Regional Information

Here you will find general information on the regions we cover in the French Alps, together with other useful links that may help you in the process of buying your French Alpine property.

Combloux

Facing the majestic Mont-Blanc, Combloux is only few minutes from prestigious ski resorts such as Megeve (4 km) and Chamonix Mont-Blanc (30 km) and offers 90 km of trails for ski and snowboard. An authentic mountain village with abundant alpine architecture of stone and wood, Combloux has maintained the charm and beauty of our past, respectful of the traditions of the French Alps.

The resort is part of the Ski Pass Mont Blanc Area with access to 394 individual runs. In addition to the skiing in Combloux itself the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Ski Pass Mont Blanc ski resorts of Argentière, Chamonix, Cordon, Le Tour, Les Contamines, Les Houches, Megève, Passy Plaine Joux and St Gervais Mont-Blanc.


Travel
By car: Take the highway to Sallanches and then the R.N. 212 (8 km). The approximate time to reach Combloux is about 5.5 hours from Paris, 2 hours from Lyon, 1 hour from Geneva (Switzerland), Aosta (Italy by the Mont-Blanc tunnel) or Annecy

By train: Direct access by TGV to the train station in Sallanches, then bus or taxi to Combloux (8 km). Direct Trains from most big cities in France including the Paris-St.-Gervais line.

By air: Nearest airport Geneva – 1 hr, Lyon – 2 hrs, Chambery – 1.45 hrs.

Les Deux Alpes

The resort of Les Deux Alpes is situated in the Isère department of the French Alps at the point where the Northern and Southern Alps meet. The resort is part of the Serre Chevalier mountain range and lies at the heart of the Oisans region, renowned for its amazing scenery and boundless opportunities for both winter and summer sports. With the Ecrins National Park on its doorstep the flora, fauna and scenery of the Alps are all close to hand.

At an altitude of 1650m and surrounded by glaciers Les Deux Alpes offers year round snow, glacier skiing and out of season ski and snowboard camps. It isn’t just the white stuff that attracts the hoards of visitors every year though – Les Deux Alpes is also a haven for mountain bikers, climbers and walkers. The scope for summer activities is just as broad as in the winter, making it a popular year-round destination.

With the TSD des Glaciers Les Deux Alpes can boast one of the most modern lifts of its generation. Built in 2001 this high speed chair lift stretches across the foot of the glacier from 2600m to 3200m. It runs on two cables that can be operated separately, depending on weather conditions. It carries up to 3500 people per hour and is often open in summer if the snow conditions are good.

There are a further 55 lifts servicing the 200km ski area, from the highest at 3600m to the lowest at 1300m. The majority of the pisted skiing takes place around Les Cr�tes (2100m) and Toura (2600m). Novices needn’t fear taking the journey to the top of the lift system – Les Deux Alpes has a reputation for being ‘upside down’, meaning that the lower slopes tend to be the steepest whereas high up on the glacier there are plenty of pistes of the more sedate variety. This has the bonus of meaning that beginners needn’t miss out on the spectacular views and the experience of skiing high up amongst the peaks!


Travel
By car: Motorway to Grenoble (Exit n�8 Brian�on, Vizille, the Oisans resorts) then RN 91 direction Brian�on via Le Bourg d'Oisans. At the Chambon dam, turn right and take the D213.

Grenoble - Les 2 Alpes : 70 Km (about 1 hour).

By rail: TGV direct to Grenoble (3 hours).
SNCF train information: +33 (0) 8 92 35 35 39
www.sncf.com

Grenoble - Les 2 Alpes by VFD company
Phone +33 (0)820 08 38 38
Les 2 Alpes Office +33 (0)4 76 80 51 22
Fax: +33 (0)4 76 79 01 08
http://www.transisere.fr/doc_ligne/3030.pdf

By air: Grenoble- Isère Airport (120 km)
www.grenoble-airport.fr
accueil@grenoble-airport.com
Tél. : +33 (0)4 76 65 48 48
www.airliance.asso.fr

Regular transfer to Les 2 Alpes, via Grenoble
- Transisère : Phone +33 (0)820 08 38 38
www.transisere.fr

Transfer on request from the airport to Les 2 Alpes.
Booking obligatory.
- Les routes de l'Oisans
From 1 to 49 person, 7/7, 24/24
Tél. : 06 98 41 22 67
www.route-oisans.com

- Bensbus.co.uk
ben@bensbus.co.uk
www.bensbus.co.uk

Lyon - St Exupéry Airport (160 km)
www.lyon.aeroport.fr
- Transfer to 2 ALPES, via Grenoble, by Satobus Shuttle
Tel: +33 (0)4 79 68 32 96

- Transfer to Les 2 Alpes Satobus Alpes
Tél: 0820 320 368
www.satobus-alps.com
@satobus-alps@altbus.com

Geneva Airport (220km)
www.gva.ch
accueil@gva.ch.



Méribel

Méribel is the quintessential chalet ski resort located in the middle of the Trois Vallées ski area. More popular as a winter destination, the ski resort gives easy access to the ski runs above Courchevel and Val Thorens. It is a top choice for British skiers looking for varied skiing and a lively mountain village. All properties in Méribel are tastefully built from local materials of wood, slate and stone due to strict building regulations.


Travel
By car: Calais – 9 hrs.

