- Espace pro

simply wonderful
PRESS PACK
2016
© SMBT / Tristan Shu
S U M M ER
www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
INTRODUCTION AND MAPS . .
PUSH YOUR LIMITS . . . . . . . .
DETOX, YOGA AND FITNESS .
THE GREAT LAKES . . . . . . . .
ROAD CYCLING . . . . . . . . . . .
MOUNTAIN BIKING & E-BIKE .
FOOD AND WINE . . . . . . . . . .
CONTACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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ACCESS
Savoie Mont Blanc, French Alps
A holiday in Savoie Mont Blanc can be the perfect occasion to relax and get fit. For those who
like a challenge, the area has plenty of new activities, as well as events, that will push one’s
limit.
This year again, Savoie Mont Blanc will host several stages of the Tour de France. The region
has more and more cycling camps and sportives for cycling enthusiasts. The area is also a
heaven for mountain-bikers.
Savoie Mont Blanc also has a rich local gastronomy as well as beautiful vineyards open to
visitors.
www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
Easy access
Savoie Mont Blanc in the summer
By plane
In the summer, several airlines fly to Lyon and Geneva direct from
the UK.
Lyon: www.lyonaeroports.com
Geneva: www.gva.ch
• 4 large lakes: Lake Geneva (Lake Léman), Lake Bourget,
Lake Annecy and Lake Aiguebelette.
• 2 natural regional parks: Bauges and Chartreuse
• 1 national park: Vanoise national Park
• 14 national and regional natural reserves
By train
Savoie Mont Blanc’s two main cities, Chambéry and Annecy, are
easily accessible by train.
https://uk.voyages-sncf.com
By car
From Britain, use the A6 or A39 motorways to quickly and easily
head towards the French Alps. The Savoie and Haute Savoie’s
towns, villages, valleys and ski resorts are easy to get to,
whatever the time of year.
• Calais - Chambéry: 874 km (543 miles)
• Calais - Annecy: 822 km (510 miles)
• 2 geoparks: Bauges and Chablais
Activities
• 14,190km of marked hiking tracks
• 6,323kms of marked cycling itineraries
• 2,797km of mountain bike marked tracks
• 107 parapenting sites
• 284 equipped rock climbing sites
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• 48 Via Ferrata routes
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• 120 canyoning sites
• 63 ‘parcours aventures’ (Go Ape)
• 13 golf courses
• 75 swimming pools
• 81 beaches
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©latitude-cartagene 2011
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© D_Spartan Race
PUSH YOUR LIMITS
Push your limits
New: Spartan Race in Morzine-Avoriaz
The Spartan Race includes running, climbing,
and crawling across beautiful but difficult
terrains. Competitors get to splash through
mud, tackle many unique and challenging
obstacles, and test their overall strength,
balance, mental tenacity and endurance.
After Munich, Rome, Madrid, Paris, and
Valmorel in the winter, Morzine-Avoriaz
will enter the Spartan Race world. It will be
the first race at altitude in Europe and will
include some big obstacles.
Fighters Academy / Neydens © Aviasim
On 2 and 3 July, 5,000 competitors will take
part in three different types of races:
Sprint: 7km and 15 obstacles
Super: 13km and 20 obstacles
Beast: 20km and 25 obstacles
www.spartan.com
The second Triathlon de la Madeleine
The resort of Saint-François-Longchamp,
at the foot of the Madeleine pass in the
Maurienne Valley, organises one of France’s
most difficult triathlons, on 27 August.
The Triathlon de la Madeleine involves
a vertiginous climb to cycle and run,
after swimming 750m in the Saint-Rémyde-Maurienne Lake.
www.saintfrancoislongchamp.com
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New: Take control of a fighter jet
The company AviaSim, which has several
Airbus A320 simulation centres in France,
is opening the Fighters Academy in
Neydens, near Geneva.
Fighters Academy simulators are an exact
replica of the famous F-16 fighter jet’s
cockpit. Always in pairs, these simulators
can recreate some of the most dangerous
missions, including recognition missions,
observation missions, training flights, and,
in particular, air combat missions.
Alone or with friends, against each other or
together against the enemy, step into the
shoes of a true fighter pilot.
An instructor will be present throughout the
flights to guide you through your missions.
€99 for an hour
For people aged 14 and above
www.aviasim.com
A night in a suspended portaledge above Lake Annecy © Pascal_Tournaire_Photographe
http://beargryllssurvivalacademy.com
Unique experience: A night in a
suspended portaledge above Lake Annecy
A portaledge is a deployable hanging tent
system designed for rock climbers who
spend multiple days and nights on a big wall
climb. Inax Aventure organises nights in a
suspended portaledge overlooking the
beautiful Lake Annecy, accompanied by a
mountain guide.
After three hours of hiking and a 100m
abseil, enjoy a traditional Savoyard dinner
before falling asleep on the portaledge. In
the morning, after breakfast, there is another
100m abseil for the return.
€370 for the night, plus €29 for the meal.
www.inax-aventure.com
Acrobatic paragliding in Les Gets
Savoie Mont Blanc holds the first position
in Europe for paragliding in terms of
participants. The region is especially famous
for acrobatic paragliding and will host the
World Cup from 26 August–4 September at
the Sources du Lac d’Annecy.
