Savoie / France
Situated between the ski areas of the Espace Diamant, the Val d’Arly and the Portes du Mont Blanc, the neighbouring villages of Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle and Flumet are a great choice for fans of winter sports. But they are equally popular in the summer, when walkers, bikers and climbers flock to this beautiful area.
A traditional farming village of Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle sits at the foot of Mont Charvin and faces Mont Blanc, making it a great location for mountain sports. It’s also popular with lovers of baroque architecture - its 14th century church is famous for its unusual bell tower and slender spire, its sculpted porch and frescoes.
Flumet sits on the Route des Grandes Alpes - a major route which runs all the way through the Alps from Lake Geneva to the French Riviera. It makes the area easy to get to and easy to explore. It’s also a big draw for road cyclists as it takes in the legendary cols which frequently feature in the Tour de France.
The lake at Flumet is also a popular day out in the summer, especially with families. Enjoy a swim and a picnic, the sandpit, play area, skate park and climbing wall.
Many farms in the area welcome visitors, too - you can see how the local cheeses are made, taste them and buy them to take home.
Choose between two ski passes when you stay at Flumet / Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, or go big and get them both!
If you’re on a budget, or are just in the area for a few days, the 90km of the Val d’Arly ski area, which includes Praz sur Arly, Flumet and Notre Dame de Bellecombe, is a great price and could be all you need. If you’re looking for more, there is a ski link to the Espace Diamant (192km). Espace Diamant pass holders can also use the free ski bus which runs between Notre Dame de Bellecombe and Crest Voland/Cohennoz.
And if all that isn’t enough for you, Megeve and the vast Evasion Mont Blanc ski area is just 10km away! With 479km of pistes and 135 ski lifts, you’ll never have to ski the same route twice.
The Espace Diamant has plenty of challenge for all levels, across six villages: Les Saisies; Hauteluce; Notre Dame de Bellecombe; Crest Voland/Cohennoz; Praz sur Arly and Flumet.
The Flumet - Les Evettes area is a great place for beginners to start - two lifts will take you to the green and blue initiation slopes. Head for the slopes of Notre Dame to Bellecombe to find the Wouaouland snowparks.
Those who want to get away from the crowds should head for the Saute-Mouton Route, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Porte des Aravis.
As well as downhill skiing, you can also try yooner sledging, snowshoeing, snowscooting, cross-country and Nordic skiing, or try ski-joering - let a horse take the strain as you ski behind it.
A free shuttle bus links Flumet / Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle to the bottom of the Espace Diamant ski slopes at Les Evettes.
Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle and the neighbouring village of Flumet are a great base for a summer holiday in the mountains.
Stunning scenery, beautiful Baroque architecture and easy access to Mont Blanc and the surrounding summits make it a big draw for tourists. The nearby Route des Grands Alpes makes it easy to get around, and is also a popular route for road cyclists, connecting the legendary cols of the Tour de France.
Walkers and hikers will also appreciate the scenery and varied trails. Some, such as the gentle route along the banks of the Arrondine, are perfect for families, whereas others will test your stamina - try the 18.5km hike that takes in Flumet’s three peaks - le Gateau, La Char and La Crête du Sciozier.
Families looking for a relaxing day will love the Lac de Flumet, where you can swim or relax with a picnic. There’s also a children’s play area and sports facilities.
A free shuttle bus service with a bike trailer runs throughout the summer in the Val d’Arly, from Col des Aravis to Col des Saisies and calling at Albertville, Beaufort, Hauteluce, Flumet and Crest-Voland. Not only is it a great way to get around, but it’s also a way to take in the scenery!
Have a look at our ideas for days out below, to find out more about what the area has to offer.
Skiing and boarding are the main activities that bring guests to Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle / Flumet in the winter, and in the summer, hiking, biking and climbing are the most popular. But when you stay at an OVO Network property, there is so much more to see and do. Here are some of our favourite things to do in and around Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle / Flumet.
Flumet’s leisure lake is a great day out for families - paddle or swim in the lake (good swimmers can strike out for the raft in the centre of the lake), or relax with a picnic. There’s a play area for younger children, a skatepark and sports facilities, as well as a cafe where you can enjoy drinks or snacks. The lake hosts a water festival in July, when waterslides, activities and a Zumba party add to the attractions. And the fun doesn’t stop in winter, when the area around the lake becomes a sledging zone.
Forget everything you knew about escape rooms - this mountain adventure takes it to another level! Puzzles, physical challenges and map reading all come in to play at this summer playground in Les Saisies (17km). Check the website to choose your adventure - you can even have one designed to suit your group.
If you’re looking for a great way to round off a day on the pistes, get your group together for Snake Glisse! A conga of identical sledges are joined together to make the snake, which is led down the mountain by a certified instructor. It’s great fun for all ages, from 10 and over, but the more adventurous may want to head to the back of the snake, where the twists and turns are more exciting!
You’ll learn a lot more about the mountains and the scenery when you join a walk with a mountain guide. There’s plenty of choice, from Zen well-being walks and family walks to discover marmots to full-day hikes into the mountains, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views.
Summer or winter, Escaladventure offers you an exciting day out, with ziplines, forest paths, bridges and via ferrata. There’s a variety of courses to suit all ages and levels, from a kids’ course for children as young as four up to an expert course for pre-teens, teens and adults. There’s a footpath alongside the course, so that those not taking part can follow the action.
Celine and Edvane welcome you to their farm, Ferme au Bonheur des Fromages, where you can taste the cheese they produce and meet the cows and goats who supply the milk. In the summer, you’ll find them at their traditional farm at Plan Dernier, on the road to Les Saisies, and in the winter, they move to a modern farm at Bâle, near Notre Dame de Bellecombe. And of course, cheese is available to taste and buy all year round.
