Eggs-cellent Easter Deals...

If you're still smarting because Kate 'n' Wills left you off the invite list, sulking because the Easter bunny won't be bringing you that lifetime supply of Creme Eggs you were hoping for, or if just feel like you deserve more than a weekend of spring sunshine, then we have some cracking last minute Easter offers to put a smile back on your face... For bookings made by the end of the day on April 14th, we are offering self-catering apartments and holiday homes in Mimizan-Plagne, Toreilles-Plage and Cajarc for a mere £192 for the week commencing April 16th! This super generous price is based on 6 people sharing on an accommodation only basis, and applies to 1 bedroom alcove apartments in 'Les Jardins de l' Oyat' in Mimizan-Plage, and 2 bedroom holiday homes in 'Le Village Marin Catalan' in Torreilles-Plage and the 'Domaine des Cazelles' in Cajarc. So, if you know 5 friends who are hoping to hot foot it across the Channel for a week this Easter then now is the time to give them (and us) a call! And, if you need a little more persausion, here are the details...

• Mimizan-Plage, 'Les Jardins de l' Oyat':

If you want to feel sand between your toes or fancy "hanging ten" like a pro then head to Mimizan-Plage, where the long sandy beaches and perfect waves will have even the most hardened landlovers pulling on their wetsuits and dipping a toe or ten into the perfect blues seas. The 'Les Jardins de l' Oyat' self-catering apartments are just 50m from the beach and we are offering 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping up to 6 people for £192 per apartment per week for the week commencing April 16th.

• Torreilles-Plage, 'Le Village Marin Catalan':

Those of you who prefer a gentler pace during your holiday should head to Torreilles-Plage in the Languedoc Roussillon region. This traditional Catalan village is the ideal base for exploring the area around Perpignan and the Spanish border, with the route des vins providing some light refreshment along the way! Add a fabulous stretch of Medittareanan coastline, and you've got the perfect holiday for everyone. The 'Le Village Marin Catalan' self-catering holiday homes and apartments are a mere 900m from the beach, and 2 bedroom holiday homes sleeping 6/7 people are just £192 per holiday home per week for the week commencing April 16th!

• Cajarc, 'Domaine des Cazelles':

If sand in your saussicon isn't quite your thing, then why not head to Cajarc in the Dordogne and soak up the culture in this picturesque mediaeval village? Resting on the banks of the river Lot and just under 30 miles from the vineyards in Cahors, Cajarc is the perfect place for some real R and R this Easter. We have 2 bedroom split-level holiday homes sleeping 6 people for just £192 per holiday home per week in the 'Domaine des Cazelles' for the week commencing April 16th!

So, if sandy beachs, surfing and stunning scenary sound like your tasse du thé, then check out our last minute deals for a speedy Easter getaway by heading to www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk for more details...These prices are all based on accommodation only, but for anyone who fancies really exploring France this Easter, we can also offer self-drive packages to include Eurotunnel or Sea France ferry crossings. So, what are you waiting for?!

Summer in Saint-Gervais...

Anyone still pondering the where and when for their summer holiday should look no further than Lagrange Holidays, as we are offering 5% off self-catering apartments in Saint-Gervais until the end of April. So, if you are need of a breath of fresh, mountain air, why not explore this beautiful Haute-Savoie resort instead of spending yet another holiday jostling for space on the sun loungers? Need more persausion? OK then....

We have two residences in Saint-Gervais, the Prestige standard Les Fermes de Saint-Gervais and the Confort + residence Les Arolles, so there really is something to suit all budgets and tastes as the super generous 5% discount applies to BOTH, yes both, properties! I know, I know, we are just too good to you...

