ArE you A CHÂTELLOVER?

Summer 2016 | EN
CHÂTEL
Are you a CHâtellover?
What kind of CHâtellover
are you?
This summer, want to chill out or get out and about in the stunning mountain scenery? Choose your profile…
Take our Châtel test to find out what floats your boat... Start here!
THE BIG TEST
1. YOU ARRIVE IN CHÂTEL…
Where are the shops?
Where are the restaurants?
What a lovely little village!
Mmm…! The mountains,
the forests, the fresh air…
2. A 4-HOUR WALK TOMORROW
You go. I’ll meet you in the bar!
An hour will be enough for the little ones.
Only four hours? The mountains
should be a challenge!
3. FANCY A DAY’S MOUNTAIN BIKING?
Not for me; the pool calls…
Like with the skiing: bring it on!
The pistes look lovely in the summer!
4. AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN YOU…
Sing “The hills are alive...”
Shout “Yeeesss! I’ve made it.”
Laugh “See, we’re not the last!”
5. HOW ABOUT TRYING SOMETHING
DIFFERENT?
The Fantasticable: thrills guaranteed!
The adventure trail: fun for all the family.
The Customs Museum:
we are near Switzerland after all!
6. GORGEOUS WEATHER TODAY
I grab my towel and head for
the Forme d’O water park.
An opportunity to try a heartin-my-mouth descent.
I know a mountain restaurant
with a lovely terrace…
SUMMER
2016
7. MY IDEAL DAY IS…
13. IT’S ST LAWRENCE’S DAY IN CHÂTEL
Walking in the morning
and golf in the afternoon.
Chilling on the terrace
and sunbathing by the pool.
Summer bobsled with the kids
and an evening concert in the village.
I’m dressed up as a ladybird
and my parents are so proud!
Just another excuse to party!
We’re here to watch the parade
(more than 20 floats)!
8. MMM! A TASTY RACLETTE…
Isn’t that a winter dish?
Apparently it’s a Swiss dish.
I don’t know what it is, but it’s delicious!
9. ARE YOU MORE INTO FISHING…
In the River Dranse, with all the family.
For complements when out clothes shopping.
Fly fishing in a mountain tarn.
10. …OR HUNTING?
The Yeti, but it’s out of season.
For secret places no one else knows about.
To make sure you don’t miss out on anything.
11. T
HIS AFTERNOON
YOU’RE OFF TO A FARM
To taste Abondance, the delicious local cheese.
To give the kids a treat.
Along your route: you’re out training
for the Chablais Trail Run.
12. A SELFIE?
With my best friend, lazing by the pool.
Before putting on my helmet
for a ride on the Fantasticable.
With the whole family. Squeeze in and smile!
14. MY IDEAL CHALET
An authentic wooden chalet where
I can relax in unspoilt surroundings.
Has vast picture windows looking
out on the mountains.
Has a south-facing terrace
and children’s play things.
15. A NEARBY EXCURSION?
Chamonix! The ultimate base camp
for high mountain adventures.
Les Marécottes Zoo: the highest in Europe!
The unique exhibitions
at the Fondation Gianadda.
16. T
HIS YEAR I’M GETTING
A MULTI PASS
And I’m determined to get
out and exercise more!
So I don’t miss the sightseeing train.
So I can use it on the mountain
lifts for walkers.
Mostly
You’re more:
Challenger
Let off steam and get ready for a full-on adrenaline experience.
The mountains await for downhill adventures.
p. 02
Mostly
You’re more:
Chillax
No, you’re not dreaming… You are in the mountains, with all
the magic of nature and stunning scenery within easy reach.
p. 06
Mostly
You’re more:
Cheeky chappy
You’re a good sport and you live life to the full! Fun in the sun,
exploring, making discoveries… the mountains are an inexhaustible
source of happiness.
p. 12
contents
Summer in Châtel, happiness in its purest form.
Put together your own holiday programme tailor-made just for you and to suit your mood.
For the best in escapes, exploring, encounters and adrenaline kicks, come to Châtel.
You’re a
CHAllenger!
You like to rise to a challenge, attempt the impossible,
push back the boundaries, explore undiscovered trails and
tap in to your inner strength. A holiday in Châtel is your promise
of new experiences and a chance to recharge your batteries.