Ex-pro Antoine Tricou offers acrobatic
tandem flights in Les Gets. To benefit from
good thermal ascension, take-off is at
midday at the top of Mont Chéry, facing Mont
Blanc. Tricou will then do a series of acrobatic
figures, including a wingover, SAT, and
helicon. This is not for the faint-hearted!
www.lesgets.com
Fat scooting in Val d’Arly
After having a go at the fat bike, try the fat
scooter! In Val d’Arly, take the Torraz chair
lift with your fat scooter and enjoy 700m of
vertical descent.
Half-day lessons on mountain bike tracks
accompanied by an instructor are available all
summer. It costs €55 per person, and
equipment is included.
www.alpesaventures.com
Fat stand-up boarding on Lake Aiguebelette
Stand-up paddle boarding can be a very
challenging sport, but when you have to
share a fat paddle board with four or five
other people, it is even more so!
This summer, fat paddle boards that can
accommodate five to six paddlers will be
available to hire at Lake Aiguebelette.
http://lac-aiguebelette.com
Fat Paddle à Aiguebelette© Anne Millet_Vertes sensations
New: Bear Grylls Survival Academy
The Bear Grylls Survival Academy, launched
last winter in La Clusaz, has a summer
programme. Learn to make a fire without
matches, build an emergency shelter, find
food, cross difficult terrain, and more!
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Trail stage Sigrid Tomio © Serge Moro
PUSH YOUR LIMITS
© Savoie Mont Blanc / Buisse
Trail Running
There are many trail running events taking
place in Savoie Mont Blanc. Here is a selection
of some of the toughest ones.
two runners (50 teams maximum and at
least one woman per team).
2nd Pierra Menta, 1–3 July
The Pierra Menta is a famous ski-alpinism
race in the Beaufortain, which has been
taking place every year in March for 31
years. A summer version was launched last
year: a skyrunning race. A skyrunning race
must include at least one section over
2,000m and the use of poles or hands to
climb. Over three days, 200 teams of two
will have to cover 7,000m of vertical ascent
and 70km. Some parts are very technical
and require the use of ropes and harnesses.
27th 6000D, La Plagne, 28–30 July
Several races of different levels will take
place across these three days. The hardest
is 63km long, with 4,000m of vertical ascent
and a section on the glacier at 3,200m.
www.pierramenta-ete.com
Tour de la Grande Casse (TGC),
Pralognan-la-Vanoise, 2–3 July
The TGC is a 72km trail with a vertical
ascent of 3,800m, around Savoie’s highest
summit, the Grande Casse (3,855m).
Launched in 2008, this challenging race is
very famous and is recognised among
runners as one of the most beautiful ones.
www.pralognan.com
Ultra Tour du Beaufortain, 23 July
Participants will have to run 105km across
6,400m of vertical ascent. It can be done
solo (500 runners maximum) or in a relay of
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www.lebeaufortain.com
www.la6000d.com
KV and K2
KV stands for kilomètre vertical (vertical
kilometres). The aim is to climb 1,000m over
the shortest distance, as fast as possible.
A K2 is a 2,000m climb.
Samoëns Trail Tour, 18–19 June
There are three different races, including an
ultra-trail of 83km and a vertical ascent
of 6,400m. On the 19th, there is a KV race,
La Verticale du Criou.
www.samoens.com
Manigod KV Challenge
Manigod, a small picturesque village in the
Aravis, is well known among trail running
addicts, with its classic trail circuits (10km
and 20km) and the first permanent KV circuit
in France. Manigod hosts the Manigod KV
Challenge, which has four stages: 6 July,
16 July, 3 August and 17 August.
www.valdisere.com
Trail week, Val Thorens, 6-13 August
Europe’s highest resort organises a week
dedicated to trail running. The programme
includes talks about nutrition and training,
several new events and the Vertical Val Tho,
a KV, on 6 August.
www.valthorens.com
La KV de Mottaret, Méribel, will take
place on 14 and 15 August.
Trail Manigod © C.Guillermin
Trail Pralognan © Serge Moro
High Trail Vanoise, Val d’Isère,
8–10 July
The High Trail Vanoise® includes five races
for different levels, all with beautiful views
of the Haute Tarentaise and Maurienne.
There is one KV, the kilomètre vertical on
the Face de Bellevarde, and a skyrunning
race, Le Grand Parcours, which covers 67km
and 5,400m of vertical ascent.
2nd TPS Vertical K2 Villaroger,
Les Arcs, 31 July
This race was the first true Vertical Double
Kilometre (K2). Around 300 competitors will
take part in the second edition. Runners
start in the village of Villaroger at 1,220m,
go through the forest, cross the Varet
Glacier, and climb to the summit of the
Aiguille Rouge – the highest peak in the
resort of Les Arcs, reaching an altitude of
3,220m.
www.lesarcs.com
X-trail, Courchevel, 6–8 August
There are several races organised across
these three days: 54km, 33km, 20km and
9km. There is a K2, the C2000, and a 2,3km
trail for children.
www.courchevel.com/xtrail
UTMB®, Chamonix, 22-28 August
Launched in 2003, the Ultra-Trail Mont-Blanc
is one of the most famous races in the world.
http://ultratrailmb.com
A holiday in Savoie Mont Blanc can be the
perfect opportunity to relax, detox and get
fitter.
