Summer

The apartment is ideally placed in Le Chinaillon for skiing and snowboarding during the winter and a wide range of outdoor activities during the summer months…

Adventure Park – Grand Bornand

• There is an adventure park along the river in Grand Bornand which boats a variety of fun activities.  As you leave the centre of Thone, just after the roundabout and past the bakers on your left, take the left hand turn pass under the bridge and you’ll come to the park.

Adventure Park – Foret

• As you drive towards Annecy from Thone, take the second exit at the roundabout, heading towards Annecy le Viex. You wi!l past a sign post to Bluffy on your left, take this road which leads up to the Cal de Forolaz. Follow the signs to the Foret Adventure. There are 2 routes, 1 for adults and 1 for those under 1 m 40cm. It is best to book in summer as it is very popular.

Ballooning

• The area is popular for ballooning due to the stunning scenery and excellent thermals. There is a ballooning festival each July and individual trips can be arranged by telephoning 0683 975326.

Climbing

• There is a lot of climbing in the area from beginner’s routes to more extreme challenges.  As you come into Chinaillon there is a climbing wall on your left. Prices start from 37e for adults and 24e for children for a half day session.  Guides and tuition can be arranged by telephoning 0450 027818.

Cycling

• You can hire bikes from Eurosport which is on your left at the first roundabout as you come into Grand Bornand.

• Road cycling is popular up the Col de Colombiere whilst the lift system enables you to access the tracks for mountain biking

Paraponting

• Parapontists take off from the top of Lachat to fly over the Aravis range and travel as far as Annecy and beyond. There are several schools based in Grand Bornand for beginners and experts. The Ecole `Les passengers du vent’ offers a tandem jump and can be reached on 0450 023262.

Painting

• The area offers plenty of stunning scenery and quaint old chalets to keep artists happy for days. Tuition can also be arranged by telephoning 0683 011247.

Pottery

• There are several potteries in the area with a fair every summer in Annecy. Pottery classes can be arranged in Grand Bornand by telephoning 0689 834757.

Riding

• There is a horse riding centre in Thane. Pass Thane on the by pass and after the roundabout you will pass a bakery on your left. After this take the next left hand turn go under the bridge and you will come to the stables on your right.

Swimming Pools and Parks

• The outdoor pool in Grand Bornand has 3 pools both and is open all summer. There is a café and grass area for sun bathing. For the pool, you can park in the same place as for the tennis courts.  Nearby is the river with walks and a park alongside it. There is also a trampoline and crazy golf course nearby.

• Clusaz has an indoor pool with an outdoor swimming area.

• Thone has an outdoor pool just past the roundabout.

• If you park in the car park near the Imperial Hotel in Annecy you will be right next to the pool and children’s park. Alternatively you could swim in the lake from the beach area which you will pass a few hundred yards before the hotel, or from the park after the hotel.

• Tallois and Menthon, both on the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, have lovely outdoor pools and Tallois has paddalo hire and Menthon has a park.. You can also take a boat from Tallaïs into the centre of Annecy and back again if you want to avoid the traffic. Tallais is a lovely area with cafes and restaurants on the lake.

Tennis

• You’ll find Tennis Courts in Chinaillon, situated just to the left of the Chatelet lift. The courts can be booked via the Tourist Information Office.

• There are also courts in Grand Bornand next to the swimming pool. The nearest car park is below the church, drive down through Grand Bornand as if on your way out of town and take the left hand turn after the pharmacy, also on your left. Follow the road round to the left and you will come to the car park on your left at the next corner.

Walking – An Easy Walk

• Drive to the top of the Col de Colombiere and park at the Colombiere restaurant.  From here you can take the path to your right which leads you past a farm (they provide omelettes or cheese plates for lunch) and into some lovely woods. The path is fairly flat and you can roam for a good distance.  Alternatively, you can take the steeper path to the left which takes you up to the top of the Col. To the right of the ridge, a herd of Ibex and Marmots are common in this area and if you walk quietly, you may see them.  A pair of Eagles live near the ridge and are worth looking out for.

Walking – 1.5 hour gentle climb

• Approx half a mile up the Col de Colombiere there is a track on the right. You can drive or walk up this. You will often see the Eagles on your left as well as the Marmots and Ibex.  The track will take you to the farm at the foot of the Almet drag lift. The farm is only open in summer but sells excellent Tomme (a semi hard local cheese).

Walking – 4 1/2 hour walk with a climb

• Go right when leaving the Ferme and walk past the ski lifts. After the Gettier Lift there is a path to your left.  Follow this up hill past all the chalets and you will arrive just below Lachat lift. Simply keep following the path as it curves to your left. The path will take you past some more chalets on your left and under the Outalays and Flona lifts. You will pass the old reservoir on your left and then carry on down to the point where the Tolar lift starts from. Take the path to your left which will lead you down the mountain back to the Ferme.

Walking – 5 1/2 hour hard walk with a steep climb

• As you leave Chinaillon to go up the Col de Colombiere take the left hand turn and go up behind the village. You will eventually come to a track on your left which is signposted to the Lac de Lessy. Follow this track up past the farm and over the top of the ridge to the lake.  You can retrace your steps back or carry on past the lake to the left and down the mountain but be careful to follow the track on your right after the hamlet, back over the ridge to get back to Chinaillon. If you carry on down the mountain you will eventually end up in Entremont, 15 km from Chinaillon!