savoie mont blanc in winter
Transcription
savoie mont blanc in winter
Manual for TRAVEL ORGANIZERS ©SMBT/L.Weyl www.savoie-mont-blanc.com Savoie Haute-Savoie C O N T E N T S 2 A region of contrasts 3 Location 4 Winter Skiing Other activities Events 6 7 10 12 Lifestyle Gastronomy Wine Culture Some holiday programme ideas 15 15 17 19 23 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 Sports and leisure pursuits Take to the water Golf Take to the mountains Cycling Take to the air Events 30 Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme - Services Chalet dans les Aravis ©SMBT A REGION OF CONTRASTS Savoie Mont Blanc is an outstandingly beautiful region that is famous for its spectacular scenery. Here, Western Europe’s highest peak, snow-capped Mont Blanc, is surrounded by France’s three largest natural lakes (Lake Geneva, Lake Bourget and Lake Annecy). Sharing borders with Switzerland and Italy, Savoie and Haute Savoie have a unique history and a rich cultural heritage (art, gastronomy, architecture, etc.). In addition, Savoie Mont Blanc’s geography makes it an outstanding destination for sports lovers. Winter sports fans will find the world’s largest concentration of ski areas with more than 100 ski resorts. In summer, it is an immense outdoor playground that can cater to almost every sport. Here you can… Climb a 3000-m peak in the morning and end the day with a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Annecy. Visit the alpine pastures to see how delicious cheeses are made and then enjoy them at the end of a gourmet meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant beside Lake Bourget. Join the crowds at a great summer music festival and find silence and seclusion in the heart of a regional park. Cycle over a Tour de France pass and then relax in a spa in a luxury hotel. Share the thrills of a rafting descent with friends and enjoy a wonderfully romantic dinner during a lake cruise. Savoie Mont Blanc ATTRACTIONS Breathtaking scenery: • • • Spectacular mountains that culminate in Western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc (4,810 meters) France’s three largest natural lakes (Lakes Geneva, Bourget and Annecy) An unspoilt environment: 1 national park, 2 regional parks, 15 nature reserves • • • Fascinating history and culture: Charming towns, traditional villages and resorts Abbeys, churches, castles and forts throughout the area Music festivals, local markets and international sport events all year round • • • Major tourist area: 4851 restaurants, including 33 with Michelin stars 1119 hotels, including 145 with 4 or 5 stars and 623 with 2 or 3 stars 271 campsites, including 69 with 3 or 4 stars 3 ©SMBT – JLebeau LOCATION Easy ACCESS Savoie Mont Blanc lies in the southeast corner of France, in the heart of the French Alps and on the borders with Italy and Switzerland. The Savoie Mont Blanc tourist destination covers the “départements” of Savoie and Haute Savoie, and is part of the Rhone Alps Region. The two main cities (Chambéry and Annecy) are less than 3 hours from Paris by train and less than 90 minutes from Lyon and Geneva international airports by car. By plane: Lyon Saint Exupéry international airport: www.lyonaeroports.com Geneva international airport: www.gva.ch Chambery airport: www.chambery-airport.com (with international charter flights during the winter season) Grenoble airport: www.grenoble-airport.com Shuttle bus services: From Geneva airport to Chambery (1 hr 15 min) Aerocar: www.aerocar.fr From Lyon, Geneva and Chambery airports to the ski resorts Altibus: www.altibus.com By train: International train connections: www.raileurope.com From London: Eurostar/TGV (change in Paris) and Eurostar direct snow-train from London to the French Alps (Moûtiers and Bourg-St-Maurice) on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings during the ski season. From Brussels: Brussels-Lyon TGV and Thalys (to Moûtiers and Bourg-StMaurice during the winter season) Intercity trains, changing in Paris or Lyon: www.sncf.com 4 Regional trains (TER) throughout the area: www.ter-sncf.com Lyon Montpellier Mulhouse Nice Paris Perpignan Turin 915 53 87 837 151 377 376 409 619 525 194 999 203 365 1027 978 286 921 1219 717 1387 502 1346 1150 807 838 51 41 769 139 412 329 488 559 561 255 197 833 785 110 728 1026 519 1193 307 1150 1038 865 817 110 759 1057 663 1225 288 1132 1069 87 797 102 353 375 439 570 502 207 748 148 448 288 534 538 597 247 691 963 610 1157 220 1064 990 303 379 470 464 451 306 677 325 745 156 531 685 484 831 449 929 473 222 847 773 Geneva 884 Chambéry 44 Annecy Lille 1077 Calais Albertville Brussels By road: A very efficient motorway and road network means it is easy to get to every corner of Savoie Mont Blanc by car or bus. Amsterdam Approximate distances in kilometers Distances in this chart are measured following highways and major roads. These are not necessarily the shortest routes. LOCATION Albertville Easy ACCESS Amsterdam 1077 Annecy 44 999 Brussels 884 203 807 Calais 915 365 838 197 Chambéry 53 1027 51 833 865 Geneva 87 978 41 785 817 87 Lille 837 286 769 110 110 797 748 Lyon 151 921 139 728 759 102 148 691 Montpellier 377 1219 412 1026 1057 353 448 963 303 Mulhouse 376 717 329 519 663 375 288 610 379 677 Nice 409 1387 488 1193 1225 439 534 1157 470 325 685 Paris 619 502 559 307 288 570 538 220 464 745 484 929 Perpignan 525 1346 561 1150 1132 502 597 1064 451 156 831 473 847 Turin 194 1150 255 1038 1069 207 247 990 306 531 449 222 773 679 679 5 © Savoie Mont Blanc / Brun SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN WINTER SKIING Savoie Mont Blanc is the world’s leading winter sports destination. Covering two-thirds of the French Alps, the area boasts 110 winter sports resorts, 18 interlinked downhill-ski areas and 38 crosscountry ski areas. Chamonix, Megève, Méribel, Morzine-Avoriaz, Courchevel, La Clusaz, Val d’Isère and Val Thorens are just a few of the 110 ski resorts in Savoie Mont Blanc. STRENGTHS: • • • • • • • • Huge choice of resorts Long ski season, from Christmas to May High altitude ski areas guaranteeing good quality snow Ski schools in every resort: 94 French ski schools with 9330 instructors Extensive range of activities in addition to skiing Wide variety of accommodation Easy access to the resorts Après-ski activities to suit all tastes Some tips to help you to choose a ski resort: Before choosing a resort, it is important to ask the right questions: With whom would you like to go? When