Châtel is a place where every adventure
is possible, even the most unimaginable
ones in your wildest dreams.
It will rock your world: you’ll love the bike park and long
mountain biking descents through incredible countryside.
What goes up must come down: recce the subtle ins and outs of the run,
then ride the chairlift again and treat yourself to pure pleasure, freeing
yourself from all fear and thrilling to the adrenaline buzz.
ChÂTEL summer 2016
Relax to the max…
Because your holiday is a precious break away from it
all, Châtel invites you to leave your hectic life behind
and make the most of the benefits of a holiday in the
mountains. More and more leisure facilities dedicated to
your well-being are opening here, offering hot tubs, spas,
saunas, steam baths and body treatments. Here you’ll feel
restored, in these places with their unique atmospheres,
oases of peace, quiet and relaxation.
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03
Pass’Portes du Soleil MTB event,
24 to 26 June 2016.
Bassachaux Hill Climb:
Sunday 24 July 2016.
Why not soar with the eagles?
In a paraglider, you can. Ride the currents to gain altitude…
From up there, the view goes on for ever and Châtel looks
completely different.
But looks like it belongs as much as ever!
ChÂTEL summer 2016
Find inspiration in
the exploits of the best
and share them.
Watching top competitions, dealing
with exposure on a rock face, soaking
up the party atmosphere or flying like a
bird suspended from a cable: these are
all brand new, intense thrills you can
experience in Châtel.
Châtel is an inexhaustible source of
inspiration. Living all these amazing
experiences makes you a player,
spectator, witness and accomplice all
in one.
Find us at
www.facebook.com/ChatelTourisme
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Run the mountains.
Châtel is the perfect playground for those who like the
challenge of big climbs and running headlong through
stunning scenery.
Trail runners, these mountains are for you!
Crêtes du Chablais Trail Run:
Saturday 19 June 2016.
You’re really
CHillax!
Open your eyes and mix with the locals. They’re keen to share
their secrets with you, from wild, out-of-the-way places to
festivals full of fun and laughter.
The mountains are unique. But incredibly
varied! Along the way, you’ll discover the
locals’ amazing ability to adapt and come
to terms with nature. Take ownership
of these very different surroundings
and you’ll appreciate their charms.
Our mountain cuisine is testament to the know-how and delicious
pleasures of our traditions through the changing seasons. Abondance
cheese is of course at the heart of our repertoire of flavours!
Indulge yourself with fine food and learn the truth behind our
gastronomic secrets.
ChÂTEL summer 2016
Fresh produce and fine food in a land of plenty.
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A summer spent outdoors.
In the heart of the mountains, out in the fresh air, you’ll
enjoy unforgettable experiences and celebrations.
Your holiday is one long revelation, exciting your curiosity
from one moment to the next! Taking part in an open-air
show, watching the skilled hands of a craftsman, listening to
the tinkling cowbells… Every discovery you make is precious.
From pasture to plate.
Explore this gourmet journey on
your own or with the family.
To appreciate the riches of the land
here and taste the local produce, visit
our mountain pastures and set out to
meet the men and women who live
high in the mountains throughout
the summer. There’s no better way
to experience the way of life of these
mountain farmers and learn the secrets
of what makes a good cheese than by
tasting the fresh farm produce!
Rambling, walking, hiking.
The scenic slopes tempt you in to tame the mountains
and learn their innermost secrets. Explore your
surroundings and expect the unexpected!
On the trail of the chamois, flit from footpath to meadow,
alpine pasture to forest, surprise to surprise! A rich fauna
and flora are a big part of the mountains, as are the herds
of Abondance cows that keep the age-old traditions alive.
ChÂTEL summer 2016
Mountain meadows, forests,
chalets and mountain men:
a living landscape.
Picture-postcard views don’t tell the whole story. Because
Châtel is not just full of wonderful vistas; it’s one of those
stunning places where you simply feel at home, alongside
the local mountain people.
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A quest for authenticity
and shared enjoyment.
