Stuey's traditional chalet, the
friendliest in the Alps, is open winter and summer. email stu@skialot.com
Other useful travel links:
Coaches from central London to Luton Airport: www.greenline.co.uk
Geneva Airport is the closest international airport to Chatel. There are 2 sides 'Swiss' and 'French'. The Swiss side is the largest and most flights and car hire firms operate from there. If you do find yourself in the French sector you can walk to the Swiss side, but will need your passport to get through.
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If we have arranged to pick you up from Geneva Airport,
then as you come through customs into the arrivals area, turn RIGHT.
Someone will be waiting with a 'Skialot' sign between the 'Rolex' clock hanging from the
ceiling and the coffee booth on the right-hand side.
Occasionally we can be delayed due to traffic. If you cannot see anyone, please continue
to the end of the arrivals hall and take a seat either in the cafe or the 'Folllow Me' pub
and we will be there as soon as possible. If you do need to kill some time, there are
shops on the departure level and if you walk through to the train station. There is also
an observation deck where you can see the whole airport and free internet access points
just as you turn right when exiting customs.
Phone Stueys french mobile (+33 673 160 495) or the chalet (+33 450 816 334) in case of
difficulties.
Journey time between Chatel and Geneva airport is around 90 minutes.
Driving from the UK to Chatel Return to top
Chatel is approximately 500 miles from
Calais (slightly shorter on local RN roads and around 50 miles extra on motorways).
Journey time is usually between 8 and 11 hours unless you experience any traffic jams.
The motorway from Calais to Geneva is excellent and has plenty of 24 hour services on
route but the toll between Calais and Reims is around £15 and between Reims and Geneva
around £35.
Driving on local RN roads is more direct and takes a little longer but you do benefit from
seeing many beautiful parts of France on the way, but be careful, as most garages on these
roads are not 24 hours.
From the west or north you need to head for Geneva (ie A40) followed by Thonon and then
Chatel.
From the north, east or Col du Gd St Bernard via Martigny (ie A9) you need to head for
Monthey just to the south of Montreux, and then Chatel.
From the French south (ie A41 or A40 from Chamonix) you can either go via Annemasse &
Thonon or via Cluses and Morzine on the D902.
Ferry and Channel Tunnel Return to top
Dover/Calais is the fastest crossing, 35 mins for the tunnel and 75 mins for most of the ferries. The seacat takes about 55 mins.
www.seafrance.com
www.eurotunnel.com
www.poferries.com
www.cross-channel-ferry-tickets.co.uk
Driving from Geneva Airport to Chatel Return to top
There are 2 routes by car:
Driving through the center of Geneva, following the signs to Thonon and Evian. At Thonon
follow the signs to Chatel.
Or take the swiss motorway via Lausanne and Montreux then follow the signs to Pass de
Morgins and then Chatel. You will need a 'vignette' if you use the swiss motorway, most
hire cars have them already displayed on the front window (5cm square with '04' - the
current year). If you need to buy one, most garages sell them and they are 40 swiss francs
for the year (about £20).
Car hire at Geneva Airport Return to top
Most car rental companies operate out of Geneva Airport.
www.budget.co.uk
www.eurocar.co.uk
www.hertz.co.uk
www.e-sixt.co.uk
www.easybus.com
Catching the train to Geneva or Thonon Return to top
London Waterloo to Geneva via Paris takes
around 10 hours by train.
The TGV goes to Thonon, via Lyon, which is only 45 minutes drive to Chatel.
There is a local bus that runs between Thonon and Chatel.
Catching the train from Geneva Airport or Geneva to Chatel Return to top
 | From the airport, as you come through customs into the
arrivals area, turn LEFT. The train station is through the revolving doors at the end of the arrivals hall. |
| The ticket booths and automatic ticket machines are just
inside the station on the left. You need a ticket to Aigle, Troistorrents or Morgins In July 2006: An adult return Geneva Airport/Aigle was 68.00 Swiss Francs - about £30 or 45 euro. An adult single from Morgins to Geneva Airport was 49.20 Swiss Francs - about £22 or 32 euro. |
| A local train can then take you to Troistorrents and a
connecting bus to Morgins. The trains run under the station ticket hall, so you need to take the left or escalator down to the train platforms. The train stoping at Aigle is normally shown on the station notice board as going via 'BRIG'. |
| It is possible to get a non-direct train via Lausanne. Direct trains to Aigle take around 90 minutes. All trains stop in Geneva. |
| If you have arranged for us to pick you up at Aigle, Troistorrents or Morgins then please text or call Stueys french mobile to let us know when you leave Geneva. (+33 673 160 495). |
| More info can be found on www.cff.ch for the swiss trains and www.tpc.ch
for the local trains up to Morgins. If you haven't arranged for a pickup then a taxi from Morgins to Chatel is 5-10 minutes and costs 15 Euro. (See numbers below) |
TAXIS around/to Chatel Return to top
Web based Geneva/Chatel transfer www.alpinecab.com
Taxis based in Chatel:
Girardoz Regis 04 50 73 21 26
Joel and Bernadette Rubin 04 50 73 32 83 (fax 04 50 73 32 34)
Accommodation in Geneva or on the way from the UK Return to top
The most convenient and best value for money is Formula 1 www.hotelformule1.com
or if you want en-suite try the Accor group www.accor.com
The alternative is to drive into the center of the town or village and look for a small hotel or gite. In France they are normally great value for money and you can find some fantastic places. Check out the route map, it has a few places already marked on it.
Finding Chalet Chataigne when you get to Chatel Return to top
Chalet Chataigne is situated a short walk up 'Le Boude' from the centre of Chatel.
| On your way into Chatel look for the 'Morclan 2000' cinema. Coming in on the road from Morgins in Switzerland it will be on your RIGHT as you come down the hill into Chatel. Travelling in from Thonon as you pass the church on your RIGHT, take the LEFT fork, and the cinema will be on your LEFT opposite the Pharmarcy. |
| Take the small one-way street that goes up in front of the cinema, pass the 'Tabac' on your left and 'Boulangerie' on your right. |
| Just pass the 'Boulangerie' you need to take the RIGHT fork up towards 'La Poste' and 'Bowling'. This road is 'Le Boude'. |
| Continue straight up the hill, past the 'Bowling' (do NOT turn RIGHT towards the Super Chatel Gondola). |
| Continue straight up the hill, the road will begin to level out and Chalet Chataigne is just on your right. If you reach a bend in the road you've gone a bit too far, go back 1 chalet ! |
Parking in Chatel Return to top
You can park directly outside Chalet Chataigne to unload,
but please move your car as soon as possible.
You can leave your car either in the parking space behind the chalet or park up by the
bend in Le Boude.
Please be considerate to our neighbours and do not park opposite the chalet, in front of
the garage next door or before the bend in Le Boude.
Alternatively you can park your car in the covered car park in the centre of town, under
the square, opposite the church.