would you like to go? What kind of atmosphere are you looking for? What activities would you like to do? Would you like the resort to be specially suited to children? These questions are essential if your clients are to choose the resort that best suits their needs. Classifications and labels can also help you choose the right resort. Classification used by all French ski resorts: Large Ski Area Resort: A resort in which a single ski pass gives access to a large, interlinked ski area. Key fact: • Over 40 million visitors spend their holidays in this magical place. Village Resort: A resort that complies with the Charte des Villages de Montagne (Mountain Villages Charter) or a traditional village with no modern-style buildings. Snowrider Resort: A resort with safe, dedicated areas for riders (such as snowparks, boarder-cross areas, play areas, etc.) and instructors providing both introductory and advanced training. Evasion Ski area ©SMBT/Hosset © Savoie Mont Blanc / Lebeau SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN WINTER Club Resort: Resort that combines modernity with ski resort amenities, easy access to many different leisure activities and great nightlife. Nordic Area: Resort with the Nordique France label or with an outstanding cross-country ski area. Introductory and advanced instruction and coaching must be available. Such resorts usually offer other Nordic activities (dog sledding, snowshoeing, etc.) Alti-forme Resort: Resort that combines skiing and snow sports with spa and fitness activities. Ski Resort for Disabled Visitors: To be included in this category, a resort must meet the following two criteria: the ski school must offer ski instruction for the disabled [handiski], i.e., specialised equipment and teaching must be available, and the ski area and accommodation must be wheelchair accessible. Labels you can trust: • Famille Plus is a French quality label awarded to destinations offering specific facilities and services for families with children. • Top of the French Alps - (TOTFA): A group of 16 top-class French resorts offering services that meet the requirements of an international clientele. • Alpine Pearls – An association set up to promote sustainable holidays in which holidaymakers get to their destination without using a car and have easy access to public transportation while at their destination. The association offers a range of environmentally friendly holiday ideas. • Best of the Alps® e.V. brings together twelve of the Alps’ most famous tourist destinations. Chamonix Mont-Blanc and Megève are members of Best of The Alps®. • Nordic France is a French quality label awarded to cross-country ski resorts that provide high-quality ski trails and other Nordic activities. The resort’s services and commitment to sustainable development are also evaluated. 7 18 INTERLINKED SKI AREAS Espace Diamant areas Paradiski ©SMBT/Lebeau SMBT / Chabance SMBT / Haase © Savoie Mont Blanc / Lebeau SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN WINTER Ski areas linked by shuttle bus: 185 km of slopes, between 1000 m and 2069 m www.espacediamant.com 425 km, between 1200 m and 3250 m www.paradiski.com Massif des Aravis Espace Killy Portes du Soleil (Les) 220 km, between 1000 m and 2600 m www.aravis.com 300 km of slopes, between 1550 m and 3456 m www.espacekilly.com 650 km, between 1000 m and 2460 m www.portesdusoleil.com Savoie Grand Revard Praz-de-Lys-Sommand 50 km, between 1350 m and 1550 m www.savoiegrandrevard.com 45 km, between 1250 m and 2000 m www.prazdelys-sommand.com Chamonix Valley Roc d’Enfer 470 km, between 1035 m and 2525 m www.chamonix.com Espace San Bernardo 160 km, between 1200 m and 265 0m www.espacesanbernardo.com Evasion Mont Blanc 445 km, between 1100 m and 2353 m www.evasion-montblanc.com 50 km, between 900 m and 1800 m www.espacerocdenfer.com 150 km, between 2430 m and 2600 m www.galibier-thabor.com Grand Domaine (Le) 152 km, between 1400 m and 2550 m www.legranddomaine.fr Grand Massif (Le) 265 km, between 1100 m and 2500 m www.grand-massif.com 310 km, between 1100 m and 2620 m www.sybelles.com 3 Valleys (The) 600 km, between 600 m and 3200 m www.les3vallees.com Val Cenis Vanoise 125 km, between 1300 m and 2800 m www.valcenisvanoise.fr Hirmentaz-Les Habères © Savoie Mont Blanc / Martelet Sybelles (Les) Galibier Thabor 50 km, between 950 m and 1610 m Some NORDIC SKI AREAS 8 Savoie Grand Revard 150 km, between 1350 m and 1550 m www.savoiegrandrevard.com Les Saisies – Olympic Nordic Ski Area 120 km, between 1600 m and 1700 m www.lessaisies.com Bessans 80 km, 1750 m www.bessans.com Les Aravis Nordic Ski Area 150 km, between 1000 m and 1650 m www.aravis.com Praz de Lys Sommand 60 km, between 1450 m and 1650 m www.prazdelys-sommand.com Glières Plateau 28 km, between 1450 m and 1550 m www.haute-savoie-nordic.com 9 18 INTERLINKED SKI AREAS ©SMBT – Lansard ©SMBT / L. Weyl Champ Laitier - ©SMBT / Chabance La Grande Odyssée - ©SMBT / Raïh SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN WINTER Other ACTIVITIES Ice skating, walking, snow-shoeing, sledging, and dog–sledding are some of the most popular winter activities you can do in Savoie Mont Blanc. Many resorts offer exclusive activities: Ice diving in mountain lakes Bobsleighing on an Olympic track Scooter excursions when the ski lifts are closed Paragliding flights from the top of the slopes Heliskiing for exceptional off-piste descents. Permitted in only a few restricted areas A full list and contact details for activity organisers can be found at our website: www.savoie-mont-blanc.com Original après-ski: Make your ski holiday even more special by adding some unforgettable après-ski activities. Here is a small selection of activities available in Savoie Mont Blanc’s resorts. 