Chalet Vallorcine

Chalet Vallorcine sits in the Vallorcine valley, a hidden pocket of the Chamonix area that lies beyond the Col des Montets, just before the Swiss border. Vallorcine receives a fraction of Chamonix's visitors despite being connected to the same ski pass and trail network, making it the choice for guests who want the Chamonix experience without the town's bustle. The chalet occupies a meadow at the valley's widest point, with views up to the Aiguilles Rouges on one side and down to the Swiss village of Finhaut on the other. The building is a traditional Vallorcine farmhouse: thick timber walls darkened by centuries of Alpine weather, a low-pitched stone-slab roof, and small windows designed to conserve warmth. The interior has been modernised without compromising the building's character: underfloor heating in the original stone floors, a new kitchen behind the existing timber-framed wall, and bathrooms inserted within former storage spaces. Four bedrooms are distributed across two floors. The master occupies the former hayloft, with the original timber structure visible overhead and a window cut into the gable end framing the Aiguilles Rouges. Three further bedrooms are on the ground floor, each with garden access. Vallorcine's natural hot springs, fed by a geothermal source at 32 degrees, are a 5-minute walk from the chalet. The outdoor pools, set among rocks and fed by the spring, offer a wild swimming experience in every season. The chalet also has its own outdoor hot tub on a wooden deck. The chef's cooking reflects the valley's position on the border: French cheeses and wines alongside Swiss rosti, dried meats, and chocolate desserts. The Vallorcine train connects to both Chamonix (15 minutes) and Martigny in Switzerland (30 minutes). The Le Tour ski area and the Grands Montets are each 10 minutes by car.