New York Habitat Blog

As the weather cools and the leaves change color here, thoughts turn to autumn festivals and harvests.  But not in France.  Home to numerous ski resorts, large and small, local favorites or world-renowned, France is a skier’s paradise and the French relish their ski holidays as much as their long summer vacations. Consider adding a bit of European flair to your next ski outing by visiting some resorts in the south of France and staying in a vacation apartment rental from New York Habitat.

South of France 2-bedroom Chalet in La Salle (PR-10)

Serre Chevalier, located in Briançon in the Southern Alps and near the Parc National des Ecrins (which itself is home to many ski resorts) and the Italian border, is one of the largest resorts in France, if not Europe.  There is a large area for skiing and snowboarding but they also offer many other activities, everything from show-shoeing to relaxing in the thermal baths.  Schedule your visit during one of their many events in order to witness some world-class skiing, a car race in the snow and ice, or the extreme sport of snow-kiting!

You can stay right on the Serre Chevalier ski resort property in this two bedroom ski chalet (PR-10).  The rustic cabin, with wood paneling and beamed ceilings, provides a warm and relaxing retreat after a long day of hitting the slopes.  The well-equipped kitchen and bath offer everything one could want.  Enjoy your morning coffee or some late night hot chocolate and some spectacular views of the Alps from the large deck.

There are also other ski resorts within driving distance of Serre Chevalier and this chalet.  The Parc National des Ecrins is home to many resorts, but the closest ones may be Montgenèvre and Risoul.  Montgenèvre, while small, still offers world-class skiing, both alpine and cross-country, as well as other winter activities like sledding and ice-skating.  Risoul is another large resort, on par with Serre Chevalier, offering a wide range of both outdoor and indoor activities.

South of France Apartment: Studio in Gap (PR-306)

If you’d prefer to stay outside the resort properties, look into this studio apartment (PR-306), located in the large town of Gap, which has put its hat in the ring to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.  Or take a break from the skiing, and see the sites of Gap, like the medieval cathedral and abbey or follow the path that Napoleon took on his way through town as he reclaimed power. Within driving distance of the three resorts mentioned, this cozy getaway will let you enjoy skiing during the day without feeling isolated from provincial French life.  Cook your hearty breakfast at home before you hit the slopes and take in the Alpine vistas from the balcony.

If you enjoy skiing, then a European ski trip is a must, and France has some of the best ski resorts around. Whether you prefer to stay on or off property, New York Habitat has a variety of vacation apartment rentals from which you can choose.  The combination is sure to produce a lifetime of memories!

Have you visited one of the resorts before, or other French ski resorts?  Please share your experiences with us in the comments section.

Gap South of France alps

We here at New York Habitat have previously told you about some of the great UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the South of France and now we have two more to add to the list.  Earlier this month, UNESCO named about two dozen new entries to their list, including the Fortifications of Vauban, a group of twelve fortified sites along France’s borders, two of which are located in the South of France and near some great New York Habitat accommodations.

Vauban was a famed engineer and architect who worked for Louis XIV, known for both building and improving fortresses and other fortifications on France’s border, as well as developing new way of attacking such buildings.  In total, he worked on over 300 different sites in France, but only 12 have made it onto UNESCO’s list.  The two in the South of France are located in the Alps, along the border between France and Italy.  The larger fortification site can be found in Briançon (also the highest city in Europe!) and includes city walls and numerous smaller forts within them, all available for exploration by the public.  The second site is in Mont-Dauphin, about thirty minutes south of Briançon.  This site has recently undergone restoration and there has been limited residential expansion in the region so the area within the city walls closely resembles life in the seventeenth century. 

New York Habitat has some great offerings near these newly-minted historic landmarks.  You can stay right in Briançon in this two bedroom ski chalet (PR-10) located in the famed Serre Chevalier ski resort.  This rustic cabin, with wood paneling and beamed ceilings, is a great place to stay in summer or winter (and ski season is just a few months away!).  The well-equipped kitchen and bath offer everything one could want.  Enjoy your morning coffee and some spectacular views of the Alps from the large deck.

Ski Chalet South of France accommodation (pr-10)

If you’d prefer to stay in the larger city, the major town of Gap is not far from either Briançon or Mont-Dauphin.  This studio apartment (PR-306) is located right in the center of Gap.  It may be small but it is not lacking in amenities with its modern kitchen and bathroom, and even includes a laundry machine.  This bright and sunny space, thanks to its southern exposure, offers some amazing views, thanks to its sixth floor location (don’t worry, there’s an elevator!) and balcony.

Whether you’re looking for new places to explore in the South of France, or are interested in historical tourism, a trip to see Vauban’s seventeenth century fortifications (with some great accommodations from New York Habitat) is well worth it. 

