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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Alps gite cluster does it exist?!

28 replies

Mossiebonbon · 29/12/2018 17:21

Hi! We have for the past 5 years summer hols found fab gite clusters in the dordogne and La Rochelle areas of France. We want to explore the alps this summer and have booked cheap flights to Geneva. Looking for recommendations about small clusters of accommodation that share a pool where kids (8 and 11) can be sociable. Anyone been somewhere possibly near Chamonix or Annency ?

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MarmiteTermite · 30/12/2018 14:06

Les Coches in the La Plagne area? We stayed in a lovely apartment there and friends stayed in a separately owner be in the same block. There was a shared pool/sauna etc that we used. We had the best ski holiday ever and the best snow ⛄️

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 30/12/2018 17:41

Thanks for response Marmite, do you recall accommodation name? We re looking at summer hols so an outdoor pool is on the wishlist😀

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Artura · 31/12/2018 00:13

We stayed in Morzine last year, it was amazing! Easy drive from Geneva. Lots to do, including the main swimming pool in town. I'm sure you could find somewhere near to stay. We were at Chilly Powder (wonderful but the most we've ever spent on a holiday)! Camping this year instead..

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 31/12/2018 17:03

Thanks for reply artura, I had seen chilly powder website... guessing you would recommend then? Which place did you stay in?

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Artura · 31/12/2018 18:00

We stayed at the coin au feu. I would definitely recommend - loved the area, food and staff were great. Our girls (aged 7 and 5) made lots of friends (what age are your children)? Summer in the Alps is lovely Smile

Artura · 31/12/2018 18:03

Sorry didn't read your post properly! Yours are 8 and 11. You can always check with the staff what ages are booked in for the weeks you're going. We met a lovely family with kids the same age as yours and they did lots of the adventure trips nearby (paragliding etc..)

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 31/12/2018 20:19

Thank you for details will have a look - appreciate your time in responding

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Notwiththeseknees · 31/12/2018 20:27

There is so much to see & do in Chamonix in summer and there are a couple of campsite places with lodges. I'm in Chamonix at the moment, if I find the details later, I'll pop back with them. Otherwise look on FB Chamonix pages and ask on there.

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 01/01/2019 08:52

Thank you notwithstanding these knees, any info appreciated!!

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JustAnotherManicUsername · 02/01/2019 17:42

We stayed at Trumanalp in Samoens - 4 apartments sharing a pool and garden. Great location 10 mins walk from the pretty village centre and loads of things to do locally.

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 02/01/2019 19:33

Thank you great will have look !

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A4Notebook · 03/01/2019 10:22

We’ve been to the Alps for the past 5 years and have struggled to find what I think you’re looking for. We’ve always ended up on campsites so at least the kids can be sociable. Sometimes in our own tent but also using their accommodation. So for example a tipi near Aix les Bains and a gorgeous wooden chalet in Chamonix (but no pool).

Lollicent · 03/01/2019 10:24

Have a look at Truemanalp in Samoens. Lovely properties, they have an outdoor pool but we went in the winter so it wasn't open. We did use the hot tub!

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 03/01/2019 11:12

I’ve booked one week at Trumanalp! Looks just up our street. Now for second week.. annency preferably... A4 notebook you seem to get what we re after although pool is on wishlist! Which campsites can you recommend?

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Lollicent · 03/01/2019 11:30

Glad you liked it, we had a lovely week there skiing with friends. Which apartment did you book, I think we were in Bilberry.

A4Notebook · 03/01/2019 13:33

Hopefully I can help with Annecy - one of my favourite places. I would start by looking at La Ravoire. Might be too busy for you though? We usually stay at a smaller campsite down the road but it doesn’t have a pool.

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 03/01/2019 14:53

Good question...! Think blueberry as brother in law may come out for week so extra space just in case!!

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Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 03/01/2019 14:55

La ravoire looks good, but you’re right (husband) not too keen on busy places ... is it safe for 9 and 11 yr olds to wander free or not? And easy to get to lake /cycle path?

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A4Notebook · 03/01/2019 15:09

I have been happy for my dd to wander free at that age in any of the French campsites we have been to - except the huge huge ones - which this isn’t. Have you come across the reviews on ukcampsite? La Ravoire is close to both the lake and the cycle path so location wise is perfect.

A4Notebook · 03/01/2019 15:12

We’ve stayed at Europa in the past and although the pool is great, it’s a bit more of a trek to the lake. We didn’t have bikes or a car that holiday so it was a bit of a pain.

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 03/01/2019 16:23

Will look at reviews now , thanks . Appreciate advice as read so much info it merges in my head !

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JustAnotherManicUsername · 03/01/2019 18:13

Excellent! Where were your La Rochelle clusters? Our other really good one (in fact better than Trumanalp for kids' facilities but in the middle of nowhere) was Les Hiboux in Poitou-Charente - we did a day trip to La Rochelle and would love to go back.

A4Notebook · 03/01/2019 18:23

Have a search on previous threads as well about Annecy campsites

Original poster
Mossiebonbon · 03/01/2019 19:10

Les croquets in dordogne is my best recommendation near La Rochelle area sunflower gites although owners a little odd

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JustAnotherManicUsername · 04/01/2019 12:51

Thanks @Mossiebonbon.