The great thing about Champsaur and Valgaudemar is that there aren't loads of big commercial hotels obscuring the landscape. Virtually all the hotels and auberges (usually family run country hotels / houses) in the valleys are small, friendly and family run.
The quality of the decor and standard of the services varies quite a lot, so we've chosen a selection of
accomodation in the French Alps that we know won't disappoint.
3* Chalet Style Hotel
This is superb a newly refurbished three star hotel situated in the Alpine village of Ancelle in the heart of the Champsaur valley. It's near to ski runs and has great access for walking and biking in the summer.
There are a variety of twin, double and family rooms and apartments including a luxury 50 square meter suite.
There's a relaxation area with spa, heated pool and steam room. You can also have a chocolate massage and a range of other beauty treatments. Just what you need after a day in the mountains before tucking in to a hearty meal in the restaurant.
The restaurant is excellent and has a vaulted ceiling which creates a wonderful ambiance.
The staff are very friendly and hospitable and although some speak better Englsh than others they are all willing to have a go and will look after you during your stay!
Have a look at more photos of this fantastic 3 star hotel including the leisure facilities and the suite
here
Click to enlarge
Friendly 2* hotel
Christophe and Sabine run this excellent two star family hotel in the heart of the Southern French Alps in a picturesque alpine ski village.
In winter you have access to one of the prettiest little ski villages in the area and in summer you have walks, bike rides, a great swimming lake, paragliding, rafting, canyoning, tree climbing and more right on your doorstep.
The hotel restaurant is highly recommended and has a good reputation throughout the valley. Christophe is the chef!
They speak a little English - certainly enough to get by and will make you feel very welcome in the valley!
You will find more photos including some of the fantastic view on our
Friendly 2 star hotel Flickr page.
Click to enlarge
Classic French Hotel
This is a great hotel situated in St Maurice in Valgaudemar in the heart of the Ecrins Massif with spectacular views all around.
It's run by Claud and Colette whose attention to detail, amazing cuisine and friendly welcome make this an unforgetable place to stay.
It is well decorated in a classic french mountain style - the style before the chalet craze swept the alps!
There is a heated swimming pool, a volley ball court and table tennis in the garden and inside there's also a steam room to help relax your weary bones after a day in the mountains. There's a bar, the restaurant and a lounge area inside. And you'll also be treated to a free art exhibition - on display throughout the hotel is the artwork of Claud's sister, a well established local artist.
Colette's cooking is probably some of the best cuisine in the valley and it's all made using local fresh products.
It has been recommended in the 'Guide du Routard' every year since since 1996.
Click to enlarge
Modern but Rustic Auberge
This is a great little Auberge newly refurbished in unique style of modern funky decor whilst still retaining it's rustic mountain heritage!
It is situated in the beautiful Champoleon valley just at the entrance to the Ecrins National Park, one of the most dramatic mountain ranges of the French Alps.
The accommodation has a very good restaurant (where vegetarians don't have to feel like lepers!), bar, internet access, library and children's play area and some of the most beautiful views in the area!
The rooms come in various sizes from small double or twin rooms to large family rooms - all with en-suite bathrooms with either shower or bath.
It is run by a small team of passionate foodies and outdoories headed by Stephanie and Laurent and their two children, who will ensure you are well looked after.
In winter there is
snowshoeing, ice climbing and
cross country skiing right on your doorstep and you are only 15 minutes drive from the
down hill ski resorts.
In summer you can go
walking,
mountain biking and
road biking straight from your door and you are centrally located in the area for access to all our other
activities.
Please note all photos are copyrighted to Xavier Giles
Please have a look at some more photos of this
fantastic Auberge
Click to enlarge
Hotel La Cremellaire
Eveline and Jean-Claude will offer you a warm, welcome to their friendly hotel restaurant.
The rooms are all decorated in a unique style, each with it's own special character! They are well maintained and clean and comfortable. All the rooms are ensuite with TV.
The glass fronted restaurant is a wonderful place to enjoy breakfast or dinner looking out onto the gardens and mountain views. There is also a relaxing lounge area for hotel residents, a computer internet point as well as wifi, a TV room and meeting rooms available.
For those warm summer evenings and sunny winter afternoons there is a lovely sunny terrace looking out on to beautiful views of the mountains and plenty of outside space for children to play!
The hotel is situated in the medieval town of St Bonnet, with bars, shops and restaurants and a regular market.
In summer there's a lake set up for swimming and water sports close by as well as an outside swimming pool in the village. A perfect location for a summer
alpine activity holiday.
In winter you are close to the ski villages, a natural ice skating rink, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, husky sledding and not far from ice climbing and other winter activities so it is also a great place to be based for a
winter activity holiday.
You will find some more photos of the hotel on
La Cremaillere Flickr page.
Click to enlarge
Lounge in hotel
This is a family run traditional French hotel situated in the ski resort of Orcieres 1850. Lydie who runs the hotel is really friendly and will look after you well. She has lived in Orcieres for a long time and knows it extremely well so any questions you have about which ski run to go on or where to buy a new top will be thoroughly replied to.....!
It's near the centre of the resort and not far from the ski lifts. There is also a place you can leave your skis near the lifts so you don't have to walk up and down carrying them everyday.
Have a look at the
map of Orcieres in square H6 to see exactly where it is.
The hotel has all been recently refurbished so is very nice inside and it has an excellent restaurant.
Click to enlarge
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