Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Downstairs – semi basement: Large double bedroom with 2 (long) single beds, large wardrobe, one bedside table and patio doors; Small double bedroom with 2 (normal) single beds and a chest of drawers; Bathroom with toilet, washbasin, bath and over bath shower; Outside patio area with ski locker at side of demi - chalet. Hall and staircase;
Ground Floor – Entrance level: Lounge area with setee, chair, coffee table (with storage), corner cabinet with TV and DVD (nb DVD is AF3 channel!), extendable dining table and chairs and fabulous views over the valley and also up to the forts of Essilon. The lounge area also has an interconnecting door to the adjoining demi-chalet in case you decide to hire both demi-chalets;
Kitchen area comprises dishwasher, electric hob, small table top oven, microwave, fridge, sink, coffee maker and the usual range of utensils including a pressure cooker; Second bathroom behind the kitchen with shower, toilet and washbasin. Just outside the bathroom is a cupboard for ironing board, mop, brushes, foldup chairs etc; Outside there is a large balcony with the main entrance at the side and patio doors leading onto the balcony from the lounge.
Mezzanine Level: There is a 3m x 3m mezzanine above the kitchen, bathroom and stairs and accessed by a retractable loft ladder out of the kitchen area. This has 2 (normal) single beds, 2 bedside tables and a chest for clothes storage. It also has a hatch cover which can be shut when the ladder is in use to prevent children falling through the hatch.
Both demi chalets on a cold December day 2007
The lounge in demi-chalet 93
The larger bedroom in demi-chalet 94
Both demi chalets on a cold December day 2007
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/67069
The Rhone / French Alps / Savoie region
The Haute Savoie is located to the east of France in the Alps. As would be expected from this mountainous region, skiing is a big attraction; yet, the region has so much more on offer. In summer, the breath taking sites are not to be missed. Footpaths cross the parks and nature reserves, with opportunities to take in the fresh mountain air, the peaks rising against the skyline, and the green pastures networked with clear, trickling streams.
The whole area is synonymous with rest and relaxation. Over the centuries, spa resorts have been established and these can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Of course, being a mountainous region the area has many serenely beautiful lakes. In summer these offer a great opportunity for safe swimming and water sports against a magnificent backdrop.
Val Thorens / La Norma area
La Norma prides itself as being the ‘cosy resort’ and is very family friendly. It is set in a forested area with plenty of forest walks. The village itself is pedestrianised and has several restaurants and bars plus several small shops and one supermarket. Sogenor the resort manager and rentals agency is above and to one side of the main underground car park. From here you collect and return the keys and pick up bed linen (about €48 per week) and towels.
If you have a car you will find 2 larger supermarkets in the town of Modane, Casino on the La Norma side of Modane and Les Trois Mousqueteers on the far side plus several restaurants in between. Modane unfortunately is not a pretty town and has always been a frontier army town. Other restaurants can be found at Villadron-Bourget a few hundred metres from the bottom of the road to La Norma where there is a pleasant restaurant called Chez Adrienne and also at Avoriaz in the bottom of the valley.
Skiing
La Norma has some 65km of piste ranging from greens to two black runs and generally has a good snow record. Buying a weeks pass also gives you access for one day in each of the neighbouring resorts of Aussois and Val Frejus. One upside of staying at La Norma is that is in the ‘Fourth Valley’ and a 15 minute drive through Modane and down the valley to Orelle (http://www.orelle.fr/activites-hiver-uk.htm) gets you to the fast lift up to Val Thorens in the Three Valleys for an add on price of €20 per day to your La Norma pass. Also both down and up the Maurienne Valley (http://www.maurienne-tourisme.com/index_uk.asp) there are many other small resorts and some larger ones notably at Termingnon-Val Cenis with a ski area of some 120km. At Bessans up the Maurienne Valley there is also a very large cross country area in the floor of the valley.
If you are feeling even more adventurous you could cross into Italy via the Frejus Tunnel by car, train or bus (via Modane) and try the Italian resorts of Bardonecchia and Sauza d’Oulx.
The demi-chalets are about 100m from a green piste down to La Norma, which is situated behind the chalets on the other side of the road but involves some up hill walking. Otherwise it is about 400m walk down the road to the nearest piste, which you can ski down to the chairlifts.
For non skiers in the winter months there are plenty forest walks and snow shoe tracks to provide some alternative exercise or alternatively just walk down to the village and watch the world go by!
Summer Season
Much to my surprise La Norma is even nicer in the summer. Temperatures are in the 20’s often with a refreshing wind. There are many local forest walks plus some very adventurous cliff hanging rope walks in the gorge near the forts of Esseillon and many mountain walks in the surrounding area (see http://www.maurienne-tourisme.com/index_uk.asp and http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Ski-Areas/Maurienne).
