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Morillon 1100, Les Esserts. Apartment F 11

Infos en français

Morillon and its surroundings has plenty to do for all the family...

Morillon is a French ski and summer resort, ideal for familes and groups of friends.

Located in the French Northern Alps in the Haute Savoie between Geneva (some 45 minutes drive from the airport), Chamonix Mont Blanc and les Portes du Soleil ski area, Morillon belongs to the Grand Massif ski area.

Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt, Les Carroz and Flaine: 5 resorts unite to make one of the greatest skiing domains in France.

A total of 265 km of slopes culminating at 2500 metres at Flaine (views of Mont Blanc), 1000 acres of traced slopes and 75 ski lifts.

So don’t hesitate any more, come and ski in the Grand Massif.

Morillon in winter also means all sorts of entertainments: like torchlight processions, the carnival, clowns and concerts.

In summer, you will enjoy walking or mountain biking in the surroundings mountains with spectacular waterfalls, glaciers and exceptional fauna and flora.
Morillon offers a convenient lake with several activities around.
You also have charming pastures accessible by chairlift.

Taxi du Grand Massif 0033 (0)4 50 34 90 90

See http://www.ot-morillon.fr/winter-activities/alpine-skiing.php for more details.

Listed below are just some of the things you  can try.

Sports:
Ski resort location
Tennis in town
Water sports
Water park
Horse Riding
Golf within 30 mins. drive
Fishing

 Great for:
 Walking holidays
 Rural / countryside retreats
 Beach or lakeside relaxation
 A winter sun break
 City breaks
 Cycling holidays

Please read on to find out more about these activities:

WINTER SPORTS

Morillon and the Grand Massif have ski-ing for everyone whatever level you are. 1 cable car, 4 gondolas, 26 chairlifts and 49 draglifts give you access to a paradise of 134 pistes for all standards.

The Grand Massif (1100-2500m) includes 265km of pistes. It links five resorts: Morillon, Les Carroz, Flaine, Samoens and Sixt. The highest point is 2500m. There are 80 lifts and 134 pistes.

  • Marked, patrolled and mechanically groomed: 13 green, 41 blue, 56 red, 15 black.

  • Marked, patrolled but not mechanically groomed: 10 black

  • Capacity: 73 500 persons per hour.

  • Artificial snow: 128 snow canons

  • Piste preparation: 37 machines

The Massif includes 130km of pistes. It links four resorts: Morillon, Les Carroz, Samoens and Sixt. The highest point is 2200m. There are 57 lifts and 103 pistes.

  • Marked, patrolled and mechanically groomed: 13 green, 32 blue, 37 red, 12 black

  • Marked, patrolled but not mechanically groomed: 10 black

  • Capacity: 16 200 persons/hour 28 Pistes

SUMMER SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

In summer, there is so much to do around Morillon such as climbing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, mountaineering, paragliding, sightseeing, sports and leisure and water sports. Morillon summer holidays offer you a whole lot to get involved in. The apartment is well located for all activities.
The vast and changing landscape of the French Alps provides the most magnificent panoramic views, clean fresh air, stunning mountains and crystal clear lakes. All the traditional holiday activities are on offer from high adrenalin rushes to gentle strolls. Morillon 1100 (Les Esserts) is the higher village of the two, situated on the plateau of Les Esserts.

LAC BLEU RECREATIONAL PARC
The recreational park of the "Lac Bleu" is situated at the very centre of Morillon and offers a multitude of activities for every age group. Fishing, swimming, tennis, horse riding, petanque and so on. Fun for everybody.
Lac Bleu Recreational Parc is located 500 metres from the low village of Morillon and there is something for everyone.
Situated beside the Giffre River's clear waters (reserved for swimming and fishing).
Tennis, horse riding, children's play area, picnic areas. and a bar/ restaurant. Free parking and toilets are at your disposal.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Some of the best mountain bike trails in Europe can be found in the Grand Massif and surrounding areas, for all levels. EasyJet, for example,  now allow you to bring your own bike for a small surcharge of £10 each way or you can rent a mountain bike from Morillon or Samoens. There are excursion trails on the valley floor as well as more difficult ones using the cable car systems to access them. You can also start many of the rides directly from the Morillon apartment.
The lifts allow you to take your bikes with you and enjoy some of the best mountain bike paths in Europe in and around the Grand Massif, to accommodate all levels.

