Visit to Musee Chasal Lento in Mont de Lans

I have always been curious about the history of the high Alpine communities, and how people lived here before the arrival of the ski industry. I was glad of a chance to visit the museum, just a few minutes below Les Deux Alpes, to find out more about the Uissans (the inhabitants of the Oisans region) and their history.

After climbing through the village streets to the top of the hill where the museum sits, I spent a few minutes looking at the old photos of the village outside. These show village scenes and mountain views from the past, and it is interesting to compare them to the same views today to see how the village has changed over the years. Entry to the museum itself is through the pleasant café-bar where you will found a warm welcome as well the chance to buy books and postcards. This is the only café in Mont de Lans, so if you happen to be staying down here you might want to visit one afternoon for a drink and a snack even if museums are not your cup of tea.

The museum starts with a re-creation of a traditional mountain farmhouse interior with audio (in French) of locals describing their way of life. Much attention is given to the typical recipes of the region which mostly consist of potatoes, grain and dairy products.

Upstairs, there are a range of small exhibits covering different aspects of local history. There is a model of the Roman Arch in nearby Bons, with detail on both recent preservation work and the position of the arch on the Roman road through the Oisans. Following on there are exhibits devoted to the ski area, with a scale model and a video display showing films of Les Deux Alpes from the 50's to the 90's.

The Uissans Colporteurs are the subject of the next display. In centuries past, these local residents would spend their winters travelling around France peddling seeds, linen and other goods before returning to their families in spring with the money they had made. More recent history is also covered, with a room dedicated to the Chambon dam – the first major hydroelectric dam in France – and the lost villages that were flooded to realise the project. Upstairs again, the top floor has scale models of the disappearing hamlets of the high alpage (mountain pastures land) in the region, as well as displays about daily life in these remote communities.

Whilst in Mont de Lans, you should not miss visiting the village church which dominates the hilltop alongside the museum. Some traces remain of the original church, which existed on the site by 1028, but the building has been added to several times so that different parts date from different eras. The most striking feature is the bell tower, built in 1627 to house a bell constructed some 60 years earlier. Displays inside the church describe its construction in stages from three different rock types and the story of its vibrant stained glass windows.

The museum can be reached from Les Deux Alpes via a five-minute drive or a ride on the Mont de Lans chairlift. On Wednesday mornings, you can use the free bus which serves the Mont de Lans market. Once you arrive in the village the museum is well signposted and easy to find. It is at the top of the hill, next to the church, so just keep heading up. There are a few routes you can take through the narrow, cobbled streets, all of which exude the charm of an old alpine village.

In winter, opening hours are from 2-5pm every day except Saturday, as well as Wednesday morning from 9am-1pm to correspond with the market opening.

If you make a Wednesday morning visit, taking advantage of the free bus, you can see the market, the museum and the church in one trip. The bus leaves from the Information Point near bus stop number 1 at the start of Les Deux Alpes.

Read more from Ian on his website.