10 Massage à La Clusaz © ©SMBT / L. Weyl Accompanied by a mountain guide, hike to a mountain hut under the stars to enjoy a well-deserved cheese fondue with local charcuterie. Night-time snowshoe outing to an igloo where you can tuck into a traditional mountain dinner. After a delicious dinner of local specialities in a mountain restaurant, guests can glide back to the resort on a “Snake-Gliss” sledge. Savoie Mont Blanc / Cavazzana Station skis au pied © Lerendu SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN WINTER CREATE a programme Local tourist offices can provide all the information needed to compile a programme of activities in a resort. Some tourist offices provide a booking service and put together holiday offers ranging from accommodation-only to full packages including ski passes, ski rental and other activities and services. The tourist office will put you in contact with the right person to deal with your request. A list of the tourist offices is available from our website: www.savoie-montblanc.com Ski-passes to meet your clients’ needs, whether they want to ski for a single day or for a week or more. Large ski areas offer different types of ski pass giving access to all or just part of the ski area. Some booking services and accommodation providers have negotiated reduced rates with ski-lift companies. You can benefit from these rates by booking through them. You can also deal directly with the ski-lift companies. Ski rental can be organised through independent local shops, many of which are franchises of nationwide brands. Some booking services and accommodation providers have negotiated reduced rates with ski-rental companies. You can benefit from these rates by booking through them. Some luxury hotels have a ski-shop in the hotel itself. Ski schools can be very flexible in terms of organising lessons. In addition to providing instruction in all types of skiing (downhill, freestyle, cross-country, snowboarding, etc.), they can also organise snowshoe outings and other activities. It is best to book individual or group ski lessons for your clients in advance. The local tourist office will provide you with a list of the resort’s ski schools. The ESF (Ecole de Ski Français) has ski schools in every resort, staffed by more than 9300 ski instructors. Its online booking system is available in French, English and Russian www.esf.net; esf-ru.net Services for young children, from the age of 3 months, offered by Savoie Mont Blanc’s ski resorts include crêches and nannies. In addition, ski schools provide many services for children. The local tourist office will tell you who to contact. If you choose self-catering accommodation, you can book a grocery delivery service in order to have the food required for the week’s meals delivered directly to your accommodation: www.food-pack-service.com 11 SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN WINTER 12 13 SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN WINTER 14 Talloires©SMBT – V. Rousson LIFESTYLE GASTRONOMY Savoie Mont Blanc - culinary heights and wine The Must: With 33 Michelin-starred restaurants, Savoie Mont Blanc is one of France’s top culinary destinations, alongside Lyon, the gastronomy capital of France. The high quality of its produce has made Savoie Mont Blanc a region of gastronomic excellence, where haute cuisine and local culinary traditions exist side by side. The area offers an exceptionally wide choice of highquality restaurants from Michelin-starred establishments to family eateries around the lakes, in the mountain resorts and in the villages. Diversity is our motto, so visitors can enjoy gastronomy in all its forms, from haute cuisine to local cheeses and charcuterie in country inns. With products including Beaufort, Abondance, Tomme de Savoie and Reblochon, Savoie is renowned as one of France’s finest cheese producing regions. Many farms and cooperatives that produce cheeses and other local products are open to visitors. For a list of cooperatives and farms, go to our website: www.savoie-mont-blanc.com Gastronomic cuisine for everyone! Meet the chefs Have a weekday lunch in a Michelin-starred restaurant for as little as €27. Cookery courses: Bocafina – Talloires. Fabulous location with a superb view of lake Annecy. Interactive lessons adapted to each student’s skills, culinary tastes and available time. www.bocafina.eu Atelier Gastonomique – St Alban Leysse/Chambéry. Chef Yves Vincent provides individual or group lessons in his kitchen or in your home,. www.ateliergastronomique.com Some examples: Courchevel Le Praz (3 Valleys ski area) - Azimut – Lunch menu from €27, can be combined with a day’s skiing. Chambéry - Coté Marché – Lunch menu from €27.50, can be combined with a tour of the vineyards in the Cœur de Savoie area. Le Bourget-du-Lac – Atmosphères – Lunch menu from €29, can be combined with a cruise on Lake Bourget. Saint-Gervais-les-Bains – Le Sérac – Lunch menu from €35, can be combined with a glacier excursion on the Mont Blanc Tramway. Annecy – Le Belvédère – Lunch menu from €35, can be combined with a visit to Annecy old town. Non-binding prices, for information only 15 Chef-run hotels: Emmanuel Renaut – “Flocons de Sel” Michelin 3-star restaurant & 5-star hotel for exclusive breaks in Megève. www.floconsdesel.com Marc Veyrat welcomes you to “La Maison du Bois” in the Aravis Mountains. Traditional chalet and fabulous flavours from the chef’s garden. www.marcveyrat.fr Marc Veyrat La Maison des Bois© SMBT / C.Lacombe LIFESTYLE GASTRONOMY Local specialities: tartiflette, raclette, Savoy fondue, diots, polenta, farçon and delicious lake fish, etc. Not to be missed: Markets: Every village has a traditional market where you can find the best local products and meet the producers. For example: traditional Reblochon cheese market in Grand-Bornand on Wednesdays from 8am till noon. Don’t miss Chambéry (Saturdays) and Annecy (Sundays) markets, the largest in Savoie Mont Blanc. Fine produce: Fromagerie Gay in Annecy. Cheese shop founded in 1935. www.fromager-annecy.com Denis Provent’s two cheese shops, the Laiterie des Halles (Chambery) and Délices Savoyards (Aix-Les-Bains), purveyors of fine cheeses for three generations. www.fromager-denis-provent.com Chocolaterie des Bauges, traditional chocolate shop and factory in the tiny village of Bellecombe en Bauges: www.chocolateriedesbauges.com World champion pastry chef Philippe Rigollot’s cakes and pastries in Annecy: www.philipperigollot.com Cooperative dairies – find out how local cheeses are made: Beaufort Cheese Cooperative - www.cooperative-de-beaufort.com and Aillon le Jeune Cheese Cooperative (since 1889) - www.fromagerieaillon.com Chanaz traditional oil mill (Moulin de Chanaz), built in 1868: www.moulindechanaz.com Novel ideas: When culture meets local produce: FACIM (foundation for promoting mountain culture) has set up two gastronomy trails: “Voyage Autour de la Table”, focusing on local producers and chefs who love sharing their passion for the area and its products, and “Terre des Alpes”, focusing on life in the Alps and traditional skills and crafts. For further details and information about made-to-measure guided tours, go to www.fondation-facim.fr Dining on the summits: Tignes, Le Panoramic gastronomic restaurant, at 3032 m. A breathtaking 360° view from the terrace facing the Grande Motte Glacier. Easy access from the resort (7 min.) via the funicular. Chamonix, the legendary Hotel du Montenvers, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Views of the Mer de Glace and the Aiguilles des Drus. Easy access from the valley via the Montenvers train. There are also many traditional restaurants in the heart of the alpine pastures. They are easily accessible on foot and offer your clients the chance to enjoy local cuisine amidst magnificent alpine landscapes. 