Charm and chalets in Haute-Savoie

Explore Châtel on foot from our hotel.

A poet passing through Châtel could well have penned the lines "here, all is calm and beauty." This small village located in Haute-Savoie has a rare gift, that of combining a welcoming atmosphere and great lifestyle with historic traditions in a majestic natural setting. At the foot of the mountains, you will find a resort with traditional architecture, where wooden chalets are still adorned with flowered balconies. These homes, which are typical of the Abondance valley, are impressively large and feature slightly sloped roofs and south-facing façades which have developed a vermeille patina from exposure to the elements and the sun.

Summer and winter alike, there's always something going on in the village. Stroll through the market, enjoy the shops, and taste local flavours... Other entertainment options include bowling, miniature golf, ice skating at the rink near the Lac de Vonnes, and the resort's two cinemas. And don't forget to soak in its charm! A walk through the village streets will take you past the neo-geothic church of Saint-Laurent de Châtel, two chapels which date from over two centuries ago - the Chapelle de Vonnes and Chapelle de l'Essert - and a number of small oratories. Near the hotel, you will also discover the Vieille Douane, the historic customs office which has been turned into a museum. It serves as a reminder of the village's border location, and whisks you back in time in pursuit of long-gone smugglers.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

The village of Châtel enjoys an ideal location in the Chablais region on the Franco-Swiss border, making it the perfect home base to discover the Abondance Valley, with its traditional chalets, the Lac de Vonnes and its water sports, Switzerland, and more.

THE PORTES DU SOLEIL SKI AREA

Châtel is one of the 12 resorts in the Portes du Soleil ski area. This vast ski area has over 600 km of slopes in winter, and is a fantastic leisure area for the whole family in summer.

ACTIVITIES NEAR THE HOTEL

There's plenty to explore. Start by discovering the charm of small resorts like Châtel and La Chapelle d'Abondance, then head farther afield to explore Haute-Savoie, Lake Geneva, and Switzerland.