Training
The UCPA in Chamonix organises
a seven-day training course for trail
runners who want to improve their
running technique and get ready for
a race. This is from €390 for six nights,
with training and meals included.
www.ucpa-vacances.com
More and more resorts offer special
training for trail runners. The Bureau
des Guides in Megève organises halfday or full-day sessions, either in a
group or one-to-one.
Group:
Half day: €30 per person
Full day: €45 per person
Private:
Half day: €150 - Full day: €220
www.guides-megeve.com
In Praz de Lys Sommand, Laurent
Perrier, a mountain guide, and Olivier
Morin, a physiotherapist and trail
runner, organise training over
weekends in the summer.
It is €220 per person for two nights
of half board and the training sessions.
Laurent Perrier: +33 (0)6 30 01 35 49
www.prazdelys-sommand.com
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© EvianResort-Thermes
© Chamonix Yoga rando
DETOX, YOGA AND FITNESS
For a 100% detox holiday, head to
Champagny-en-Vanoise. The resort
organises several fasting and hiking weeks
that combine gentle, gymnastic hikes in the
Vanoise National Park, relaxation workshops
with nutritionist Clemens Hess, and the
opportunity to drink litres of organic juices
and vegetable broths.
From €720.
resorts in Savoie Mont Blanc offer outdoor
yoga classes in beautiful and serene
surroundings. Some combine yoga with hiking.
Yoga
Yogadventure in Chamonix organises
half-day and full-day hikes combined with
yoga. In order to get to a high altitude and
enjoy stunning views of the surrounding
glaciers, you will first use the lifts, and then
walk. A small, organic snack and tea will be
provided, as well as an organic lunch for the
full-day hike.
It costs €35 for a half day and €50 for a full
day (the lift pass is not included).
Yoga is a very popular activity. More and more
www.yogaadventurechamonix.com
The natural spas of Aix-les-Bains and
Evian also offer detox programmes.
In Courchevel, four-star hotel Le Chabichou organises dynamic relaxation and
stress-management stays. The aim is to learn how to manage new situations, and
how to face exams and competitions while relaxing in this beautiful hotel.
It costs €1,050 per person for seven nights full board, with six sophrology sessions.
From 9–6 July and 7–14 August.
Le Chabichou also organises Chabi-Fit weeks for those who want to get fit in a
luxurious and beautiful environment. It costs from €890 per person for seven nights
half board, three 45-minute sport sessions per day, unlimited access to the spa, as
well as a 50-minute spa treatment.
From 9–24 July and 7–21 August.
www.chabichou-courchevel.com
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Courchevel © Le Chabichou
The Vanoise National Park is a very
special place for hiking, but also for practising
@Chamonix Yoga Rando
Qi Gong is a Chinese holistic system
of coordinated body posture and
movement, breathing, and meditation
used for health, spirituality, and
martial arts training.
Every morning from 7.30am,
Jean-Marc Klein teaches Qi Gong to
adults, as well as children who are
accompanied by adults. Free.
http://en.peisey-vallandry.com
Initiations to Qi Gong are also available
in Samoëns, Morzine-Avoriaz, Thononles-Bains, Val d’Arly and HauteMaurienne-Vanoise.
yoga. Local guide and yoga instructor Lorelei
organises two weekends that mix hiking
and yoga, with a night in a refuge.
It costs €190 per person, with breakfast and
dinner at the refuge included.
From 30–31 July and 13–14 August.
The Club des Sport les Arcs offers
12 different activities, including Pilates,
fitness, cardio, and aquabiking.
www.courchevel.com
Trail running is an increasingly popular sport,
with more and more fans seeking new
challenges. However, it can be an intimidating
sport and seems daunting to some people.
The Bureau des Guides in Megève also
offers hikes combined with yoga classes.
When walking, the guide explains how to
listen to one’s body and how to connect with
nature and the present moment.
www.guides-megeve.com
In Les Gets, families can take part in
walks and yoga sessions.
www.lesgets.com
Get fit
On Mondays to Fridays, from 10am to
12pm, take part in a fitness class in the
Forum area. It is free with the Flaine Pass,
which is given to visitors who are staying
in a hotel or residence in the resort. There
is also a Zumba class once a week.
@Fancy Jupiterimages
www.flaine.com
www.lesarcs.com
Trail running
The Bureau des Guides de Val Cenis, in
Haute-Maurienne-Vanoise, runs an
initiation to trail running every Monday
morning. Beginners can learn how to run on
mountainous terrain while enjoying the
beautiful landscape of the Haute Maurienne
Vanoise.
This session costs €10 per person.
http://en.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com
Occasional runners can also learn the
technique of trail running in Pralognan.
Every Monday, Sigrid runs half-day training
sessions. Participants have to run/walk
around 8km, with a maximum vertical ascent
of 300m. It is a great introduction to the
sport!
www.pralognan.com
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© Savoie Mont Blanc / Pascal Lebeau
DETOX, YOGA AND FITNESS
Events
Pamper yourself in Morzine
From 1–5 August
During the week of 1–5 August, the resort
offers a series of wellbeing activities: Yoga
derviche, Qi Gong, reflexology, laughter
yoga, self-defence, Afghan walking, Nordic
walking, African dancing and a range of
beauty treatments.
