back to top Introduction

This one starts with a limerick:

There was a young man who said "Damn,
For it certainly seems that I am
A creature that moves
In determinate grooves:
I'm not even a bus, I'm a tram!"

Holiday chalets, for all their charm, are trams. A sloping roof, an open fire, an outdoor hot tub and a ground-floor games room - on the whole they are very pleasant trams, but trams they are, right down to the heart-shaped cushions and the 'authentic' traditional snowshoes hanging off the wall, as if the man who single-handedly built the place has just popped out to chop some wood.

Not so the Bivouac. It is not a converted farmhouse it was built, single-handedly, by its Chamoniard owner.

The Bivouac is simplicity defined. Well, perhaps quirky simplicity defined. Every beam was hand-cut, and intentionally none of it was done with angular precision. The whole place is a little like the moment in Dead Poets' Society where Robin Williams has the kids stand on their classroom tables to get a different perspective on things. Bivouac barely even looks like a chalet. But it is beautiful, if no supermodel. This is not somewhere to bring your corporate banking trip - it is somewhere to bring your family and your board game collection. You aren't five minutes walk from a lap-dancing club, you are ten seconds from nature. With the exception of the one other visible chalet, the only other life you'll see will be the deer wandering through the garden.

back to top Location

Once you reach Le Bivouac, practically at the end of a little used road, you will be amazed that something that feels so remote is only a fifteen minute drive from Chamonix town. The road is cleared of snow in winter, however chains are recommended since over half of that fifteen minute drive is up!

Commanding truly breathtaking views, Le Bivouac looks down on the entire valley from its meadowed plateau nestled above the Bossons ski jump. Being so close to the woods you are more likely to come across deer than people.

back to top Living Area

The ground floor is an open plan collection of kitchen, dining room and living space, running the whole length of the chalet, with the tremendous staircase against the back wall. It is prehaps from here that the quirkiness is on best display, with the central fireplace dominating the room, cosy warmth bound by not quite symmetrical beams.

back to top Bedrooms

There are two bedrooms, both of which can sleep four, making Bivouac perfect for a family with two or three (or four!) children, or for two families. The master bedroom has a double bed on the mezzanine and a sofa below, and the second bedroom has also the main bed up on the mezzanine and 2 single beds below.

back to top Kitchen

The kitchen is fully equipped, and more than caters for the eight man capacity. Everything you would expect is there - big fridge, oven, microwave, gas hob, two sinks. Sunday roasts or fishfingers and chips, there's nothing missing here.

back to top Facilities

Bivouac doesn't have all the blasé trimmings that most chalets do. There is a nice gym room with a bycicle and a sauna, 2 stepper.

There is a widescreen TV and DVD, a mezzanine play area for the kids with a lot of games.

A large bathroom with a massage bath .

Wifi access in the whole chalet.

back to top Services provided

Self Catered Option includes:

• Concierge service before and during your stay to help organise any services you might require such as ski pass purchase, transport etc

• A welcome at the chalet to explain how everything works as well as the chalet rules; a summary of what is going on in Chamonix and the best places to visit, rent skis, go out etc; a run through and confirmation of any services you may have pre booked with us such as guides, monitors, baby sitters etc

• 8 hours of housekeeping organised at a time most convenient to you.

Comfort Pack Includes:

• Concierge service before and during your stay to help organise the services included at the most convenient times for you as well as anyadditional services you might require such as ski pass purchase, transport, guides etc

• A welcome drink at the chalet to explain how everything works as well as the chalet rules; a summary of what is going on in Chamonix and the best places to visit, rent skis, go out etc; a run through and confirmation of any services you may have pre booked with us such as guides, monitors, baby sitters etc

• Daily housekeeping including a full change of linen and towens in the middle of your stay.

• Fresh fruit and flowers: an elegant bouquet, as well as a large bowl of fresh seasonal fruits will be present on your arrival.

• Bathroom Products: at the beginning of your stay a range of high quality bathroom products will be provided for each bathroom.

• Fridge filling and champagne: the fridge will be stocked with a variety of the finest local fare, so you can prepare a light meal on your arrival and enjoy your first breakfast without having to worry about shopping or bringing your own food. Do let us know if any of your group have special dietary requirements.

• Chocolates: A box of delicious local chocolates will be waiting for you upon arrival.

• Newspapers: every morning a daily newspaper of your choice will be delivered by the housekeeper

Fully Catered Includes

• A full time host: Dedicated to making your stay as enjoyable as possible by organising the services included at the most convenient times for you as well as anyadditional services you might require.Your host starts working for you before your arrival and remains available throughout your stay.

• A welcome drink at the chalet to introduce all the staff who will be striving to make your stay in Chamonix better than you expect.....

• Daily housekeeping including a full change of linen and towens in the middle of your stay.

• Fresh fruit and flowers: an elegant bouquet, as well as a large bowl of fresh seasonal fruits will be present on your arriva and changed mid-stay.

• Bathroom Products: at the beginning of your stay a range of high quality bathroom products will be provided for each bathroom.

• Fridge filling and champagne: the fridge will be stocked with a variety of the finest local fare, so you can prepare a light meal on your arrival and enjoy your first breakfast without having to worry about shopping or bringing your own food. Do let us know if any of your group have special dietary requirements.

• Chocolates: upon arrival a box of delicious local chocolates will be presented.

• Newspapers: every morning a daily newspaper of your choice will be delivered by the housekeeper.

• Chef:Our chefs are all fully trained with years of experience but more importantly completely at your service. They come every day to prepare a cooked or continental breakfast, freshly baked cakes for tea and then a lavish evening meal with all drinks included. They will liase with you prior to arrival for any special dietry requirements as well as to fine tune the menu to your preferences.

• Wine and soft drinks - A good quantity of wines and all soft drinks are included at your discretion. A further wine list is available for connoisseurs.

• Transport: A driver and van will pick you up at the airport and will then be available at your convenience throughout your stay. This means that you can easily split your ski days between different areas of the valley, catering for different skiing abilities or simply tracking the sunshine throughout the day; you can pop into town for supplies without any hassle; you can make the most of the valley's restaurants, bars and nightclubs without needing a designated driver, and without risking finding out at 4am that Chamonix has no all-night taxis.

• Masseuse: Four hours of massages are available for your group

• Guide/Monitor: We include one guide or monitor for the week either to help you explore all the different areas in the valley or to take care of and help any children improve from a personal teacher.