By rail: During the winter season Eurostar runs both a direct daytime and a direct overnight train from London or Ashford to Mo�tiers Salins station

By air: The four closest airports are:
Geneva (Switzerland, 135km), Chambery (95km), Lyon St-Exupery Airport (185km) and Grenoble (172km).



Megève

Both skiers and non-skiers enjoy the pretty streets of the chic ski village of Megève. Renowned for its luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and high quality shops it is just 1 hour's drive from Geneva airport - the ski resort of Chamonix is also only 30 minutes away by road.

Most residential properties are built from wood and stone in the charming Savoyard style. Property in Megeve comes at a price but there are alternatives to be found in the nearby ski resorts of Combloux, Les Contamines and St Gervais.


Travel
By car: Calais - 580 miles, Le Havre - 532 miles

By rail: TGV St Gervais/Le Fayet

By air: Geneva 1� hrs (45 miles away)




Montriond

This charming village is only 5 minutes from the traditional alpine town of Morzine. A short drive to the fast gondola lift at Ardent, linking you straight into the middle of the biggest interlinked ski area in the world during Winter. In Summer the same lifts serve mountain bikers, tobogganing, walkers and hikers and parapenters.

The village square has the main ski bus route to Les Lindarets, Morzine and Avoriaz running through and stopping at regular intervals. Montriond village provides all amenities required, a pizzeria, Tourist Office, several Bars, traditional French restaurant and creperie, ESF Ski school office, and a ski rental. Also a boulangerie/delicatessen and tabac.


Travel
By car: Motorway exit for Portes du Soleil. Follow Morzine – Avoriaz
Distances from Montriond:
Paris - 600 Km
Lyon - 220 Km
Geneva - 80 Km
Cluses - 30 Km
Thonon - 30 Km

By rail: Information SNCF : www.voyages-sncf.com

By air: Geneva airport – 1 hr, Grenoble and Lyon 2.5 hrs.


Morzine

Situated mid-way between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, Morzine is a traditional market town in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski region, dominated by attractive chalets spread across a river gorge, bordered by partially wooded slopes allowing skiing in poor weather conditions.

Ideally placed right in the middle of the Portes du Soleil ski domain, Morzine is the gateway to a wonderful winter playground of 650 km of pistes. In summer, these slopes become sign-posted footpaths for trekking and Mountain biking.

At 1000m, it is the most northerly of the French Alpine resorts (with the exception of the areas of La Grande Terche at St. Jean D'Aulps and Mont Drouzin), and weather wise benefits from the Mont Blanc microclimate. With a top station at 2020m, it is closely linked to its neighbours Avoriaz and Les Gets in that they function as linked skiing centres during the winter season.

Apres-ski in Morzine includes:


Travel
By car: Motorway exit : Portes du Soleil - Follow Morzine – Avoriaz

By rail: Information SNCF : www.voyages-sncf.com

By air: Nearest airport Geneva – 1 hr.


La Rosiere

In the heart of the Haute-Tarentaise, at 1850 m above sea level, facing due South, La Rosière is a friendly resort built respecting mountain architectural traditions.

Linked with La Thuile in Italy, it is the only Savoyard resort to offer an international ski area of 150 km pisted runs: "L'Espace San Bernardo". There are numerous facilities and services available to families and children, and La Rosière also offers a large choice of après ski activities and entertaining nights to spend with family.

Travel
By car: Take the motorway to Albertville, the dual carriageway to Moutiers and the RN 90 through Bourg St. Maurice to La Rosière

By rail: SNCF - Nearest station Bourg St.
Tel: +33 892 353 535
Website www.voyages-sncf.com

By air: Lyon St. Exupéry
Tel: +33 (0)826 800 826
Web : www.lyon.aeroport.fr
Chambéry
Tel: +33 (0)4 79 54 49 54
Web : www.chambery.aeroport.fr

Geneva International
Tel: +41 22 717 71 11
Web: www.gva.ch

Accueil France :
Tél: + 41 22 798 20 00
Web : www.accueil-france.org

St Gervais

St Gervais is a charming 19th century spa town situated half-way between Megeve and Chamonix. It is a lovely place to explore with a good variety of cafes, bars and restaurants and interesting food shops. With 116 ski lifts, the Evasion ski area offers 420 km of slopes facing the sublime Mont-Blanc panorama. St Gervais also possesses one of the best snow parks in the Haute Savoie region, hosting the French snowboard championships in 2002.

Apres-ski in St Gervais includes: Horse riding, paragliding, winter climbing, casino, cinema, curling, indoor swimming pool, library, pottery workshops, skating rink, spa, restaurants.

Travel
By car: Calais 633 miles.

By rail: Saint Gervais (direct TGV from Paris to St Gervais 5hrs).

By air: Geneva 47 miles.


Saint-Nicolas

The ski resort of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce is situated in the Mont-Blanc area of the Haute-Savoie department in the Northern Alps region. A small pretty village that locals have built around their church, a jewel of baroque art. Chair lift from the heart of the village links to the skiing of larger neighbours St Gervais and Megève as part of the Evasion Mont Blanc ski domain. The area extends from 1150 metres to 2350 metres and there are 30 km of lift served runs and 14 km of cross country trails and snow shoe excursions.

Travel
By car: Calais 633 miles.

By rail: Saint Gervais (direct TGV from Paris to St Gervais 5hrs).

By air: Geneva 47 miles.