16 Brison© SMBT © Savoie Mont Blanc - RaÏh Caveau Jacquin© SMBT / Raïh LIFESTYLE WINE Wine has been produced in Savoie since early Roman times. Savoie Mont Blanc has around 2,000 hectares of vineyards that produce an appealing and diverse range of wines with an alpine and sophisticated character. Everyone who enjoys interesting wine and food will love finding out more about the development of wine growing and gastronomic traditions in this tiny region. Savoie’s red, white, rosé and sparkling wines include four AOCs, 22 crus and 23 grape varieties. The Must: Not to be missed: The Savoie wine route: Three signposted circuits through a wide variety of landscapes in different areas of Savoie Mont Blanc: near lakes, regional parks and tourist towns. “Léman and Arve”, above Lake Geneva, between Evian and Geneva, and at the foot of the Chablais Géopark “Coeur de Savoie” close to Chambéry and surrounded by two regional parks “Savoie, Lac du Bourget”, around Aix-les-Bains, above the shores of Lake Bourget • “Maison de la vigne et du vin”: A large selection of Savoie’s wines can be tasted and bought at the “Oenotheque” (wine library), in the middle of the Apremont vineyards. Wine tastings for groups can be organised. www.vindesavoie.net • Chautagne Wine Cooperative – Ruffieux The ideal place to learn about wine. “L’eveil des Sens” (Awakening of senses) shows visitors how to use all five senses to gain a full appreciation of wine and vines. Tastings and presentations by an oenologist can be organised. www.cave-de-chautagne.com • Vine and Wine Museum – Montmélian. An interpretation centre to learn about the 2000-year history of wine production in Savoie. • Château de Ripaille - Thonon les Bains. On the shores of Lake Geneva, the château offers visits of the vineyard and tastings in the winery. Guided visits of the château itself can also be organised. A large reception room in the château is available for lunches, dinners and conferences, etc. - www.ripaille.fr Coeur de Savoie and Savoie, Lac du Bourget have the label “Vignobles et Découvertes” 100 producers welcome visitors their to wineries. The guides are usually the producers themselves. Producers include both traditional family wineries and private châteaux. More than 40 cheeses are produced in Savoie Mont Blanc. Wine and cheese go together very well, and it is very easy to organise combined cheese and wine tastings in the same area. 17 Château de Lucey© SMBT / Raïh © Savoie Mont Blanc - RaÏh © Savoie Mont Blanc - RaÏh LIFESTYLE WINE Novel ideas: Wine cruise on Lake Bourget Possible to organise cruises for groups on a variety of themes including wine. www.compagniedesbateauxdulac.fr Enjoy a great pre-lunch or pre-dinner cruise rounded off with a local aperitif on board your cruise boat. Follow the Wine Route in a Citroën 2CV: A fun way to explore the area in a legendary French car. Stop off for tastings at wineries, a picnic or a gastronomic lunch…the choice is yours. www.lesdeuchesdulac.fr Hot-air balloon flight over the vineyards: The Compagnie des Ballons organises flights above Lake Annecy for individuals or groups of up to eight people. In-flight wine tastings available on request. www.compagniedesballons.com For an exclusive experience, combine a hot-air balloon flight with a Citroën 2CV tour of the vineyards. Electric bike, Segway: In order to meet demand and provide a leisurely way of exploring the area, electric-bike or Segway day trips have been developed. Tours follow minor roads and include visits to wineries and tastings of local wines. A great way to meet Savoie’s wine producers. www.alpes-flaveurs.com Tasting trips: Tours of the vineyards and wine tastings by car, on foot or on snowshoes, led by a qualified wine specialist and walking guide. Tours available for individuals and groups. www.alpes-flaveurs.com Learn more about wine: Syrah & Co. Private events at a wine bar. Wine tastings and special meals available for groups. www.syrah-and-co.fr Alpes Flaveurs can organise wine tastings with a sommelier at your clients’ homes. 18 CULTURE Aix-les-Bains©SMBT – Zvardon Chambéry©SMBT Annecy©SMBT – S.Bijassson LIFESTYLE Savoie Mont Blanc has a long history and a rich cultural and architectural heritage. The area has several enchanting towns and cities, all of which are small enough to explore on foot. Guided walks are available through all the main towns. Surrounded by mountains, they are packed with exciting architecture and culture, ranging from forts, castles and religious monuments to museums, gardens, craft workshops, open farms and wine cellars…there is no shortage of things to see and do! In addition, they provide excellent shopping and eating, and numerous special events mean that from spring to autumn they are very festive places, too. Main cities to be visited throughout the year: Annecy – www.lac-annecy.com Situated on the shores of the purest lake in Europe, Annecy is famous for its colourful houses on the banks of its numerous canals. The castle-museum looks down upon the pedestrianized old town – the perfect place for a pleasant stroll. Guided tours of the old town, can include museum visits (bookings: [email protected]). Lake cruises for individuals or groups: www.annecy-croisieres.com Water taxis for individuals or groups of up to 18 people: www.water-taxi.fr 4 nearby châteaux open to visitors: Château de Menthon Saint Bernard (www.château-dementhon.com), Château de Clermont (châ[email protected]), Château de Montrottier (www.châteaudemontrottier.com) and Château de Thorens les Glieres (www.châteauthorens.fr). Chambery – www.chambery-tourisme.com Abbaye Hautecombe©SMBT – Guillermin The historic capital of Savoie boasts lively streets, an imposing castle, an intricately decorated cathedral and a newly renovated Fine Arts Museum. (bookings: [email protected]) Guided