Top Tips for Self Catered Holidays in France
[caption id="attachment_7336" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
L'Orée des Cimes, Peisey Vallandry[/caption]
Self catering in the Alps is becoming more and more popular with fantastic new properties appearing every season. Gone are the days when self catering just means an apartment in 70s style decor and a pan on the hob to boil water for your morning cup of tea, now you can find apartments with fully equipped kitchens, spacious & comfortable living areas with flat screen TVs & DVD players, indoor swimming pools, spa facilities and gym facilities – although who actually has the energy for a work out after a day on the slopes?
Self catering can offer great value for money and is ideal for groups and families who are looking for that extra bit of freedom and flexibility. We have put together our top tips for self catering to help you save some Euros this winter, especially in the Three Valleys!
1. Although most resorts will have a small supermarket, they will charge a premium as everything has to be delivered to resort. It's well worth stocking up before you head up the mountain. The supermarkets in the valleys tend to be much larger and are reasonably priced, especially for wine and beer. This is where all the chalet staff shop and can be as much as half the price of the resort shops.
Here are some of the supermarkets en route to the main French resorts.
[caption id="attachment_1796" align="alignright" width="300"]
Relax watching the snow fall outside[/caption]
Albertville: Carrefour
Location: Google Map
Bourg St Maurice: Super U
Location: Google Map
Moutiers: Champion
Location: Google Map
Cluses: Carrefour
Location: Google Map
Bourg d’ Oisans: Casino
Address: Google Map
2. If you're staying in Avoriaz it's worth taking the Prodains cable car down to Morzine for a mid week top up shop, as the supermarkets are cheaper. You could ski down at the end of the day and get the lift back up – that’s if you can coordinate skis & shopping bags!
3. It's worth heading slightly off the beaten track to find restaurants offering menus at lower prices, both on and off the mountain. If you’re in Courchevel and don’t want to pay 1850 prices go down to La Tania for lunch and great après ski and you can catch the free bus back. The Ski Lodge does awesome burgers (and you can sit on the big sunny terrace on a nice day) and has great happy hour deals. Or try Courchevel 1300 or La Praz and eat at the fantastic restaurant “Darbello”. It is family run Savoyard restaurant and excellent value. Try the after dinner Genepi for a bit of a hit before you head back up the valley!
4. Another way to avoid high lunch prices in the restaurants is to take a visit to the resort bakery before setting off for the day where you’ll find all sorts of sandwiches & patisseries. In Courchevel 1850 there is a fantastic bakery in Le Forum which does good sandwiches, pizza etc for lunch at normal prices.
5. In Megeve we recommend eating at Le Prieure. It's right next to the medieval church and has a great atmosphere and food to die for. If you fancy a bit of Savoyard cuisine then the Vieux Megeve next to the outdoor ice rink has an abundance of fondue, Raclette and Tartiflette dishes on offer. Be sure to book a few days in advance though, especially if you have a large group.
There is a huge range of gerat self catering offers at the moment, with up to 20% to be saved if you book before 31st October.
Check out these great offers:
Save 10% on luxury CGH apartments if you book before 31st October
CGH Apartments offer luxury self catered accommodation with hotel style facilities including indoor heated swimming pools, saunas and spa & beauty facilities.
Save 15% on all Pierre & Vacances, MGM & Maeva residences
Whether you are looking for a studio for 2 or a luxury 4 bedroom apartment there will be something to suit your budget. Also available on short break stays.
Save 20% on Belambra residences all season
New for 09/10, these residences offer high standard spacious apartments that are great value with excellent facilities.
These are just a few ways to save in resort, it’d be great to hear your suggestions – post a comment below...
L'Orée des Cimes, Peisey Vallandry[/caption]
Self catering in the Alps is becoming more and more popular with fantastic new properties appearing every season. Gone are the days when self catering just means an apartment in 70s style decor and a pan on the hob to boil water for your morning cup of tea, now you can find apartments with fully equipped kitchens, spacious & comfortable living areas with flat screen TVs & DVD players, indoor swimming pools, spa facilities and gym facilities – although who actually has the energy for a work out after a day on the slopes?
Self catering can offer great value for money and is ideal for groups and families who are looking for that extra bit of freedom and flexibility. We have put together our top tips for self catering to help you save some Euros this winter, especially in the Three Valleys!
1. Although most resorts will have a small supermarket, they will charge a premium as everything has to be delivered to resort. It's well worth stocking up before you head up the mountain. The supermarkets in the valleys tend to be much larger and are reasonably priced, especially for wine and beer. This is where all the chalet staff shop and can be as much as half the price of the resort shops.
Here are some of the supermarkets en route to the main French resorts.
[caption id="attachment_1796" align="alignright" width="300"] Relax watching the snow fall outside[/caption]
Albertville: Carrefour
Location: Google Map
Bourg St Maurice: Super U
Location: Google Map
Moutiers: Champion
Location: Google Map
Cluses: Carrefour
Location: Google Map
Bourg d’ Oisans: Casino
Address: Google Map
2. If you're staying in Avoriaz it's worth taking the Prodains cable car down to Morzine for a mid week top up shop, as the supermarkets are cheaper. You could ski down at the end of the day and get the lift back up – that’s if you can coordinate skis & shopping bags!
3. It's worth heading slightly off the beaten track to find restaurants offering menus at lower prices, both on and off the mountain. If you’re in Courchevel and don’t want to pay 1850 prices go down to La Tania for lunch and great après ski and you can catch the free bus back. The Ski Lodge does awesome burgers (and you can sit on the big sunny terrace on a nice day) and has great happy hour deals. Or try Courchevel 1300 or La Praz and eat at the fantastic restaurant “Darbello”. It is family run Savoyard restaurant and excellent value. Try the after dinner Genepi for a bit of a hit before you head back up the valley!
4. Another way to avoid high lunch prices in the restaurants is to take a visit to the resort bakery before setting off for the day where you’ll find all sorts of sandwiches & patisseries. In Courchevel 1850 there is a fantastic bakery in Le Forum which does good sandwiches, pizza etc for lunch at normal prices.
5. In Megeve we recommend eating at Le Prieure. It's right next to the medieval church and has a great atmosphere and food to die for. If you fancy a bit of Savoyard cuisine then the Vieux Megeve next to the outdoor ice rink has an abundance of fondue, Raclette and Tartiflette dishes on offer. Be sure to book a few days in advance though, especially if you have a large group.
There is a huge range of gerat self catering offers at the moment, with up to 20% to be saved if you book before 31st October.
Check out these great offers:
Save 10% on luxury CGH apartments if you book before 31st October
CGH Apartments offer luxury self catered accommodation with hotel style facilities including indoor heated swimming pools, saunas and spa & beauty facilities.
Save 15% on all Pierre & Vacances, MGM & Maeva residences
Whether you are looking for a studio for 2 or a luxury 4 bedroom apartment there will be something to suit your budget. Also available on short break stays.
Save 20% on Belambra residences all season
New for 09/10, these residences offer high standard spacious apartments that are great value with excellent facilities.
These are just a few ways to save in resort, it’d be great to hear your suggestions – post a comment below...