The chalet, which faces south, was originally built in 1950. Now completely renovated, it retains the warm feel of the mountain guide’s home it once was. Built of granite faced by traditional river-sand render on the ground floor, and solid larch wood on the top, with a traditional cedar-tiled roof, it’s a wonderfully welcoming house.
Our hot tub is the perfect place to enjoy an Alpine sunset on the surrounding peaks. Please note that, in order to ensure you have sparkling clean water in the hot tub, we refill it with fresh water for each set of guests, so it may be unavailable on the first night, as it could still be heating up.
The wood-burning barrel sauna is a wonderful way to relax. Put three logs in the stove, light it and return in 20 minutes time for the most calming sauna imaginable — listening to the crackle of the fire as the heat soothes your muscles…
Mont Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi, the bowls of Flegere and of course the incredible spire of the Dru
The spacious and beautiful living room has squashy and very comfortable sofas, a widescreen TV with DVD player and PS2, Wi-fi, BOSE stereo with iPod dock and a bar with plenty of glasses.
There are games including Risk, backgammon, drafts and chess, mah jongg, Jenga, cards and a Scalextric set. We don’t have Sky, but provide an extensive DVD collection (over 150 good DVDs from classics to comedy to the latest ski and snowboard movies) and a selection of books including plenty about the mountains.
You are welcome to use the phone for local and incoming calls. Bring a laptop to access our wireless broadband — useful for checking weather forecasts and lifts.
The huge covered balcony is a lovely place to listen to the river and watch the snow and has tables and chairs. You are welcome to smoke on the balcony (though not elsewhere in the chalet). There’s an upstairs mezzanine den with seats and cushions, where you can retreat and laze if you’d like some peace.
The traditional tiled kitchen is very well equipped with new modern appliances — there’s a four ring halogen hob and fan oven, microwave, dishwasher and washer-dryer. There’s plenty of quality crockery and cutlery, cast iron pans and good kitchen knives, jugs and ice trays for the wonderful Alpine water and a raclette and fondue set for cheesy nights in.
The chunky pine table seats ten, and we provide split logs for the fire. You can get food from the village shop in Les Praz, supermarkets and delicatessens in Chamonix, or you can have your groceries delivered to the chalet by most local supermarkets. We can also arrange a shopping service.
Or if you prefer, we can arrange catering — a chef will come to the chalet and cook wonderful food especially for you.
All the bedrooms have comfortable, full size mattresses (2m long, no footboards), which can be made up as doubles or twins according to your group. Duvets are the “Four Seasons” type — a summer and autumn weight duvet which popper together to make an extra thick winter duvet. Most people find the Autumn weight ones enough, as the chalet is very warm, but you can easily add or remove them as you like best! All the bedroom floors are waxed wood with sheepskin rugs to keep your feet warm in the morning, and the wardrobes have plenty of wooden hangers.
Our linen is almost all high thread count Egyptian cotton, our towels are thick, fluffy and generously sized, and we provide waffle bathrobes.
Bedroom 1 on the first floor has a king size double bed (can be split to make a twin if needed),fitted wardrobe, a door onto the balcony and spectacular views of the Aigulle du Midi and the Dru.
Bedroom 2, also on the first floor has twin beds (can be a double), fitted wardrobe, and a view of the Flegere and Brevent ski area.
Bedroom 3, on the ground floor, has twin beds (can be a double), fitted wardrobe, TV/DVD and looks into the woods.
Bedroom 4, also on the ground floor, has a king size double bed (can be split to make a twin if needed), fitted wardrobe and view onto the garden and the Dru
Bedroom 5 is in the mazot…
A mazot is a traditional small chalet next to a larger one. Ours is a warm and cosy ensuite bedroom for two (n.b. the mazot has a double bed, 2m long, which cannot be split). Recently renovated in natural materials, it has underfloor heating, its own WC, slate tiled shower and granite basin, and you can look out at the Aiguille du Midi from your bed. It’s full of Alpine charm, and particularly handy for anyone who likes their own retreat.
There are three bathrooms and an extra WC.
The mazot is en-suite, and the remaining four bedrooms share two bathrooms and a separate WC.
Bathroom 1 on the first floor has double sinks, bath and shower. There is a separate WC next to it.
Bathroom 2 on the ground floor is a fantastic wet room with a granite wall, underfloor heating, walk-in shower, sink and WC.
The garden is huge (about two-thirds of an acre). Just through the woods, you can glimpse the cross-country ski trails which run beside the river. The views are spectacular — you can see the ski areas of Flegere & Brevent, Mont Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi, the Dru and many more. We have one small chalet neighbouring, which faces away from the main chalet.
There is plenty of off-street private parking with room for up to four cars. The ski shed provides ideal storage for skis, bikes, boards and boots with racks for skis or snowboards and boot dryers.
More pictures here: Exterior in winter, Exterior in summer, Chalet interiors and views
Please contact us if there’s anything you’d like more information about.
