Le Bionnay, French Alps

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The Rhone/French Alps Region

laces to visit
Nearby places to visit - great at any time of year!

With so much on offer, there’s no real need to leave the St Gervais valley, but if you do decide to travel further a field, then two of our favorite places are Chamonix and Annecy.

The well known town of Chamonix, just half an hour away, sits at the foot of Europe’s highest and most dramatic peaks. 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. Click here to see the view from the top

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. From the quay side you can hire pedalos and motor boats, or relax in the lakeside gardens.

For a truly international experience you could always pop over the nearby borders to visit Switzerland, or make a trip through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Italy for pasta and chianti in the picturesque town of Cormayeur.
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 wild flowers, listen to the cow bells, enjoying your favourite 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 are also nearby lakes; an ideal place for a family BBQ, a sunbathe and a swim.
More information about St Gervais

The traditional Savoyard town of St Gervais, situated at 850 metre's altitude, 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.

St Gervais is also 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.

 

St Gervais Area

Winter
Just some of the winter sports available
Skiing & snowboarding

St Gervais sits at the heart of the Evasion ski domain, providing a massive 500 km of pistes! Everywhere you look you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Europe's highest and most dramatic peaks, including the Mont Blanc itself. St Gervais' ski area is linked with the neighboring resort of Megève.

As well as great mountain terrain, St Gervais also boasts one of the region's best fun parks and well groomed half pipe. Extensive snow making facilities ensure that lower runs stay open late into the season.

Just two minutes up the road from St Gervais is the village and ski resort of Les Contamines, also covered on the Evasion ski domain pass. The ski area here consists of 3 massive bowls linked together to provide a diverse and interesting set of runs. Snowboarders in particular will enjoy the efficient lift system that enables you to access just about everywhere with a chairlift.

Whatever your standard, you'll enjoy skiing the Evasion ski domain and appreciate the short lift queues and empty runs.

The EVASION Ski domain includes St Gervais, Megève, Cote 2000, La Giettaz, Jaillet, Combloux and Les Contamines.
St Gervais / Megeve
From St Gervais it's also possible to access the Les Houches ski area in the Chamonix Valley. And with Chamonix itself being only half an hour away there is also the opportunity to ski the renowned Vallee Blanche down Europe’s longest glacier, the Mer de Glace.

Other winter sports

All variations of skiing are available from telemarking, cross-country, or even snow bladeing.

Snow shoeing is becoming a very popular way to explore the mountains in winter. There are many marked trails in the St Gervais valley, making it safe and easy for the first timer. Equipment hire is inexpensive and you don’t need any special tuition.

Ice skating. St Gervais has an Olympic standard indoor ice rink, while nearby Les Contamines has a classic outdoor rink. Ice hockey matches are a regular feature and it’s also possible to do a spot of curling.

If you've ever been tempted by the idyllic look of huskies pulling you in a sledge then a nearby Husky Dog farm offers just that. Or if you prefer it more motorized then try your hand at snowmobiling.

Winter climbing. Learn how to front point up a frozen waterfall, or climb snow encrusted couloirs. These and other courses such as an avalanche awareness or a glacier travel courses can be booked with English speaking high mountain guides.

At any time of year there are specific activities for kids and great places to visit.


Summer
This area really does have it all
Road & mountain biking

The opportunities for cycling are endless. During the summer months, lifts in St Gervais, Les Contamines and Megève will effortlessly carry you and your bike high into the mountains. For mountain bikers this opens up all sorts of off-road opportunities, from open alpine pastures through to tight and technical single-track through the trees. By riding all the way down from Mont d'Arbois to Le Fayet there are a staggering 1250 metres of descent. And if you don't mind long hard climbs, then there are lots of options for epic days out, crossing between the St Gervais and Megève valleys.

It’s also possible to take bikes to the Col de Voza via the rack and pinion railway. From here there are some very technical and demanding rides to the Bionnassay glacier, followed by sublime trails back to St Gervais.

For road cyclists there are some excellent training rides within the valley with climbs and descents of varying severity. It’s also easy to nip down to the open expanse of the Arve valley floor to put in some longer mileages. And from St Gervais it’s quite possible to take in classic Tour de France routes such as the Col de Aravis and Col de Colombiere. If you fancy a big day out, then why not ride from St Gervais to Annecy, taking in as many cols as you can handle, safe in the knowledge that you can leap on the train back to St Gervais when your legs pack up! For the more casual cyclist, the Bettex lift enables a leisurely half day meandering down the roads, taking in the breathtaking scenery and exploring the ancient hamlets.
Walking & climbing

St Gervais 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. To the west the skyline is dominated by the 4807 metre Mont Blanc and the glacier de Bionnassay. To the east is the unmistakable outline of Mont Joly with it’s spectacular ridge walk. From the door of Mountain Refresh 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 close proximity of St Gervais and Les Contamines are dedicated rock climbing area's 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 Mountain Refresh is an ideal base from which to prepare for any of the areas classic climbs, including Mont Blanc itself. We know several highly respected high mountain guides and will be happy to make bookings with them on your behalf.
Adventure and swimming

Within an hour of St Gervais are a number of via ferratta routes. These consist of steel ladders and cables going up and across a mountain crag. Although technically quite easy they are often very, very exposed! As well as some specialist safety equipment you’ll need a good head for heights and a reasonable level of fitness. But the adrenalin buzz is huge!