Visitors can pick the activities they want. It
costs €10 for the first activity, and €5 for
any others.
Special offer: stay in a two-star hotel with
a pool for €70 per person per day, half board.
© Savoie Mont Blanc / Pascal Lebeau
www.morzine–avoriaz.com
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Les journées du bien-être in La Rosière
From 18–21 July
Visitors will be able to take part in many
activities and talks, including yoga,
physiotherapy, art therapy, colour therapy,
and many more.
www.larosiere.net
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Wellbeing week in La Tania
From 30 July–5 August
Michelin-star chef Julien Machet organises
workshops and talks about cuisine based
on mountain plants.
www.lefarcon.fr
Wellbeing week in Méribel
From 11–15 July
Many activities will be on offer during the
week of 11–15 July, including yoga, dance,
hikes, ayurvedic massages, and shiatsu.
www.meribel.net
Lake Annecy © Combi_des_Alpes
THE GREAT LAKES
The great lakes
Savoie Mont Blanc has four large lakes: Lake
Geneva, Lake Annecy, Lake Bourget and Lake
Aiguebelette. All of them have nice beaches
and an average temperature of 24°C in the
summer.
Lake Geneva (or Lake Leman)
Savoie Mont Blanc shares Lake Geneva, the
largest lake in Western Europe, with
Switzerland, but most of the southern banks
are French.
Event not to miss
Les Rencontres Musicales
d’Evian-les-Bains, 2–10 July
This is a classical music festival with some
top musicians, such as Renaud Capuçon,
Aurélie Dupont and Karine Deshayes.
www.rencontres-musicales-evian.fr
Lake Annecy
Perhaps the most famous of the four great
lakes, Lake Annecy is often described as the
most beautiful lake in France. It is encircled
by stunning mountains, which are reflected
in the crystal-clear waters.
New: The Imperial Palace, a grand hotel
located on the shore of the lake, has a new
spa. The Cristal Spa has six treatment rooms,
a pool, a sauna, a steam room and sensorial
showers. The beauty products Cinq Mondes
and Carita are used for the treatments.
Event not to miss
Tecnica Maxi Race, 27–29 May
5,000 runners from all over the world come
to Annecy to take part in this event. Several
race formats are available, giving athletes of
all levels the opportunity to participate in
this great celebration of trail running.
Fête du Lac d’Annecy, 6 August
Music, fireworks and entertainment will take
place in the evening.
Lake Bourget
Lake Bourget is France’s largest natural lake.
Its main settlement, Aix-les-Bains, slopes up
from the southeast corner.
New: Les Campanules is a new cosy and
stylish B&B in a 19th-century building that
has been completely renovated. Located
above Aix-les-Bains, Les Campanules has
three bedrooms, each with beautiful views.
www.campanules.fr
New: Château de Bourdeau is a medieval
castle on the shore of the lake, surrounded
by vineyards. It has been completely
renovated and will open this summer as a
guest house with seven bedrooms. It will be
a magical place to discover.
Event not to miss
Musilac, Aix-les-Bains, 8–10 July
Musilac is one of the biggest pop rock music
festivals in the Alps. Since 2002, famous
French and international bands have played
at the festival, including The Muse, The Cure,
Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Scissor Sisters,
Artic Monkeys and Vanessa Paradis. The 2016
Musilac programme includes St Germain, Elton
John, Nekfeu, Jain, Lilly Wood and the Prick,
and much more.
It is €59 for a day pass, and €129 for a threeday pass.
www.musilac.com/prog
Lake Aiguebelette
The smallest of the four lakes, Lake
Aiguebelette is a wonderfully well-kept
secret, hidden by the small mountains west
of Chambéry. It is quieter than the other great
lakes, mainly because motorboats are not
allowed on its waters.
Event not to miss
Festival des nuits d’été,
Aiguebelette Lake, 5–14 August
Jazz and classical music concerts, circuses and
shows will take place in Aiguebelette and the
surrounding area.
www.hotel-imperialpalace.fr
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La Rosiere © Vélo-Village-Ju-Gaidet
ROAD CYCLING
Special training
The road of the Col de la Colombière, a
classic climb in the Tour de France, is
now equipped with signs showing how
many kilometres are left before the top,
the gradient of the slopes, and so on.
The climb has also been fitted with a
timing system. The principle is simple:
a personalised timing chip measures
the time taken to cycle the Col, and
automatically transfers the information
to the TIMTOO website. Cyclists can
compare themselves to other cyclists
or try to beat their own time. Small and
self-contained, the TIMTOO® chips can
be rented at Le Grand Bornand Tourist
Office for €3 or bought for €36.
www.timtoo.com
Currently, around 90 climbs are equipped
and the aim is to set up TIMTOO®
Cycling Timing Systems on all the best
circuits in Savoie Mont Blanc.
