Planning your next family skiing adventure? I always recommend the charming and fam-ily-friendly village of Montchavin in La Plagne to parents, as it is such a fun and conven-ient place to stay.
Montchavin has a wonderful old-fashioned village charm with beautiful stone and wood buildings, pretty surroundings and a welcoming atmosphere. It also boasts some of the finest La Plagne chalets that are available. In addition to its rustic setting, Montchavin is conveniently situated so you can get out and easily explore the surrounding ski slopes, cheerful shops and low-key nightlife.
Skiing
The north-facing mountain village, located at an altitude of 1250 m, has great access to the ski slopes, so getting the kids out and developing their skills each day is a breeze. There is a cable car that runs to the neighbouring village of Les Coches, and a Montchavin/Les Coches lift pass will give you access to three huge beginner zones, as well as more challenging runs. This means that you’ll find skiing opportunities that suit the whole family, and you do not have to stray too far from the La Plagne chalets each day.
Stores & Activities
The Town Bakery – The inviting town bakery is definitely worth a visit, as it contributes greatly to the village’s cosy charm. Run by the welcoming Monsieur Christophe Lacroix, this local boulangerie and patisserie has all of your French favourites, as well as ice cream and home-made chocolates. Yum!
The Cinema – After a long day on the slopes, there is nothing better than heading to the cinema to catch a film. There are two evening seatings, including an early one for youngsters that shows up-and-coming and child-friendly films in English each week.
The Spa Bellecote at the Bellecote Hotel – For a relaxing outing after a full day on the mountain, you can look forward to going to this hotel and unwinding in their wellness centre, which includes a Jacuzzi, a sauna and a hammam (steam room). You can also choose to indulge in a selection of facials, treatments and wraps with their in-house beauty therapist.
Restaurants
Another reason that I like to recommend Montchavin is the quiet nightlife, which is some-thing that any parent will appreciate! There are a handful of family-friendly eateries to choose from, but here are my two favourites.
Le Chaudron Restaurant – This is a traditional mountain restaurant that serves us tanta-lising local specialities such as raclette, tartiflette and fondue. Located in the Hotel Belle-cote, Le Chaudron has a cosy interior, the service is excellent and the portions are large and great value for money. In addition to the aforementioned specialities, there is a wide range of other dishes, so you can be sure that your little ones will find something on the menu that’ll suit their fancy. Le Chaudron is popular with the locals too, meaning that it must be good!
Le Chalet du Froilin Restaurant – Nestled between La Plagne and Les Arcs, you’ll find this traditional mountain lodge, which is a great spot for hearty food and relaxation. Local homemade cuisine dominates the menu, but there are also a range of snacks available, which will come in handy if your kids are picky eaters. The lodge is also well-known for serving locally produced wines. You can either sit on the sun terrace and take in the amazing views of the mountains, or get comfortable in the cosy dining room next to the roaring log fireplace.
What are you waiting for? Find out what wonderful experiences La Plagne, chalets and the charming village of Montchavin have in store for a family holiday!
Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're planning a break in one of the excellent La Plagne chalets or at La Tania, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley, Ski Amis is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.
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