I discovered La chapelle d'Abondance about four years ago when looking for property to buy. It is located in a valley which leads up from Lac Leman to the Swiss border up in the mountains at Morgins, part of th eportes du Soleil ski area - a road which you wouldn't take unless heading that way! Most traffic is local therefore - very few lorries, excpept for local deliveries.
It's attraction has to be the calmness of the place although it comes alive at certain times of the year and has its own weekly market. The hotels which mostly line the main thoroughfare are grand chalet buildings adorned with the traditional pink and red geraniums in the summer and decorated in wintertime with Epicea (christmas trees), illuminated snow flakes and wrapped parcels - sounds tacky
but everythiong here is done with style and panache, believe me!
The quality of accomodation is best described as comforable and of a high standard. It is not pretentious and the hotels are family run affairs. The Abondance valley has not seen and will not see national holiday chains like Pierre et Vacances invading ht eplace (they have it all at Avoriaz!)
I stayd in Les Gentianettes purely by chance as it was the only hotel open in May, with a swimming pool - - a logis de france and representative of the standard found in this village. Main seasons for opening are december to april and june to september - this applies to the hotels and restaurants although I am assured that there is always somewhere open if you go out of season. This hotel is perhaps one of the more recent additions to the village (1992 I think) and it is tastefulty decorated in the savoyard style - lots of pine wood and rich colours, primarily red and green. Our room for sour was like a mini appartment -bunk beds for the children and a separate main bedroom with double bed. The bathroom was very clean and lovely soft towels too!
Half board option in the restaurant was beyon our wildest dreams! M Trincaz the owner is an accomplished chef (and again typical of the area - I have not yet eaten anywhere in La Chapelle or Chatel and been disappointed by quality or price) and the dishes are all superbly presented. Memories of Duck breast in honey and pain d'epice, lamb noisettes in a basil and garlic jus, Filet of fera ( a local fish form lac Leman) all accompanied by properly cooked(not overcooked) vegetable options... and the starters and desserts were equally sublime. The cost at the time was about £30 per person on half board basis (higher in full season but still excellent value for money) with reductions for children.
THE other place to eat, and established in local folklore, is Les Cornettes - wow food, but too much of it! Value for money - 4 courses for 25 euros ( about £18) but I can't eat it all. Quality of cooking is excellent. We wen t there for a birthday celelbration and t the end of the meal a local lady dressed in Savoyard costume appeared with a musical box and sang local songs just for our table- all part of the service!
If you want to ski, La Chapelle is a decent base but you will need to get up the mountain either to it's own ski area by telecabine or drive up to Chatel - basically transport of some kind is essential although there are shuttle buses. The ski area is limited but links easily to Torgon (switzerland) then over to Chatel (France) and tehn to Morgins (Switzerland) - at the height of winter there is more than enough to do but as th eseason draws ot a close you will want to get up higher to Chatel/Avoriaz.
Summer time here is gorgeous. Walking is the main activity with some very easy walks locally to very demanding walks for experinced mountain goers. Le Mont de Grange (2300m) which overlooks la Chapelle has a nature reserve with fauna - but you have to start out at about 6am to do the 6-7hr round trip, before it gets too hot (Yes - temperatures in the summer are up to 35c -whereas winter last year was down to -20c!!!).
Other sports activities include white water rafting nearby and mountain biking - serious stuff here- body armour recommended! Or you can just chill out with a book and find a quiet spot to relax - plenty of those about too! NO NIGHTLIFE!! The best you get is your own entertainment!
I love going to this area and would highly reccommend it. Rental accommodation in abundance if you don't weant to stay in a hotel.
Try this website for more information- www.valdabondance.com - in French(!) - well you won't hear much English here.. yet. (Chatel, a few miles up the road, is where you'll find them!)
cool will defo give it a go is it near chamonix ?as i am going there with ma familly next summa so maybe we could take a daytrip there would you reccomend it ?leave me a message in ma guestbook. really cool review and very long and detailed cheers sid
eldergill 25.09.2005 20:55
Very good, detailed and informative review. Cheers!
think_pink 25.09.2005 15:31
Excellent review, I have been there myself and my thoughts were the same as yours, we actually have an appartement in chatel the next village and visit la chapelle frequently.
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