Based in La Clusaz, Alpines Cols offers
cycling holidays and training camps with
qualified coaches. From the resort, 13 passes
are accessible, making it the perfect place to
stay. Alpines Cols organises weekend or week
training camps, with accommodation provided
in one of two beautiful hotels in La Clusaz
(Hotel Beauregard or Alpen Roc). The training
camp includes a support vehicle, technical
talks in the evening by the coach, special
coaching for people who are climbing mountain
passes for the first time, and high-resolution
photography of your days out.
http://alpinecols.com
La Rosière hosts cycling camps supervised
by Chambéry Cyclisme Formation. The
programme includes tips from pros, cycling
with a coach, and talks about training and
mechanics. During their camp, cyclists will
climb the Col du Petit Saint Bernard and San
Carlo (Italy), La Madeleine, Les Lacets de
Montvernier, Cormet de Roserand and the Col
de l’Iseran.
The camp costs €480 per person. This includes
three nights in a four-star residence, all meals,
the training, and a support vehicle.
www.larosiere.net
Ex-pro Nicolas Roux organises a
three-day tour of Mont Blanc by bike.
The first stage starts from Les Saisies. Head
to le Col des Aravis and cycle down to
Le Grand Bornand. Climb the Col de la
Colombière, and then go down to Chamonix
via the Arve Valley. This first day covers
125km and a vertical ascent of 2,627m.
The second stage starts with the climb of the
Col des Montets and La Forclaz, before
going down to Martigny. Climb the Grand
Saint Bernard, then Aoste, and the beginning
of the Petit Saint Bernard to arrive in
La Thuile. This second day covers 167km and
a vertical ascent of 4,524m.
The third and last stage starts with the
final climb of the Petit Saint Bernard,
followed by Bourg Saint Maurice, le Cormet
de Roselend, Beaufort-sur-Doron and the
ultimate climb of the tour: the Col des
Saisies. The last stage covers 101km and a
vertical ascent of 3,030m.
The trip costs €690 for the three days, with
three nights in three-star hotels, meals, help
with the equipment, and tips from pros.
The tour is organised from 29 June–1st July
and 9–11 September, by JMD Organisation,
Les Saisies.
www.lessaisies.com
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Étape du tour © -SMB Agence Zoom - Grosclaude
Chambéry Cyclisme Formation also
organises two cycling camps in Le GrandBornand and one in the Beaufortain.
Morzine is hosting a stage of the 103rd
Tour de France on Saturday 23 July, as well
as the Etape du Tour on Sunday 10 July.
www.chamberycyclismeformation.com
New for 2016: Morzine has launched a
tourist offer.
Jean-Lou Paiani, a pro cyclist from the
Megève Club des Sports, organises training
camps to get people ready for sportives. He
took second place at the MR Race 100km in
2015 and won the Time Megève Mont Blanc.
www.paiani-so.com
http://megeve.com
Three-star hotel Neige et Roc in Samoens
organises a six-day/five-night cycling camp.
Day 1 : Welcome drinks.
Day 2 - 76km: Col de Joux Plane – MorzineAvoriaz. Col des Gets – Taninges – Samoëns:
Day 3 - 101km: Col de Châtillon-Cluses – Col
de la Colombière. Borne – Bonneville –
Châtillon – Samoëns. For the fittest riders:
Col de la Colombière – Grand Bornand – La
Clusaz – Col des Aravis – Flumet – Megève –
Cluses – Châtillon – Samoëns: 133km
Day 4 - 78km: Mieussy – Col de la Ramaz –
Col de l’Encrenaz – Côte d’Arbroz – Morzine
– Col de Joux Plane – Samoëns.
Day 5 - 48km: Climb the Fer à Cheval, then
cycle up to Samoëns.
The cycling camps take place in June, early
July and September.
www.morzinemountaincycling.com
It offers cyclists a wide range of services:
marked and mapped routes, signposted
mountain passes, cycling events, introductory
courses, and more.
Morzine is a cyclist’s paradise, with 15
mapped itineraries starting from Morzine,
25 mountain passes within 50km, and an
international reputation thanks to it hosting
22 stages of the Tour de France. Morzine has
an exceptional natural setting, with routes
leading through an incredibly varied
landscape: green valleys, forests, mountain
pastures, and along lakes and rivers.
For each route, cyclists can find a description,
along with detailed information on distance,
vertical ascent, average time required, and
water supply points.
The website includes downloadable tools
(maps, profiles, GPS tracks) as well as a free
mini-guide. A printed version of the miniguide is available at the Tourist Office, free
of charge.
Morzine has a wide range of accommodation
that offers specific services for cyclists, as
well as shops hiring and selling everything
cyclists might need.
Morzine organises a cycling camp from
12–19 June. This includes six cycle rides with
a coach, talks from experts about diet, physical
training, osteopathy, a massage, and more.
Participants can also test equipment from
Scott. The Morzine-Haut Chablais sportive
registration fee is included (it takes place on
Sunday 19 June).
The camp costs €600 per person when
excluding accommodation. For €1,000, the
price includes accommodation at a three-star
hotel, the Alpen Roc.
www.neigeetroc.com
www.samoens.com
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Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc © B. Covarel
ROAD CYCLING
Events
Watch
Take part
The Critérium du Dauphiné will take
place from 6–12 June, and most of its
itinerary will be in Savoie Mont Blanc.
Created in 1947, it is seen as a warm-up to
the Tour de France.
Time Megève Mont-Blanc, 5 June This
year the race starts from Sallanches. Cyclists
can choose between three circuits: 80km,
114km or 135km.
