Superb House with Mountains Views in Le Chatelard, the heart of the Massif des Bauges - Le Chatox

Welcome to our home from home, Le Chatox, here for you to enjoy the wonderful area of Les Bauges National Park high above lake Annecy in stunning Savoie.  Sleeps 6 comfortably. Four bedrooms so 8 is possible at our discretion. Two bathrooms. Games rooms. Terrace balcony with this view !!
 

The Accommodation:

There are 4 bedrooms, one chatox-interior-2double, three twin and we accept booking of up to 6 people. 

The lounge has the most amazing view out over Mt Colombier and in summer the huge terrace balcony becomes an additional living area for BBQ’s and entertaining. The L sofa and double sofa opposite (not pictured) seat 8 comfortably and there’s also the rocking chair and guitar if you fancy a strum and sing along after dinner and wine!

The kitchen is fully equipped as Wendy is very particular so you should find all you need ! A glass cabinet is there to make sure your drinks look as well as taste good and a drinks cabinet is for those ‘oh no we’ve run out moments…’ There’s also a Delongi Italian coffee maker if you’re so inclined…

Heating is via under-floor heating and a wood burning stove with logs supplied to keep you toasty in winter. There are radiators in all bedrooms and bathrooms. Hot water is heated via solar panels in the roof.

Board games, chess and card games for children as well as the TV/DVD player and video library for wet play or quite nights in. Unfortunately we do not have French TV channels but do have a English speaking channels. There is a collection of books and local maps and info on what’s on in the area to plan your itinerary. We have now succumbed and have free wifi throughout Le Chatox!                                                                         
Binoculars and bird/butterfly books are easy to find on the shelves for quieter moments and a telescope is available on the balcony for star gazing if you can figure how to use it !

There is a comprehensive ‘Chatox’ book on things to see and do and we encourage you to add to this for future guests. The open plan living area is large and with 8 of us there last summer, we never felt overcrowded or on top of each other.

In the ‘cave’ below we have tennis, table tennis, badminton, volley ball, beach equipment all for your use should you need it. The utility room has a washing machine and tumble dryer if you need them. Our bikes are pictured but we have contacts for hire should you need one (see summer page) and we have two new electric bikes for hire which are fabulous to help you on the hills!

Outside:
There’s a patio to the rear with garden and sun loungers to while away the hazy heat of the alpine summer. BBQ is in the cave for use on the patio or balcony.

There is full wi-fi in Le Chatox but passing time soaking in the amazing view, with some melancholy music and a glass as the fire crackles – is surely more preferable….??

If your idea of an all inclusive alpine holiday includes sunshine, mountains, walking, swimming, cycling on roads used in the Tour de France, fine cuisine, air so pure you can drink it, 5 great family ski resorts and luxury accommodation to relax and do absolutely nothing – then you may have found your dream holiday destination. viewSurrounded by cities of Annecy, Aix-les-Bains, Chambery and  https://www.albertville.fr/  the mountain range of the Bauges in Savoie looks like a fortress as you drive into it. There are six roads that lead into the heart of this ‘island in the sky’ and its ‘capital village’ is Le Chatelard.

The Wallows / Les Bauges Once in this designed area of outstanding natural beauty, the countryside slants slowly toward the villages, vast fields and forests. The inhabitants called “Baujus” are warm mountain people who are willing to share the love for their region.

Our village – Le Chatelard
Situated on a hillside on the outskirts of Le Chatelard in the heart of the Massif des Bauges National Park, Le Chatox enjoys superb views of the Mountain Dent de Rossanaz and is a 30 minute drive from the beautiful towns of Annecy, Aix-Les Bains, Chambery and Alberville. Le Chatox is an ideal base for cycling, walking or skiing holidays. Le Chatelard is a quiet, friendly village with a supermarket, bakery, bar and hotel/restaurant, tourist information, bank and post office and a local food market every Friday morning. It still remains unspoilt and retains a certain charm with its old store fronts and little alleys leading up towards the church. Les Bauges is an area of outstanding natural beauty, heritage and tradition which makes Le Chatox a great base to explore a wide range of outdoor activities or to simply just relax!

When the snow arrives in winter thoughts turn to skiing, and snow trekking.  Les Bauges has 5 ski resorts so has many ways to enjoy the snow! There is something for everyone from downhill and Nordic skiing, snow shoe, tobogganing and sled dogs.

About the Owners:
Paul and Wendy bought this plot in 2008 and Le Chatox was built in 2009.  Paul works for Campaign for Better Transport, and Wendy is a community nurse. Light and space was the main ingredient we wanted for guests when Le Chatox was built to enjoy Les Bauges mountains, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
 

The Area:

Up and out for a ski trek the old way, with a picnic of cheese and wine! you walk up, ski down !

At Aillons-Margeriaz you can not only learn how to ski with expert tuition from ESF, you can find enough piste to keep you content for your stay and at less than half the price of the big resorts. For those of you who are non-skiers or just want to try something different, Les Aillons offers Husky dogsled rides or ski du fond (cross country aka Nordique skiing) which is great fun and a fantastic workout.

If you have walking boots, why not try snow shoeing by hiring some racquets from one of the nearby ski hire shops. This way you can even meet the skiers up the mountain at Margeriaz for lunch or a vin chaud at La Bergerie, a rustic restaurant which we highly recommend, owned by Alex and Natalie. You may think hiking is

Another nearby resort with amazing views over the Lac du Bourget, is Le Revard, La Féclaz and St. François de Sales together known as the Grand Revard 1350m – 1500m, just 30 mins from Le Chatox. It is also known as  “Little Canada” primarily because it resembles the vast winter tundra of the Canadian west: miles of rolling sunlight clearings and thick evergreen forests. Although situated in the mountains, the whole ski range is on a high-plateau, thus allowing for miles and miles of endless Nordic skiing. In fact, the resort reputes itself as being the number one French destination for Cross-Country skiing (140km) with Alpine sking (50km) and snowpark activities as secondary attractions. But if the skiing isn’t enough for you, there are snowshoeing, dog-sled rides, tobogganing, snowscooting and an old form of Savoyard sledding called yonner.

Other more popular and higher “snow sure”

Annecy – the Venice of the Alps.  A must if you visit, winter or summer.

If you want an afternoon away from the slopes, why not head to the beautiful town of Annecy for lunch followed by a walk around the old town or perhaps venture over to the west side of the lake with its numerous Michelin 3 star restaurants!

For another excursion there is the spa town Aix les Bains and the Lac du Bourget for its mountain views and thermal baths.