How to get there
La Norma is accessible via the following airports (driving times) Lyon (3hrs), Grenoble (2hrs), Geneva (2hrs), Chambery (1hr) and Turin (1.5hrs). Note that car hire is usually necessary from these airports. Alternatively La Norma is also accessible by train and also by train from certain of the above airports as well.
Airlines: The budget airlines www.ryanair.com and www.easyjet.com fly to many of the airports below and so do BA and KLM as well as some charter flights. Use www.travelsupermarket.com to search and see all the airlines and charter flights. The route I favour most is via Grenoble, followed by Turin and then Geneva. Although Chambery is the nearest airport, there are not that many flights there except from Southampton. In the peak season when all flights from the UK seem expensive try KLM Heathrow to Geneva or Lyon via Amsterdam and you might be surprised by some reasonable prices.
Turin Airport: Head towards Turin on RA10 until the Autostrada Tangenziale A55 which you proceed along in a westerly direction (not towards Milano!) for about 9km until you get to the turn off towards Bardonecchia and France (Chambery) the E70. Take the E70 (also A55 running into A32) up to the Frejus Tunnel through to Fance (motorway toll €10; tunnel toll €34 return). Take the first exit a few hundred metres after the tunnel and head towards Modane. Follow the road down and do not deviate from the road and after about 4km you eventually reach the D1006 (also called N6). Turn right and head towards Lansbourg-Mont Cenis. After about 3km you reach the turning up to La Norma. Drive up to La Norma following the road around until you reach the Savoy Restaurant. Here you take the fork left and follow the road around until you come to the end. Demi-chalet 93 and 94 are on your right down the slope. 80 miles and toll costs €10 plus Frejus tunnel toll €34 (return).
Geneva Airport: (Important see also car hire).Come out of the airport and head southwards along the A1 motorway towards France/ Annecy. After about 13km and having passed through the French border you come to the A40 motorway and a turn off along the D1201 road to Annecy which you follow for about 14km until you reach the A41 motorway towards Annecy and Chambery. The D1201 will shortly be replaced by a motorway. Keep on this motorway as far as Chambery where you turn off into Chambery following the signs to Grenoble/ Turin/ Tartantaise and keep on this road through and underneath part of Chambery where it also becomes non motorway for a while. On the other side of Chambery keep on the motorway but do not take the turnoff for Grenoble but continue on towards Tarentaise/ Turin. After a further 12km take the A43 motorway which branches off towards the right towards Turin and St Jean de Maurienne. You then follow the twisty A43 motorway for about 60km until you reach signs for Modane and La Norma where you turn off. (If you miss this junction you will reach the Frejus Tunnel where you would need to turn around and follow the route as indicated from Turin). Drive through Le Fourneau and Modane and towards Lansbourg-Mont Cenis. After about 3km you reach the turning up to La Norma. Drive up to La Norma following the road around until you reach the Savoy Restaurant. Here you take the fork left and follow the road around until you come to the end. Demi-chalet 93 and 94 are on your right down the slope. Note that there is also a pleasant alternative route via Annecy, lake Annecy and Albertville and then the A43 motorway. 125 miles and toll costs €15 plus Swiss Road tax €50 (for non Swiss registered cars only)
Chambery Airport: Head towards Chambery and then route as per Geneva Airport. 70 miles and toll costs €10.
Grenoble Airport: Because of mountains there are 3 routes from Genoble, northwards towards Lyon and then Chambery (A48 & A43) or southwards towards Grenoble and then towards Chambery (A48 & A41) or a shorter cross country via Voiron (D520 & D1006) towards Chambery. Head eastwards (left) out of the airport towards the motorway and Grenoble, Lyon or Voiron and then route as per Geneva Airport. 110 miles and toll costs €15.
Lyon Airport: Head southwards along the A432 towards Lyon and Chambery and then the A43 towards Chambery and then route as per Geneva Airport. Alternatively it is possible to take the train from the airport to Modane via Chambery – see trains below. 120 miles and toll costs €20.
Nice or Milano: Two possible alternatives if it is peak season and you want cheap flights. Nice is about 4hours drive and Milano 2.5 hours. With both head towards Turin and then route as per Turin Airport. Nice 243 miles and tolls €65. Milan 157 miles and toll costs €16 plus Frejus tunnel toll €34 (return).
Annecy Airport: French regional services fly to Annecy. Route is basically as per Geneva Airport. 97 miles toll costs €15.
Bus and Train Transfers
Have just discovered there are bus transfers in the winter seasons every Saturday from Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery airports to Modane. For information see: http://www.maurienne-tourisme.com/index_uk.asp. Lyon airport is the only airport that you can get by train to Modane via Chambery (note for some reason you need to book Lyon to Chambery and then Chambery to Modane!). Chambery is the other airport you can nearly get a train from but it involves getting a bus or taxi into Chambery.
