Le Grand Bornand - village
Few resorts mix old and new as successfully as Le Grand Bornand – it reeks tradition, in more ways than one. Inhabitants are outnumbered by cows, a fact of which the village is very proud.
It is also the home of the famous Reblochon, an AOC cheese (appellation d'origine contrôlée) produced daily in the village farms during the winter and up in the pastures in the summer. A Reblochon market is held on Wednesday mornings, a tradition which is more than 200 years old.
It has another local claim to fame – Aravis Boissons has made Forclaz lemonade here since 1870, and still uses the same recipe.
There is even a unique building style – the Bornandine method with its distinctive “pointe d'ane”, the master beam, a light and airy loft and the “credence”, a kitchen cupboard built into the wall. Even new-build chalets follow this design.
Accommodation
Hotels are mainly 2- or 3-star, such as the comfortable Les Saytels (00 33 450 02 20 16) in the heart of the old village, which has a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and great food.
Also popular are the 2-star La Croix St Maurice (00 33 450 02 20 05), the Delta (00 33 450 02 26 25) and Les Ecureuils (00 33 450 02 20 11), at the foot of the slopes.
At Chinaillon the small 3-star Hôtel Les Cimes (00 33 450 27 00 38) is very close to the slopes. Some of the best apartments, which can be booked through Erna Low (0845 863 0525) and Peak Retreats (0844 576 0170), are at the new Village de Lessy, at Chinaillon.
Ski/snowboard equipment hire
Le Grand Bornand has eight shops where you can pre-book online – Paret Sports, Danay, Passion Slide (part of Sport 2000), Ski 3 and Jocelyne Perrillat (both Intersport shops), Antonin Sports, Sport Alp and Centor Skis.
Chinnaillon has Atout, Adrenaline, Active Mountain (working with Twinner-Sports.com), Hudry (book through Skiset.com for up to 40% discount), and several Intersport stores.
Non-ski activities
There's no shortage of things to do – from ice skating, sleigh rides, tobogganing and parapente to horse riding and hot air ballooning. There's also a cinema.
Childcare
Le Grand Bornand is an excellent family choice and has the Famille Plus endorsement for quality of childcare.
Les P'tits Maringouins Le Chinaillon (00 33 450 09 60 80), near Residence Lessy at Chinaillon and close to Les Saytels at Le Grand Bornand, accepts children from 8 months to 5 years. Make sure you have your child’s vaccination certificate and be sure to pre-book.
