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Travel |
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TRAVEL & TRANSFERS
Prices quoted are for single tickets and are a rough guide only. Information given is given as a guide line to help with the planning of your holiday, please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice or search on the internet for more information if needed.
Once you are in Montchavin or Les Coches you won’t need a car as all our accommodation are very conveinently positioned :
Les Coches :-
- Chalet Mathilde : virtually ski-in/ski-out, there is a chair lift and telecabin just 100m ski. For beginners we offer a minibus service to and from the chairlift at agreed times.
- Zig Zag : 50m from the piste, 80m to the chairlift, in the village
- Le Boulier : ski-in/ski-out, 30m to the lift, short walk to the village
- Domino : ski-in/ski-out, 30m to the lift, short walk to the village
Montchavin :-
- Chalet Edelweiss : centre village, 150m to the chair and bubble.
- Chalet Versoye : close to centre village, 50m to the bubble and piste
- Chardonnet : 150m to the bubble/piste, edge of village
Montchavin-Les Coches, in the Valley of the Haute Tarentaise is accessible via many routes :
INDEX
SELF DRIVE INFORMATION
Route
The quickest route is via the AutoRoute system. From Calais the tolls will come to about 90 Euros each way and it takes us about 11 hours in our Land Rover, averaging 70mph!
Also don't forget to add on the cost of snow chains, fuel and tolls.
As from 1 July 2008 all cars on French roads must be equipped with at
- least one fluorescent security jacket per person (/gilet de sécurité/) The jacket should be kept in the car, not in the boot, as the law requires the driver to put it on before getting out of the car. The law specifies that the jacket should conform to EU normes so look for one marked CE
- red warning triangle (/triangle de présignalisation/). This must be used in case of breakdown or any emergency roadside stop. The triangle should be placed at least 30 metres behind the vehicle in full view of arriving traffic. The triangle should be marked E 27R
- if the vehicle is equipped with functioning hazard warning lights these must be switched on too
Non-compliance with these requirements will leave the driver liable to an immediate 90€ fine per missing item. Ouch!
Full information can be found on the French government website www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr
Co-ordinates
If using a tomtom please bring the map we supply with you as well. The reason for this is tht the post code covers such a huge area.
IMPORTANT : do not follow the signs up to La Plagne as this adds about 1.30 hours onto your journey. Follow signs for Aime, Landry and then Montchavin, Les Coches.
Les Coches, Bellentre 73210
| Chalet Mathilde |
Lat 45:33:12N (45.55328) |
Long 6:43:43E (6.72864) |
Le Boulier & Le Domino |
Lat 45:33:13N (45.55358) |
Long 6:43:50E (6.73062) |
Zig Zag |
Lat 45:33:13N (45.55367) |
Long 6:43:50E (6.73044) |
Montchavin, Bellentre 73210
| Chalet Edelweiss |
Lat 45:33:35N (45.55961) |
Long 6:44:00E (6.73341) |
Chalet Versoye |
Lat 45:33:35N (45.55961) |
Long 6:44:00E (6.73341) |
Le Chardonnet |
Lat : 45:33:35N (45.55959) |
Long : 6:43:59E (6.73312) |
Snow Chains
Snow chains are required by law.
Don’t forget to check that they are the right size if buying or hiring (very important). Good idea to practice putting them on in the comfort of your own drive before you arrive
- nothing worse than trying to put them on under pressure, possibly in the dark, reading the instructions for the 1st time, arguing and with your hands freezing off.
If you do need to put them on, then stop on the flat, preferably in a layby, under a street lamp and have with you an old pair of gloves, a torch, the instructions and a sense of humour!
When driving in the snow keep the car going at a steady pace, do not try to excellerate as this normally means you will start sliding. When you come up the mountain there are a couple of places which are flattish to put chains on, some which have a street lamp. If it looks like you might need to put the chains on stop in the next spot. Try not to wait until the car is slipping from side to side and you are forced to stop exactly where you are on the side or middle of the road as this can put you in danger from other vehicles on the road. Also putting on chains is more difficult on an incline.
Hope this hasn't frightened you!
For tips on driving in snow check out :
www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/snow.html
Will I need snow chains on the day I arrive / depart ? This is a common question, to which I don’t know the answer! If it does snow, then it is best to have them than be stuck on the side of the road, even a light snowfall can make it impossible to come up the mountain. We have had guests stop at Landry station, park up and then get a taxi. The local authorities do clear the road but if it is snowing then I can't guarantee that the snowplough will have just come up the road before you arrive.
Snow chains can be purchased in local French supermarkets but if the weather has been particularly snowy then they may not have the size you want in stock.
Just a couple of snow chain companies to be found on the internet:
www.snowchainwarehouse.co.uk, www.snowchains.com
Parking
Self-Catered
There is planty of parking in the road outside the apartments on a first come first served basis.
Underground parking in Les Coches is available for a cost of about 55 euros for the week - I can book this for you if you wish. The Tourist Office will need a deposit of 30 euros which we can pay for you but obviously if you cancelled we would ask you for this amount. The height of the car park is 2m 15. The parking is below the Tourist Office (marked on the attached map) which is 4 bends down from the apartments and opposite Le Zig Zag.
