Driving to Notre dame de bellecombe

Hi there, driving down to Notre Dame de Bellecombe next week. 8) wondering how long it's going to take from Calais, what to expect on the way down there and what the resorts like? :?:

Roger Mayne wrote:Hi there, driving down to Notre Dame de Bellecombe next week. 8) wondering how long it's going to take from Calais, what to expect on the way down there and what the resorts like? :?:

around 10 hours to St Gervais when we used to do it regularly a few years back so about the same from memory.

And it's nice, the Arly is very picturesque, the most Austrian of French areas if that gives an idea of what to expect. I'd go there f I had the time :D Along with a few dozen other places I suppose.

Hi,

Last time I drove it we broke the journey just West of Geneva, but only because the UK part of our journey + the ferry added quite some time to the first day. I'd say ise has it right :shock: at 10 hrs but I wouldn't want to do that with only 1 driver and 4 restless kids ;) well not unless Mogadon is readily available :mrgreen:

As for the resort it's great, with something for everyone, but it's real value lies in it's use as a base to ski from. You can ski on a tour right around the area, taking in some great runs with plenty of variety. The only slight problem being a (from memory) longish pole right at the top to connect to the next resort.

I'd go back anytime!

Enjoy,

Jan

We drove to Les Arcs for 8 years. The first few years included a granny for the smallest one so that made 6 of us. In the end we used to leave a day early and drive it in one hit, but stay in a small B&B near the resort, head in next day and get an extra day on empty slopes (remember we always went half term ie when the roads and slopes are busiest). Then on the return we used to ski till late afternoon and drive as far as Dijon or a little north of Lyons. So we got ski another quiet day and also miss all the traffic then head home on Sunday. That way we had a really easy drive down and back and lots of extra time on the slopes. We used to use Premiere Classe hotels very cheap and cheerful and close to the motorway. Not doing that this year as off to Banff and Lake Louise in 7 sleeps time :mrgreen:

On topic please peeps...

Roger - figure 10 to 12 hours depending on driving style, how many stops and the weather of course; on the latter point it's definitely worth checking Meteo France for the likely weather on route.

Personally I quite enjoy the drive down; you start off over some of the flattest bits of France and end up in the bumpiest bit! 8)

I always have an overnight stop at Nuits St George to break the journey for the kids, It does mean a friday start though :D