Alpine hiking and mountain biking in the stunning Aravis Frebch Alps.

There is walking for all levels of fitness directly from the Chalet door, mountain biking is popular in the area along with parapenting, via ferata, rock climbing, swimming, horse riding and golf. A chair lift regularly operates from above the chalet throughout the summer accessing Mont Lachat.

Le Grand Bornand is where most of the organised summer activities take place, based around the area by the swimming pool complex. Information and booking of activities canbe done at the Tourist Office in the town square.English speaking assistants are available. There is a good range of shops including a small well stocked supermarket and some some quality craft/gift shops in Chinaillon and more still in Grand Bornand including a weekly market on Wednesday mornings. We are located in the quiet hamlet of Le Chinaillon which is on a high, sunny plateau surrounded by spectacular views and flaura and forna. It is quiet and has a pleasant rural feel to it. There is a Tourist Office opposite the supermarket which also has English-speaking assistants, and next door is the cinema.

Outside the villages the small farms are scattered over the mountainside, many of them selling dairy produce at the door. As you go up the mountains you will come across the herds of cattle grazing on the high summer meadows, their bells ringing across the valleys.

In August there is the annual International Children's festival, Au Bonheur des Mômes; a week long festival of puppet shows, theatre, circus acts, mime, juggling etc.There are also lots of workshops and events that children of all ages can participate in. It finishes with a huge firework display and street party on the last Friday night.

There are village fêtes all through the summer in some of the smaller hamlets, including Le Chinaillon's Fête d'Alpage, which celebrate traditional mountain activities. There are sheep dog trials, cattle competitions, wood sawing and chopping demonstrations and local food and drink in abundance.

Hiking:
There are numerous mountain paths and routes throughout and across the mountains. Some of the lifts continue to run for those who prefer to only walk down hill and many mountain restaurants remain open throughout the summer. Many routes can be accessed directly from the front door- the beauty, flora and fauna are amazing. As is the peace, tranquilty and fresh clean air.

Swimming:
There is a large outdoor pool complex in Le Grand Bornand which includes a water slide, a paddling pool with a water fountain and a proper swimming pool.. There is also a pool in La Clusaz and you must try swimming in the lake at Annecy- Talloires beach is beautiful.


Cycling:
The Tour De France often passes through in 2007 there was an overnight stop on Bastille day. There are Grimpee's and other cycling events throughout the season not forgetting the mountain biking trails!

The apartment sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms each with built in wardrobes providing plenty of storage space for clothes etc. There is a twin room, a double and a bunk-bed room. A bathroom, shower room and separate toilet. Both bathrooms have heated towel rails and there is lots of hot water. All linen and towels are provided (except swimming towels). A cot (no linen) and high chair are available on request.

The apartment has a vaulted ceiling in wood with good natural light levels providing a bright and airy feel. The heating system and insulation levels allow you to be as warm or cool as you like on a room-by-room basis. We have a no smoking and no pets policy within the apartment. There are ski lockers on the ground floor and there is a lockable garage in the building next door.

Take a look at www.bornandgrand.com for photos and further details.