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Les Arcs

Les Arcs is an immense ski area belonging to the Paradiski ski domain that has one of the largest black runs in Europe and impressive architecture. Ideal for both beginners and expert skiers, it is open from December to April every year. There are 5 villages in the area: Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Bourg Sainte-Maurice, which are open all year round so that when the ski slopes close for the summer the fun does not stop.

 

The ski domain in Les Arcs

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Location

Access

Les Arcs Bourg-Sainte-Maurice is situated in the Haute Savoie region of France, among the Alps .

Geneva and Chambery are the nearest airports and can be reached within 90mins. The Eurostar also provides a direct service from December through to April every year.

History

In the early 1960s, Roger Godino, developer and constructor in mountain tourism and Robert Blanc, local ski instructor and mountain guide had a meeting to organise the creation of Les Arcs. Three fundamental rules were then established and followed: respect the area and the natural surroundings, use local material and conserve but not copy the old mountain chalets already in existence. Some of the greatest names in architecture, such as Charlotte Pérriand and Guy Rey-Millet, worked on this project and as a result Les Arcs is now renowned for the stylish way in which it integrates into the mountain setting. In the C20th it amalgamated with Bourg-Sainte-Maurice, another move that has been a great success; adding more bars, restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas to the ski environment.

Activities

Les Arcs boasts 200km of pistes with plenty of room for beginners, intermediates and advanced. Serviced by 54 lifts, with the highest point at 3,226m and a total descent of 2,416m the experience is sure to be an unforgettable one.

As well as skiing there are numerous other things to do. The ice grotto in particular is a must see. Every year a dozen sculptors from all over Europe spend a week in the grotto, using the ice to develop their skills and visitors can then view their work at leisure; the main hall is the piece de resistance through its spectacular lighting arrangement highlighting the sculptures. The Maison de la Pomme is an important museum promoting the priceless heritage of apple production and the benefits of orchards. The Mineral Museum presents the ancestral activities of crystal makers. Throughout the year there are firework displays, torchlight descents with hot chocolate and mulled wine, street entertainment, brass bands, concerts, ski shows, exhibition centres, bobsleighing, paintball, snowboarding and competitions.

Nearby villages also worth a visit are: Hauteville-Gondon with its Baroque church, Séez with its Arpin Mill that continues to carry out the skills of woolworkers from 1817 and Vulmix with its C15th chapel recounting the life of its patron via a comic strip and the possibility of tasting different cakes in a typical Savoyard auberge.

Food & Drink

Henri Musolino jam of 1800 from the shop “La pate À pain” is extremely popular, raclette (hot scrapes of cheese over potatoes and pickled onions) and strong mountain hams are also eaten daily, and Marc de Savoie and Genepi are the fierce local spirits, taken in shots.

Restaurants

  • Aiguille Rouge, a high altitude restaurant with 360 degree views over the Italian Alps, the Mont Pourri and the Pierra Menta, with the Mont Blanc directly opposite
  • Col de la Chal, another high altitude restaurant at the top of the Transarc gondola

Our team of sale advisers at Sextant Properties will be happy to help you to find a property in Les Arcs. We have a large network of agents in the French Alps. All of them are registered French real estate agents and speak both French and English. Whatever kind of property you are looking for: flat, chalet, gite or B&B we will do our best to find a property in the French Alps matching your requirements. To find out more about our selection of properties for sale in Les Arcs do not hesitate to contact us.

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