Chalet Châtelet

We decided that it would be appropriate and indeed symbolically significant, to replace the medieval fortified château (which was still here as a ruin in 1555) with a bespoke traditional mountain chalet. Therefore Chalet Châtelet is very different from most chalets built in this area nowadays. The chalet is made from high quality natural materials; stone-clad honeycomb brick on the ground floor and whole logs on the first and second floors, with an old-fashioned wooden shingle roof. The logs, packed with lamb’s wool, together with cork, wood-fibre and hemp used mostly on the second floor, provide fantastic insulation against the cold winter nights and hot summer days. This photo was taken when our chalet arrived as numbered logs in 2004!

Solar energy compliments the wood burning stoves that are the main source of heating. The two types of solar panels have been unobtrusively placed on the barn roof. One section of solar panels is for hot water and under floor heating and the other creates electricity, which we sell back to the electricity company!

On the first floor, to make the most of the truly spectacular uninterrupted views, is our open-plan living space. This sitting room is yours to enjoy, with beautiful 'log cabin' interior and sunny 18m2 balcony. In this very heart of the house is the Finnish soapstone Tulikivi with its bread oven, which gently radiates heat from its "stone with soul" creating a warm and friendly ambience.

Dining at Chalet Châtelet is an event in itself! Pascal was born in Lyon, which he insists is "the cradle of French gastronomy", and he is just as passionate about food and wine as he is about the environment. Suzie enjoys creating tasty gourmet dishes, which seem to suit Pascal just fine! We source the best local, organic and seasonal ingredients in both summer and winter months.

Back from the Sunday market!

We provide a hearty breakfast to set you up for an active day and as part of the ski and multi-activity holidays, we bake great teatime cakes and biscuits for you to enjoy when you return in the afternoon and then we serve a mouthwatering, wholesome four-course evening meal. In Pascal's words: "Dinner is much more than a meal, it is an occasion, a time to change the rhythm of the hectic day and to relax in a convivial environment". Carefully selected wines for the discerning palate complement dinner and we are delighted that we are increasingly able to find excellent organic wines.

It must be obvious therefore that the kitchen is a very important part of the house - in fact that is why we have two! Our decoratively tiled Italian log-burning range in the open-plan ground floor kitchen, gives the dining area an informal atmosphere conducive to delicious meals and genial conversation.

Our kitchen on the first floor is used mostly in the chalet to serve meals on our southwest-facing balcony during the summer and as a tea/coffee-making area for our guests.

There are three bedrooms each of which has its own very special characteristics and atmosphere. The tranquil village, together with excellent sound insulation within the chalet, means that each bedroom is quiet and peaceful, and this, along with comfortable beds and fine bed linen, gives you every opportunity to have a perfect night’s sleep. In the luxury bathrooms we provide large bath towels as well as natural and organic Provençal toiletries to add to your comfort.

The traditional Vieux Chalet Bedroom on the second floor is over 19m2 with soft westerly light and open view of the mountains and the village. It has a big, comfortable kingsize bed and a lovely old wooden French single. There is a walk-in wardrobe, a beautifully tiled en suite bathroom with large bath with hand shower, bidet and a separate toilet.

The spacious, modern 'Atelier', also on the second floor, has three single beds (or one super-king and one single), a huge art studio window looking east down la Vallée d'Abondance. It also has a stylish washbasin and large walk-in wardrobe.

The Atelier has its private bathroom, with gorgeous stained glass window and a large bath with hand shower so that you can lie in it looking at the mountains that you have skied on during the day! It also has modern fittings on ‘river-bed’ pebble granite surfaces, a bidet and a separate toilet. There is also mezzanine with single bed and an extra shower on this level.

On the first floor the beautiful “Vieille France” bedroom has a double aspect east and south with fantastic views of the Vallée d’Abondance. There is a romantic old French king-size bed and luxury en suite bathroom with marble and granite insets, a bath with hand shower, bidet and a double shower with large shower head. This room also has a huge walk in wardrobe and separate toilet.