DAYS OUT

Excenevex
A pretty town on the shore of Lake Geneva featuring a natural, golden, sandy beach. There is supervised swimming in the summer whilst you can rent pedalos and paddle boards as well as MTB and electric bikes.

Thonon-les-Baines
If you park at the port in Thonon there is a funicular railway that takes you up in to the town. There are museums, a castle and a couple of pretty church’s nearby or if you are looking to relax there is a thermal spa with a range of treatments.

Yvoire
A stone’s throw from Excenevex is the medieval village of Yvoire. Nicknamed ‘The Pearl of the lake’, this historic village boasts an impressive castle which can be easily explored on foot.

Les Gorges du Pont du Diable
Developed from 1893, since 2012 it has been a site of the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark. Descend through a forest into limestone gorges, via open air walkways and viewing platforms to understand more about the imposing area.

Samoens Market
One of the oldest markets in the Haute-Savoie, it takes place all year round every Wednesday morning. Explore stalls with fresh fruit and veg, butchers, cheese makers and bakers as well as textiles, fabrics and many other souvenirs.

Abbaye d’Aulps
The ruin, both striking and atmospheric, still features parts of the original architecture, including the church façade. The site has been partially restored and is open to visitors, offering a glimpse into its rich medieval history.

Lac de Montriond
Lake Montriond is a huge outdoor playground with something for everyone…including a swimming area suitable for even very young swimmers, while other visitors can try pony riding, canoeing, paddleboarding or mini-golf.

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More on the area

SKIING

Ski from the doorstep at “La Grande Terche” with 52km of pistes in this self contained area which is ideal for beginners. The telecabine to the slopes is a five minute walk from the apartment with ski rental available right opposite from Muffat Sport.
The real jewel however is the easy access to the renowned resorts of Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets as part of 12 resorts spread across France and Switzerland.

CYCLING

The Portes du Soleil region has a strong history in cycling both on and off road with many of the famous regional road ‘climbs’ accessible from the doorstep of the apartment, while five dedicated bike parks span the Franco-Swiss border offering vast options for all abilities.

EATING OUT

Eating out in the Portes du Soleil area offers a wide range of options, from high-altitude mountain restaurants to traditional French and Swiss cuisine in the valley towns. You can find everything from Savoyard specialties like fondue and raclette to modern cafes and breweries. We're happy to provide recommendations or suggest areas to explore.

SHOPPING

L'Ourson 12 is well served with three 'supermarkets' close by, while there are seasonal stalls and year round traditional markets further afield.

HIKING

As you would expect from a ski resort, there are many walking routes right on the doorstep of the apartment. Whether it's the 4 mile round trip to the Abbaye Sainte-Marie d’Aulps on the edge of the village or the 5 mile circuit from the bottom of the Grande Terche telecabine with 2000ft of climbing, there's a walk for everyone.