The people of the mountains are proud of
their traditions and values. Each occasion
gives them the opportunity to reinvent their
age-old crafts and customs. But what they
love above all else is to share them with their
visitors. To the delight of the holidaymakers
who come here!
Turning a corner and spotting a chamois:
the joys of hiking.
ChÂTEL summer 2016
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A place of simple pleasures.
Abondance by name…
and by nature.
The Val d’Abondance is aptly named. Home to pretty
villages and lush countryside with a feel of authenticity and
mystery to the panoramic views and majestic mountain peaks.
You’re more
Cheeky chappy!
Reveal your true talent, play to the gallery, let your imagination
run wild and step into the spotlight. The star of your holiday is
you, and anything goes!
If you’re looking for thrills and new things
to try, make the most of your holiday here
to enjoy them at your own pace.
Show off your aquatic skills in the swimming pool, whizz down the alpine
slide at full speed, take all the gang on the chairlift to get up high…
You can do anything!
Because anything goes! In Châtel even the most crazy ideas can
become reality, and everything is possible.
ChÂTEL summer 2016
The ‘Forme d’O’ water park:
your new summer hangout
Totalling more than four thousand square metres,
Forme d’O features imposing architecture that blends
in beautifully with its surroundings. This new water
park is totally dedicated to sports and recreation.
Capable of accommodating seven hundred guests, it looks
out onto the nearby mountains and is generously lit by
natural light. At Forme d’O, boost your energy levels and
dive into a world of thrilling pleasures!
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Relax and enjoy yourself…
Play leapfrog on the Dranse riverside, where you’ll find
16 km of easy walking for people of all ages itching to
explore their surroundings. Even babies in a pushchair!
And how about making a kite or model aeroplane?
Workshops run by specialist leaders will turn your dream
into reality.
ChÂTEL summer 2016
€2 for each day of your stay
for more than 30 unlimited activities
in the Portes du Soleil!
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A truly unique family holiday.
Châtel is a welcoming and happening mountain
resort. It’s the ultimate family holiday
destination!
All of the resort’s professionals and service providers
work together to ensure that everything is organised
to make parents and their children feel at home.
Check out the full range of activities and events in the
Famille Plus guide, available from the Tourist Office.
Explore up hill and down dale.
What would you say to a little trip on a theme, a day out exploring at your own pace or an organised excursion? In the immediate area
and in neighbouring Switzerland too there are host of unexpected and varied discoveries to be made. So what are you waiting for?
1
Abondance Abbey
2
E xhibition: ‘Snow and
architecture, winter
sports resorts’
3
At an altitude of 930 m this was the
most important abbey in the diocese
of Geneva in the 12th century.
A photographic exhibition featuring
the architectural heritage of
6 mountain resorts in Savoie.
Maison des Sœurs Convent,
La Chapelle d’Abondance.
aison du Val
M
d’Abondance
Learn all about Abondance cheese
and our beautiful Abondance
valley and the region.
Pont du Diable Gorge
4
This narrow gorge, part of which
runs underground, eroded by
the River Dranse in the Aulps
Valley through very hard grey
marble, is a striking example
of the power of erosion.
Le Swiss Vapeur Parc
5
A miniature delight: 1,500 m
of railway track in grounds of
16,000 m2. Come and visit Europe’s
premier railway theme park in Le
Bouveret. This attraction is entirely
dedicated to the railway and its
greatest conquests. A veritable
journey through Lilliput, for
Gullivers both big and small!
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Les Aigles du Léman
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Alpine zoo at an altitude of
1,100 metres. Covering 35,000 m2,
this zoo has examples of most of
the animal species to be found in
the Alps, plus an unusual alpine
swimming pool dug out of the rock.
Fondation Gianadda
Permanent and temporary
exhibitions, concerts, museum,
archaeology trail, etc. Art in context.
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Les Marécottes Zoo
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In fun educational shows, Les Aigles
du Léman explains all about the
biggest predators ever found in the
Alps: the eagle and the wolf.
L e Châtelard VS
amusement park
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Historical funicular railway dating
from 1920, the steepest two-car
funicular in the world (max.
87 %), little scenic Decauville
train, views on the move opposite
Mont-Blanc, mini-funicular, slide
show, museum and Emosson dam.