Find a new way to get across the snow when you try ski-joering - snap on your skis and let a horse do the hard work! It’s an unusual activity for any age, and no experience with horses is necessary. You can team up with an instructor if you’re nervous, before going solo. Equibauges also offer horse riding and trekking in the summer.
Discover the wild animals that live in the mountains on this family-friendly wildlife trail through the forest. Open all year round, it can be accessed on skis from the green slope of La Belette or by foot or snowshoes from Les Evettes at Flumet. Even the youngest walkers will enjoy spotting the life-size silhouettes amongst the trees, while older children can read all about the animals on the information signs.
There’s so much to see and do in the mountains, but it’s important to remember to set aside some time to relax. And there’s no better way to do that than with a massage or beauty treatment. Enjoy a wide range of treatments as well as balneotherapy, sports coaching and wellness packages.
Sitting above the town of Albertville, just 22km from Flumet, you’ll find the 14th century walled city of Conflans. It’s worth taking a trip to discover its narrow cobbled streets, old shops, gardens and baroque churches. You’ll also be rewarded with wonderful views over the Combe de Savoie valley, the Bauges and the Chartreuse mountains. You could also pop in to the art and history museum, housed in a historic monument.
See the mountains in a whole new way when you soar above the ground in a hot air balloon. Taking off from nearby Praz sur Arly, you’ll have spectacular panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range as well as the Aravis, Beaufortain, Bauges and Swiss and Italian Alps! Your flight will last 45mins to 1hr 15, depending on air currents, and you’ll be brought back to earth with a glass of Champagne - an unforgettable trip!
This friendly family restaurant opposite the Seigneurs ski lifts is a great place to stop on your way off the mountain. Open all year round, it offers local specialities, lots of cheese dishes, burgers, salads, good value and service with a smile. Veggie options are available.
207 Route des Evettes, 73590
This Michelin-recommended restaurant in a beautifully converted barn offers modern, tasty dishes using local ingredients, some of which come from its own vegetable garden. The menu changes according to the season and vegan and vegetarian options are available.
64 Chemiin des Zorgieres, Flumet
This cosy restaurant in the heart of the village has a wood burner in the winter and a swimming pool, sunny terrace and play area in the summer! Good classical French food using local produce at reasonable prices,
Le Marteray, 73590 Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, +33 4 79 31 71 55
At the summit of Mont Lachat, this friendly restaurant is a popular lunch stop for skiers, walkers and bikers. On a sunny day, grab a table on the terrace to enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains and Mont Blanc. The extensive menu includes local specialities as well as classic French dishes and pasta. There’s also a children’s menu and a fixed price two-course lunch.
Le Lachat 1060 Chemin du Lachat, Crest-Voland, tel: +33 4 79 31 22 60
Traditional dishes as well as pizzas are the popular offerings at this restaurant near the Logere chairlift in Crest-Voland. Open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, try their pot-au-feu or the house speciality Bäkeoffe - a slow-cooked dish of pork, lamb and beef with potatoes. You’ll have to order this three days in advance and for a minimum of four people.
La Logere, Crest-Voland, tel: +33 4 79 31 65 99
Situated at the foot of the slopes in the Hotel Mont Charvin, this well-presented restaurant offers a “bistronomic” menu with a mix of traditional and Savoyard dishes. Sharing boards include charcuterie, cheeses and an ‘Asian’ board with samosas and dim sum, while a rather good burger, is joined by veal, rabbit and beef parmentier on the main menu. Desserts are well thought out, and include baked alaska, a myrtille tart and rum babas. Cheese-loving vegetarians are well catered for, but vegans might want to call and check what’s on offer before turning up. The hotel also has a creperie, if you’re looking for something lighter.
Route du Cernix, Cohennoz, tel: +33 4 79 31 16 21
You can ski or drive to this mountain restaurant, and it’s worth the trip, if only for the breathtaking views from the sunny terrace. Fondue, raclette and pierrade are popular, as are the burgers and flame-grilled meats. Save room for a dessert, and if you can’t choose, opt for the cafe gourmand, with a little taste of everything.
215 Chemin des Challiers, Les Saisies, tel: +33 4 79 38 91 86
The villages of Flumet and Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle will be able to supply most of what you need during your stay here, and you’ll also be able to pick up some souvenirs to take home with you.
For daily food shopping, there’s a Petit Casino in Flumet, a Sherpa supermarket in Notre Dame de Bellecombe, and larger supermarkets in Albertville (22km).
The Charcuterie Grosset - La Bergerie in Flumet offers a huge selection of locally-produced cheeses and charcuterie, while Grocery Le Savoy in St-Nicolas-la-Chapelle serves as a cafe, tobacconist, grocery store and ice cream parlour!
If you’re looking for gifts to take home, try Anne-Lise jewellery workshop - she makes jewellery to her own or your design, and repairs broken items.
Maison Chamarré is the place for fresh and dried flowers as well as beautiful home decor items.
For serious retail therapy, why not plan a day out in Megeve? This popular resort is home to all the glitzy boutiques and galleries you could wish for!
The nearest international airport to Flumet / Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle is Geneva (99km). Transfers can be booked through Alps2Alps or Altibus (Les Saisies), or take a train to the nearest station, at Albertville. If you are hiring a car, the drive to Flumet / Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle takes about 1hr 30.
The best train station for Flumet / Saint-Nicolas-la-Chapelle is Albertville (22km), which has bus links to the resort. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
Try Taxi Allo Dominique for airport and station transfers, as well as local journeys.