Châtel in Summer
Châtel is famous as a winter destination but, Châtel is also a wonderful place to visit in the Summer with many activities to keep you busy and entertained.
In August Châtel celebrates both the Fête de la St Laurent and the Fête de la Belle Dimanche. St Laurent is the patron saint of Châtel and the village assumes a carnival atmosphere with floats and live entertainment. La Belle Dimanche is the farmers tribute to the "Beautiful Sunday" and is held up in Plaine Dranse up from the ski lift Pierre Longue.
Summer Activities
Walking
The Alps are stunning in the summer months and there are many walking trails for people of all ages, even babies in pushchairs. The rich fauna and flora here are as much a part of the mountains as the herds of Abondance cows. There are dozens of different way-marked footpaths from gentle rambles with a long lazy picnic to a 70km trail run with a 5,200 metre climb.
Climbing
If heights are your thing you will find opportunities to try out your climbing skills. The via Ferrata, in La Chapelle d’Abondance has four routes for you to try and for all abilities and equipment can all be hired locally.
Fishing
There is a well stocked trout lake at Lake Vonnes, or you may prefer a bit more of a challenge and enjoy fishing on the Dranse River at Châtel. Classes are available on Tuesdays from 2.30pm-5.30pm for those that want to learn
Cycling
If cycling is your passion, the summer season gets off to an explosive start with thousands of Cyclists gathering to enjoy the huge Franco-Swiss mountain bike area that is the Portes du Soleil! This usually takes place in June. The atmosphere is fun, friendly and exciting. There are over 80km of varied routes and tracks with refreshment stops on route. You may like to discover the bike-park and the long descents through incredible countryside.
The Goat Village at Les Linderets
This is an unique and picturesque village, and it certainly lives up to the nickname, the village is full of inquisitive and lively goats, children love the village and the area is one of the most visited areas in the Haute-Savoie. In Summer it is a beautiful stop off point for lunch, surrounded by alpine farming and hundreds of goats roaming the pathways freely, here the animals clearly rule the streets.
The “Goat Village” has much to offer besides the goats, there are restaurants and stalls for you to buy the perfect souvenirs, whilst trying out local cheese and wine.
In winter the village is not accessible by car, but it is a great place for skiers looking for the perfect village setting for lunch.
Zip-Wire Fun: Fantasticable
This is a zip-wire experience with a difference, if you fancy flying through the air between two mountain peaks, spanning the valley of Pre-la-Joux, over the ski lifts and the restaurants at Plaine Dranse. It is advisable to go early as it gets busy in the afternoon.
The experience consists of two parts, the first is a longer but shallower zip-wire, the second shorter but way faster! You are given a helmet and goggles, but remember even in August it can still be a little fresh at altitude, best take something warm.
To find out more, please click below:
Lac de Montriond
The lake at Montriond is 10 minutes drive from Morzine. The main lake is great for swimming and sunbathing, you can hire equipment for water sports like kayaks and paddle boards. There are 3 restaurants along the lake and a snack-bar. For young kids there is a man-made safe pool with plenty of grassed area for picnics. It can get very busy, especially in August after lunch.
White-water Sports
There is racing for all levels, short or long trips are available. You can also experience Hydro speed or white-water bodysurfing, which is a sport where you slide through water, with a constant change of speed and feeling of power.
Canyoning, abseiling and tackling 300m deep canyons can be experienced in the Summer and also canoeing where as a two person team you can explore the river.
There are so many other activities to try: horse riding, paragliding, painting, archery, crazy golf, mini golf, ice-diving!
Paragliding: ESI Pro Flying +33 (0)4 50 73 31 92
If this is something you would like to try, it is available with nationally qualified instructors, to enjoy a better panorama set off from the Morclan, with the option to buy a CD of photos and video sequences of the experience.
Bowling: Le Chaudron +33 (0)6 26 13 25 23
The bowling alley has four computerised lanes, pool tables and a bar, with sports on a giant screen and snacks served e.g. pizza and paninis, it stays open until late and is a popular place to go and socialise for a few drinks.
Cinema Morclan 2000 +33 (0)4 50 73 21 04
In the centre of Châtel, Le Morclan 2000 cinema is a panoramic screen with 300 seats showing a variety of different films on a daily basis, including premieres, exclusive screenings and classics.
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Châtel Ice Rink
The ice rink is open all year round, and also has a curling track. It has a synthetic base and located at Lac de Vonnes. If conditions are right a 2nd ice rink is formed on the lake. There is night skating once a week.
Cheesemaking
This area is well known for its delicious cheeses, the local farmers rear Abondance cows, which if you see them around you will notice all have the same characteristic brown patch around the eyes. Visitors to Châtel can visit Annick and Philippe, who welcome you to their farm, where they explain how they make the local cheese.
Visits are in the morning from 9.30am till 11.15am and can booked through the tourist office in the centre of the village.
The farmers are very proud of their cheese and pass on the heritage of knowhow from generation to generation. Abondance cheese is delicious and worth trying whilst you are here. Blessèd are the cheesemakers.
Local Produce
If you are interested in finding more about how the local food is produced, the tourist information office organises group trips every week to farms and chalets in the village, where you can discover these secrets for yourself. The trips usually run on a Tuesday in the afternoon, and include a high tea of local produce. Look, taste and enjoy!
The Old Customs House - Local History
Children and adults may like to discover the game of cat and mouse that went on between the smugglers and the customs officers before the advent of winter sports in the Portes du Soleil area. The exhibition is packed with documents and illustrations, with lots of eye-witness accounts, it makes for an interesting trip. Booking is essential for groups and to be done through the tourist office in the centre of the village.
Other Treasures
Enjoy a welcoming visit to the Crépy Sawmill at Villapeyron and the beautifully restored Chapelle de Tres-le-Pierres, plus the many other chapels, oratories and shrines you will come across on your walks. These buildings are featured on the Châtel heritage map (available from the tourist office and the old customs house).
The Little Train
On Tuesdays and Thursdays the Little Train runs from the church square. It's 3 euros for adults and 1.5 euros for kids less than 12 and just 1 euro for those under 5. It's a fun way of seeing Châtel!
Guided tours are also available. Booking can be made at the tourist office for the tours. You can catch it near the entrance to the underground car park.
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