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Entire chalet in spectacular natural area - gorgeous winter/summer retreat

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Catherine’s preferred destinations are Seattle, Faroe Islands. See more
House
Secondary residence
sleeps 6
3 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
46 m²
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Description

Catherine has described his/her home in English.

What you will love about this home

I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE, BUT WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING NEW EXCHANGES FOR 2024 or 2025.

Our chalet was handmade 18 years ago by my craftsman neighbor, whose family has lived in this valley for more than 200 years. We have a colorful organic garden and fruit trees, 2 bedrooms on the ground floor, and a mezzanine with an additional two twin beds (or king-sized if pushed together). We're situated in a very private sun-filled spot in the village. So you can get up every morning and walk down to the boulangerie for your fresh, warm baguette like a local and return home to sit in the sun on the terrace in complete privacy. Our back terrace has a barbecue, table with chairs and umbrella for use in the summer. It overlooks magnificent views of the close, glaciated mountains and wide sunny valley. There are beds and seating for 6, but 5 would be more comfortable given the chalet is cozy and there is one shower room and one toilet room.

What you will love about this neighborhood

Our village of Les Contamines is literally at the end of the road, but far from sleepy. Where the pavement and car travel ends, a steep rock road built in Roman times to cross the Alpes ascends. Our friendly village (with no through traffic) is a jewel at the heart of the Mont Blanc region. The sensation of a hidden valley results in a very close-knit local community. The village has preserved its historic aspect. More than 70% of old farm buildings have been restored in respect of the local Savoy architecture. The name of the village originates from an ancient local dialect. The word “Contamines” once meant plowable land on the squire's estate. You hear the medieval church's bells only during the day from the tower that once was part of an ancient castle. The famous "extreme sport" capital, Chamonix, is a half-hour away. From there you can take a trip up Europe’s highest cable car to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, taking you to the dizzying altitude of 3842 metres where the views are out of this world.

We're 40 minutes from Italy, where you make a trip through the Mont Blanc tunnel for pasta and chianti in the picturesque town of Courmayeur, and 1 hour from Geneva, Switzerland which offers sailing, world class arts, culture, restaurants, and museums. Plenty to do for a rich stay here or to use as a convenient base to explore all of Europe. Activities in the local area also include:

Road & mountain biking - During the summer months, lifts will effortlessly carry you and your bike high into the mountains. It’s also possible to take bikes to the Col de Voza via the rack and pinion railway.

For road cyclists, there are some excellent training rides within the valley with climbs and descents of varying severity. And it’s quite possible to take in classic Tour de France routes such as the Col des Aravis and Col de Colombiere.

Walking & climbing - Les Contamines and the Mont Blanc region are at the very heart of the European mountaineering scene. Surrounded by many of the most famous peaks, there are spectacular views in every direction. You can walk alongside babbling brooks, make your way to alpine pastures, or head out for long and strenuous hikes to summits and ridges.

Within walking distance also is rock climbing with fixed protection and secure abseil points. There are easy climbs for beginners as well as more strenuous moves for the experienced rock jockeys.

For alpine climbers, Les Contamines is an ideal base from which to prepare for any of the area's classic climbs, including Mont Blanc itself.


Other places to visit -
The town of Annecy is an hour away and can be reached by car or train. This chic medieval town sits on the shores of Europe’s cleanest and perhaps most beautiful lake. You can easily spend the whole day exploring its ancient streets and monuments, or just do a spot of shopping and discover its many cafés and restaurants.


Relaxation & health

Although mountain sports activities tend to dominate, there are many options for the less sporty, or for those who simply want to relax. All around are great spots for a leisurely picnic. Sit in an alpine meadow, admire the wildflowers, listen to the cowbells, enjoy your favorite book, or just take in the views.

To really spoil yourself you could always take a trip to the thermal baths. Here you can receive a variety of health and beauty treatments in the world-famous spa waters. The thermal baths also have an excellent swimming pool, as does St Gervais, where you can swim on your back looking up at Mont Blanc and the Dome de Miage mountains.

Massage, aromatherapy, and beauty treatment sessions are available and can be provided in the privacy of your own apartment with qualified practitioners.

Fishing, golf, horse riding, white water rafting, and canyoning are all available nearby, as are sailing and windsurfing. For the flight of a lifetime, why not book a tandem parapente flight or light aircraft flight over the mountains. There also are two recreational summer luge courses.

St Gervais

The traditional Savoyard town of St Gervais, situated at 850 meters elevation, is less than 10 minutes away. It boasts a long history as a leading alpine resort. The first ski lifts were installed in the 1930s and the renowned thermal baths have attracted visitors to their therapeutic waters since 1806.

St Gervais retains much of its original character and, unlike some purpose-built resorts, you'll be in no doubt that you are nestling in one of France's historical alpine towns. As you would expect, there's a good selection of bars, restaurants, creperies, and takeaways to tempt you, as well as several supermarkets for your everyday provisions. On Thursday the market comes to town where you will find all sorts of delicacies and local Savoyard fayre. A huge "Carrefour" hypermarket in the nearby town of Sallanches is also worth a visit.

St Gervais and the surrounding villages are steeped in local culture. There are some magnificent Baroque churches to visit as well as alpine culture and farm museums. In the last decade, St Gervais has made quite a name for itself among lovers of the performing arts. Throughout the year the town plays host to all kinds of festivals, fetes, and concerts, from rock and jazz to comedy and classical recitals. The town also has a cinema, a theatre, and a nightclub.

The area also is well equipped with all the facilities a resort town needs, such as a train station, sports shops, banks, dentists, doctors, and pharmacists as well as regional product shops.

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Additional information

-There is a 120 euro cleaning charge for non-reciprocal exchanges to cover cleaning. (includes snow removal, fire box, chalet, etc.)
-Gorgeous and pristine natural area with great snow, mountains, and sun
-Very authentic French village with friendly, warm neighbors
-5 minutes from skiing, 40 minutes from Chamonix, and only 1 hour from both Italy and Switzerland

Home ID

#1082941Copied URL!

Location

Mountain
Village

Amenities

Our basics

WiFi
Washing machine
Heating system
Wheelchair accessible
Microwave oven
Freezer
Oven
Fridge
Internet

Unique Facilities

Private garden
Balcony / terrace
Fireplace
Private parking space
BBQ

Kids Friendly

Kids toys
Baby gear

Remote Friendly

High speed connection

Eco-Friendly Amenities

Low consumption machines
Selective waste sorting
Vegetable Garden
Public transport access
See more

House rules

Children welcome

Map

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Yes, this accommodation has a garden. You will find more details about the garden and other facilities on this page.
Yes, this accommodation has a wifi connection. We recommend that you discuss this with the host to ensure that the connection speed is sufficient for your needs.
Yes, this accommodation has one or more parking spaces.
This accommodation has 3 bedrooms.
The surface of this accommodation is 46m2.
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