Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of the mountains in summer…
Chalet Fourmiliere in summer is a haven of tranquillity, an opportunity to recharge batteries, revitalise your senses, breathing in crisp, pure, clean mountain air, surrounded by glorious nature at its very best. Our beautiful converted Savoyarde farmhouse is available to book on an exclusive use basis for family gatherings, intimate celebrations and retreats during the summer season.
We live in the midst of the Chablais region, a designated UNESCO Global Geopark recognising a unique landscape, which tells a story spanning 245 million years. Originally an Alpine Ocean, from which, over many centuries, the sand particles formed rocks which moved, lifted, fractured and folded to form mountain ranges and glaciers, sculpting the stunning landscapes that are our magnificent backdrop.
Our mountains are crisscrossed with well-marked trails for summer hikes, through fields of wild flowers, past lakes of turquoise blue, offering Instagram opportunities at every turn, or simply a chance to be in the moment, enjoying being at one with nature.
If that all seems a bit too active, there are so many other options…
Relax in our sunny courtyard garden, lingering over croissant and coffee, chill in a stress dissolving hot tub, or enjoy lazy, long lunches in one of the excellent local restaurants, fuelled with a bottle of rose or two!
Discover one of many local fromageries, sampling the cheese and seeing the process of creation, from cow to plate!
Visit the Abbey d’Aulps, in neighbouring St Jean d’Aulps, – founded by Cistercian Monks during the 11th century, it became one of the most important monasteries in medieval Savoy. Although the buildings were largely destroyed in 1823, the ruins of the Abbey still tell an evocative story and now house a discovery centre, detailing the daily life of the monks in the Middle Ages. The gardens have also been restored with both a botanical (Herbularius) and a vegetable (Hortus) garden.
Wander through our markets, marvelling at garlic stalls three metres long, buy traditional French baskets, saucissons, olives, and a dozen different varieties of tomato – all of which taste of the sun!
There are so many amazing and fascinating places to visit in the local area, here are just a few…
Evian-les-Bains – where the famous water comes from, but also home to a world class golf course.
Yvoire – ancient town on the banks of Lake Geneva, home of the Garden of Five Senses – definitely worth a visit.
Samoens, Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval, Thonon-les-Bains, Chamonix, Annecy…
In neighbouring Les Gets, experience the magic of a night time walk through Alta Lumina, a mystical journey of lights and music, telling an enchanted story full of adventures and surprises.
If, on the other hand, you are a thrill-seeker, the mountains are most definitely your playground…
Relive the most exciting moments of Le Tour de France by cycling in the tracks of the yellow jerseys up and over some of the most challenging Cols in the race… take your pick locally from Col de Joux Plane, Joux Verte, du Corbier…
Les Portes du Soleil is one of the world’s most highly regarded mountain bike destinations, with some of the best hair-raising, downhill mountain bike tracks with neighbouring Les Gets hosting the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and World Cup.
The annual PassPortes du Soleil Mountain Bike Event showcases the fantastic mountain biking on offer in the area. The PassPortes route takes you down 6000m of descent with just 1000 metres of climbing. There are eight refreshment stops along the way making the whole day not just a great mountain bike ride but a fantastic experience with a great atmosphere. Passportes du Soleil will take place on 25th, 26th and 27th June 2021.
The mountains lend themselves to pushing boundaries and endurance and there are several annual events locally to add to your diary, if this is your thing. Two of the biggest are:
Spartan – a series of obstacle races varying in distance and difficulty, ranging from 3 miles to marathon distances. The series includes the Spartan Sprint, the Super Spartan, the Spartan Beast, and the Ultra Beast. This year’s event is on 2nd – 4th July 2021.
Trail des Hauts Forts is a trail running mountain race linking Morzine to Avoriaz – the Hauts-Forts – the highest point in the Chablais and the Portes du Soleil. From Morzine, 3 races are offered. They all end in Avoriaz, at 1800m altitude. The route allows you to cross several passes and summits by circling the Hauts-Forts, traversing the most beautiful trails of the Portes du Soleil. This year’s event is on 7th August 2021.
If motor sports are more your thing, you need to put these dates in your diary:
The Harley-Davidson Owners Group (HOG) descends on Morzine for a long weekend on 15th – 18th July 2021. Around 3 000 of these beautiful machines are in town with demonstrations, displays, stunts and live music. Warning! It’s loud!
The Mont Blanc Rally runs from 31st August to 2nd September 2021 – it is part of the French Automobile Championships and this is its 69th year and the 20th year that Morzine has hosted the event. There are special stages around the resort and plenty of opportunities to get close to the cars.
There is just so much to do here…
Abseil waterfalls, jump into icy cold canyons, experience adrenaline fuelled white water rafting, climb mountains via Ferrata style, float through the air on a tandem paraglider, power down the mountain on the luge,
Need a day pursuing less high octane activities? How about a relaxing open water swim in our beautiful Lac de Montriond or a lazy paddleboard across tranquil waters?
In Les Gets, the sublime spa, Les Sources du Chéry, will restore balance and harmony, with fresh spring water revitalising body and spirit. Relax in the spa waters or enjoy a restorative massage or facial treatment.
There are some fantastic local restaurants we can recommend for fine dining, local mountain cuisine or some indie options – Morzine is becoming quite the foodie destination!
And at the end of the day, return to Fourmiliere for a nightcap before retiring to one of our super comfortable, luxurious en suite bedroom suites, where relaxation is guaranteed, cocooned in crisp cotton sheets, with cosy bathrobes.
Our mountain playground awaits and here at La Fourmiliere we will help you plan your holiday to ensure you have the best memory making time ever.