The Tour des Pays de Savoie becomes
the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc. It takes
place from 16 to 19 June. The itinerary
includes : Chambéry, Cluses, Cruseilles Alteralpa, Modane - Valfréjus, Moutiers Coeur de Tarentaise, Saint-Martin-La-Porte,
Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne.
Savoie Mont Blanc hosts three stages of
the 2016 Tour de France, from 21–23 July:
Sallanches – Megève (21/07); Albertville –
Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc (22/07); Megève
– Morzine-Avoriaz (23/07).
Special offer for the Tour de France: from
20–23 July, Chamonix Valley is at the centre
of the new stages of the Tour. Close to the
Barrage d’Emosson, Megève, Saint-Gervais
and Sallanches, Chamonix Valley is an ideal
place to stay to follow the tour.
From €210 for three nights.
www.chamonix.com
Cyclosportive Morzine-Haut Chablais,
19 June With its choice between the 150km
or 100km route, this cycling event is a
genuine mountain cycle race. The longer
option, with its 3,500m of vertical ascent,
is the perfect event with which to prepare
for big alpine races such as La Marmotte,
L’Étape du Tour or La Haute Route.
Cyclosportive, La Grand-Bo, 26 June
Participants can choose between three
circuits : 100km with 1,500 of vertical
ascent, 123km with 3,000m of vertical
ascent and 135km with 3,400m of vertical
ascent. All covers legendary passes liken
Croix Fry and Colombière.
Timed climb of La Toussuire, 30 July
The climb from St Jean de Maurienne to
La Toussuire was part of the Tour de France
in 2006, 2012 and 2015.
The timed climb starts in the centre of Saint
Jean de Maurienne and registrations are done
on the day.
Grimpée Cycliste Morzine-Avoriaz,
14 August This is a steep 14.6km climb
between Morzine and Avoriaz. Besides the
sport performance, the challenge includes
comparing yourself to the 33-minute record
established by Bernard Hinault on 12 July
1979 during stage 15 of the Tour de France.
Cyclosportive la Madeleine, Saint
François Longchamp, 14 August Founded
in 2003, the Cyclosportive de la Madeleine
cycling event continues to evolve each year
providing participants with courses of
incomparable beauty and breath taking
scenery. Three courses are available for all
mountain lovers, with a common challenge,
namely that of climbing the legendary Col
de la Madeleine, a mountain pass that has
figured 23 times in the Tour de France.
To find out about more events, visit www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
P.14
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Tignes Bike Park © TristanShu
MOUNTAIN BIKING
New for 2016
www.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com
The new area in Les Arcs 1800, Espace
Mille8, has a new mountain biking run for
beginners. It is free to access the run via
the Villard gondola.
www.lesarcs.com
Courchevel already has many runs for
all levels, from beginner to expert. A new
run has been built for this summer, starting
from the top of the Saulire at 2,738m and
going down to Le Praz at 1,350m. Bikers
will enjoy 1,500m of vertical descent with
breathtaking landscapes.
www.courchevel.com
The bike park in La Plagne has three
new runs: one blue, one red and one black.
Tignes bike park and Val-d’Isère
bike park are linked and free to access.
There are 150km of runs and five lifts
(three in Tignes and two in Val-d’Isère).
www.la-plagne.com
Four new circuits are opening in
Le Grand-Bornand, and four others have
been reworked. The resort now has 148km
of signed tracks, with 13 itineraries.
www.legrandbornand.com
Les Menuires is opening a new slope
called Les Girauds. It is an easy, family
friendly run, accessible by the Roc gondola.
www.lesmenuires.com
Expert mountain bikers can take
part in freeride camps in Les Portes
du Soleil to improve their technique
and learn how to increase their speed.
Prices start at €90.
Ecole de VTT Synergie:
+33 (0)6 87 39 00 14
© Vianney THIBAUT_AGENCE ZOOM
The Haute Maurienne Vanoise is
becoming a top mountain biking destination.
Three bike parks are opening this summer:
a technical park in Bramans, a park in which
to practise enduro in Bessans, and a park in
which to work on speed in Lanslevillard.
info@morzineskimtb.com
Bike Academy:
+33 (0)64 50 75 93 25
info@bike-academy.com
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© Savoie Mont Blanc / Smit
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Events
Race with friends
For a challenge
Roc des Alpes in La Clusaz,
17–19 June
Including enduro competitions, a gear test,
and entertainment.
MB Race, Megève, 1–3 July
140km ultra-marathon with 7,000m of
difference in altitude.
http://mb-race.com/
www.rocdesalpes.com
Enduro du Beaufortain, 18–19 June
www.lebeaufortain.com
Pass’Portes du Soleil, 24–26 June
80km of itineraries between 1,000 and
2,250m in altitude.
www.passportesdusoleil.com
3 Vallées Addict Tour, 9–10 July
Mountain biking races for all levels, and
entertainment in the resorts.
www.les3vallees.com
Roc des Alpes © ASO
Transmaurienne Vanoise, 20–24 July
Cross-country races across the Haute
Maurienne Vanoise.
www.transmaurienne.com
Shiver Hunter, Les Arcs, 5–7 August
A weekend of mountain biking contests.
