Nestled in the center of a former glacial through, it is renowned for its large Nordic skiing domain in the winter and for its trekking and mountain climbing opportunities in the Summer.
Surrounded by lush fauna and flora, the village is characterised by its rich heritage, where wall paintings, Baroque chapels, engraved stones and artisan sculptors are inextricably linked.
The legend of the Devil of Bessans admirably describes the originality of this traditional culture that is still very much alive today.
The physical characteristics of the site are reinforced by an early and high-quality snow from November to April, and by sunny weather.
There are numerous glaciers in the area (i.e. Albaron, Deep Sea, Large Pareis, Baounet), and nearby is the highest peak of the Maurienne (Charbonnel, 3752 m), Due to its altitude, Bessans features a subarctic climate (Dfc) under the Köppen system.
According to the story, a local woodcarver named Jacques Clappier was commissioned by a priest to create a statue of the Virgin Mary.
However, due to a misunderstanding or a bit of mischief, Clappier also carved a small devil figure alongside the Virgin.
The original carving became so famous that it is now a symbol of the village, representing its rich cultural heritage and the playful spirit of its artisans.The first traces of the human occupation are found in Haute-Maurienne.
Close to Bessans, on the walls of the Rock of the Castle, one can see cave paintings representing a herd of stags, accompanied by other signs.
Flint arrowheads and other evidence of early settlement were found at the foot of the rock at the time of recent excavations.
It is also known that locally mined serpentinite was used to manufacture axes whose specimens were found with more than 200 km (120 mi) of the site.
1944: the Germans set fire to Bessans, burning 150 houses, 1957: an enormous flood of the Arc River causes major damage in all the valley.
1962: installation of a first ski-lift "Wire snows" on the initiative of the Ponce abbot 1963: creation of the National park of Vanoise.
The principal frontage is protected by a hood which shelters external decoration, of the frescos representing the seven theological virtues followed from the dance from the defects connected by a chain drawn by two demons in direction from the hell.
The vault of this hall is decorated in plaster existing already in 1827 and representing the miracle with the Holy Host in Turin.
The steps are with notched edges and, on the gate vault, a slim dome is profiled on four elegant posts.
By small revenge, Etienne Vincendet, cantor, carved in wood a statuette of a devil carrying a priest, and left it one evening in front of the door of the presbytery.
The priest suspected the Etienne, and brings object back to place it in front of the house of Vincendet.
Today, the "devil" of Bessans is reproduced on the postal flame of the village and throne on the place of the town hall beside the fountain.
[6] The economy of the area is supported by tourism, sheep farming, cooperative dairy and the manufacture of Tomme and Beaufort.