Catered
Chalet Mathilde has 3 parking spaces
Chalet Edelweiss has 2 parking spaces
Chalet Versoye has use of Edelweiss spaces if not taken otherwise there parking in the village or a large carpark just below the village which is only a short walk
Ferry Companies
www.seafrance.com, www.ferrysavers.com, www.speedferries.com, www.norfolkline.com/ferry/, www.poferries.com, www.ferries.co.uk
If the sea is rough then please note that Speedferries are liable to cancel the ferry.
Places to stay on route
Please be aware that if you are coming in school holidays you will be very unlikely to find a local hotel that will take a 1 night booking as they only take full week bookings during these periods.
Your best bet is to look at a hotel say in and around Albertville (45 minutes from us) or Chambery (1 1/2 hours from us), however you may find the same problem with Albertville as it's so close to the ski resorts.
For all France including Bourg St Maurice : fr.federal-hotel.com/ (I thought this was quite a good site as it has all hotels listed not just the big chains).
Various locations in France including Chambery & Albertville: www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/index.html
(includes hotels such as IBIS, Novetel, Mercure, Etap, Formule 1)
Etap and Formule 1 Hotels : Reservations are not accepted more than 250 days in advance
Lyon, Grenoble : www.premiereclasse.com/en/hotels/index.aspx
Rennes, Lyon, Grenoble etc : www.premiereclasse.com/en/hotels/index.aspx
(Kyriad and Campanile)
Various locations in France including Chambery & Albertville:
www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/index.html
(includes hotels such as IBIS, Novetel, Mercure, Etap, Formule 1)
Etap and Formule 1 Hotels : Reservations are not accepted more than 250 days in advance
www.activehotels.com
For all France : fr.federal-hotel.com/
Bourg St Maurice : fr.federal-hotel.com/hotels_bourg-saint-maurice_41524.htm
Landry :
Bon Accueil : www.hotel-restaurant-bon-accueil.com/
Tel 00 33 (0)4 79 07 08 79 (2008/9 prices : 40€ no wc for a room for 2 people, 48€ no wc for a room for 3 people, 56€ with wc for a room for 2 people, 68€ with wc for a room for 3 people)
Col du Palet : www.venere.com/france/landry/ Tel 00 33 (0)4 79 07 08 74
TRAIN INFORMATION
There are several options;
Eurostar day from 22/12 to 13/4 (departs St Pancreas and Ashford from around 10.00, arrives BSM Sat 18.20, departs following Sat 09.50 – arrives 16.12)
Eurostar overnight services from 28/12 to 21/3 (arrives BSM Sat 6.27, departs Sat 22.15 arrives London Sun 07.12)
Eurostar to Paris then TGV to Landry.
Eurostar +44 (0)8705 186186, Rail Europe +44 (0)8705 848848, SNCF from UK + 33 8 36 35 35 35, inside france 0890 36 10 10 (www.raileurope.co.uk, www.eurostar.co.uk, www.voyages-sncf.com). Local train travel in the Savoie : www.ter-sncf.com/rhone_alpes Tel: 0891 67.68.00 in france
The Eurostar take advanced group booking requests (more than 10 people) Tel: 0870 6000 777
The Eurostar take advanced individual booking requests by telephone : 08705 186 186
You need to give them the following information :- Name, Address, Tel No, Email address, Travel dates, from : St Pancreas or Ashford, To : Bourg St Maurice, number of adults, number of children, 1st or Standard class
LOCAL TRANSFER INFORMATION
Local Transfers from Train/Bus Stations :
Bourg St Maurice is 20 mins from resort and Landry is 10 mins.
All trains except the eurostar stop at Landry
Catered Guests : complimentary transfer. Just let us know what time you expect to arrive at Landry or Bourg St Maurice.
- For catered : free pick-up from Landry or Bourg St Maurice
Self-Catered : we can arrange a taxi to pick you up, just let us know what time you expect to arrive at Landry, Aime or Bourg St Maurice. Price about 50/70 euros each way. Marchandet Tel: 00 33 (0)4 79 07 83 17, Richard Tel: 00 33 (0)6 80 85 27 92.
- For self-catered from Landry : bus to Les Coches (10€/person) bus times seem to tie in with train arrival times or taxi (about 50€).
- For self-catered from Aime : taxi (about 70€).
FLIGHT/AIRPORT INFORMATION
 Chambery (1 ½ hours), Lyon (2 hours), Geneva (2 ½ hours), Grenoble (2 ½ hours), St Etienne (3 hours).
