The hamlet of Barioz

The hamlet of Barioz comes from the word Barium, meaning “customs barrier”. This is where the salt road begins. All goods were subject to tolls. The Col de la Vanoise was dreaded in bad weather, and before setting off on their journey, travellers would implore the protection of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs in the chapel of Barioz. Inside, on one of the paintings you will find Saint-Antoine, a hermit, patron of the mule-drivers, protector of small livestock and domestic animals.