🏔️ History & heritage

• • Founded in the 13th century, Le Grand-Bornand preserves the charm of a traditional mountain village with its centuries-old wooden chalets and typical hay barns.
  • The Bouchet valley, long dedicated to agro-pastoral life, is home to one of the finest examples of rural architecture in Haute-Savoie.
  • The hamlet of Chinaillon, at 1,300 m altitude, is the birthplace of local skiing, where the first ski lifts appeared in the 1950s.

📍 Geography & natural environment

• • Located between the Aravis massif and the Bornes mountain range, Le Grand-Bornand offers a spectacular panorama of the Pointe Percée.
  • Altitude: 952 m in the village and up to 2,100 m at the top of the ski area.
  • Chinaillon, directly connected to the slopes, charms visitors with its unobstructed views and generous sunshine.

🎿 Ski area

• • Over 80 km of slopes across 46 runs (5 black, 13 red, 14 blue, 14 green).
  • A varied ski area suitable for all levels, with snowpark, boardercross and beginner zones.
  • Easy connection to La Clusaz with the Aravis ski pass.
  • Reliable snow thanks to an extensive network of snow cannons and ideal altitude.

☀️ Summer activities

• • Panoramic hikes to Lake Lessy, the Samance plateau or the Colombière pass.
  • MTB, trail running, via ferrata, paragliding and a 9-hole golf course facing the mountains.
  • Local producers’ markets and lively alpine pastures showcasing mountain life.
  • Swimming pool, mini-golf, playgrounds and numerous family activities.

🍽️ Gastronomy & local specialties

• • Birthplace of PDO Reblochon fermier, still produced today in high-mountain farms.
  • Altitude restaurants and inns serving tartiflette, crozets, diots and potato fritters.
  • Tastings available at local farms or at the Heritage House.

🛍️ Shops & local life

• • Mountain shops, cheesemongers, artisanal bakeries and weekly markets in the village centre.
  • Chinaillon gathers the essential shops: supermarket, ski rentals, restaurants and après-ski bars.
  • In winter, a free shuttle easily connects the different neighbourhoods.

🚗 Access & transport

• • 30 minutes from Annecy and 1 hour from Geneva; fast access via the Thônes valley.
  • Daily bus connections from Annecy or Geneva SNCF stations.
  • Free parking near the ski lifts.
  • Regular buses between Le Grand-Bornand Village and Chinaillon.

🎭 Culture & events

• • Festival Au Bonheur des Mômes: the largest children’s festival in Europe, every summer.
  • Concerts, exhibitions and guided tours of farms and traditional chalets.
  • In winter: torchlight descents, Christmas markets and biathlon competitions (home resort of several French champions).

🌿 Leisure & atmosphere

• • The perfect blend of lively mountains and a gentle, peaceful way of life.
  • Typical chalets, crystal-clear rivers, spruce forests and a welcoming village atmosphere.
  • Ideal for families, athletes and lovers of authentic nature.