Saint-Gervais is the ideal location for anyone hoping to explore the picturesque towns and villages of the Mont Blanc region, as the town is nestled halfway between Chamonix and Megève making it the perfect base for a week discovering hidden gems, as well as these tourist hot spots. Plus, the area offers moutain walks and the impressive views of the Mont Blanc a sure to inspire even the most fair-weather walkers to pull on their hiking boots and take to the hills! And, for those of you who prefer rest and relaxation to rambling and roaming, this 19th century spa town is famous for it's thermal spas so you can make time to a little 'me time'... So, if you fancy an Alpine retreat this summer, why not check out our website for more details plus prices and availability?

Sun, Ski and Savings in Serre Chevalier....

Anyone hoping to snap up a last minute bargain and really make the most of the final six weeks of the ski season should point their eyes and ears in Lagrange's direction, as we are offering a super generous 20% off all two bedroom apartments sleeping 6 people in our Lagrange Prestige residence 'Le Hameau du Rocher Blanc' in Serre Chevalier. This purse-friendly discount is on top off our existing 10% price cut, so that means you can afford to splash out on a vin chaud or two after a hard day on the slopes...

This season, Serre Chevalier has had one of the best snowfalls seen in the French Alps, something that looks set to continue until the end of April. With beautiful tree skiing opportunities on sun-drenched slopes, as well as hot spring spas (for those who prefer a massge to a snowplough) in the village of Les Bains, Serre Chevalier boasts skiing to rival the big name resorts without the crowds of tourists jostling for elbow room on the ski lifts.

The extra discount (think of it as a little end-of-season gift from Lagrange to you) is in place for bookings until April 16th, so you had better hurry if these prices sound too tempting to miss...
19/03 - 26/03: £692
26/03 - 09/04: £577
09/04 - 16/04: £764*

So, if you want to hit the slopes one last time before the season comes to an end, check out www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk for more details. Or, for those of you who prefer the more human touch, call our office on 020 7371 6111 and speak to our fabulous Sales and Reservations team!

*Prices based on accommodation-only rates and include existing 10% price cut.

Let The Train Take The Strain This Winter...

This winter, why not forgo the airport chaos, busy roads and general lack of decorum that accompanies travel by air and sea and let the train take the strain off your journey to the Alps. Here at Lagrange, we not only like to travel in style but we also like to try and keep our messy carbon footprint to a minimum, so what better way to combine the two than winding your way through France to the mountains? A chance to appreciate the French countryside after breezing through a 30 minute check-in on the Eurostar versus being elbow to elbow with strangers in what can only be described as an airborne bus? Erm, we think we'll take the former please.

And, if the idea of travelling in style wasn't enough to tempt you to swap your boarding pass for your railcard then you may be very interested to hear that Lagrange are now offering fixed rate train tickets between London and Bourg-St-Maurice, Mountiers and Chamonix throughout the season. With civilised departure and arrival times, as well the chance to stretch your legs between the Eurostar and the TGV in Paris, travelling to the Alps by train may take a little longer than flying but is far more relaxing.

Ticket prices start from just £120 for a child return and £150 for an adult return between London and Bourg-St-Maurice, which is frankly scandalous. However, if you feel like you need a teeny bit more convincing, don't just take our word for it. Instead, why not check out this article by Neil English, as he recounts his recent journey to the Alps by train. Oh, and he also stayed in some of our fabulous apartments in Plagne 1800. But, like we said, don't just take our word for it...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1335906/Skiing-holidays-train-The-Snow-Express-rails.html

For more information on train packages and accommodation, why not call 020 7371 6111 and see if we can't sweet talk you out of the Ryan Air check-in queue and into the Eurostar buffet car?

Dear Santa, This Year I Would Like...

....25% off Christmas ski breaks and 20% off New Year getaways? Little Timmy, your wish is Lagrange's command!

With Christmas and the recession lurking round the corner (although probably not the same corner, as that could get quite crowded. We hear the recession needs lots of elbow room.), squeezing in a festive ski holiday and making sure there's more than a satsuma in everyone's stocking can seem like a real mission pas possible. Christmas wishlist versus crisp white slopes - tough decision, eh? No, not really. Here at Lagrange, we like to make sure you really can have your cake and eat it. Or, in this case, your holiday and your pressies. Ker-ching! Yes, until the end of next week (December 4th) we are offering discounts on Christmas and New Year bookings that even Scrooge himself would consider very generous indeed....

