Tag Archives: French Alps

France: Wellness & Yoga Week-end in La Clusaz

  

Day 1

The Yoga

I had the pleasure of rediscovering the mountain in the summer, during the Satiam Yoga Festival in La Clusaz, in the French Alps. An epic arrival after a day between two flights, two airports! In the morning, I flew back to Belgium (first trip), then changed airport that turned into an odyssey via the train (lol). Followed by a big thunderstorm over the airport of Geneva that has us (a journalist friend and I) held an hour and a half in the air … Then transfer by car to La Clusaz. 

So the next morning at 8 AM, sitting on my yoga mat, I can’t wait to benefit from the first yoga and meditation “Master Class” with Robin Golt marking the opening of the festival. In the background, the mountains! Very good meditation session followed by workshops and activities around Yoga and well-being. In the photo above: SUP yoga (or Stand-up paddle yoga) at Lac de La Ferriaz, in a beautiful setting!

  

Sushi Time

Lunch break at Sushi Fumi: cool little restaurant with a slightly surfer atmosphere. Very nice sushi dishes with traditional sushi and others reinterpreted by the two cooks and patrons, with local ingredients and more Western flavors (photos above and left).

We ate so much sushi that we had trouble getting off the restaurant, where you can also have a drink in the afternoon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty Discovery : SNÖ Eternelle

The workshop that I really liked (you know I’m a beauty junky, lol): the meeting with the founder of luxury organic cosmetics and relaxation, Snö Eternelle and also former multiple World Champion in moguls skiing, Raphaëlle Monod.

The range of the brand includes sun protection (“Mon fluide protection”), a face skin care (Ma crème riche) and a body oil (“Mon huile S.O.S”) with 100% natural ingredients.

As soon as I have tested them, I will give you my thoughts. As they contain essential oils, I prefer to wait this fall or this winter, my skin being more reactive in spring and summer. Coached by the bubbly Raphaëlle to tone our face, we made a lot of grimaces (and laughed a lot). A kind of facial yoga (photo below). 

The Dinner

We go up to the Chalet du Lac, an altitude restaurant of Savoyard traditional cuisine based on local products. Awesome landscape! The cottage is in the Aravis nature reserve. Too bad that night falls quickly.

The dishes are delicious, with huge portions and the atmosphere really cosy thanks to the very friendly owner who made us taste many different Génépi. Photo below: a 5 kilo bread made especially for the restaurant.

  

Day 2

Finally in Nature!

As I didn’t want to try for the first time mountain biking, I took the Beauregard cable car and then walked for an hour through the pastures in altitude. 

Feeling of peace and euphoria sourrounded by the mountain tops and my friends, the cool cows (lol). Then again the cable car to join the group for lunch.

Bucolic Lunch

While part of the group arrived by mountain bike, we arrive on foot to the Chalet de Paccaly located at 1490 meters (photo above and photo on the right). The Aravis chain is spectacular! And the weather oscillates between threatening clouds and blinding sun.

The dishes are simple, but tasty based on flowers and cheeses (photos below). A pure moment of relaxation. 

  

The spa

And to finish in style this short weekend in La Clusaz: 2 hours Deep Nature Spa, one of the largest spa in the French Alps (with an area of 850 m²). The water course of 160 m² is designed by Serge Blanco (a French famous former rugbyman) and includes multiple hydromassage jets …

Exactly everything my body needs before the long drive to Geneva by car and then the plane! 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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La Clusaz

Related articles : DESTINATIONSBEAUTY

Many thanks to the Tourism Board of La Clusaz for this beautiful invitation. As always theses are my opnions.

Ski Weekend in Club Med Valmorel

It Snowed the Day Before

  

Fresh Snow!

A great way to start the year! What a pleasure to bring out my ski outfit! Let’s go to the French Alps for a weekend in Valmorel, a small village of the Tarentaise. The coming back after almost a year! I am euphoric in front of the landscape’s beauty. But also a bit perplexed: am I still able to ski?

Fortunately, no time to procrastinate: I have to pick up my equipment at the Club Med‘s very well organized ski room. Then I join Nicolas, the ESF instructor (with an infinite patience), for an intensive day of skiing. Wow, the weather is fantastic and tracks are empty! My advice, go skiing outside school holidays and / or spring (ideal conditions for beginners)!    

Some of the slopes are lined with fir trees and remind me of Méribel, one of my favorite ski resorts. Here, there is a more intimate vibe as the ski area is smaller. Apart from the sea or ocean, few landscapes can make me as happy as the snow-capped peaks. It’s just b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!

A Tour in Valmorel

Laid Back Après-Ski

In the early evening, we take the Club Med’s shuttle to the pedestrian village of Valmorel. The perfect timing for an aperitif in one of the village bars, the really cool Jimbo Lolo where I drank a hot Caipirinha (photo above).

At the Maryan bakery, I discuss chocolate with the owner and pastry chef of Celine (Dion)’s wedding cake! Below, the roses of the sands. Then back to Club Med, where we had dinner every night (photo below). 

The View From My Room

Picture above: the view from my bed! The kind of view that makes me get up at dawn to contemplate the landscape for hours. My before and apres-ski moments. 

 

Picture below: the view from Club Med’s main terrace on the ski slopes!

 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Skiing Into Spring, France MontagnesClub Med Valmorel

Related posts : LIFESTYLEDESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to France Montagnes and Club Med Valmorel for this invitation. As always these are my opinions.

The Skiing Into Spring Event in The Fench Alps

Under A Radiant Sun

Back in The French Alps,

I am invited to the Skiing Into Spring press conference at Club Med Peisey-Vallandry. On the way from Geneva (picture 1 of the above photo montage), I enjoy the shores of the Lake Annecy (pictures 2 and 3 of the above photo montage). The trip seemed endless (not slept yet; lol).

The Club Med village is located at 1600m altitude in the Paradiski ski area. What a nice surprise when I arrive! I stay for a long time on the sun-drenched terrace with a panoramic mountain view (picture below and first picture of the article). The cold is pungent, an invigorating fresh air!

Skiing Into Spring

Why Skiing Into Spring?

The reasons given at the press conference are multiple: ideal snow conditions for all skiers, beginners and advanced; less people on the slopes; the discover other activities; partying or the observation of nature and especially great deals (some stays at the best prices). The Skiing Into Spring starts March 20th in France. For the participating ski resorts and partners, click HERE.

And for those who would still be hesitant, I asked the initiators of this operation during the event dinner: why skiing into spring? Their answers are in the video below.

Michel Giraudy, Mayor of Bourg-Saint-Maurice / Les Arcs and Chairman of France Montagnes: 

 

Jean-Marc Silva, Director of France Montagnes:

 

Henri Giscard d’Estaing, Club Med CEO:

 

Photos & vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Skiing Into Spring, France MontagnesClub Med Peisey-Vallandry

Related posts : LIFESTYLEDESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to France Montagnes and the Club Med Peisey-Vallandry for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.