Guest Hook Travel Guides Serre Chevalier in the Alps | Page 4

HELEN’S REAL SERRE CHEVALIER & BRIANCON...

For us, the real Serre Chevalier lies in its diversity.
We love skiiing and that’s how we first discovered the
area. But, as we experienced the place through different
seasons, we quickly realised the area’s 250 km of ski
pistes are just half its attraction. At heart Serre Chevalier
and Briancon is what you want it to be. Whether that’s a
high-mileage ski resort, a quiet family resort or a cultural
experience.

Summer finds a buzzing 17th century town in
Briancon. Its city walls, fortresses and large collegiate
church dominate the hillside. Walk through flowerfilled meadows alonside gushing streams, or scale high
mountain peaks; the choice is yours. Follow in the wheel
tracks of Bradley Wiggins on the famous cols of the Tour
de France, or take a chairlift up the mountain for a thrillseeking downhill mountain bike ride on the VTT trails.
White water sports just add to the excitement.

In Winter, each village has its own individual
atmosphere. 13 villages are spread along the valley, with
farming communities intermingling with tourists and
skiers. Traditional old village houses still house the sheep

and cows in the lower floor during the winter months.
Atmospheric old village bars and restaurants are built
into vaulted rooms, and roaring fires warm you after
a day on the pistes. Modern comfortable apartments
and hotels provide pools and saunas for their guests.
Join the skiers on the slopes for 250km of some of the
finest skiing in France, or hire a guide to discover some
great off-piste routes. Meet in one of the mountain
restaurants for lunch, warmed by a vin chaud.

Outside of the holiday seasons, the villages
are quiet and cows and sheep graze on the hillsides.
Autumn sees the beautiful colours of the largest larch
forest in Europe and the first sprinkling of snow on the
mountain tops.

Buying an apartment here has allowed us to
really appreciate the area throughout the whole year,
experiencing every season. We love the place and
the atmosphere, it’s vibe and it’s pace, which can be
anything to anyone. For us that’s the real Serre Chevalier
and Briancon!

Helen’s Favourite Local Produce...

Sheep’s cheese (Brebis) , foie gras and
patés can be bought fresh from the farm
at Les Guibertes, a small hamlet just outside of Monetier.

Saucisse and many other local products
including baguettes, croissants, etc can
be bought at all of the local markets.

Local wine, grown further south, can be
bought from Astier (on the Champ du
Mars in Briancon), or from Geant/Casino
shopping centre