tours of the pedestrianized streets and alleys of the medieval old town and castle, as well as the more contemporary areas of the city. Visit Les Charmettes, the former home of the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Choose a theme for your visit: trompe l’oeil painting, architecture, gastronomy. Visit one of the world’s largest carillons or welcome your guests with a 15-minute concert. Aix-les-Bains – www.aixlesbains.com In the 19th century, Aix-les-Bains was known as the “spa town of queens”. It is now a centre of art and culture and a vibrant festival venue. Lake Bourget provides a beautiful backdrop to a stay in one of the city’s 40 hotels and apartment complexes. Take a guided tour to find out more about the city’s “Belle Époque” heritage: villas, grand hotels, casino Come to one of the music festivals, Operetta and rock in the summer and the “Romantic Nights Festival” in September/October: www.nuitsromantiques.com Take a cruise to Hautecombe Abbey on the opposite shore of the lake: www.compagniedesbateauxdulac.fr Walk in the footsteps of the poet Lamartine. 19 Evian©SMBT – Chabance Thonon©SMBT – Raïh Albertville©SMBT – Triquet LIFESTYLE Main cities to be visited throughout the year: CULTURE Evian-les-Bains – www.evian-tourisme.com Evian is famous around the world for its eponymous mineral water. Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva, the town originally made its name during the golden age of spa bathing. Casino, hotels, Palais Lumière conference centre, gardens, etc. Exhibitions at the Palais Lumière: Every year, this elegant building hosts exhibitions of international stature (Joseph Vitta until June 2014). Attend a concert in the Grange au Lac, an exceptional auditorium built entirely from wood. Every July, famous artists come to Evian for the “Rencontres Musicales d’Evian”: www.rencontres-musicales-evian.fr Take a boat trip to the Jardins du Pré Curieux water gardens - a unique place that should not be missed. Take a tour of Lake Geneva on La Savoie, an historic sailing ship available for private rentals - www.barquelasavoie.com A national label awarded by the Ministry of Culture to cities and regions of outstanding cultural interest that are committed to promoting their heritage (restoration, visits, exhibitions, events, etc.). Three cities and two areas in Savoie Mont Blanc have been awarded the “Villes et pays d'art et d'histoire” label: Albertville-Conflans, Annecy and Chambéry, Pays de Maurienne, Tarentaise and Beaufortain/Val d’Arly – The High Valleys of Savoie, The Abondance Valley in the Chablais Mountains. Thonon©SMBT – Raïh A few favourites: 20 Albertville-Conflans - www.pays-albertville.com: Visit the medieval town of Conflans and the 1992 Winter Olympic Games Museum (www.maisonjeuxolympiques-albertville.org) Thonon-les-Bains - www.thononlesbains.com This spa town on the shores of Lake Geneva boasts many places of cultural interest, most notably the Château de Ripaille. Guided tours are available on themes including water and religious monuments. A visit to the Chablais Museum can be followed by a contemporary art exhibition at the Chapelle de la Visitation. CULTURE Annecy ©SMBT/Chabance Château Yvoire ©SMB/ Chabance Bonneval-sur-Arc / Raïh Bonneval ©SMB/©SMBT/ Lecoq LIFESTYLE Three of “the most beautiful villages in France” Bonneval-sur-Arc – www.bonneval-sur-arc.com A perfectly preserved high-mountain village at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park and at the foot of the Col de l’Iseran (2770 m), the highest road pass in Europe. Beautiful stone-built houses. Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval – www.sixtferacheval.com Awarded the title for a combination of its architectural heritage and its magnificent setting at the foot of a mountain cirque lined with dramatic waterfalls. A spectacular but easily accessible corner of the mountains. Yvoire – www.yvoiretourism.com A medieval village ideally situated on the shores of Lake Geneva. It still retains major elements of its 14th-century fortifications, including the keep, the gates and the ramparts. Yvoire was a prize winner in the international “Entente Florale” competition for best kept villages and towns. The Garden of 5 Senses is open to visits by individuals and groups. ©Musée Opinel Most visited cultural attractions and museums: Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille – Hautecombe Abbey Built in the 12th century, the abbey was renovated in 1821 during the reign of Charles Felix, King of Sardinia. The troubadour-style church is the lasting resting place of the Princes of Savoie. The abbey lies on the shores of Lake Bourget and can be reached by boat from Aix-les-Bains. Annecy – Château-Museum An historic building that houses collections of religious sculpture, traditional local furniture, classical art, contemporary art and temporary exhibitions. It is also home to the regional observatory of Alpine lakes and organises exhibits on local archaeology, natural history and ethnology, etc. Chambéry - Galerie Eurêka - Espace Montagne is Chambery’s “Centre for Scientific, Technical and Industrial Culture”. In addition to permanent and temporary exhibitions, it includes a gallery focusing on the mountain environment. Chambery’s Architecture and Heritage Centre is also very popular with visitors. Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Opinel knife museum, open all year. Located in the old factory, the Opinel Museum tells the story of the Opinel family and the famous Savoyard knife, and shows how the manufacturing process has evolved over the centuries. 