25% off Christmas week (December 18th - 26th):

• Champagny-en-Vanoise, 'Les Alpages de Champagny': 2 bedroom apartments sleeping up to 6 people
• Plagne 1800, 'Les Chalets d' Edelweiss': 1 bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, 2 bedroom apartments sleeping 6 people and 2 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 7/8 people
• Agrentiere, 'Le Cristal d' Argentiere': 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 5 people
• Les Coches, 'Les Chalets de Wengen': 1 bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 6 people and 2 bedroom apartments sleeping 6 people
• Plagne Aspen, 'Residence Aspen': 1 bedroom sleeping 4 people, 2 bedroom apartments sleeping 5/6 and 2 bedroom apartments sleeping 7 people.
• Serre Chevalier, Le Hameau du Rocher Blanc': 1 bedroom apartment sleeping 4 people, 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 6 people
• Brides-les-Bains, 'Residence Cybele': studio sleeping 4 people
• La Toussuire, 'L' Ecrin des Sybelles': 1 bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 6 people
• Valloire, 'Les Chalets du Galibier': 1 bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 5/6 people and 1 bedroom split-level alcove apartments sleeping 6 people.

20% off New Year week (December 26th - January 2nd):

• Champagny-en-Vanoise, 'Les Alpages de Champagny': 2 bedroom apartments sleeping 6 people.
• Les Coches, 'Les Chalets de Wengen': 1 bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 6 people and 2 bedroom sleeping 6 people.
• Plagne Aspen, 'Residence Aspen': 1 bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, 2 bedroom apartments sleeping 5/6 people and 2 beroom apartments sleeping 7 people.
• Brides-les-Bains, 'Residence Cybele': studios sleeping 4 people.
• La Toussuire, 'L' Ecrin des Sybelles': 1 bedroom apartments 4 people and 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 6 people.
• Valloire, 'Les Chalets du Galibier': 1 bedroom apartments sleeping 4 people, 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 5/6 people and 1 bedroom split-level alcove apartments sleeping 6 people.

So there you have it, smashing ski offers for Christmas and New Year in resorts big and small throughout the French Alps. If this tickles your fancy, why not have a sneaky peek at www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk for more ideas and inspiration...?

Lagrange at the Ski & Snowboard Show, 20th - 24th October

At Lagrange, we like to be as reliable as the changeing of the tides or day into night, which is why we will once again be heading down to the Olympia exhibition centre in London for the annual Ski & Snowboard Show from October 20th to 24th. Yes, this means anyone looking to score a special offer on superb self-catered accommodation this ski season or hoping to put fabulous faces to names will not be disappointed...

Treats in-store for anyone who happens to find themselves at the show and mulling over booking a lovely Lagrange ski holiday include 30 per cent off apartments in the French Alps for departures January 9th, 15th and 22nd, as well as March 26th and April 2nd. This is not crazy talk, this is real and these offers will be valid for one week only for ski show goers. So get your skates on people!

• Valloire - 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 6 people for £399 per week
• La Toussuire - 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 6 people for £359 per week
• Argentiere - 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 5 people for £399 per week
• Saint-Gervais - 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 6 people for £399 per week
• Arc 1600 - 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping 6 people for £459 per week
• Champagny-en-Vanoise - 2 bedroom apartments sleeping 6 people for £459 per week
• Les Coches - 1 bedroom alcove apartments for 6 people for £459 per week

These prices are accommodation only, and only applicable for a limited time only so hurry!

Secret Skiing, or How I Learnt To Stop Queueing and Avoid The Crowds This Winter.

As the days get shorter and knitwear grows ever more appealing, there has never been a better time to book that all-important winter ski break. However, by the time you do manage to sneak off to the slopes, it can seem like the world and his wife have all had the same idea, and your idyllic break is shared by thousands of others.

