Chalet La Foret, Chamonix

Now completely renovated, it retains the warm feel of the mountain guide’s home it once was.

The chalet, which faces south, was origi­nally built in 1950. Now completely renovated, it retains the warm feel of the mountain guide’s home it once was. Built of granite faced by tradi­tional river-sand render on the ground floor, and solid larch wood on the top, with a tradi­tional cedar-tiled roof, it’s a wonder­fully welcom­ing house.

Close to every­thing you need, south facing and sunny, in a magnif­i­cent setting ringed with woods and mountains, the chalet is in the outskirts of Chamonix, in the village of Les Praz

The spacious and beauti­ful living room has squashy and very comfort­able sofas, a widescreen TV with DVD player and PS2, Wi-fi, BOSE stereo with iPod dock and a bar with plenty of glasses.
There are games includ­ing Risk, backgam­mon, drafts and chess, mah jongg, Jenga, cards and  a Scalex­tric set. We don’t have Sky, but provide an exten­sive DVD collec­tion (over 150 good DVDs from classics to comedy to the latest ski and snowboard movies) and a selec­tion of books includ­ing plenty about the mountains.

You are welcome to use the phone for local and incom­ing calls. Bring a laptop to access our wireless broad­band — useful for check­ing weather forecasts and lifts.

The huge covered balcony is a lovely place to listen to the river and watch the snow and has tables and chairs. You are welcome to smoke on the balcony (though not elsewhere in the chalet). There’s an upstairs mezza­nine den with seats and cushions, where you can retreat and laze if you’d like some peace.

The tradi­tional tiled kitchen is very well equipped with new modern appli­ances — there’s a four ring halogen hob and fan oven, microwave, dishwasher and washer-dryer. There’s plenty of quality crock­ery and cutlery, cast iron pans and good kitchen knives, jugs and ice trays for the wonder­ful Alpine water and a raclette and fondue set for cheesy nights in.
The chunky pine table seats ten, and we provide split logs for the fire. You can get food from the village shop in Les Praz, super­mar­kets and delicatessens in Chamonix, or you can have your groceries deliv­ered to the chalet by most local super­mar­kets. We can also arrange a shopping service.

Or if you prefer, we can arrange cater­ing — a chef will come to the chalet and cook wonder­ful food especially for you.



All the bedrooms have comfort­able, full size mattresses (2m long, no footboards), which can be made up as doubles or twins accord­ing to your group. Duvets are the “Four Seasons� type — a summer and autumn weight duvet which popper together to make an extra thick winter duvet. Most people find the Autumn weight ones enough, as the chalet is very warm, but you can easily add or remove them as you like best! All the bedroom floors are waxed wood with sheep­skin rugs to keep your feet warm in the morning, and the wardrobes have plenty of wooden hangers.
Our linen is almost all high thread count Egypt­ian cotton, our towels are thick, fluffy and gener­ously sized, and we provide waffle bathrobes.

Bedroom 1 on the first floor has a king size double bed (can be split to make a twin if needed),fitted wardrobe, a door onto the balcony and spectac­u­lar views of the Aigulle du Midi and the Dru.

Bedroom 2, also on the first floor has twin beds (can be a double), fitted wardrobe, and a view of the Flegere and Brevent ski area.

Bedroom 3, on the ground floor, has twin beds (can be a double), fitted wardrobe, TV/DVD and looks into the woods.

Bedroom 4, also on the ground floor, has a king size double bed (can be split to make a twin if needed), fitted wardrobe and view onto the garden and the Dru

Bedroom 5 is in the mazot…
A mazot is a tradi­tional small chalet next to a larger one. Ours is a warm and cosy ensuite bedroom for two (n.b. the mazot has a double bed, 2m long, which cannot be split). Recently renovated in natural mater­ials, it has under­floor heating, its own WC, slate tiled shower and granite basin, and you can look out at the Aiguille du Midi from your bed. It’s full of Alpine charm, and partic­u­larly handy for anyone who likes their own retreat

There are three bathrooms and an extra WC.
The mazot is en-suite, and the remain­ing four bedrooms share two bathrooms and a separate WC.

Bathroom 1 on the first floor has double sinks, bath and shower. There is a separate WC next to it.
Bathroom 2 on the ground floor is a fantas­tic wet room with a granite wall, under­floor heating, walk-in shower, sink and WC.

Our hot tub is the perfect place to enjoy an Alpine sunset on the surround­ing peaks. Please note that, in order to ensure you have sparkling clean water in the hot tub, we refill it with fresh water for each set of guests, so it may be unavail­able on the first night, as it could still be heating up.
The wood-burning barrel sauna is a wonder­ful way to relax. Put three logs in the stove, light it and return in 20 minutes time for the most calming sauna imagin­able — listen­ing to the crackle of the fire as the heat soothes your muscles…

Have the chalet catered with Sarah’s fantas­tic cooking! Add full cater­ing with break­fast, after­noon tea and dinner for 2100 euros for ten.

Here’s a sample menu, though Sarah will discuss your personal choices, likes and dislikes, to make a menu that’s perfectly suited to you.
These prices are based on:
7 x break­fast
7 x after­noon tea
5 x 4-course evening meals
 
Sample menu:
 
Pan seared scallops on crab mayon­naise and avocado with beetroot jus

Filet de Boeuf, drenched in a wild Cépes sauce, served with potato dauphi­noise and haricots verts

Profiteroles served with fresh straw­ber­ries and a rich choco­late fondue sauce