Alpine Angels Property Blog

Rhiannon Cook works with Alpine Angels in Chamonix. Here are her ideas for hiking in this region
The Alps in summer have to be experienced on foot. Nothing quite compares to packing a bag, putting on your hiking boots and wandering freely through valleys, along rivers and over mountain peaks. A picnic at 2000 meters with friends will be the best cucumber sandwich you ever taste! One of the most popular areas to walk is the region of Chamonix. Whatever kind of experience you are looking for, and whatever level of physical challenge you desire, Chamonix has something to offer.

The valley of Chamonix is a glacial valley cut deep into the land. Hiking trails can be found up, down and along it. There are walking routes for those hoping to scale challenging alpine paths as well as paths for those seeking well-marked trails for shorter excursions. There are also many organisations who arrange guided walks, themed routes or even full on expeditions (these programmes allow walkers to set their own pace and agenda while their luggage is taken on ahead of them… my kind of walking!).

Decades ago Chamonix established a large-scale programme of environmental protection to take care of the region’s flora and fauna. 350km of footpaths are maintained by the Forestry Commission. They have set aside 180 sq km of protected land and there are 380 sq km of nature reserves. The area also includes parks, orchards and botanical gardens all of which shelter plant, bird and wildlife. Who would want to run past all that natural beauty?

Here are some recommendations from Chamonix’s Tourist Office.

Glacier des Bossons
The village of Les Bossons is a couple of kilometres away from the centre of Chamonix. Nestled in a large park, it looks out onto Mont Blanc and the Glacier des Bossons, the largest ice-fall in Europe. A popular round-trip hike from Chamonix takes about three hours.

For experienced walkers, or for those looking for wilder landscapes, glacier hiking provides fresh challenges. The glaciers of the Chamonix Mont Blanc region are well-placed for those wishing to make their first steps onto the ice. Our advice: take a guide as routes often require ropes and crampons.

Grand Balcon Sud trail
The western side of the Chamonix valley offers incredible views of the mountains. With tramways climbing to its starting point, the Grand Balcon Sud trail runs along this western edge at a height of 2,000m.

Grand Balcon Nord trail
The Grand Balcon Nord trail connects a number of the area’s natural attractions. The pinnacle of the Aiguille du Midi is a fine example of how the wilderness of the Alps has been pacified for the public. Almost 12 million people have trodden its heights, by way of the world’s longest and highest tramway which climbs to 3,800m in the shadow of Mont Blanc. The Grand Balcon Nord trail leads from the halfway stop on the Aiguille de Midi tramway across to the Mer de Glace (the second largest glacier in the Alps – 14km long, 1,500m wide, 360m thick)

Up for a mountainous challenge?
The Mont Blanc Tour is a hike across 250km of medium-altitude mountains covering France, Italy and Switzerland. It is suitable for trained hill-walkers who are used to hiking on varied terrain, carrying a heavy back-pack.

This “GR” [grande randonnée] takes an average of eight to ten days with six hours of walking every day. Everybody makes stops according to their own physical abilities, their training and their loads (particularly campers).

Still not tired? If you have a bit of extra time there are several areas close to Chamonix (under a one hour drive) that are also well worth a visit.
Megève – offers waterfalls, beautiful ridges, challenging trails.
St. Gervais – has great lakes and a breathtaking gorge.
Les Contamines – 360 views of the Alps, stunning hamlets.

Alpine Angels Top Tips:
Water! Water! Water! Water! – Temperatures in the Alps in summer can be higher than you expect. A few hours walking, even sedately, can bring on a thirst. It is possible to drink from some mountain streams and sometimes there are drinking facilities along the route, but don’t rely on that.
Proper Shoes – They don’t have to be expensive, they could even be 2nd hand, just make sure they are fit for the job. Extra support around the ankles and extra cushioning for the mountain tracks and descents is essential. Why spoil your day with blisters and achy knees?
Beware of patches of old snow, especially early in the season (in some instances an ice-axe and crampons may be useful)
Trekking poles can be useful.
Don’t forget sunglasses and skin and lip protection.
A map and a mobile phone … for obvious reasons!

There are two truths in life.

1. Ski clothing, ski equipment, and having the appropriate clothing for the mountains can be expensive.
2. Sales in France are heavily regulated so when they are on, you take note.

The January sales have just started in Chamonix and they will be running until 15^th February. As the French government only allows shops to have promotional sales at certain times of the year shop owners pack their stores with heavily discounted products. If there is anything that you need now, or think you might possibly need in the next few months, now is the time to buy. Last year I kitted myself out with an assortment of fabulous thermals at a rock bottom price and I was certainly glad I did as temperatures plummeted to minus 15 before Christmas.

For more information on the events in Chamonix go to – http://www.chamonix.com

For information on properties for sale in Chamonix go to – www.alpineangels.net

Sometimes we all have to prioritise. We have limited holiday away from the office but a host of different objectives we want to achieve.

A cycling holiday across the Portes du Soleil or a week spent fixing up the disused 2^nd bedroom that has, over the years, turned itself into an embarrassing rubbish dump.

A ski holiday with friends or a week spent getting up to speed with personal admin and finally completing the French course you enrolled in several years ago.

