The Haute-Savoie is a wonderfully diverse region, with the soaring snow capped mountains of the northern Alps, lush green forests, raging rivers and crystal clear lakes. The region we cover runs along the southern shore of Lac Leman to the border of Switzerland, incorporating beautiful lakeside towns such as Evian-Les-Bains and Thonon-Les-Bains. To the north-east of Geneva (Switzerland) are the Jura mountain range, still part of the Haute-Savoie, this area is popular with commuters who work in the northern part of Geneva. As well as Lac Leman the region also includes the beautiful historic town of Annecy which is nestled at the far end of lac d’Annecy and is the capital of the Haute-Savoie. There are many ski resorts to choose from, offering varied skiing at all levels, including Chamonix, Flaine, Thollon-les-Memises, Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz but there are countless others. Also there are some lesser known areas such as the Vallee Verte, a beautiful year round area which offers family friendly skiing in the winter and a lush green valley in the summer.
However, the Haute-Savoie is not just for winter fun. This region is also a fantastic place to live in the summer. With warm, dry and sunny days throughout the Spring, Summer & Autumn with an array of water activities including sailing, Lido’s, water-skiing, canoeing and even a water-park just across the border in Switzerland. There are an array of wonderful restaurants, shops, bars and markets that remain open all year round – with local produce of wine, goats cheese, yoghurts and of course chocolate. The local restaurants offer specialities such as Tartiflette (a delicious concoction of cheese, potato, onion and bacon) or Raclette (hot melted cheese accompanied by smoked meats and pickles) these are wonderful, after a morning skiing, snow-boarding, snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing. And in the summer there is fresh fish from the lakes available, Filet de Perche served with a choice of sauces or Filet de Fera a lovely fresh-water fish. Switzerland and Geneva are close by, where there is an international airport as well as many great job opportunities, with offices for the UN, World Health Organisation, Proctor & Gamble and Reuters to name but a few.
There are wonderful mountain villages to explore or the medieval village of Yvoire which is full of beautiful historical buildings and pretty gardens. There is even a sandy beach at Excenevex, complete with ice-cream and pedalos, offering safe swimming for even the youngest children in the summer and kite-surfing for the brave of heart in the winter. This really is a fantastic area for all kinds of sporting activities, including skiing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, canoeing, fishing, white water rafting, sailing, horse-riding and much, much more. There is always something going on locally, from seasonal Christmas markets and Father Christmas grottos in the winter to produce markets, fetes and music festivals in the summer – whether you are looking for a fantastic holiday home in the mountains or a full-time family home, why not come and see for yourself what this amazing area has to offer? Come and enjoy the Haute-Savoie, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Links to websites about the area are listed below, if you are interested in another area in 74 that is not listed, please do let us know and we will endeavour to find you further information:-
www.chamonix.com
www.portesdusoleil.com
www.vallee-verte.com
www.grand-massif.com
www.lesbrasses.com
www.yvoiretourism.com
www.excenevex.fr
www.lac-annecy.com
www.geneva-tourism.ch