Combloux in summer. What to do?

Combloux is a fabulous holiday location - a traditional village of stone farmhouses and wooden chalets set in a breathtaking landscape - but people often ask what there is to do in the summer. If you've never been to the Alps, or only for skiing, the answer is "more than you can imagine". If you prefer hot sunny days and beaches, we have that too but without the attendant sweaty nights and mosquitos. Here is a brief overview of what's on.

Events - Combloux and all nearby villages arrange events such as fetes, festivals, circus, music and dance for the holiday season; and they like to feature local crafts and traditions. The Tourist Offices in each village advise on these and all other holiday activities.

Carriage rides - are a good way of getting to know the village layout. These operate from outside the Tourist Office. A one hour tour for 4 people costs about 10€ each.

Mountain lake - Combloux recently created an ecological lake which is the first of its kind in Europe (see live web cam on the right). The water is kept pure and crystal clear by circulation through a fountain, reed beds and waterfall. The site is on a natural terrace with a truly magnificent view of Mont Blanc - the same view that inspired the grand hotel which made Combloux an exclusive holiday venue in the 1930s. From June 17th to September 3rd, you can swim and sunbathe from 11am to 7pm for 4€ - please note men must wear speedos, not swimming trunks.
There are also lakes in the valley for bathing and water sports; or you can just lap up the sun on our south facing patios.

Sauna, jaccuzi, and turkish baths are also available beside the ecological lake. Open from 5 to 8pm for 10€

Markets - The market is held on Wednesday mornings in Combloux, Fridays in Megeve, and Saturdays in Sallanches. Browse an interesting selection of local produce such as cheeses, mountain honey and lace.

Shopping - there are several small shops in Combloux, notably sports equipment, gifts and rock and crystal shops. Megève has lots of quite chic boutiques. Chamonix is more cosmopolitan but still aimed at tourists. Sallanches is a market town with a comprehensive shopping area, and Cluses has some larger outlets. If you are looking for sportswear, it is worth visiting "Quechua" warehouse next to the Intermarché in Domancy.

Tabac - the Postillon has long been a hub of village life, but it used to be a crowded smokey bar frequented by locals until 2002 when it moved across the road into much larger premises with an outdoor seating area and separated newpaper shop. It is now light and airy and a hub for tourists too - a very pleasant venue to meet and share a couple of drinks or a small snack.

The scenery - is fantastic just strolling around the village and because the seasons are so marked we'll never tire of it. In England we are used to looking at 20% landscape and 80% sky, in the Alps that is reversed, and much of the time you can see villages and other sites over five miles away. Mont Blanc is magnificent - the sunset view from Le Cuchet will leave you speechless - and the evenings are usually clear with brilliant stars.

Photography - films and processing cost more than in England but the latest digital cameras make it all much more equal. For distance shots of mountains use a UV filter or polarising filter and wait for afternoon light for best results. For ski scenes point somewhat towards the sun to get shadow/texture, and increase the whiteness of the snow by increasing the exposure.

Out and about

Walking (randonées) - there are dozens of well marked hiking trails (sentiers balisés) which are graded for difficulty; and there are quite a few mountain restaurants, orientation tables, and picnic areas to break the journey. The tourist offices provide excellent maps for around 7€ and we keep a selection in the apartments for guests to use. There are also guided walks and heritage trails such as the "granit" and "baroque" footpaths.

Wildlife it is always worth carrying binoculars or a camera with telephoto lens when you walk in the mountains. You may want to look at interesting sites several miles away or get close up views of the fauna and flora. There are nearly always eagles and buzzards in the sky and probably woodpeckers, butterflies, rare orchids and other wild flowers to catch your eye. Sometimes you may spot chamois, wild boars, or marmottes.

Mountain biking (VTT)- bikes and helmets can be hired from Marin or other sports shops. Tourist Offices issue maps and there are coloured route markers on trees. Runs are graded for level of competence. Bikes can be taken up in some ski lifts.