21 DAY 1: DAY 1: Cruise on Lake Geneva. See the whole area in a glance: towns, villages, châteaux, mountains. Ripaille: visit the château and vineyards plus wine tasting in the winery. Walk in the arboretum. Lunch by the lake Guided tour of the historic town of Thônon. Contemporary art exhibition at the Chapelle de la Visitation. Gourmet dinner Visit Chambery’s historic old town with its colourful facades and trompel’oeil paintings. Visit to the Fine Arts Museum. Lunch in town Walk to Les Charmettes to visit the former home of the philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. Gourmet dinner DAY 2: DAY 2: Guided walk through Evian to see the town’s spa architecture, the Cachat spring and the Palais Lumière (exhibitions). Lunch in the restaurant at Evian Golf course. Visit to the Pré Curieux water gardens by solar-powered boat. Dinner by the lake Cruise on Lake Bourget with a visit to Hautecombe Abbey. Lunch in a country inn beside the Savières canal. Stroll around the village of Chanaz and visit its traditional oil mill. Visit to the Chautagne cooperative winery and tasting of local wines. Ferme du Pré Clos©SMBT – Raïh Yvoire©SMBT – Guillermin Casino Aix-les-Bains©SMBT – Raïh YOUR HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES IN SAVOIE MONT BLANC SOME HOLIDAY PROGRAMME IDEAS Parks and gardens… Fine art… Savoir-faire… DAY 1: Guided tour of Annecy on a market day (Thursday, Friday, Sunday), including a stop at the famous “Fromagerie Gay” cheese shop. Lunch beside the canal in Annecy’s old town. Visit to the Paccard Bell Foundry. See bells being cast (Thursdays) or enjoy a “Songs & Bells” concert (Fridays). DAY 2: Excursion to the Aravis Mountains – home of Reblochon cheese. Visit to a farm and its cheese cellars. Wine and cheese tasting. Lunch in a mountain village Walk through a traditional village and alpine pastures. Return to Annecy and free time. DAY 3: DAY 3: DAY 3: Yvoire medieval village and castle. Visit to the Garden of 5 Senses. Enjoy a gentle stroll along flower-lined streets to Rovorée-La Châtaignière, a remarkable chestnut plantation. Lunch Afternoon at the Lake Geneva Eagle Park, home to 120 species of bird of prey. Spectacular shows held daily. Guided visit to the Musée Faure: paintings and sculpture: impressionist collection, Rodin collection. Gallery dedicated to the romantic poet Lamartine. Lunch at the Grand Cercle Casino Guided tour of Aix’s “Belle Epoque” spa town: casino, luxury hotels, gardens, etc. Gourmet dinner If you would like any further information, please contact us at: 22 [email protected] Cookery lesson or excursion to Tamié Abbey, where the monks make an excellent cheese called “Tamie”. Gourmet lunch Visit to the château at Menthon Dinner beside Lake Annecy or dinner cruise Aix-les-Bains© Savoie Mont Blanc / Hétru SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTVITIES Savoie Mont Blanc is a superb outdoor sports playground, with activities to suit all tastes, from swimming and golf to tree-top adventure courses, hiking and paragliding, all in magnificent surroundings. Whether you are looking for a thrilling adrenaline rush or more gentle activities, Savoie Mont Blanc has lots to offer all year round. Close to the large lakes and at the foot of the mountains: All our great cities are in exceptional locations beside or close to our large lakes and never far from the mountains. It is easy to put together programmes including a wide range of activities. The lakes are at their best in summer, warming up wonderfully for bathing and water sports such as sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. In addition, they have many beaches on which you can lounge, admiring the mountain scenery reflected in the pure waters. Many of Savoie Mont Blanc’s lakeside resorts have been awarded the “France Station Nautique” label. Combining all the advantages of a waterside location with fabulous mountain views, they have no reason to envy any seaside resort. Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva, Aix-les-Bains on Lake Bourget and Sevrier on Lake Annecy are extremely appealing spa and sailing resorts. Key facts: • • • • • • 90 lakeside beaches 7500 km of waymarked hiking tracks 5426 km of cycling itineraries 106 paragliding sites 50 via ferrata 13 golf courses (18-holes) Lake cruises: Lake Geneva – www.cgn.ch Lake Annecy – www.annecy-croisieres.com Lake Bourget – www.compagniedesbateauxdulac.fr or www.chanazcroisieres.fr 23 Take to the WATER Lac du Bourget©SMBT/Guillermin Rafting on Isere ©SMBT/Desage © Thermes de Saint-Gervais © SMB / du Bourget Lac Huchette SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES Savoie Mont Blanc offers a full range of water sports, including swimming, sailing, rowing and windsurfing on the large lakes. The area’s rivers are a paradise for white-water canoeists and rafters. Bourg-Saint-Maurice has a worldwide reputation for canoeing and white-water rafting, as does the River Dranse, in the Chablais. Further west, stretches of the Rhône and Guiers are well suited to flat-water canoeing Some canoeing and rafting companies: Most of the companies in this short selection work on several rivers. River Isere: AN Rafting (www.an-rafting.com) , Annecy-Aventure (www.annecyaventure.com), Coureurs de Rivières (www.coureurs-rivieres.com) – several rivers River Dranse and/or River Giffre: Aquarafting (www.aquarafting.com), AlpoViv Rafting (www.alpovive-rafting.fr) and Eaux Zones (www.eaux-zones.com) River Guiers (suitable for families): Pro Lynx (www.prolynx-sports.com) and Vertes Sensations (www.vertes-sensations.com) River Arve: Ecolorado Rafting (www.ecolorado-rafting.fr) Takamaka - individual or corporate activities and events (www.takamaka.fr) Take the waters at a spa: end a day’s sport with a well-being break in one of Savoie Mont Blanc’s seven spa towns: Aix-les-Bains, Brides-les-Bains, Challes-les-Eaux, Evian-les-Bains, La Léchère, SaintGervais-les-Bains, Thonon-les-Bains GOLF Savoie Mont Blanc has thirteen 18-hole golf courses beside the lakes or in the mountains. Golf Evian©SMBT The Must: 24 A round on the majestic Evian Resort golf course www.evianresort.com A round in Chamonix with Mont Blanc as a backdrop www.golfdechamonix.com A round in the wonderful mountain setting of Méribel www.golf-meribel.com ©SMBT – Boileau Chamonix©SMBT – Raïh ©SMBT – Lansard SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES Take to the MOUNTAINS Climbing, hiking and walking Savoie Mont Blanc is a major centre for mountaineering, with the Mont Blanc Massif, Vanoise National Park and numerous top-class rock climbing areas attracting alpinists and rock climbers from all around the world. The area’s 50 via ferrrata use cables, walkways and ladders to explore the vertical world. Although they require some technical skills, they can be enjoyed by newcomers to mountaineering. Of course, walking and hiking are also hugely popular. And, don’t forget, in summer, cable cars, mountain trains and chairlifts provide easy ways to gain altitude. Ask a mountain guide to draw up a programme for the kinds of activity you would like to do. Easy excursions to the foot of Mont Blanc from Chamonix and Saint Gervais: Montenvers train to the Mer de Glace, Aiguille du Midi cable car, etc. www.compagniedumontblanc.co.uk Get the most from your days by taking the earliest cable