Manoir de Leschaux

The manor is set back from a main road, far enough away to be quiet, but with easy access, even in the winter.

The village of Petit Bornand, just 1.6km away, has a boulangerie and a restaurant. You will find plenty more in nearby Grand Bornand and La Clusaz.

The property...

As you pass through the electric gates and up the drive, the elegant ivy-clad exterior of the Manoir de Leschaux gives very few clues to the stunning contemporary style you will find inside.

A five-year refurbishment has resulted in a beautiful blend of urban chic and traditional French country style. Large high-ceilinged rooms have been made cosy and welcoming with a clever mixture of old and new furniture, where glass, chrome and leather sit happily alongside wood and soft furnishings.

The accommodation is set over four floors, with the main living area on the first floor - this is a large open plan room with a dining area, sitting area with a beautiful stone fireplace and a separate TV area. The modern kitchen has three ovens, two dishwashers and a large American-style fridge - cooking large meals for a crowd or separate menus for smaller groups will be a real pleasure!

When you’re not enjoying a meal with friends or relaxing in front of the fire, head downstairs and shoot some pool and play pinball in the games room or perhaps watch a film with surround sound in the cinema room. On a more practical note, you will also find a laundry, heated boot room and plenty of storage down here.

The six bedrooms are on the top two floors - five of them are en suite and the huge master suite even has its own sauna. There’s also a separate bathroom on the top floor.

Oh and did we mention the guardian's house? You'll find a gym here, as well as showers and changing rooms, a sauna for eight and a summer kitchen for al fresco meals around the pool (pool available from June to September, heated in July and August) or use the outdoor pizza oven to make your own homemade pizza! Upstairs there is a huge room overlooking the pool and gardens - with a high-tech stereo system, it's the perfect place to relax and listen to music, for the kids to play or, if you have to check in with the office, it's a great work space too.

There are several terraces and seating areas around the house so that you can follow the sun. The outdoor dining space is between the Gate House and the pool. Kids of all ages will love the enclosed all-weather sports area and table tennis, and there's even a zip wire - but this should only be used with adult supervision.

About the area...

Le Manoir de Leschaux is is just a 15 to 20 minute drive from the Aravis ski stations of La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand two of the Aravis ski stations which offer 220km of great skiing for all levels.

If you are looking for more variety you can get to Megeve, Chamonix or Courmayeur in under an hour. Cross-country skiers have a choice of trails on the Glieres plateau, scene of the Resistance campaign in World War II.

There is plenty to do for non-skiers too - try horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice-skating, paragliding or hot air ballooning or just relax in the heated indoor/outdoor pools at La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand, as the snow-covered mountains tower above you.

In the summer, it would be tempting to spend your days relaxing on the sunny terraces, in the gardens and around the swimming pool of Le Manoir de Leschaux, but with a fabulous mountain playground on all sides, it would be a shame not to explore it.

There are plenty of hiking and mountain bike trails, and if you prefer to make things a little easier, the ski lifts will whisk you up to higher ground so that you don’t have to put in the hard work! Pack a picnic of some local bread and cheese, or eat at one of the many mountain restaurants, which offer good food and spectacular views.

For a great day out, head for Annecy and explore canals that run through this medieval town. You could also enjoy watersports on the lake, relax on the beach or enjoy a cruise to a waterside restaurant.

Thrill seekers can try paragliding, canyoning, climbing, via ferrata or white-water rafting, and at the end of the day you can reflect on the day’s fun over a cold beer and a barbecue around the pool.

What next? 

If you are looking for a unique base from where you can enjoy the mountains Le Manoir de Leschaux could well be just perfect for you! Why not check your holiday dates against our calendar - we can hold a provisional booking for 24 hours while you finalise your arrangements. But remember to come back  - it would be a shame to miss your chance to stay in this splendid property.