Telecabines and chairlifts - the Chable and Perthuis chairlifts at Combloux operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between July 13th and August 25th. These form part of the "green diamond" organised in conjunction with neighbouring communes - see web site. The gondolas at les Contamines, the Tramway de Mont Blanc and the cable cars at Chamonix also provide access for sightseeing and for mountain walking and biking.

Horse riding and pony trekking - The équitation centre in route de Feug (tel 04.50.93.00.54) arranges outings from 10 minutes walks to 2 day treks, day and night, for beginners or experienced riders. Around 30€ for 2 hours.

On the water

Canyoning, rafting, hydrospeed etc - if you are adventurous ask in the Tourist Office about doing silly things in rivers and waterfalls.

Canoeing -

Fishing (pêcher) - is available in the nearby rivers and lakes. Permits arranged by Tourist Office.

Swimming (baignade)- You can enjoy open air bathing in the ecological lake in Combloux or the sports centre at Megève has a large pool. In the valley, the Lac du Passy and Lac des Illettes have safe swimming, beaches, parkland for sunbathing and children's playground.

Windsurfing and sailing - on Lac Passy and Lac des Illettes. Equipment hire is possible, check with tourist office.

In the air

Altiport - the mountain airfield above Megève at Cote 2000 is a base for helicopters and light aircraft. In winter the runway is snow covered and they take off and land on skids. The small restaurant is inexpensive and makes an interesting venue for lunches.

Flying - pleasure trips around the mountains are on offer from the airfields at Cote 2000 and Sallanches. Typically it is about 45€ each for a 20 minute flight in a 4-seater aircraft (2 or 3 passengers). A marvellous way to see the mountain and an unforgettable experience.

Hot air balloons - For a more exotic flight, "Ballons du Mont Blanc" provide morning sightseeing trips (244€ for 1 hour aloft, see web site).

Helicopter - the ultimate way to see the high mountains is by helicopter. For example, it costs about 60€ for a ten minute flight around Aiguille de Midi (see web site) or 1030€ for a full tour for 5 people (see web site).

Paragliding (parapente) - Fascinating just to watch them taking off at Plaine Joux. All year round, you can learn to jump with an instructor there (65€ for a discovery flight, see web site) or at Chamonix or Megève.

Sport and leisure

Climbing (escalade) - The Megève sports centre has a practice wall and there is a practice face in the park at Le Fayet. Guides are available for mountaineering including rock climbing and ice climbing. Leisure parks provide for the other popular type of climbing circuits using trees and ropes.

Leisure parks - at Le Fayet, les Contamines and Megève provide lots of other fun activities and equipment such as go-carting, archery, putting, tennis.

Luge d'été - the summer bobsleigh run is great fun. There is a track at Megève under the Jaillet lift.

Pétanque - you can play boules on site, ask the Guardiens.

Squash - there are courts at Megeve, Sallanches and Chamonix.

Tennis - season from April to November. There is a court on site, bookable via the Guardiens. Courts are also available at Plan Perret and at le Cuchet and lessons are available - enquire at the Tourist Office.

Table tennis - is also available at Plan Perret.

Golf

Golf - with spectacular views from the Megève course at Mont d'Arboir - a ski station in winter. Also try the course at Giex (North of Ugine).

In the evenings

at home - we provide TV, video, music, books and board games (and wine glasses) for your evenings in.

Bowling - there is a ten-pin bowling alley beside the Casino at Demi-quartier - 2kms from Combloux.

bridge - .

Cinémas - in Megève, St Gervais, and Sallanches.

casino - .

Ice skating and curling - there are rinks (patinoire) at Megève and St Gervais.

floodlit skiing - .

Night Clubs, discos and jazz clubs - can be found in Sallanches, Megève and Chamonix. They tend to be relatively expensive in France.

restaurants, hotels and bars - .

Pub - Chez Dudu is the nearest equivalent to a village pub, with pool table etc.

tapas bar - .