La Bonne Vie
Alpine chalet in Le Massif des Bauges
10 reasons why you should holiday in this beautiful region and make La Bonne Vie your base from which to explore.
​
The 14 Villages of Les Bauges
Holidays in The Bauges Regional Park are all about enjoying the slow pace of life among the mountains where each village is unique and waiting to be explored. You will be delighted with the cultural heritage, local craftsmanship and farm-produced products waiting for you to discover.
Walking and Hiking
The scenery is simply stunning and there are plenty of walking trails. Walks can be as short as half an hour or as long as a day, up in the mountains, by the lakes or through the forests, take a picnic and enjoy the views.
Cycling
Exploring this area on a bike is certainly the best way to catch a glimpse of rural life. This region played host to the final stage of the 100th Tour de France. Enthusiasts of mountain biking will love the trails and single tracks on the slopes of Les Aillons and at La Feclaz.
Annecy
A trip to Annecy and its lake is a must. Lac d’Annecy, warmed by thermal springs and surrounded by the peaks of the Alps, makes it one of the most famous natural swimming lakes in France. There are some pretty villages on its shoreline to explore. Annecy itself is a medieval town with cobblestone streets, pretty canals and historical architecture. All this sits on the edge of the lake so you can combine the sights of the town with lots of water-based activities or simply relax on the many lakeside beaches.
Outdoor Activities
The Bauges is blessed with many opportunities for outdoor pursuits. Cycling, hiking, paragliding, climbing, caving, canyoning, horse riding, swimming, fishing, zip lines and forest adventures to name a few.
Skiing
Our local ski resort is Aillons-Margeriaz, 1000 – 1900m, a 20 minute drive from the chalet. The ski resort is a hidden gem frequented by the locals and has enough slopes to suit skiers of all abilities, 20 ski lifts and a snow park. Other nearby ski resorts, Grand Revard and Semnoz offer good skiing too. Nordic ski, snow shoeing, sledging (luge) and husky dog rides are also available. With cheap ski hire and ski passes this makes for an ideal winter holiday for all.
Food Glorious Food
The region has many local restaurants serving typical Savoie cuisine such as raclette and tartiflette. Le Chatelard is lucky to have L’Auberge des Clarines, an old farmhouse with a warm atmosphere and excellent regional cuisine. For a special occasion a visit to Annecy or Aix les Bains for more contemporary cuisine and lakeside views.
This region produces some excellent traditional cheeses, Tome des Bauges has been produced in the mountains since the 17th century. Margériaz, Reblochon, Abondance and Comte are all cheeses made in the Rhone Alpes region for you to enjoy from the village fromageries.
The Markets
There are small local markets held weekly in Le Chatelard and Lescheraines throughout the year. In July and August many of the villages hold special markets selling local produce such as cheeses, charcuterie, vegetables, honey, aromatic plants, beer, wine and crafts all made by local producers.
The food market in the Old Town of Annecy is a must. Sunday is its biggest and busiest day and definitely one of the best markets in France, not to be missed.
To Relax
To unwind and relax is not difficult surrounded by such beautiful scenery. If you are after a spa experience then head to nearby Aix les Bains, a beautiful spa town that lies between the shore of Lake Bourget (the largest natural lake in France) and Mont Revard and experience the mineral rich thermal waters of Thermes Chevalley. Aix les Bains has wonderful architecture dating from the Belle Epoque. In the late 19th/early 20th century many grand hotels were built as well as the spa baths, the Casino and the Chateau de la Roche du Roi. There are picturesque squares in which to watch the world go by or lakeside promenades for a leisurely stroll.
La Bonne Vie
And finally, the chalet itself, to quote one of our guests “Extremely comfortable and very well appointed. It has everything you need. Beds are comfy, showers a delight, lounge and dining areas make you feel at home. The outlook is sensational. We had a car so this was a perfect base to explore Annecy and the surrounding towns, villages and mountains. We were there for one week and could easily have stayed longer. Le Chatelard itself is a very pretty village. We spent a couple of afternoons on the decks enjoying a wine and taking in the views. Absolutely sensational.”
