The swimming pool is available to all who stay.

Winter Bookings & Price List 2011/2012

The price per person per week includes

Breakfasts of home-made bread, croissants, compôtes, fresh fruit, cereal, eggs, fruit juices, porridge, cereal, coffee teas and/or infusions

Afternoon tea of homemade tarts, biscuits,pancakes or cakes.

3 course evening meal (except one night per week) with aperitifs and wine with the meal.

Generally holidays start on a Sunday evening (except sometimes for Xmas and New Year) but occassionaly we can be flexible.

The price does not include travel, holiday insurance, health insurance, equipment hire or ski passes.
For summer availability, please see separate page

In peak weeks, marked by a *, the chalet will normally be rented to a single party, which will be expected to fill it.

Prices assume two people per room. A single supplement of £150 may apply.

Children aged 0 to 24 months – £250.

The Writer’s Retreat is self catered with most food provided and is £900 per week for 2 people (please call to discuss).

Family Discounts

A 20% discount for children (those over 2 but under 12).

A 50% discount for a fourth child in a family (all four children having the same parents).

This is your holiday and we can often be flexible: early suppers for children and packed lunches can usually be arranged.

Booking Form

Please download and complete the  Winter booking Form (also available as a PDF -Winter Booking Form)

Return it to us by email at  lafermedusoleil@hotmail.com

or Fax 01235 861 643 (ring 01235 833643 first so that we can switch on)

Please download and complete the Booking form, Summer – House (also available in PDF form if you have difficulties Booking form, Summer – House)

Return it to us by email at  lafermedusoleil@hotmail.com

or fax 01235 861 643 (ring 01235 833643 first so that we can switch on).

Veroni has created a collection of Alpine coats for all ages.

Using Icelandic wool and knitters in Serbia,she has taken the flowers from the Alpages of la Ferme du Soleil and created timeless designs that are easy to wear, functional, but glamourous, colouful, cosy and will become your friend. They work outside in flurries of snow – the special wool is weatherproof – and inside as a housecoat they are comfortable and breathable. The qualitly of the finish is superb and her flower designs have been sensitively interpreted by the very accomplished Serbian knitters in their delightful homes on Mount Zlatibor -The mountain of the golden pinetree.

Can we sit outside the Writer’s Retreat?

Of course.  In the morning, there is a place just outside the sitting room for the morning sun.  In the afternoon, you can sit outside the main room and look at the mountains opposite, in the sun

When is the best time to see the wild flowers?

From late May or the beginning of June depending on the temperature. They are best in June but you can still find them in July.

When do the cows come up the hill? And are they noisy?

When the wild flowers come out. We love the clank of their bells.

Are there any local restaurants?

Yes. Some are nearby in easy walking distance, while others are a longer walk away.  Restaurant La Croix is open most of the year but not on Mondays. Others, some very near by such as La Roc de Arches open in mid June or a little later in the summer. There are quite a few restaurants in Grand Bornand, open the year round. We like walking to the Col de Anes for lunch, too.

What else can I do?

Go bicycling, walking, running, mountain biking, rock climbing, via ferrata, tennis, golf, white water rafting, swimming, fishing, shopping in the market on Wednesday mornings, sun bathe, picnic, ramble, collect myrtilles, breathe fresh air, play some of the board games.

Do we have use of the swimming pool?

Yes, of course. It is heated by the sun (very eco-friendly) so please make sure that you replace the pool cover. You must set/reset the safety siren. Please take care of your young children!

Are there towels and sheets?

Yes.

Can I smoke in the house?

Sorry, no.  It is not allowed and is also against the law. There are smoke detectors in the house for fire prevention.

Are there saucepans, crockery etc?

Yes.  There should be sufficient for four people. There is an oven, four gas burners, a fridge and a table to eat at in the main room. You can carry the table outside if you choose.

Is there a telephone that we can use and WiFi?

Most of the major French mobile operators have a reasonably strong signal here. There is no fixed line telephone available but there is WiFi, so you can use Skype for a telephone service. Ask us for the WiFi code.

Is there a television?

Yes but it is not connected to an aerial!  You can watch DVDs. Or read a book. There are also some games available.

Can I buy the local Reblochon cheese?

Our next-door neighbour makes it and will sell it to you.  It is their cows that you will hear around the house. Their cheese is delicious.

What do I do if there is a problem while I am there?

Call or email us depending on the urgency! If we are in the main house, call 09 52 76 34 01. Otherwise try 00 44 1235 833643 or mobile 00 44 77 8 99 47 0 24, or email lafermedusoleil@hotmail.com.

What do I do I break something?

Please tell us so that we can replace it.

They are not the cheapest and they do not have the broadest range but the people are nice and they speak some English. They have not only a normal range of skis but boards, ski de randonnée equipment, snow shoes etc.

Their address is:-

Magasin de sports, Ski Service Deloche

L’Envers du Chinaillon

Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon

74450 Le Grand-Bornand

Tel : 04 50 27 00 73 (+33 4 50 27 00 33)

www.skiservice-grandbornand.com

contact@skiservice-grandbornand.com

Opening hours are officially from 08:45 to 18:00 (18:30 at Christmas through New Year and in February) although they seem to open a little earlier and are often there a little later, clearing up.

When hiring, mention that you are staying at La Ferme du Soleil.  You will still need a passport to show them.  Generally, you pay when you return your hired stuff. They take all the normal credit cards.

You can ask them to reserve you skis etc.  There is a form, which you can send them.  Emails work much better than telephone with them as they are not there until the season starts.

When driving through Chinaillon, take the left turn, marked to the slopes, and you will se it on the left after about a kilometre.  The shop is after the start of the car parking, just afte the Gettier lift  and the sign, “Ski Service”  faces you.

You can get your ski tickets 150 yards from the ski shop, just down the road.

You can, of course, go anywhere else that you choose.  However if you hire from Le Grand Bornand, remember that is more of a trek than shops in Chinaillon.