In the heart of the Aravis Mountain range in the Haute Savoie, perfectly located between Mont Blanc, Lake Annecy and Switzerland, Le Grand-Bornand offers the best of the Alps.

Not only is Le Grand-Bornand a tourist destination in the summer as well as winter, it is also a truly charming village where Mother Nature has done her very best. The Aravis Mountains, with their summit at 2750m, form the main backdrop to the village. The range is capped by the distinctive Pointe Percée from where forested mountain slopes, open to all, curve down towards the village.

The resort is divided in to two parts: Le Grand-Bornand Village is, at 1000 metres, a typical Savoyard village with a market square and “grenette”, a traditionally roofed market hall, its church and shops. The splendid Bouchet valley stretches away behind… a favourite cross country ski area.

Six kilometres further up, at 1300 metres and on the road to Col de la Colombiere, Le Grand-Bornand - Chinaillon is the other part of the resort, where most of the ski runs begin and here you will find the perfect location for a peaceful holiday. The old part of Chinaillon with its chapel, all of which is very well preserved and dates back to the 17th century presents an authentic picture card view from the balcony of Haute Savoie at its best.

Unparalleled chocolate box chalets create a special charm

There are more than four hundred of these beautiful authentic chalets spread throughout the village, often dating up to three hundred years old. So, how do you recognise a Grand Bornand chalet? By its typical architectural details such as the “pointe d’ane”- the master beam in the building; the “solaret” - a light and airy loft; and the “credence”- a kitchen cupboard built into the wall, or a small barn right next to the main house where the “goodies” were kept. Faced in wood, with covered balconies and warm interiors, these chalets are considered to be the true jewels of the alpine heritage.

Les Refuge Des Outalays is a group of nine traditional chalets containing a number of apartments grouped around such an authentic Savoyard farm and its Grenier- a real historical monument on your door step. The chalets have been built faithfully to the ‘Bornandine’ style of architecture; the chalets bring together quality and refinement by use of the noble materials- wood, stone and ‘tavaillons’.

In Le Grand-Bornand you will find its church with its splendid onion-shaped dome. This whole area has its customs and traditions upheld largely thanks to the folklore group, the area’s musical groups and the intense pride, belief in and love of the regions history and uniqueness.

An example of this can be found in the traditional Reblochon market on Wednesday mornings and the fairs and old festivals which are richly authentic.

This first generation resort has stayed faithful to its traditions and the whole village has been able to maintain its own spirit, its Savoyard identity above all else, at the same time as developing modern facilities to a high standard.