What to do in summer in Les Menuires ? Our typical week

Summer vacations are fast approaching. It's time to decide where you're going on vacation. Our advice: avoid the crowds and the heatwave, and opt for a refreshingly calm stay in the mountains! From July 6 to August 31, 2024, we'll be open in Les Menuires with le Hameau de la Sapinière. Here's a sneak preview of what your future mountain vacation could be like.

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Day 1 : Arrival

After a few hours of driving, you are (finally) arrived at your destination. You discover le Hameau de la Sapinière nestled at 1850 meters of altitude. Real small village in the resort of Les Menuires, you are in the heart of the district Reberty 1850. A few minutes walk from the center of the resort, you already feel the benefits of the mountain in summer thanks to the calm and intimate environment of the place.

You enter your comfortable chalet apartment and you let yourself be impregnated by the Savoyard atmosphere that emanates from it. Everyone settles into his or her room and enjoys a well-deserved meal before spending the first night in your new home.

Little tip: the resort offers an activity card with a series of interesting discounts up to -50%. For more information, go to the website of the Passeport Ascensionnel.

Day 2: Stroll to discover the Bellevillois landscape

After a good night's sleep and breakfast with a view of the Menuires peaks, you're ready to go hiking. That's right, you get 3 free half-day hikes and an introductory yoga session with Montagnettes , so you might as well make the most of it.

You will meet your guide on the parking lot before leaving for your walk to discover the landscapes of the Belleville Valley. During this easy and accessible hike, you will visit the most important places in the resort of Les Menuires. Open your eyes and ears wide, with a little bit of luck, you might come across the star of the mountains : the marmot !

After a beautiful morning in the valley of Belleville, you land in the mountains for a nature picnic. Sandwich in hand, you can admire the peaks. On your return to Hameau de la Sapinière, you go to thewellness area. Sauna, jacuzzi, hammam are waiting for you for a well deserved relaxing afternoon.

On the program of the evening: raclette in your chalet apartment and board games, all on loan at the reception.

Day 3: Freewheeling

With nearly 260 kilometers of trails (the equivalent of a Paris-Lille trip), the Belleville valley where Les Menuires is located is the ideal place for cycling. In the morning, meet a bike rental company to choose your companion for the day.

DH, enduro, cross-country,... Many itineraries for all levels are accessible from le Hameau de la Sapinière and the resort. You just have to go and get the map of the routes at the Tourist Office on the Croisette before you start. Don't panic if you are new to the sport, you can rent an electrically assisted mountain bike to help you. You can also take the ski lifts by bike. This allows you to go up quietly and enjoy the view before coming back down on two wheels.

Several 100% free zones are also accessible: the ludizone on the Croisette (mini Bike park for learning), the high altitude bike path (7 km), the kidzone at the Bruyères water park (mountain bike site reserved for children), draisienne area,...

If you come to the mountain with teenagers, they can also skate, rollerblade or scooter by renting the equipment on site and going to the pumptrack. So what will be your playground for this freewheeling day?

Day 4: heading for the Valley of the Encombres

This 4th day is a full day of hiking with your guide. You have already used one of the 3 half days offered at Montagnettes, here you use the remaining 2 half days to discover the Encombres Valley.

This is certainly one of the most beautiful and secret hikes in the Belleville Valley. A true haven of peace, you will observe the fauna and flora as you have never done before. Ibex, marmots and edelweiss will accompany you during your hike. Panoramic views will be offered to you. Your guide will be there all along and will give you many explanations about this preserved valley.

How to prepare for a hike?

Day 5: Along the water

You take advantage of the freshness of the morning and you set out for THE place not to be missed in the summer in Les Menuires: the lake of Lou. It is the biggest and most beautiful lake of the Belleville Valley. It is accessible via a very easy and practicable path.

Starting from the Bruyères water level, you set off for a 2-hour hike. At the arrival, you will enjoy the translucent waters and dip your feet in this refreshing lake nestled in a preserved valley. You almost think you are in the Caribbean or the Seychelles! The refuge of the Lac du Lou proposes dishes elaborated from local products and serves you in a typical mountain atmosphere. If you prefer, you can sit around the lake to have a picnic.

Even if you are tired from the climb, we advise you to continue the effort a little longer to reach the even wilder Pierre Blanche lakes. It will take you 1h15 between the Lac du Lou and the Pierre Blanche lakes.

On the way down, you have to pass by the Bruyères water level. An orientation course of 1h30 has been created by the Tourist Office of Les Menuires. With your map collected beforehand, you will have to look for the hidden beacons around the lake. If you succeed, you will have a reward offered by returning to the Tourist Office.

Bonus: if you have some time at the end of the day, we recommend a visit to the museum of the black bee and nature at the plan de l'eau. You will learn more about this bee, its journey in the Alps and the making of honey. It is free for children under 16 years old.

Day 6: Relaxation, fun and local flavors

If you have children and teenagers, head for the youth spot in the sports center. On site, many activities such as sledging, tree climbing, tennis, archery and many others are offered. All this while being supervised for half a day. This leaves you time to rest, to enjoy thewellness area just the two of you, to book a massage with our partner for a moment of relaxation.

After a lunch time at the apartment or at the restaurant L'Etoile just in front of the Hameau of the Sapinière, you throw yourself a challenge: to make a blueberry pie. Yes, this tasty little fruit is available in abundance at altitude. The Tourist Office will be able to direct you on where to go to pick some before returning to your apartment to make your dessert.

And yes, tonight it's a very local meal that awaits you: a fondue! The reception can lend you the equipment. Many grocery stores and shops also offer to rent the fondue machine when you buy the cheese. A perfect evening is in store!

Day 7: Life in a mountain pasture

To finish your stay, you go to the farm Chez Pépé Nicolas. After a morning visiting the place, you will enjoy a lunch on the terrace. Sapinière This farm is a real institution in the Belleville valley in Val Thorens (a few minutes by car from Hameau ). It is open and free to access. You will be able to observe goats, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, donkeys,... and exchange with the alpagists.

The cheeses are made, matured and sold on site. You can take a small souvenir home or enjoy a tomme cheese in your apartment in the evening. Generally, the milking of the animals takes place between 4 and 5:30 pm, a unique moment with very local flavors.

Day 8 : departure

It's already the day of departure. You leave your week's vacation in the mountains fully recharged and with a head full of memories. See you next year?

* This is an inspirational program and is non-contractual. Please note that the program of the hikes (BDG map) is published every week on the website of the Belleville guide bureau. Please check the time and day of the hikes you are interested in. You must register the day before at the latest for the chosen hikes at the reception desk.