BALLOONING
All the year round 1/2 h and 1 hour flights
3 training courses to improve or begin hot-air balloon flights
Contact: Jo – Tourist Office:
+33 450 90 00 04

CLIMBING
The valley of Haut-Giffre, offers numerous sites for climbing where both beginners and experts will have the pleasure of climbing a variety of different levels to match their skills.
A listing of more than 80 sites is available at the local shops.

You can try another way of climbing with the "via ferrrata" of Tines. (Via Ferrata -in English "Iron Way"), is a fixed-protection climbing path.)
The technical material is supplied by the professionals, with the exception of climbing shoes which can be rented in sports shops. You can practise climbing together with a professional on a training course, for a day or half-day.
Cairn: 04 50 90 02 74: half-day initiation, adult, Kids (6 to 12 years old)
Aereau loisirs: 04 50 34 4 2 72: half-day initiation, adult, Kids (6 to 12 years old)
Training for experts and juniors: +33 (0)4 50 34 43 12.

GOLF
Golf de Flaine – Les Carroz.  (Tel : 00 33 4 50 90 80 74 )
18 holes, length 4063m, par 63
Open 1/7-31/8, weekends only 15/6-30/6 & 1/9-30/9
Green fees (daily) 18 holes 30€, 9 holes 19€
A spectacular mountain course at an altitude of 1900m.
Fantastic views over the Alps.

Samoens. (Tel: 00 33 4 50 34 40 28)
Driving Range & 9 hole putting green. Length 150m.
Open 1/7-31/8
Driving range over water + 9 hole putting green.

Golf des Gets. (Tel: 00 33 4 50 75 87 63 )
18 holes, length 5264m, par 70.
Open: 15/6-20/10
Green fees (daily) from 29€ to 38€, weekend passes available
Mountain golf course with a superb panoramic view

Golf d’Avoriaz, Morzine. (Tel: 00 33 4 50 74 17 08)
9 holes, length 2923m, par 36.
Open: 29/6-15/9
Green fees (daily) 21€
Mountain golf links at the entrance to the resort of Avoriaz.
Superb panoramic views.

Chamonix has an excellent 18 hole course and there are also courses at Evian and Verbier.

Other Activities.

Adventure Playground (Chamonix)
Forty minutes drive away in Chamonix, there is a large adventure playground. This has numerous bungees, small fairground type facilities, swing parks and most importantly a luge which is a downhill toboggan, again on a kind of go-cart. There large adventure playground also includes a fast descent on a pulley.

Ballooning
Why not try ballooning? Joe Roulet from the tourist office in Les Carroz, very nearby, offers spectacular flights in Le Montgolfiere des Carroz. Joe’s Montgolfiere is the symbol of Les Carroz and is one of the most renowned in France.

Hiking
The valley is beautiful and the hiking season can start as early as April in Morillon. You will need lightweight boots and shorts, waterproofs, sunglasses, plus skin and lip protection. Always have a drink at hand as well. Walks are well sign posted. In the valley you can do one day walks from the cable car stations and further a field two day plus walks in surrounding French areas, Italy and Switzerland.

Mountaineering
There are lots of mountaineering routes to do in the summer from valley cragging to the ascent of Mont Blanc. You must be aware of mountain safety, if tackling anything very dangerous then hire a guide. Most shops in Chamonix town centre will have books covering the routes. We also recommend a visit to the Chamonix tourist office.

Parapenting
Parapenting is a very popular sport in nearby Les Carroz due to the high mountains and great winds. There are many takeoff sites in Les Carroz. You can try with Eric Mathurin of Air Passion or Alain Barnier.
(see http://www.airpassion.org )

WATER SPORTS
You can do all the white water sports listed below in the Grand Massif. Early in the summer, in May and June, the rivers are usually high with snow melt from the mountains. During July, August and September the water levels are usually lower and the temperature warmer.

Canyoning
Vertical swimming with exciting water-slides into deep pools.

Hydro speed
White water swimming is offered by all the rafting companies and is great fun. Thick, reinforced wetsuits, crash hats and flippers are provided but you'll still feel vulnerable.

Kayaking
This is good around Morillon but not well publicised. The Giffre river is good and grade three, the Dranse above Thonon offers a range of levels, The Dora Baltea features a range of difficulties including 15km of grade 6.

