Montchavin & Les Coches

Montchavin & Les Coches are villages at the centre of the Paradiski area, based at the foot of the Vanoise Express, which links La Plagne to Les Arcs with Peisey-Vallandry.

At the end of the 1960s, when all the locals were moving away from the hamlet of Montchavin, Auguste Mudry, mayor of the commune of Bellentre (1947 - 1973), decided to transform the village into a ski resort.

The new buildings were constructed in traditional Savoyard style using wood and stone.

Facing Mont-Blanc , Montchavin - Les Coches is now an ideal holiday destination for families, awarded with the “Famille Plus” Label .

Montchavin is based at 1200m and Les Coches at 1400m. These two villages are linked in the summer and winter seasons by the Les Coches cable car, along with the free Navette (bus) service.

Montchavin has continued its farming culture – as well as being a ski station. In the winter the animals are kept below the shops in granges (barns). And in the summer months the Beaufortaine cows graze by the meandering roads, moving up the mountain to keep cooler as the temperature reaches its hottest in July and August.

The seasons are dramatic and incredible to watch. The floral fields of summer become the groomed ski pistes of winter, and the paths interlink as ski tracks.

Both villages have a good selection of restaurants and a few bars to choose from. Other amenities include Paradiso, the swimming pool with spa facilities (in Montchavin) offering a clean and well-kept outdoor pool (in the summer). There is a cinema in Montchavin with English films screened in winter. Each village has a tourist office, ski hire shops, a local supermarket, bakery, giftshop and a dwelling specialising in local produce.

A quick guide to Bourg-St-Maurice

Nestled amongst the big player French ski resorts, ‘The Big Smoke ’ (as referred to by seasonaires) inhabits a population of just under 7,000. You’ll find typical French architecture along a cobbled alley of small independent restaurants, bars, and shops. From local handmade pottery and arts and soaps to funky interior boutiques, gifts, designer clothes and a barbershop, it’s a feel good place to potter around.

Saturday’s summer market hosts fresh fruit, vegetables, local charcuterie and cheeses, with select clothes and shoe stalls. It’s not massive but worth getting up for. When you’re done, grab shade in either of the bars opposite, both ideally located to cool off.

Pause Coffee & Kürtös has been very welcomed in the town with its contemporary cafe vibe. You can ask for a soya late without getting a weird look. Light bites, awesome salad bowls, cakes and their tasty Kürtös are on offer (with a takeaway option).

The best sun trap is Le Tonneau (the biggest terrace in town).

The traditional Savoyard dishes are Tartiflette (potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons and onions), Crozet pasta (cooked with local cheese or with diots – a meaty and flavourful sausage), Raclette (a semi-hard cheese heated at your table; the melted cheese is scraped onto a selection of cured meats, boiled potatoes with salad and cornechons) and Fondue (served from the pan). A mixture of three Savoyard cheeses and white wine are melted together to a yummy gooey consistency – with chunks of bread to dip. These dishes are reasonably priced and probably found on the plat du jour menus.

Coopérative Laitière de Haute Tarentaise is a museum dedicated to Beaufort cheese. I know! The love of cheese here is immense. It’s a good visit, but be prepared for long queues at peak seasons. You can take home excellent local produce.

Bourg Saint Maurice station is ideally located amongst all this. This convenient link will connect to any town or city in Europe, with a direct train to London during winter (we hope)! watch this space. Please sign the petition to save the ski train #savetheskitrain.

Set beside the town and along the river (accessible with pushchairs) are tree-lined paths with a cycle route (and a pump track for all ages).

There are many places to stay in and around the area. Hotel Base Camp Lodge is a brand-new hotel. This trendy hub is built on the old army barracks. You can visit for drinks, lunch or dinner. Its large space is a great hangout for families.

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