car to see the sunrise or the last train to enjoy a mountain sunset. Some of the most famous multi-day treks: Tour of Mont Blanc Tour of the Glaciers of the Vanoise Mini tour of the Dents Blanches (4 days). The Way of Saint James – GR 6, 3-day traverse Tour of the Beaufortain (3 days) Tour of Mont Thabor (6 days) More suggestions and descriptions of hikes can be found on our website. Where to stay: There are many different types of accommodation in the mountains, including chalet-inns, staffed and unstaffed mountain huts in isolated locations, and hostel-style self-catering accommodation with a kitchen area for independent hikers (gîte d’étape). Book your night in a mountain hut online: www.refuges-vanoise.com - Vanoise www.autourdumontblanc.com – Tour of Mont Blanc www.refugesclareethabor.com – Tour of Mont Thabor Let us know if you would like us to send you the full list of accommodation. We can help you: [email protected] 25 Mountain biking and CYCLING ©SMBT – Rizzon ©SMBT – Zvardon ©SMBT – Lacombe SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES Mountain biking has become a major draw in Savoie Mont Blanc and many resorts have opened their ski lifts to mountain bikers. Bikers of all levels can now enjoy wonderful interconnected areas, thanks to the development of GPS itineraries, electric-mountain bikes and bike parks, etc. Savoie Mont Blanc’s largest mountain bike areas include: Chablais - Portes du Soleil – 600 km of trails Val d’Arly – Espace Diamant – 250 km of trails Tarentaise - 3 Valleys – 120 km of trails Beaufortain – Arêches-Beaufort – 130 km of trails Chemins du Soleil: A mountain bike itinerary across the prealps from Thonon/Lake Geneva to Nice/Mediterranean www.cheminsdusoleil.com One of Savoie Mont Blanc’s greatest features is the diversity of its landscapes, which means that cycle tours are extremely varied in terms of both difficulty and scenery. The challenging “Route des 100 cols” covers 2,000 km and 45,000 m of height gain and includes all the area’s most famous Tour de France passes (Col de l’Iseran, Col de la Madeleine, Col des Aravis, Col du Galibier, etc.). It is also easy to organise very gentle rides beside a lakeshore or along country lanes, with outings varying in length from two hours to several days. More than 250 cycling friendly accommodation providers Special programmes, with or without a guide, with or without luggage transfers, can be drawn up for groups of cyclists of any level Cyclomundo: Cycle-tour organiser providing all the services required by your clients www.cyclomundo.com ViaRhona: A 700-km cycle route from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean: www.viarhona.com www.cyclo-maurienne.fr provides all the information needed to organise cycle tours in the Maurienne area Novel ideas: A half-day, electric-bike cycle tour (beside a lake, through the vineyards) starting in a city centre. Bikes can be rented in many places, making it easy to to organise cycle tours for groups. Bicycles are carried free of charge on regional trains (TER trains). Bikes can also be taken on some lake cruise boats. Check availability for groups before travelling. 26 © SMBT/ Chabance © Savoie Mont Blanc / Milochau SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES Take to the AIR Light aircraft and glider flights over Mont Blanc: Aerodromes: Challes-les-Eaux - www.planeur-challes.fr Courchevel - www.aeroclub-courchevel.com Megève - www.aerocime.com Méribel - www.ac-meribel.com Aix-les-Bains - www.aeroclub-savoie.com Annecy - www.aeroclubannecy.com Hot-air ballooning: Two companies specialize in hot-air balloon flights: Near Lake Annecy: www.compagniedesballons.com At the foot of Mont Blanc: www.alpes-montgolfiere.fr The sport of paragliding was born in the French Alps. Savoie Mont Blanc now has more than 100 take–off sites from which to soar over the lakes and mountains. Introductory tandem flights do not require any special abilities and can be done with a paragliding instructor. We can put you in touch with state-registered paragliding schools. Good to KNOW FAMILLE PLUS Label Famille Plus is a national label awarded to tourist destinations that provide specific facilities and services for families with children. To obtain the Famille Plus label, a resort must offer attractive prices and ensure every family receives a personalised welcome. In addition, it must provide activities adapted to all ages and professional supervision for children. A full range of shops and services must be close at hand. Morzine Chalet Igloo Glu © Antonion Duarte Maison & Travaux 24 resorts in Savoie Mont-Blanc have been awarded the Famille Plus label. For a full list of Famille Plus resorts, go to: www.savoie-mont-blanc.com Multi-pass and summer activity passes Summer activity passes giving unlimited access to leisure facilities have been introduced by many mountain resorts, including La Plagne (Pass’Plagne), Tignes (Sportignes), Portes du Soleil (Multi Pass), and the Aravis (Pass Loisirs). These passes are an excellent deal for families and holidaymakers spending several days in the same resort. 27 Les Arcs Académie Festival Concert ©Académie Festival de Musique des Arcs SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN SUMMER EVENTS Savoie Mont Blanc’s cultural diary includes all kinds of events: folklore, gastronomy, exhibitions, theatre, etc. A wide range of concerts and international sporting events round off the programme. Whether you are with friends, family or or on your own, you are sure to find an event that will interest you. FESTIVALS: May 2015 Andilly Grand Mediaeval Festival Andlly Fourteen hours of entertainment every day in nine different areas. Along the way you can watch jousting on horseback, falconry, battles, acrobats, jesters, folk tales, legends, fencing, dancing, fireworks and much, much more! Val d’Isère – ©SMB/ / Huchette July - August 2015 Bauges Music and Nature Festival Le Châtelard Classical music concerts in churches in the Bauges Regional Park. Many of the concerts are by internationally renowned artists. Thrill to the sounds of the piano, viola de gamba, violin and many more. 28 July 2015 Les Estivales du Château Chambéry A varied programme of concerts (soul, jazz, funk, pop, etc.) and shows (contemporary dance, theatre, lyric creations, etc.) held in Chambery’s historic centre. 19 July – 2 August 2015 Académie Festival Concert Les Arcs Talented young artists come together to improve their skills and perform classical concerts. Free admission. 