Open to all.
www.lesarcs.com
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Watch
Crankworx, Les Gets, 15–19 June
Les Gets is hosting the only European stage
of Crankworx – the international mountain
biking festival. Over five days, the world’s
best mountain bikers will compete in
different types of contests, including
Slopestyle, Dual Speed & Style, the Pump
Track Challenge, Downhill, and the Whip-Off
Challenge.
Trials World Cup, Les Menuires,
9–10 July
The MTB Trials World Cup is taking place in
Les Menuires from 9 to 10 July. The resort
will welcome 120 mountain bikers from 12
different countries.
Trials World Cup, Albertville,
20–21 August
After Les Menuires, Albertville will host the
World Cup.
© Vianney Thibaut / Agence Zoom
E-BIKE
E-bike
There are now 111 sites in Savoie Mont
Blanc where electric bikes can be hired.
More and more resorts are offering trial
sessions, including Megève and Aussois.
Les Gets is the first resort to offer selfservice access to electric bikes with GetsLib’.
It can be used by anyone and is intended to
complement the local transport service.
Gourmet e-tours
La Maison du Vélo in The Albanais organises
e-bike tours called Chambott’élec. Head to
the Chambotte panoramic point to enjoy
beautiful views of Lake Bourget and stop to
sample some local produce.
It costs €55 per person, for a minimum group
size of four people.
www.lamaisonduvelo.com
In La Clusaz, Evolution 2 organises café/
croissant tours with electric bikes from 8am
to 10am.
It costs €35 per person.
www.laclusaz.com
Virée Découverte takes place once a
week in Le Grand-Bornand. For €40,
participants can hire an electric bike for the
day and get a map with a detailed itinerary.
The tour includes a visit to a Reblochon farm
and lunch in a mountain hut.
www.legrandbornand.com
Every Thursday evening, e-mountain
bike tours are organised in the Val d’Arly.
Bikers start from the village of La Giettaz,
and, accompanied by a guide, head to a
mountain restaurant. An apéritif is served
facing Mont-Blanc, followed by dinner.
Participants cycle down at night wearing
head torches.
It costs €79 per person and includes the
bike, helmet, guide and meal.
E-bike races
Increasingly, road cycling and mountain
biking events are welcoming electric bikes,
including events such as E-Roc during the
Roc des Alpes, the Pass’Portes du Soleil, the
Diamant VTT in Les Saisies, and the 3 Vallées
Addict Tour.
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Omble chevalier © Raphaël Vionnet
8 BEGINNER
FOOD
AND WINESKI EXPERIENCES
2016 Michelin Guide
Chef Julien Gatillon at Le 1920 in Megève has been awarded a
second star.
Four restaurants have earned their first star:
• Raphaël Vionnet in Thonon-les-Bains
• Jean-Marie and Hubert Chanôve at Refuge des Gourmets in
Machilly, near Lake Geneva
• Pierre Troccaz at Le Clocher des Pères in Saint-Martin sur la
Chambre, in the Maurienne Valley
• Stéphane Dattrino at l’Esquisse in Annecy
Savoie Mont Blanc now has 34 restaurants
and starred chefs, with a total of 49 stars!
All the Michelin-starred restaurants in Savoie Mont Blanc:
Three stars
Flocons de Sel (Megève) – Chef Emmanuel Renaut
La Bouitte (Saint-Martin-de-Belleville) – Chefs René and Maxime
Meilleur
Two stars
Le 1920 (Megève) – Chef Julien Gatillon
Le Clos des Sens (Annecy-le-Vieux) – Chef Laurent Petit
Yoann Conte (Annecy/Veyrier-du-Lac) – Chef Yoann Conte
Le Bateau Ivre (Le Bourget-du-Lac) – Chef Jean-Pierre Jacob
Albert 1er (Chamonix Mont Blanc) – Chef Pierre Maillet
Le Chabichou (Courchevel) – Chef Michel Rochedy
Pierre Gagnaire at Les Airelles (Courchevel) – Chef Pierre Gagnaire
Cheval Blanc (Courchevel) – Chef Yannick Alléno
Auberge Les Morainières (Jongieux) – Chef Mickaël Arnoult
Jean Sulpice (Val Thorens) – Chef Jean Sulpice
L’Atelier d’Edmond (Val d’Isère) – Chef Benoît Vidal
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PRESS PACK • SUMMER 2016 •
One star
La Table du Kilimandjaro (Courchevel) – Chef Nicolas Sale
Le Kintessence (Courchevel) – Chef Nicolas Sale
Raphaël Vionnet (Thonon-les-Bains)
Refuge des Gourmets (Machilly) – Chef Jean-Marie and Hubert
Chanôve
Le Clocher des Pères (Saint Martin sur la Chambre) – Chef Pierre
Troccaz
L’Esquisse (Annecy) – Chef Stéphane Dattrino
Million (Albertville) – Chef José de Anacleto
La Ciboulette (Annecy) – Chef Georges Paccard
Auberge Lamartine (Le Bourget-du-Lac) – Chef Pierre Marin
Atmosphères (Le Bourget-du-Lac) – Chef Alain Perrillat-Mercerot
Azimut (Courchevel) – Chef François Moureaux
Ô Flaveurs (Douvaine) – Chef Jérôme Mamet
La Ferme de l’Hospital (Saint Julien en Genevois/Bossey) – Chef
Jean-Jacques Noguier
L’Auberge du Père Bise (Talloires) – Chef Sophie Bise
Le Farçon (La Tania) – Chef Julien Machet
La Table de l’Ours (Val d’Isère) – Chef Alain Lamaison
La Table de l’Alpaga (Megève) – Chef Christophe Schuffenecker
Le Sérac (Saint-Gervais-les-Bains) – Chef Raphaël Le Mancq
L’Ekrin (Méribel) – Chef Laurent Azoulay
L’Epicurien (Val Thorens) – Chef Jérémy Gillon
Baumanière 1850 (Courchevel) – Chef Jean-André Charial
More and more Michelin-starred chefs are cooking healthier and
lighter types of cuisine. Julien Machet, who has one Michelin star
for his restaurant Le Farçon in La Tania, offers a detox menu with
three dishes that are ‘rich in mountain flavour but poor in calories’.
