Méribel and Méribel-Mottaret
The resort of Méribel, which stretches to the east for five kilometres
from 1,450 to 1,700 metres in altitude, is comprised of distinct
neighbourhoods, each with its own charm: La Chaudanne, Le Plan du
Moulin, La Renarde, Morel, Les Chalets, Le Rond Point des Pistes, Le
Belvédère and L’Altiport.
To the south of Méribel’s centre, some four kilometres up the valley,
lies Méribel-Mottaret (1,700m – 1,800m) and its neighbourhoods of Le
Chatelet and Le Laitelet. Méribel-Mottaret proudly offers a stylistic
synthesis born of traditional inspiration and practical (drive-in,
ski-out) planning that respects local architectural guidelines. Its
large wooden chalets that open directly on to the slopes allow skiers to
ski right up to their doorsteps.
A man, a style
60 years of exemplary architecture
The Allues Valley, historically exempted from taxes in the Middle-Ages,
hence its name (Les Allues meaning ‘the freeholders’), offered to its
inhabitants the possibility of self-determination. Their descendants
have cultivated a taste for independence and authenticity.
In 1938, Peter Lindsay, a British Indian Army officer passionately fond
of skiing, discovered the Allues Valley and fell immediately
head-over-heels in love with it. At that time, Les Allues was known only
to mountain lovers, amongst whom were a few Britons. The Allues Valley
runs from north to south over 14 miles from Brides-Les-Bains to Mount
Péclet which culminates at 3,661metres. The summit’s flanks are home to
beautiful pine forests, authentic high mountain villages and abundant
slopes seemingly made just for skiing. What’s more, the sun rises over
La Saulire and sets on Le Roc de Fer without ever leaving the valley.
It is here that the gentleman of the mountains decided to settle down
and build what would become Méribel.
From the very beginning, Peter Lindsay set out to create a resort that
would co-exist harmoniously with the valley’s existing hamlets – a
chalet resort on a human scale, open and spacious, founded on the rigor
and respect of tradition. But he would have to wait until the end of the
war to carry out his vision.
In 1946, he called upon the expertise of two renowned architects –
Paul-Jacques Grillo (Grand Prix de Rome) and Christian Durupt. He had
met Christian Durupt in Paris during the forties and had been impressed
by his clear and respectful vision of architecture.
Unlike Paul-Jacques Grillo, Christian Durupt decided to make his life in
the valley. Patiently, passionately, and harmoniously, he shaped Méribel
without betraying the nature of this spectacular valley or the
traditions of the Savoie region where the valley lies.
“In architecture, one must be modest and refrain from imposing oneself
on nature,” he was fond of repeating.
Thanks to Christian Durupt, even when concrete structures defined the
resorts that came on line in the 1960s, Méribel never strayed from the
path of architectural unity as dictated by the Savoyard hamlets of the
valley – gabled slate roofs and facades of light hewed pine and stone.
Christian Durupt arrived in 1946 and spent his whole life in the valley.
Until the end, he played a leading role in maintaining the architectural
principles he had laid down fifty years earlier. These very principles
can be credited with making Méribel a unique resort that is both envied
and copied but never equalled.
The ski area
Méribel is well-positioned for access to the huge variety of skiing of
the world’s biggest ski area, ‘Les 3 Vallées’, with 375 miles of groomed
and marked ski-runs and one of the most efficient lift systems in the
world.
The area offers all levels of skiers over 200 ski lifts and 293 marked
runs – to try them all would take a good skier several weeks. All types
of skiing can be practiced here – on the runs or out of bounds glacier
skiing, snowboarding (2 ‘snow-parks’ are available with half-pipes,
boarder-cross runs, quarter-pipes, tables, rollers...), trekking...
To the east lies the valley of Courchevel, to the west, the valley of
Les Belleville with the resorts of Les Menuires and Val Thorens, and in
the centre, the valley of Les Allues with Méribel. Its central position
makes the resort a skier’s ideal starting point. One has the choice
every morning to ski out east or west or to remain in this very
beautiful valley, whose north/south orientation allows one to ski all
day in the sun.
The Méribel lifts offer first class comfort – 16 out of its 60 lifts are
gondolas. Close to 600 snow guns ensure skiing in and out of your
residence, regardless of natural snow conditions. For cross-country
skiers there are 20 miles of tracks around the lake of Tueda at
Méribel-Mottaret and in the Altiport forest, where a 12-mile trail links
Méribel with La Tania and Courchevel. Numerous footpaths are accessible
to non-skiers who can also reach altitude restaurants by gondola lifts.
Accomodation and gastronomy
Sixty years of Savoyard architecture have brought plenty of heart and
soul to Méribel, but still no wrinkles.
The wooden chalet facades have acquired the patina of time, and life
unfolds quite spontaneously on the streets, side walks and squares,
around base lifts and at gathering places for the fit and active (the
ice-skating rink, the Altiport, the Rond Point des Pistes).
Here, vacationers feel they are truly in the mountains. The architecture
of wood and stone, so respectful of the environment and local building
traditions, has given the resort its renowned alpine look, its
authenticity.
In keeping with the attention brought to building exteriors, Méribellois
have a marked affinity for beautiful and refined interiors. They temper
a sometimes harsh climate with warm, welcoming interiors at chalet-style
hotels, apartments and private dwellings.
First-class hotels, charming inns, and family run hotels – each of the
resort’s 30 establishments cultivates a warm and welcoming intimacy.
Well-decorated interiors boast the cosiness of wood panelling,
fireplaces, colourful rugs and wall-hangings, the charm of mezzanines
and apparent roof beams, the play of light and colour and the magic of
bay window alcoves opening onto awe-inspiring landscapes.
Most hotels have saunas, hammans and jacuzzis; some have heated indoor
pools; others offer week-long and single-day ‘get-in-shape’ fitness
programs.
Many offer on-site services like childcare, hairdressing salons and ski
rental shops. Some organize theme evenings and dances.
And, because the love of sports and mountains does not preclude a
penchant for things edible (we are in France, after all!), numerous
restaurants and caterers uphold a tradition of culinary excellence and
successfully mix regional products with highly local specialities (like
the Tartiflette – a gratin of potatoes with bacon covered with Reblochon
cheese and fresh cream), or traditional methods with modern ingredients
for a creative and festive cuisine.
Children
In Méribel, children receive everyone’s full attention. At the
kindergarten, they are supervised by ski instructresses who teach them
the basics of skiing, in a playground equipped with their own ski-lifts
(and snow gun), inflatable playground characters... Children stay there
for half-day or all day, and the kindergarten can also provide meals.
Night-life
And, if you are not tired after all these activities, the various
cinemas, pubs and discos of Méribel will help you see the night through!
www.meribel.net
info@meribel.net
You can visualize and book your apartment, hotel room, skipass and ski
lesson, and pay on line
Central booking office: +33 479 005 000
e-mail:
infos@meribel-reservations.com |