The Hôtel La Perelle breaks the ice in Saint-François-Longchamp and adapts its offer to the COVID time…
Nestled between the La Lauzière alpine chain and the Cheval Noir massif, the Saint-François-Longchamp station would undoubtedly surprise you by its magnificent mountainous environment. Indeed, you may get offered the authentic Maurienne spirit and one of the most beautiful panoramas in the entire Savoy. Accessible by shuttle from the Saint-Avre-Lonchamp train station, discover a lot of marvelous landscapes between the ideal situation of this ski resort, between 1250m until 1750m. Strong of a network of more than 165km of ski slopes but also unlimited km of inspiration for you and your family to stimulate in and around, notably thanks to the multiple animations organized by the Tourist Office.
Offering a beautiful view over the mythical Mont Blanc until the Ecrins massif, the Hôtel La Perelle is located in the heart of the Maurienne valley, at the foot of the two mythical Deux Lacs. At the closest proximity of the center of Saint François Longchamp and its various stores and ski lifts, this charming hotel, run by the friendly couple Antoine and Valeria, offers a family and comfortable accommodation, with a direct mountainous access.
That’s why, in order to respect the visitors health, each family is invited to enjoy his half or full board formula in an extra private room, dedicated for any meal.
Facing the translucent summits, this cosy space proposes a balcony, especially in case of pleasant temperatures. Bringing your dishes from the bar counter on a tray, get the best of an inspired homemade and sometimes typical cuisine of Savoie, prepared by the Chef. For example, you may be surprised by different local specialities in your plate, such as cheese dishes, cooked vegetables with a special attention completed with delicious homemade desserts, including original pastries. Moreover, originally designed as a couple of weekly rendez-vous to bring together the hotel guests, discover the traditional fondue, the XXL prime ribs or the snow barbecue organized by the team on a cowhide.
Before joining the lobby or the giant terrace for a last drink, prepare yourself in one of the latest renovated rooms, full of larch wood. Completed by a modular floor heating, a flat-screen TV and all the toilet amenities, you would be seduced by this altitude comfort.
Depending on the season and the context, don’t also miss the heated indoor pool whose colors constantly vary, along a sauna, and a surrounding cosy wooden bar where you may experiment some cocktails. Cherry on the cake, if you wanna have some rest, a kids club is also available during the Belgian and French school holidays, in order to take care of your children between 6 and 13 years old. From Monday to Friday, from 13h30 until 17h and 19h30 until 21h30, many surprises are getting ready along the day, upon booking.
However, as we already saw it earlier, you could still bring them to the weekly and convivial barbecue, located in an ephemeral and natural camp, at the top of hotel. Nestled in an ice bar, you could enjoy a family moment in the snow. From that point of view, admire the huge potential of this ski resort, where you could spend your energy through the several slopes with your favorite pair of skis or snowshoes.
As seen before, the surrounding domain abounds in numerous possibilities of activities, just ask the recommendations of the Hotel! Thus, the team even more organizes from time to time some private hikings towards their favorite and secret spots…
It’s time to learn more about the surrounding station of Saint-François-Longchamp, whose origins can be found from the end of the 16th century which was once marked by numerous epidemics of plague and famine. Originally born from the reunion from the two hamlets of Montgellafrey and Saint-François-de-Sales, which both experimented an tumultuous history, before being granted in 1904 from the name of Saint-François-sur-Bugeon. Thereafter, with the development of the ski resort, this locality would eventually take the actual name of Saint-François-Longchamp, in 1969.
An introduction in a way to the wide choice of summits to explore in the upper station that can reach 1750m at its highest, unless some summits may surpass this limit. For example, the illustrious Col de la Madeleine is renown for being an almost inevitable climb of the Tour de France, over nearly 20 km. For your information, this Col de la Madeleine has been crossed by the Tour, more than 25 times and classified of out of category pass, not far from the duet Blanc and Bleu lakes.
In fact, a pleasant hiking both in summer and winter, to enjoy from the Hotel La Perelle and crossing the endless mountain pastures until the two altitude refuges, where some countless pick-me-ups wait for you (photo credits: Alex Plato and Yann Brillant).
Otherwise, apart the multiple ski slopes available in the domain of Saint-François-Longchamp, many activities are possible at any time of the year. This is an important fact, especially when the ski lifts can be sometimes closed. For example, you should try the dizzy rail toboggan, called the Comète, in reference to the long track, full of hairpin bends and sharp turns, before ending on a massive 540 degree spin. This attraction provides unique sensations throughout this descent, thanks to the possibility of controlling your own speed with handles located on your luge.
Also located in the center of the resort, don’t miss the incredible human bowling attraction proposed for a couple of months. Let you get amazed by this improbable descent, stuck in a giant transparent bowl! It’s a real fact that seasonal animations are regularly organized by the Tourist Office, such as the ice sculpture contest, among many other types of entertainment or initiations.
Nonetheless, would you prefer to live an unforgettable experience with sled dogs? If you’re fond of interactions with animals, in connection with their inner natural element, this ride is really made for you! A pack of charming Siberian Huskies remain at your disposal and in the meantime, you would have the privilege to enjoy a wonderful family moment, through the snowy landscapes. Icing on the cake, you could also support this shelter for these abandoned or beaten dogs. Facing a complicated past, you could offer them a new future by adopting them, learn more about this laudable initiative here.