Bex salt mine
A trail several kilometres long
explaining the most widely
used mining techniques.
9 T
he
shores of Lake
Geneva
Evian - Thonon - Amphion - Yvoire:
enjoy the sunshine on the shore of
the landlocked sea of Lake Geneva.
The Mer de Glace
12
In 20 minutes the cog railway
takes you up to the site of the
Mer de Glace, France’s largest
glacier, covering 40 km2.
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7
Chevenoz
Vacheresse
Bonnevaux
Abondance
La Chapelle
d’Abondance
Châtel
LAUSANNE
MONTREUX
9
5
6
4
THONON
GENÈVE
A summer where
anything goes!
Châtel is your adventure
playground.
Varied, incredibly lively, unexpected
and surprising: there’s more than
one way to enjoy the mountains
here. Sports, recreation, activities
and entertainment for all, concerts
and heritage interest: there’s
something to please absolutely
everyone both young and old!
ANNEMASSE
Accommodation
ANNECY
Your top tip for the perfect
holiday.
It all starts with the quality
accommodation on offer: our hotels,
apartments, holiday residences,
furnished lets and camp sites are
open all summer long.
The choice is yours; simply pick out
the accommodation that suits you!
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5
9
EVIAN
1
2
3
8
Festivities all
summer long
CLUSES
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CHAMONIX
10
www.chatel.com
7
MARTIGNY
12
There’s always something
going on in Châtel!
Swept along by a series of festivals
and concerts, your holiday is sure
to be full of sociable fun!
The summer entertainment
here features a host of shows,
competitions and events of all kinds.
Enjoy yourself!
For full details, see the practical guide or go to:
ChÂTEL summer 2016
AIGLE
MONTHEY
Winter in Châtel: snowsports
to make you melt with pleasure!
In winter the Portes du Soleil is a snowy paradise. You just can’t pass up this great holiday opportunity!
With snow stretching to the horizon, winter in Châtel is the ultimate getaway, with a host of thrilling experiences on offer.
Like summer in Châtel?
You’ll love it here in
winter!
The resort looks its best when it’s covered
in snow. If you’re looking for endless
descents, smooth turns and big thrills on
skis, you’ll just love Châtel. Treat yourself
to all the pleasure of winter in one of the
largest ski areas in the world: the Portes
du Soleil.
You’ll be captivated by the magic of
winter in the mountains!
Pontarlier
Strasbourg
Seraing
Bœrsch
Berne
Bâle
CH
Mont Tremblant (CA)
LAUSANNE
MONTREUX
GENÈVE
THONON
4
ANNEMASSE
ANNECY
A41
Grenoble
Marseille
Vias
GPS
Latitude : 46.269966
Longitude : 06.840753
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6
A40
Lyon
Paris
Getting to Châtel
1
2 3
CLUSES
FR
8
AIGLE
MONTHEY
11
CHAMONIX
by road
5
EVIAN
10
MARTIGNY
7
12
Aoste
IT
From France, follow the autoroute
towards Geneva, take the Annemasse
exit and follow signs for Thonon.
From Switzerland, follow
the autoroute towards Monthey,
take the Monthey exit and
follow signs for Morgins.
Sights from Châtel
by air
Geneva Cointrin airport, rail
services to Aigle or Thonon,
then transfer by bus or taxi.
by rail
From France, to Thonon
station, then bus transfer.
From Switzerland, to Aigle
station, then taxi or bus transfer.
14, route de Thonon - BP 40 - F - 74 390 Châtel - Haute-Savoie - France
Tel. 33 (0)4 50 73 22 44 - Fax. 33 (0)4 50 73 22 87 - touristoffice@chatel.com
CHÂTEL tourisme
www.chatel.com
thuria.com Crédit photos : J.F. Vuarand (OT Châtel) - J.M. Gouédard - V. Thiébaut - S. Cochard - JB. Bieuville - M. Vitré - P. Brault - L. Carré - Fotolia.
Document not legally binding - please dispose of responsibly. The information and prices in this document are given as a guide only
and may be subject to change. The prices shown are in euros and include all taxes at the VAT rate in force on the date of purchase.
Châtel Tourisme cannot be held responsible for any changes. D 12433