L’Héliantis in the Grand Bornand opened
last winter and has already been recognised
as one of the best places to eat in the resort.
Young chef Nicolas Bianchetti and pastry chef
Hélène Pezy make sophisticated and creative
cuisine. L’Héliantis will open this summer and
guests will be able to enjoy dishes like root
vegetables with shellfish emulsion or roasted
langoustine on the pretty terrace.
Stef’s Wee Coffee House in Saint Jean de
Sixt opened last November and serves a
British menu all day long: jacket potatoes,
soup of the day, and cakes, along with local
Savoie beers and products such as organic
cola. Stef’s Wee Coffee House also has a small
shop selling organic and local products. It will
be open this summer.
Opened last winter, Le Coeur de Vall in
Peisey-Vallandry is already a successful
restaurant. Traditional cuisine with a twist is
served in a contemporary alpine setting with
beautiful décor. It will be open this summer.
Famous French chef Marc Veyrat (three
Michelin stars) is re-opening La Maison des
Bois in Manigod.
The picturesque town of
Annecy has several new
restaurants not to miss:
1er Mets is a gourmet restaurant
that opened in September 2015 in
the old part of Annecy. At €24, the
three-course lunch menu is
excellent value for money and, in
the summer, can be served on their
small terrace looking over a pretty
square.
Mille et une Crepes is a new gem in
the centre of Annecy. A large choice
of savoury and sweet crepes is
served from 7am to 1am, as well as
a brunch made of local products.
La Cocotte offers a menu based on
free-range chicken: roasted chicken,
club sandwich, Caesar salad and
tapas.
http://en.lac-annecy.com
Dans les vignes © Studio des 2 prairies
New for 2016
Wine
The vineyards of Savoie Mont Blanc cover
some 2,000 hectares and produce an
appealing and diverse range of wines that
are both alpine and sophisticated in character.
The vineyards are located near four large
lakes, two regional parks – Bauges and
Chartreuses –and very close to major tourist
destinations such as Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains,
Evian and Annecy. They are divided into three
areas: Combe de Savoie, Chautagne and
Jongieux, and Leman and Arves.
Wine tourism is growing quickly in Savoie
Mont Blanc. Visitors can stay in beautiful
hotels and châteaux in the vineyards, such
as the Château des Comtes de Challes
(www.chateaudescomtesdechalles.com), and
the Château de la Mar (www.chateau-de-lamar.fr). The vineyard areas can be visited by
bike, e-bike or (more unusually and very
typically French) in a 2CV.
Les Deuches du Lac (www.esdeuchesdulac.
free.fr) organises tours around the vineyards
in this iconic French car.
At the Domaine Jean-Charles GirardMadoux, in Chignin, the owner Jean-Charles
welcomes guest for lunch or dinner. In
summer, meals are served in the open air next
to a sartot, a typical small hut used by
winemakers to stock their tools and have a
rest from working in the vineyards.
Surrounded by the vines and with a stunning
view of the mountains, the table is set for
dinner under the shade of the cherry trees.
You can sip a fine aperitif while taking in the
magnificent panorama at sunset.
Wood-fire grills are prepared and delicious
local cheeses are served with the wines of
the Domaine Jean-Charles Girard-Madoux.
This is for groups of 10 to 30 people. Advance
booking is required (48h before).
www.domaine-jcgirardmadoux.fr
Meet a local farmer
The Beaufortain is the area where the famous cheese Beaufort is made.
Many locals have two jobs, working in both tourism and agriculture. This is the
case for Rémi Gachet. In the winter, he gets up at 5am every day to milk his cows.
From 9.30am to 4.30pm, he works as a ski instructor. In the evening, he milks
his cows again. In the summer, Rémi spends most of his time in the pastures
with his cows. He welcomes tourists to his stable to talk about his life and work,
and promotes products from the Beaufortain. Rémi speaks English
and can be contacted by+33 (0)6 30 96 81 68.
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Contacts
UK
Montagnes Representation
Nadine Carle-Edgar
nadine@montagnes.uk.com
07905 25 24 60
France
Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme
Céline Guillermin
celine.guillermin@smbtourisme.com
+33 (0)4 79 85 96 99 - +33 (0)6 83 13 36 07
@SMBIntl
facebook .com/savoiemontblanc
www.savoie-mont-blanc.com