An easier and less daunting alternative is the local adventure parks where you can swing from tree to tree using a variety of ladders, nets, bridges, tight-ropes and aerial runways. Equipment and supervision are provided and there are dedicated parks for children too.

For swimmers, St Gervais has an outdoor pool, or there is the lakes at Les Contamines which include a children's park, or the nearby Mont Blanc beach where you can swim and BBQ or hire pedalos with the dramatic Mont-Blanc as your backdrop.

 

Getting There

Mountain Refresh - just 1 hour from Geneva airport Flying

Airlines that fly to Geneva airport include:-

* EasyJet from Luton, Gatwick, East Midlands, Liverpool, Bristol
* My Travel Lite
* British Airways
* Flybe from Southampton, Heathrow
* Swiss from Heathrow, London City, Jersey
* Aer Lingus from Dublin
* Jet2 from Leeds Bradford, Manchester

Transfers from Geneva airport

* A-T-S and transfer-intelligence Door-to-door minibus transfers. Around 40 Euros each way per person.
* sat-montblanc Buses from Geneva. Around 30 Euros each way.
* alpybus.com Scheduled timetable with seats from as little as 19.60 Euros for a single

Car hire from Geneva airport

* Airline network
* jet2
* Avis
* Hertz

Check the car comes with a Swiss motorway "vignette". If they don't, then be advised that the few miles you will do on the motorway leaving the airport with cost you around 25 Euros unless you use an alternative route out of Switzerland into France. In winter, check the car comes equipped with snow tyres.

If you decide that you just want a car for a day or so, then these can be hired locally from as little as 10 Euros per day.

For directions to Mountain Refresh see our directions.
Driving

From Calais it’s about 8 hours' of motorway driving. Expect to pay about £35 in tolls each way.

St Gervais & Les Contamines are just 15 minutes from the Sallanches exit of the A40 Autoroute Blanche - see our directions.

The RAC have an excellent route planner that will help you to calculate driving times, routes and tolls. (Tip: put 'Les Contamines' in as your destination town.)
Ferry or channel tunnel

* ferry
* ferry smart
* ferryoffers
* eurodrive

If you need to break your journey up, then we suggest hotelformule1. Around 20 Euros a night for up to 3 people Alternatively, check out accor group that lists a number of other hotel companies such as Mercure, Ibis and Novotel.

Nearest Travel Links

• Airport: Geneva (80 km)
• Ferry: Calais ( km)
• Railway: Le Fayet (5 km)

 

Suitable types of Holiday St Gervais

• Fishing
• Golf Course
• Horse riding
• Tennis courts
• Watersports
• Mountain Biking
• Skiing
• Swimming
• Walking

 

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Exterior Facilities in Le Bionnay, French Alps

• BBQ
• Parking space
• Private garden

 

Rental Details

Facilities in Le Bionnay, French Alps

• CD player
• Central heating
• Cooker
• Dish washer
• DVD player
• Fridge
• Highchair
• Internet access
• Iron
• Kettle
• Linen provided
• Microwave
• Television
• Toaster
• Internet access

Bedrooms / Bathrooms

• Bedrooms (2)
• Showers (1)

 

Sleeps a Maximum of 6 people:

• Single Beds (2)
• Double Beds (1)
• Sofa Beds (1)
• Cots (1)

 

Furniture

• Dining Seats (6)
• Lounge Seats (6)

 

Guest Book

"Good fun! Liked learning to snowboard and liked where I was staying"

Leon Moore, Wantage, aged 12. Featured above in the snow hole he built in Le Bionnay garden.



"Apartment was clean and fresh, just like it's stunning location. All expectations exceeded. The perfect place to escape to"

Mr & Mr Neil W, Oxford, Relates to Le Bionnay



"The scenery at Les Contamines is really stunning and we simply never had to queue for a lift. It was especially nice not to be staying in a manufactured resort and St Gervais proved to be an excellent base for exploring the region on the days that we didn't ski"

Nicholas Bulois, Paris



"An excellent relaxing holiday; not least because nothing seemed to be too much trouble for Greg and Sarah"

Mr & Mrs Jordan, Walsall



"The chalet exceeded our expectations. It was bigger than we thought and more comfortable. It's in a great location being so near to St Gervais. It was very easy to reach the slopes and we were surprised at the lack of queues. Some pistes we had to ourselves. A great find- we'll be back"

Mr & Mrs G Williams, East Sussex, Relates to Le Bionnay



"The best quality holiday accommodation that we've had in several years of visiting France"

Mr & Mrs G Pringle, Coventry, Relates to Le Bionnay