If this sounds all too familiar, then panic no more because help is at hand! Yes, Lagrange have been busy selecting hidden gems, unexplored slopes and lesser-known slopes as ideas and inspiration for alternatives to big name resorts to help you avoid crowded slopes, endless queues for the ski lifts and hopefully give you a little bit more elbow room around the fondue pot.

So, in no particular order (as Lagrange does not believe in playing 'favourites' between our snowy playgrounds), here are ten of France's best kept ski secrets...

• Cauterets - The French Pyrenees are the ideal alternative to crowded Alpine resorts, as well as offering excellent value for money on accommodation and lift pass prices. Perfect for nervous beginners or those who simply prefer gentle slopes and relaxed skiing, Cauterets offers ideal skiing conditions set against a traditional mountain village backdrop.
• Champagney-en-Vanoise - Offering quick and easy access to the wider La Plagne ski domain via cable car and excellent cross-country skiing in the spectacular Vanoise National Park, Champagney should be the first port of call for all skiers hoping to have an authentic 'mountain' experience this season.
• Chatel - Nestled in the Portes du Soleil ski area, Chatel boasts excellent skiing whilst still retaining a village resort atmosphere, and is ideal for any intermediate skiers hoping to try more challenging slopes without the people traffic usually found in larger resorts. Because, frankly, no one wants to spend their ski holidays being shoved aside by thousands of French teenagers or British university students.
• Les Saisies - A haven for anyone still finding their 'snow legs', Les Saisies offers dramatic views and gentle tree-lined slopes, as well as boasting an impressive 80km of Olympic cross-country slopes for those who are feeling that little bit more adventurous this winter.
• La Toussuire - Both family and expert skier-friendly, plus the added benefit of awe-inspiring views, the slopes of La Toussuire rival those of big name resorts in the Three Valleys. Offering an enormous ski area for keen snow bunnies to explore, La Toussuire is an excellent alternative to the huge crowds and high prices that accompany more well-known resorts such as Tignes and Val Thorens.
• Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise - A real hidden Alpine gem, Sainte-Foy is the youngest ski resort in the French Alps and is celebrating its twentieth birthday this year. Also boasting excellent off-piste opportunities, any skiers hoping to truly escape the crowds and explore a relatively untouched corner of the French Alps will not be disappointed.
• Saint-Gervais - A veritable hotbed for French ski tourism, Saint-Gervais offers impressive views across the Mont-Blanc mountain range and an authentic nineteenth-century spa town atmosphere. This resort is ideal for any skiers hoping to experience an authentic French-style ski holiday this winter.
• Saint-Lary - A great destination for groups made up of mixed ages and abilities, as Saint-Lary offers some of the best skiing opportunities in the French Pyrenees. This picturesque resorts slopes offer something for everyone - from challenging slopes for adventurous intermediate skiers to gentle runs to ease in even the most nervous of beginners.
• Samoens - Those seeking chocolate box villages and a traditional Alpine atmosphere should head to Samoens, a beautifully preserved resort tucked in the heart of the Grand Massif ski domain. Samoens is classified as a 'Monument Historique', and is ideal for beginners and family groups. Plus, anyone heading to Samoens in December will find the festive spirit positively contagious, thanks to the Christmas markets and free-flowing vin chaud on offer in the resort.
• Valloire - Linked to Valmenier and part of the wider Galibier/Thabor ski area, Valloire is a charming family resort with slopes to suit skiers of all abilities whilst still offering a traditional mountain village atmosphere. The resort is also home to an international ice and snow sculpture festival every January, providing entertainment for skiers and non-skiers alike.

So, instead of battling the crowds in the Three Valleys this season, why not chose somewhere off the beaten track and head to one of France's hidden gems for your winter ski break? Go on, break the habits of a lifetime this winter, and you might, nay WILL, be pleasantly surprised...