A friend of Alpine Angels recently had to make a choice between using her free time to improve her French, which would improve her career and employability, or a ski holiday with friends…

“My husband and I wanted to ski with friends in Chamonix but I knew that spending a week on a French language course was actually what I needed to do. We will want to buy a property in France in the next few years, and my company has lots of French clients so committing to a French language course really did make better sense. I could already parallel turn but I couldn’t conjugate the French verb Avoir”

As spending more time abroad becomes a reality; with job opportunities opening up in France, retirement in the French Alps a realty, owning property in France commonplace, have our language skills kept up? In most cases the answer is no. But there are companies out there who can help. Our friend found a company who combined language studies with snow sports, offering a comprehensive course of verb learning in the morning, and ski training in the afternoon, all nicely rounded off with French speaking ski instructors letting her practise her verbs while completing parallel turns.

Companies such as Insted in Chamonix offer tailor-made courses from intensive weeks to comprehensive 7-week programmes. Alternatively a quick Google search should give you a list of other companies such as www.ifalpes.fr and www.applelanguages.com who offer similar packages.

Thankfully school remains out for winter. At least traditional school does!

For more information on the Chamonix course click here http://www.insted.com/
For more information on Chamonix property to buy click here www.alpineangels.net

The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on the 21st June across all the towns, cities, and villages in France. Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for culture, the Fête de la Musique is completely different from a normal music festival. Firstly because it is a free fête; secondly because it is open to both amateur and professional musicians. In fact it is open to anyone who wants to perform. The day is supposed to be a day for musical expression for all people, from different social backgrounds, from different musical genres, from different age groups and ethnicities.

All musicians perform for free and all the concerts are free. It’s for this reason that the concerts take place in almost all public open spaces from streets and parks to museums, train stations and even castles. Major music institutions such as orchestras, operas and choirs are also encouraged to perform outside their usual locations even in hospitals and prisons. The idea is to bring all music to all people.

The Fête de la Musique is also celebrated in ski resorts and Chamonix will be no exception. It has a variety of different musical events planned in the streets and bars and restaurants. They will start their day in the afternoon setting up large stages outside the Tourist Office, in the Place du Mont Blanc and in the Place Balmat. But we think the best way to enjoy the event is to book a table outside one of the main restaurants. That way you can watch all the action and when you have finished your meal you can take a walk down Rue de Moulin, a cobbled pedestrian street where live bands play, DJ’s set up in the street and folk singers play to diners. There is such a special carnival atmosphere in resort for this event. It really is not to be missed.

Chamonix info – http://www.chamonet.com/events/chamonix-events-summer.htm

Fete de le Musique info – http://www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr/site-2010/?page_id=550

For information on property in Chamonix visit http://www.alpineangels.net

There is sometimes a preconception that when you head for the mountains you say hello to nature and goodbye to all things artistic. This winter season Chamonix is once again holding its head high not only as the winter sports capital of all things extreme but as a capital of culture. Here are a few of the exhibitions currently running there.

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Of Glaciers & Men – Until 30 June 2010

Exhibition explaining the many issues that are threatening the glaciers and the relationship mankind has with them explaining this with a collection of over 250 photos. This exhibition is held at, Espace Tairraz, Esplanade St Michel 615 allée du Recteur Payot.
Tel 04 50 55 53 93.
Entrance fee €1.50-€3.20

Mountain Dreams – Until 15 April 2010

Exhibition of paintings by the artist Cat Kartal on the theme of the mountains and how they inspire her paintings. This exhibition is free and is been held at Hôtel le Prieuré, Al du Recteur Payot and is open every day.

J.P Rémon – Until 15 April 2010

Exhibition of the paintings by this celebrated Parisian artist. The exhibition paintings feature mainly the many seasons of Chamonix, and is been held at Hôtel Alpina , 79 av du Mont Blanc with free entry every day.

Jazz Art – Until 9 May 2010

Exhibition of paintings by Patrick Varin. The paintings feature the many music festivals particularly jazz that inspires his work. The event is located at Hôtel le Hameau Albert 1er, 38 route du Bouchet and is free to enter every day.

Property in the alps: http://www.alpineangels.net

Chamonix is often referred to as the winter sports capital of the world. Extreme skiers and ice climbers flock to the region every winter season. I’m not sure if such athletes are afflicted by achy joints and tired muscles. But for the rest of us, and I include myself, a massage at the end of a hard day on the mountain is the height of luxury. A Chamonix based company called Physi Cham are currently promoting the importance of post-piste massage and offering free massage tasters in the VB Bar. If you are in Chamonix they offer this service every Thursday between 5pm – 9pm.  Sample the different types of massage they offer. If you like what you feel, why not book in for the full experience via their website below.

Physi-cham – http://www.physi-chamonix.com/
Free Massages at the VB Bar – Thursdays 17:00 – 19:00

Property in the Alps: http://www.alpineangels.net

Chamonix offers an array of restaurants, bars and clubs. But if you would prefer to abstain from over indulge, or prefer your evenings to be as sport focused as your days, Wednesday night offers a perfect option for you.  The NOCTURNE DE SKI DE FOND is a cross country skiing race at night. Teams of two compete in the races. Each skier does one lap of the course before handing over the relay to their partner, and this is repeated several times. The “rondes nocturnes” night races are always incredibly friendly occasions with large crowds of spectators who come to encourage the racers. Well worth a visit.

http://www.chamonixsport.com/Agenda/p/openPost/378

Property in the Alps: http://www.alpineangels.net

The number of Brits buying euros for property purchases has increased in the last few days after sterling reached a rate of €1.15 for the first time since August 2008. Speak to James at Currencies Direct for help in getting a good rate of exchange

+ 44 (0)207 847 9425
James.L@currenciesdirect.com

www.alpineangels.net