23-28 August 2015 23th Au Bonheur des Mômes Festival (Fun for Kids Festival) Le Grand-Bornand Shows, workshops, exhibitions, giant games, books for kids and many other activities. Six days of dreams and delights for all the family. 26-28 September 2015 International Freeski Film Festival Annecy The world’s leading skiing film festival showcases the best freeski movies and provides an annual meeting point for skiers. September - October 2015 Romantic Nights Festival Aix-les-Bains A wonderful opportunity to enjoy classical music on the shores of Lake Bourget. 11-12 October 2015 18th Gourmet Salon Arêches-Beaufort The salon brings together top-quality food producers from across France. Presentations, tastings and sale of products. Restaurants, special events and visits, with a gala evening on Saturday. © OT Arêches-Beaufort / Perret Agence –Zoom ©©SMBT Chabance Tour de France© Agence Zoom SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN SUMMER July 2015 3 Vallées Discovery - MTB outing Les Menuires 24-31 August 2015 The North Face Ultra-Trail du MontBlanc Chamonix Starting from Chamonix, 2300 athletes will set off to cover a distance of 168 km and 9,600 meters of height gain with minimal outside support. SPORTS EVENTS: 7 June July 2015 Time Megève Mont-Blanc Cyclosportive Megève A great event for cyclists who love the high mountain passes. Starting in Megève, three routes allow cyclists of different levels to explore the most beautiful roads of the Beaufortain Mountains. 26-28 June 2015 The MTB Pass'Portes du Soleil Portes du Soleil A mountain-bike trek along the fabulous MTB trails of the Portes du Soleil, set against magnificent scenery and leap-frogging over the Franco-Swiss border. The 80-km circuit uses 15 ski lifts. Mountain bikers can choose from several different variants. A wonderful way of exploring the 3 Valleys (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens) via a fun ride that can be done alone, with family or with friends. August 2015 Summer Ski-jumping World Cup CourcheveL Spend a day with your head in the clouds! Eighty of the world’s best ski jumpers will compete on Courchevel’s Olympic ski jumps. Other highlights organised around this huge sporting event include base-jumping demonstrations, concerts and fireworks. 10-13 September 2015 The Evian Championship (Evian Masters) Evian-les-Bains The world’s number one women's golf tournament, featuring the 90 best international golfers from five continents. The event is broadcast live in 110 countries. TRADITIONAL EVENTS : Mid-August 2015 Mountain Guides Festival Chamonix August 2015 Reblochon Festival La Clusaz A parade of floats, “tableaux vivants”, bread making and folk dances: a day to celebrate local crafts and farmers August 2015 Shepherds’ Festival Séez A traditional festival celebrating the long history of trade between the people of the Tarentaise and the inhabitants of the Aosta Valley. The festival includes open-air folk concerts, an al-fresco meal, local produce and traditional crafts. October 2015 Return from the Pastures Annecy This great festival celebrates local traditions: craft events, demonstrations of traditional skills, parade of cows coming down from the Alpine pastures, folk groups, tastings of local products. © L.Weyl August 2015 Alpine Pastures and Mountain Guides Festival Pralognan-la-Vanoise A not-to-be-missed village fête. Procession, local crafts, folklore and music. Come and share our traditions! 29 Courchevel© Savoie Mont Blanc / Brun SAVOIE MONT BLANC TOURISM SERVICES Savoie Mont Blanc Tourism has worked in partnership with travel organisers for many years. Know everything there is to know about our destination E-learning: Savoie Mont Blanc has set up an e-learning tool to explain our mountain-tourism offer to counter staff throughout the year. Its objective is to enable counter staff to become ‘French Mountain Holiday Experts’. What is more, every month, the names of all the experts who successfully complete the course are entered into a draw to win a ski holiday. French, English and Russian versions are available www.e-montagne.fr For Dutch travel agents, Savoie Mont Blanc has developed an e-learning course that focuses on the summer offer. The course can be found at www.travecademy.nl Plus the names of all the travel agents who successfully complete the course are entered into a draw to win a summer holiday and a number of gadgets. Educational trips Find out more about the region, its activities, its tourism industry and its tourism offer. Trips can be organised to help you put together future holiday programmes and find out about new products. “A la carte” educational tours can be organised to improve your sales staff’s knowledge of your programme. 30 ©SMBT /Raïh ©SMBT – Rizzon ©SMBT /Raïh /Raïh ©SMBT/Raïh ©SMBT ©SMBT – Raïh SERVICES Organise press coverage… Different kinds of partnerships can be arranged. If you can provide travel tickets or accommodation for a press visit to Savoie Mont Blanc, we can help you organize a tailor-made programme. Please contact us. Use our database to feed your website (up-to-date information, photos, videos, etc.) Direct link to the Savoie Mont Blanc photo gallery: pictures can be downloaded free of charge from our website: www.phototheque.savoiemontblanc.com Our webTV offers around 50 films in English covering nearly all the activities available in Savoie Mont Blanc, for example, marmot watching, presentations of golf courses, cruises on the lakes, snowshoeing in Courchevel and Avoriaz’s beginners’ snow park, etc. A good way of whetting your client's appetite for our destination. Brochures We can provide a range of brochures for your clients (maps of Savoie Mont Blanc, cycling maps, Savoie Mont Blanc summer magazine, guide to walks and hikes in Savoie Mont Blanc, etc.). If you require large quantities, please contact us: +33 820 00 73 74 Order form: [email protected] Contact us at: [email protected] 31 SAVOIE MONT BLANC TOURISME Corinne RAÏH + 33 (4) 79 85 92 16 - + 33 (6) 71 71 65 29 [email protected] Céline Guillermin UK Market – press and promotion + 33 (0)4 79 85 96 99 - + 33 (0)6 83 13 36 07 [email protected] www.facebook.com/Savoie.Mont.Blanc Twitter: @SMBlntl Pictures can be downloaded from www.phototheque.savoie-mont-blanc.com Réalisation l SMBT • B. Favre l Y. Troepolskaya Véronique BALLANFAT Tel +33 4 79 85 92 17 [email protected]
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