the ecomuseum.
Open in MapsPublic transport
Y'a Bus / Cars Région network: Annecy-Thônes line (Thônes town centre stop), then taxi or 30-min walk to Montremont.
Open in MapsBy bike
Cycle route Annecy-Thônes via the Fier greenway, then climb to Montremont (steep finish).
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Groupe Scolaire Arthur Thurin · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · N-ARAVISBUS · 252 m
- Gare Routiere · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · N-ARAVISBUS, Y62, Y63 · 271 m
- Groupe Scolaire Arthur Thurin · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · N-ARAVISBUS · 303 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
Open April to October. Fixed-time guided visits in spring and autumn (2:30-5:30 PM), extended hours in July-August. Perfect on rainy days or to complement a hike in the Aravis.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆
Photo : Bénédicte · merci ! 🦆Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 prices?
Adult €7, child 6-18 €5, free under 6. Group and school rates on request.
What are the opening hours?
Open April to October. Self-guided visit 2:30-5:30 PM in April-June and September-October, extended hours in July-August. Closed in winter.
Does the sawmill really work?
Yes, the 19th-century hydraulic sawmill still operates: the water wheel drives belts and gears, and a log is sawn during the demonstration.
Is it suitable for kids?
Very much so. Families are welcome from age 3, the sawing demo fascinates children, and woodworking workshops are offered from age 6 during school holidays.
How long does it take?
Allow 1 to 1.5 h for the guided visit and exhibition. Add 30 min for the outdoor interpretation trail if weather allows.
Do I need to book?
Booking is advised in peak season and for kids' workshops. For individual visits, drop-in is possible during opening hours.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking outside the ecomuseum. Access is via route de Montremont from Thônes (2 km from the centre).
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Access to the main building is possible but the sawmill has several levels and stairs. Contact the team to adapt the visit.
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Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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