Train
Ski Train to Moutiers: Friday nights and Saturdays during the ski season (see www.eurostar.com). If driving from Moutiers head towards Albertville and then Grenoble until you reach the A43 motorway and then driving route as per Geneva Airport. Alternatively take the train to Modane via Chambery or St Pierre d’Albigny.
TGV Train to Modane: Unfortunately there are no Eurostar special tickets to be had. Tickets can be booked via www.raileurope.com or www.voyages-sncf.com but you will need to separately book Eurostar from London to Paris and Paris to Modane. It might also be easier to telephone Rail Europe or use your local rail travel bureau.
Transfer Modane Station to La Norma
From Modane its either bus or taxi outside the station for the final 5km to La Norma. At the Savoy Restaurant take the fork left and follow the road around about 700m until you come to the end. Demi-chalet 93 and 94 are on your left down the slope.
Driving
It’s a very long drive from the UK and not that economical. Best channel crossing is by www.speedferries.com where you can get a return from Dover to Boulogne for about £50. Avoid Paris and head for Lyon or Chambery then as per Geneva or Lyon airport route (see http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/route_planner.asp). Total distance from Boulogne to La Norma is about 580 miles. A return journey equates to about £190 (€240) in petrol at 30mpg plus £110 (€135) in tolls and takes about 9 hours net driving time.
Car Hire
Airport Car General Hire: For the cheapest car hire try search engines www.holidayautos.co.uk or www.auto-europe.co.uk. Its worth insuring the excess on car hire through www.insurance4carhire.com who provide yearly cover for about £50. If the company you work for subscribes to www.youatwork.co.uk you can get even better discounts for online car hire. Ski chains are not always necessary unless there have been heavy snowfalls in the last 24 hours as La Norma is only a short distance off a main road which is cleared quickly, as is the road up to La Norma itself. The only difficult bit is the last part from La Norma up to the chalets which can usually be navigated with care.
Car hire Geneva Airport: Geneva Airport straddles the boundary between France and Switzerland. International flights arrive in Switzerland and French domestic flights in France. Car hire is cheaper on the French side but you may need to buy a Swiss motorway pass €50 to drive on Swiss motorways (Note that these can sometimes be purchased on ebay).
Ski Train to Moutiers: It is possible to hire cars at Moutiers station.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Chambery: 117 km
Railway:
Modane: 5 km
Activities near Val Thorens
Sports: Ski resort location Horse Riding Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats
Single beds (6), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen provided, please check with the owner regarding towels.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: Sogenor, the resort manager and rentals agency, is above and to one side of the main underground car park in La Norma and is where you can collect and return the keys and pick up bed linen and towels. They can also provide baby cots, a laundrette, ski passes in winter and activity passes in summer. I believe a ‘half board pass’ is also available for purchase if required and a handy man (Patrick) is also available for anything that might need fixing. Cleaning at finish of stay can also be provided at a cost of about €46.
Further details
Note that the resort is open during the winter season from mid December to mid April and during the summer months from July to end September. Outside these periods the resort is closed except for the resort management office at Sogenor. However both demi-chalets are available for hire in these closed periods although a car will be essential.
Also note that an outdoor unheated swimming pool available in the resort during summer months.
Conditions
Strictly no smoking indoors except on the balcony.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
4 Oct 08
13 Dec 08
380£330
0-
0-
Flexible
13 Dec 08
20 Dec 08
380£330
0-
0-
1 Week
20 Dec 08
27 Dec 08
850£739
0-
0-
1 Week
27 Dec 08
3 Jan 09
1070£930
0-
0-
1 Week
3 Jan 09
24 Jan 09
430£374
0-
0-
1 Week
24 Jan 09
7 Feb 09
520£452
0-
0-
1 Week
7 Feb 09
14 Feb 09
1070£930
0-
0-
1 Week
14 Feb 09
28 Feb 09
1375£1,196
0-
0-
1 Week
28 Feb 09
7 Mar 09
1070£930
0-
0-
1 Week
7 Mar 09
14 Mar 09
620£539
0-
0-
1 Week
14 Mar 09
28 Mar 09
520£452
0-
0-
1 Week
28 Mar 09
18 Apr 09
430£374
0-
0-
1 Week
18 Apr 09
27 Jun 09
380£330
0-
0-
Flexible
121
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Bookings can either be made direct with Sogenor at La Norma for the attention of Linda or Tel. 00 33 4.79.20.40.62 ask for Linda quoting ‘Chalets 93 or 94 (Chris Leigh)’ or via myself on tel 01224 882435 or mobile 07957 881172 or by email using the contact form below.
Availability
See below for next 6 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/67069
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