Private Airport Transfers
Private transfers booked will only meet your flight, so there will be no hanging around for other flights. The driver will meet you as you come through arrivals with a sign with your name. Payment direct to driver by cash euros or beforehand by credit card.
www.coolbus.co.uk, www.a-t-s.net, www.genevaairporttransfers.com, www.alp-line.com, www.tonictaxi.fr, www.transfer-intelligence.com, www.showtrain.com, www.airport-ski-transfers.co.uk, www.alpinecab.com, www.locatax.com
Airport Information & Transfer Options
- Private airport and local transfers information : see above for information
- Coach : PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BOOK AT LEAST 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE
Genève International Airport Lausanne (GVA)
Tel: 00 41 22 717 71 11 (Swiss side)
Tel: 00 41 22 798 2000 (French side)
Gare Routiere : 00 41 22 732 0230
www.gva.ch
www.genevaairport.net
Geneva Airport Transfers :
- Private Transfer (about 54€/person each way for 8 people)
- coach to Bourg St Maurice www.altibus.com, www.alpski-bus.com Tel: 04 79 07 04 49 (about 51.50€ single, 88€ return/person).
- train – not an option as takes too long
- car hire
Chambéry Aix les Bains (CMF)
Tel: 00 33 4 79 54 49 54
www.chamberyairport.net
www.chambery-aeroport.fr
Chambery Airport Transfers :
Lyon St Exupéry (LYS)
TeL : 00 33 4 72 22 72 21
www.lyon.aeroport.fr
Lyon Airport Transfers :
Grenoble-Isere Airport / AKA Grenoble Lyon Airport (GNB)
Grenoble Airport Transfers :
- Private Transfer (about 51€/person for 8 people)
- Coach from airport to Grenoble train station (1 every hour) www.altibus.com, www.satobus.com (4.10€/person), then train (takes 3 to 4 hours) from Grenoble to Chambery change to Landry (about 25 euros) www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train).
- Coach from airport to Bourg St Maurice (takes 2 ¾ hours) www.agbus.fr (about 50€/person, 88€ return/person).
- hire car
Car Hire
Don’t forget to order snowchains, these are required by law. Also don't forget to add on the cost of insurance, damage waiver costs, snowchains, fuel and tolls.
Check that the chains are the right size (very important). If you do need to put them on, then stop on the flat, preferably under a street lamp and have with you an old pair of gloves, a torch, the instructions and a sense of humour!
IMPORTANT : do not follow the signs up to La Plagne as this adds about 1.30 hours onto your journey. Follow signs for Aime, Landry and then Montchavin, Les Coches.
If you have booked with a certain airline it might be worth looking at the other hire companies that are not linked to the airline you have booked your flight through as you may have to queue for ages as everybody will be doing the same.
A couple of websites : www.car-hire-booking.co.uk, www.airport-car-deals.com.
Airlines
These are just some of the companies we have found offering flights.
www.skyscanner.net – cheap flight search, showing all routes and airlines
www.snowjet.co.uk (Simply click on the link at the top of the page)
- Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted to Chambery
- Some Geneva from end of July 2009.
www.easyjet.com
www.ryanair.com
- Dublin, Stansted to Grenoble
www.flybe.com
- Birmingham, Exeter, Norwich and Southampton to Chambery
- various to Geneva
www.jet2.com
- Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle to Chambery
- Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester to Geneva
www.bmibaby.com (Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Manchester to Geneva and Grenoble)
www.flybmi.com (Heathrow to Geneva)
www.britishairways.com London City and Heathrow to Geneva, Gatwick and Heathrow to Lyon)
www.airfrance.co.uk (Various some are via Paris or Amsterdam)
www.ski-flights.com/skiflights.html
- Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Gatwick, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Stansted to Chambery
- Birmngham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted to Geneva
- Bournemouth, Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted to Grenoble
INSURANCE
Guests must be insured. We can't be responsible for personal injury, loss, or damage to property in the chalet or on the mountain. Compare providers at www.targetinsurance.co.uk or get recommendations at www.which.net. We wish we could control the weather, but we can't. Any advice we offer is given and should be accepted in good faith.
Carre Neige : this is a good top up and gets you off the mountain without any need for any further paperwork – just let me know if you want this and I can add it to your ski pass order www.carreneige.com
ARRIVING EARLY BY TRAIN OR COACH
The ski hire shops open at 8.30/9am, ski lifts open from 9am and pre-booked Ski Passes, through us, will be ready on arrival. Le Monchu, the Last One and the Bakery in Les Coches and the Bakery, Montchavin are open from 8am.
Catered :
1) we can arrange to pick you up, take you to the chalet and get changed for skiing. You can leave your bags in the garage. We would then take you to ski hire shop (unless our minibus is needed elsewhere, then it's just a short walk into the village) to have breakfast.
2) you can have breakfast in Bourg St Maurice. There is a bar opposite the train station that opens from 6.30am. We can then pick you up at 8am and take you to the chalet to get changed for skiing. You can leave your bags in the garage.
The chalet is officially ready at about 3pm. However, if we know someone is arriving early, we try and get that room ready first – this obviously depends on what time the current guests leave the chalet and cannot be guaranteed.
Self-Catered :
1) You can have breakfast in Bourg St Maurice. There is a bar opposite the train station that opens from 6.30am. We can arrange for a taxi pick you up at 8am and take you to the Tourist Office to get changed for skiing then go and have breakfast. You can leave your bags in the Tourist Office for free.
The apartment is officially ready at about 3pm. However, if we know someone is arriving early, we try and get that apartment ready first. This obviously depends on what time the previous guests are leaving and the cleaning company.
For any further advice on booking your travel please call us.
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