Rafting
This is a good white knuckle ride and the Arve (Chamonix) and the Giffre (at Morillon/Samoens) are popular local rivers. Further a field are the excellent Dranse (between Morzine and Lake Leman) and, in Italy, the terrifying Dora Baltea.

Swimming, Sunbathing, Windsurfing and BBQs
The local lakes are excellent for these with Lake Passy (20 minutes drive) being amongst the best. The outdoors is generally bug-free so sunbathing can be enjoyed in peace.


Grand Massif / Morillon area

Morillon is a very authentic French Alpine village. Even if you do not want to get carried away with the winter skiing or summer sports there is so much to do in Morillon and the surrounding areas. Besides the traditional French restaurants and bars in the village, you can see and do so much.

Pétanque
There is one Pétanque ground at the Lac Bleu in Morillon village plus another one at Morillon Les Esserts. Contests are organised regularly at both places.

Acrobatic Tour in the forest
By the Lac Bleu in Morillon village this is a seven level tour for the whole family. Different levels allow you to progress freely from tree to tree in total confidence. Alternatively try the Tyrolienne game which is 20 meters high with a Tarzan jump.

Helicopter Flight
This takes place every Thursday morning. Registration is at the tourist office in Morillon village. Either a Grand Massif flight or over Mont Blanc further information can be found at the tourist office or +33 (0)4.50.74.22.44

TRIP TO SURROUNDING FRANCE

Annecy - 45 minutes drive
Try a trip to the Annecy and visit one of the most beautiful lakes of Europe. With its lovely castle, canal walks, shops, restaurants and historic entertainment, this place is a must and only about 45 minutes drive away. Try a boat trip and why not have lunch or even a dinner dance on the luxury boat Le Libellule whilst enjoying the cruise.

Chamonix - 40 minutes drive
- Aiguille du Midi Cable Car (3842m)
One of the highest cable cars in the world, in two sections, it will take you on a spectacular aerial voyage, up to Aiguille du Midi surrounded by world-famous summits, forever linked with mountaineering firsts - you will be able to contemplate a unique panoramic view over the Mont Blanc and the Alps. The views are stunning.
- Brevent (2525m)
The best views of the Mont Blanc massif are from the top of the Brevent cable car.
- Mont Blanc Tramway
This railway is the highest in France. Throughout the voyage, peaks and valleys unfold for your delight - the Contamines valley, Aiguille du Gouter, Aiguilles Rouges, Aiguille du Midi.
- Montenvers Railway
Explore the Mer de Glace in its wintry or summery finery at the foot of the Drus, la Verte and Les Grandes Jorasses peak. From the arrival station, you can visit the crystal gallery, the alpine fauna exhibition and the ice grotto.
- Tour of Historic Chamonix
Chamonix has a rich and diverse architectural heritage. Key features of this tour, which can be booked at the Tourist Office, include l'Eglise St Michel, la Marie and the Priory.

Evian les Bains - 50 minutes drive
Where the water comes from, this is another excellent day out. It has an Olympic size swimming pool, children's and paddling pools, and one of the longest water slides in Europe. The brave can also do a high dive into Lake Geneva or learn to water ski.

TRIP TO SWITZERLAND

Geneva
The world famous city with its landmark fountain on the Lake is only forty minutes drive away. Plenty to see and do, with many museums, art galleries and fantastic shops and fascinating walks through the narrow streets of the old part of the city. Ferries across the lake are very popular.

Martigny
A popular daytrip is a scenic train ride over the border to Switzerland with the Mont Blanc Express from Chamonix to Martigny. This is just across the Swiss border past Chamonix is in the picturesque Rhone valley and has been built around Roman remains including a well preserved arena. It is well worth a visit to see the world famous Gianadda Foundation with its superb exhibitions which have included Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci. There is a permanent outdoor sculpture park in the beautiful grounds, with works by Rodin, Henry Moore and Miro, amongst others. There is also a magnificent collection of well preserved vintage cars and a permanent art collection.

TRIP TO ITALY

Mont Blanc Tunnel
Try a trip to the Aoste Valley Courmayeur, through the Mont Blanc tunnel. There are specific market days where you can pick up the local specialities at a very reasonable price.

   

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Last updated 11/10/2011

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