Holiday rentals in Les Gets

Nestled among the Chablais Alps, close to the Swiss border, this traditional Savoyard village sits at the heart of the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest skiing and mountain biking resorts in Europe, stretching from Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc. Its stone-and-wood chalets, delightfully illuminated at night, retain a historic charm that dates back to the 11th century. A family-friendly place, its local slopes cater to all skiing abilities, while its equally varied mountain biking courses — spanning 80 miles of trails — host international competitions and are a training ground for France’s Olympic hopefuls. Stunning mountain surrounds make for great hiking and snowshoeing; there’s an ice skating rink in the centre of the village, and you can even play golf at a course that overlooks Mont Blanc. Look out for the cows that roam the local pastures, and the local cheeses, Reblochon and Abondance, for which they are responsible.

Sheltered by its location in a mountain pass, there’s plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed year-round in Les Gets. Winter is, of course, the big draw. The ski lifts in Les Gets open from mid-December and the ski season runs until mid-April. The Les Gets Bike Park and its three lifts are open all summer; the Portes du Soleil Tour, the region’s celebrated 56-mile cross-country route, operates between late June and the start of September. Another summer treat is the Mechanical Music Festival, which is held every other July. For two days the streets are lined with fairground carousels and barrel organs as the village celebrates with live performances, parades, and festivities, including a large number of children’s activities.

Pointe de Nyon: Le Pas de l’Aigle

Jutting 15 metres into thin air, this newly installed glass footbridge is a dramatic way to take in the panorama of the Chablais Massif from two thousand metres above sea level, with views stretching to Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Located at the top of the Mount Nyon chairlift, it’s accessible by foot in summer or on skis in winter.

Mechanical Music Museum

Eight hundred exhibits celebrate the quirky world of mechanised musical instruments — from funfair organs to pneumatic pianos, music boxes to singing toys, as well as early speaking machines and a beautiful selection of automatons. On Tuesdays, there are concerts from its lovingly restored 1,000-piped automatic church organ.

Art’N Chéry

For a more contemporary cultural fix, head to this modern art gallery (and “concept store”), with its invigorating and colourful displays of paintings, sculpture, and objects. Don’t worry if you don’t have the budget to pick up a piece: browsing is encouraged, and there’s always a bright welcome.