St. Martin's Basilica

11th-century basilica with crypt and frescoes, remains of the choir of an earlier church. Gallo-Roman room, Latin inscriptions.
Museum area

The Romans were jealous of this valley, well situated on the road linking Milan to Vienne (France). They envied the microclimate, and were already talking about the pretty little red cows (the tarine or tarentaise breed), whose milk made such a good cheese: caesum vatusicum, the ancestor of tomme. Clever strategists, they subdued the Gallic-Ceutrons around 21 BC, and made Aime la Plagne, under the name of Axima, the capital of the province of Alpes Graies, which covered part of present-day Savoie and Haute Savoie.

In addition to objects in the Pierre Borrione Museum, the foundations of a Roman edifice remain from this period. Destroyed by a flood on the Ormente, the first Christians built a church on these ruins. Destroyed by fire, the builders of the year 1000 erected on the same site a jewel of Savoy Romanesque art: L'Eglise du Prieuré Saint Martin. Listed as a historic monument since 1875, it has not been a place of worship for several centuries.

SUMMER
July 2 to August 31 (building open, visit site)
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on Sunday and Monday
Single admission charge: €4. Free for children under 16

OFF SUMMER SEASON
Guided tours by prior appointment only.