Worth getting out of bed for
Most activities in the Grand Massif are mountain-based, even in the snow-free summer. Slow the pace by swapping downhill speed for horse-drawn sedateness: Cheval et Montagne in Les Carroz (+33 (0)6 10 80 05 99; www.lescarroz.com) will take you skijoring. And there’s a golf course at Flaine-Les-Carroz – the highest in Europe, open in summer only (+33 (0)4 50 90 85 44).
Local restaurants
In Chamonix, head to hotel restaurant Albert 1er on Route du Bouchet for creative, much-lauded menus featuring foie gras, caviar and lamb baked in hay and thyme (+33 (0)4 50 53 05 09). Atmosphère on Place Balmat does fine dining by the river, with speciality game dishes on offer in the autumn (+33 (0)4 50 55 97 97). La Cabane des Praz on Route du Golf is an Alpine cabin open for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. The menu gives a gastronomic flourish to wild boar, Reblochon cheese and other regional flavours (+33 (0)4 50 53 23 27). Flocons de Sel on Route de Leutaz in Megève has a creative dynamo in the kitchen, and a suitably pine-panelled dining room (+33 (0)4 50 21 49 99).
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Smith extra at Les Servages d'Armelle
A half bottle (50cl) of Chignin Bergeron