Read about other UNESCO World Heritage sites featured on our blog: Roam among the Ancient Romans in the South of France!

What do you think about UNESCO’s decision add Vauban’s architecture to their World Heritage list?  What landmarks in the South of France would you like to see added to the list?  Please share your opinions with us in our comments section.

South of France Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in La Salle les Alpes, Southern Alps (PR-10)

Thinking about hitting the slopes in the French Alps? Or maybe simply relaxing in a traditional chalet set against a backdrop of pristine snowy peaks is more your speed. Either way, New York Habitat’s two-bedroom vacation chalet in La Salle, Les Alpes Southern France (PR-10) can provide just the place to take in the stunning mountain scenery. In Serre Chevalier, a ski resort, New York Habitat offers a comfortable chalet that accommodates up to six people.

This two-floor accommodation has a living room on the first floor, furnished with a dining table with matching chairs and room for sleeping thanks to a double sofa bed and two pullout beds. Traditionally paneled in wood, the room features a traditional mountain cabin-style with a cozy ambience. Two large windows give a view of the surrounding snowy scenery.  There are also two bedrooms, one with bunk beds- perfect for children.  The apartment features an open kitchen that is ready for guests to cook.

The highlight of this two-bedroom chalet is its location in Serre Chevalier, in the highest-altitude areas in the French Alps. Aside from its 250 km of ski (and snowboard) runs for all levels, it boasts 300 days of sunshine annually. Serre Chevalier is near the Italian border and can be reached easily via a train from Grenoble (67 miles) or Turin, Italy to the nearby town of Briançon, then a ski bus into town.  Or, a direct train from Paris can put you in Briançon in only 4.3 hours.

New York Habitat offers another excellent options for skiing in the region, in Gap, another beautiful town and the capital of the Southern Alps. Gap is a center for nature lovers, and is known for its beautiful weather in both summer and winter.  In Gap, you’ll find snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, parachuting and plenty of activities to enjoy the outdoors.  This studio apartment in Gap, Southern Alps (PR-306) is ideal for a couple, with all the essentials for a comfortable stay.   Gap is also easy to travel to via the train from Grenoble (a 1.5-hour ride), or Paris (a 7-hour ride).

South of France: French Alps

Skiing in the French Alps is certainly a memorable way to spend part of the winter, and New York Habitat offers excellent South of France Accommodations for your snow-filled vacation.

Photograph provided by francois-roux-photography.com

Leisurely adventure in a timeless landscape

For many Americans, a French vacation conjures images of famous landmarks, Parisian cafes, and the awareness that not everyone has air conditioning nor prefers ice in their water glass! Part of the enjoyment of foreign travel involves surrendering one’s preferences and habits and welcoming the experience of local customs.

This American has just returned from 10 days in Gap, a provincial seat in Hautes-Alpes, located between Briançon and Aix-en-Provence. Returning from the island of Elba in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte passed through Gap on his way to Briançon, and then on to Paris. In recent years, The Tour de France has passed through Gap several times with cheering spectators lining the route.

Situated in a mountain valley at an altitude of around 733 meters (2400 feet), Gap appears in the distance after a scenic 90 minute ride from Aix. The 100 year-old cathedral spire points skyward, surrounded by terra cotta roofs. Nearby mountains—Ceuzes, Bure, Charrance are easily visible and underline the constantly changing cloud patterns.

My hosts, a distinguished retired gentleman and his wife, have lived in the region all of their lives. Monsieur is an amateur historian and shared his written account of Americans living in Gap during the past century. It seems that enterprising Gapançais had ventured to California in the early 20th century. One of them, Marius Taix, envisioned capitalizing on the repeal of Prohibition in the US to bring French wines to wealthy residents of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Americans also emigrated to France and, at one time, owned the Hotel Napoleon in Gap. The hotel still stands today and retains the same name.

The pleasure of 2 hour lunches is a welcome change from the usual hurried lunch at one’s office desk in New York!  I enjoyed regional cuisine, including tourtons, a delicious local favorite. Tourtons, which resemble ravioli, are a lightly fried pastries and are filled with potato, or plum preserves. I sampled meat dishes including stews of chevreuil and sanglier. (venison and wild boar). Many of our meals were accompanied by light and subtle rosé wines from the sloping vineyards of nearby Valserres.

Apartments in this region are spacious and affordable, particularly when compared to hotels in the south of France. In September, warm days and comfortably cool nights predominate. Skiers will soon arrive from all over Europe and from the US.  Local chalets and villas are easily reachable by car and offer comfort, privacy, and the breathtaking mountain views of Hautes-Alpes.

Photographs provided by francois-roux-photography.com