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Once the snow gives way to the rising temperatures that come with spring and summer, the mountains attract another band of alpine fanatics. With an endless list of activities to keep you entertained, Morzine springs into summer life...
Situated at the heart of the "Portes du Soleil" an area of outstanding natural beauty, Morzine, retains all the charm and character of an old fashioned Alpine village. The climate is hot, cooling off in the evenings, making it easy to sleep at night.
Morzine is a traditional family resort set in stunning surroundings. The architecture is distinctly Savoyard, with beautiful old farmhouses and chalets decorated with floral boxes and hanging baskets, clustered around the church of Saint Marie Madeline. The atmosphere is lively and unpretentious, and continues all year round. The weekly market is a good place to sample regional cheeses or charcuterie and the wide range of shops and boutiques are guaranteed to tempt the enthusiastic shopper.
Lac de Montriond is open to swimmers, anglers and canoes over the summer months, a sheltered, lifeguard monitored, bathing pond is available for children. The Lake feeds the River Dranse which in turn meanders down the valley to Lake Geneva. Along the way, there are some impressive rapids and pools where Rafting, Kayaking, and Canyoning are available.
7 minutes from Chalet du lac is the water park, with an Olympic sized outdoor swimming pool, children's pool and play area, lawns, volleyball, a bar and restaurant and a huge water slide. It's the perfect place for the whole family to unwind on a hot summer's day. Next door to the water park is the Palais de Sport with 15 tennis courts and an indoor skating rink.
Morzine has the biggest mountain biking area in Europe with a huge specially adapted lift system in operation. The downhill terrain is world renowned and the mountain biking world cup is held in nearby Les Gets. The lifts also offer access to some of the best parasailing available in Europe thanks to the local Mont Blanc microclimate.
For evening entertainment there is a huge choice of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and budgets, from great value regional dishes at L'Etale, to a fine dining experience La Chalande in Ardent. For the real party animals, two nightclubs go on till early morning.
The ancient mountain goat village of Les Linderets
The old abbey ruins at St. Jean d'Aulps
The well preserved medieval abbey at Abondance
The spectacular Devil's Bridge Gorge
museums, chateaux, cheese farms, vineyards and old slate mines
are all with in half an hour of Chalet du lac
Lake Montriond is an excellent base in which to explore the Haute-Savoie region of France and the Valais region of Switzerland.
The French side of Lake Geneva, with its Mediterranean climate, beaches, and the spa towns of Thonon and Evian are only 30 minutes away. The charming medieval walled town of Yvoire, serial winner of “France’s most beautiful town” also makes a highly worthwhile visit.
The Swiss side, known as the Swiss Riviera, encompasses Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Nyon and Montreux. The paddle steamers that encircle and cross the lake are an ideal way to explore and take in the clear waters magnificent landscape.
The beautiful ancient town of Annecy is 1 and a half hours away. The perfect place to visit with a wonderful lake and canals, medieval Savoyard architecture, old cobbled streets and lovely shops!
Chamonix-Mont Blanc is only an hour away. From here, the world's highest cable car ride takes you to the top of the Aiguille du Midi from where you can enjoy spectacular views. A funicular railway takes you over an incredible glacier, the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice).
Closer to home, the stunning national park of Sixt Fer-à-Cheval near Samoëns is only 45 minutes away accessed by driving the Col de Joux Plane, the infamous mountain pass feared by participants in the Tour de France.
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