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...

To ski or not to ski, that is the question...

Now then. Let's have some time out from all this talk of summer and sea and sun and frivolity, and instead turn our attention to the future. And by future, we of course mean SKI.



Ah, ski. Some very organised people out there in the bloggisphere will no doubt be feeling rather pleased with yourselves, as it looks like you have been quick off the mark, and have already booked those all important Christmas, New Year or half term ski holidays. However, we know that for every forward planner, there are at least two last-minute-rs who will now be starting to think about skiing. Maybe. Some times after Christmas perhaps? Definitely before the end of the season, anyway.



Or perhaps you have decided, "yes, we SHALL ski this season" and now it's simply a matter or where, when and how much to spend. Do you avoid the crowds and go outside the school holidays? Or, do you bite the bullet, hedge your bets and embrace the hustle and bustle that is February on the Alps? If this sounds like an inevitability, then we at Lagrange have come up with some perfect packages to make planning a February half-term ski break just that little bit more bearable...

• 'Le Roc Belle Face', Arc1600:

If you're looking for a family skiing holiday that offers both excellent skiing conditions and a friendly atmosphere, then look no further than Arc1600. Keen skiers can enjoy an impressive 200km of slopes, whilst avoiding the crowds attracted to the higher areas of the Les Arcs domaine. Le Roc Belle Face has ski-in/ski-out access, as well as an on-site sauna and steam room to soothe aching limbs after a long day on the slopes. This February half-term, for a mere £779pp, you lucky people can get a two bedroom apartment, 6-day Les Arcs lift passes, ski hire AND a return Dover to Calais ferry crossing. Are we good to you, or are we good to you?!

• 'Les Chalets de Wengen', Les Coches:

For those looking for somewhere with a real 'moutain' feel, Les Coches is perfect. Nestled in the village resort of La Plagne, Les Coches offers 225km of ski slopes - ideal for exploring the Alps without having to share the experience with thousands of others! Our Lagrange Prestige residence, Les Chalets de Wengen , is just 250m from the slopes and this half-term we have one bedroom alcove/mezzanine apartments plus 6-day La Plagen lift passes, ski hire and ferry crossing for just £654pp! Maddness...

• 'Le Pic de L' Ours', Font Romeu:

If you're desperate to spend February half-term gliding elegantly down various mountains, but find the idea of crowds and high Alpine prices slightly daunting, then why not think outside the box and head to the French Pyrenees? Beginners, families and anyone just looking to relax will find the Pyrenees perfection personified, as the resorts are quieter and smaller but no less welcoming. Le Pic de L' Ours in Font Romeu is located just 20m from the gondola offering direct access to the slopes, and has an indoor pool on-site for those who still feel energetic enough for a few lengths...As if all that wasn't enough, this half-term just £449pp will get you a one bedroom alcove/two bedroom apartment plus 6-day Font Romeu lift passes, ski hire and a return ferry crossing. Ridiculous.

So, what are you waiting for...? Give us a call, or check out our lovely website for tantilising photos of where you could be spending your half-term this ski season...

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/index.php?reinit=1

NOTE: All offers are early booking offers and are valid until 30/09, so hurry if you want to snap up a half-term break at bargain prices! All advertised prices are based on a package for a family of four, compromising two adults and two children aged between 7-11 years, and all include (deep breath): return Sea France Dover to Calais ferry crossing, 6-day "Classic" adult ski hire and 6-day "Junior" ski hire (skis, poles and boots), 6-day lift passes and all accommodation is self-catering for a week 19/02/2011 - 26/02/2011. Phew!

Sun, sea and Sainte-Maxime...a last minute August treat!

If, like us, the recent turn in the weather from pavement cracking heat to cool breezes and drizzle has got you dreaming of sun loungers and the seaside but you have no holiday on the horizon to look forward to, then help is at hand! Yes, this August the holiday gods have decided to be kind, and that means we have some super summer bargains to share with you all...

For stays commencing August 14th and August 21st, Lagrange is offering three bedroom villas, each with their very own private pool (I know, I know, we really do spoil you) the Residence Le Carre Beauchene in Sainte-Maxime for the scandalously low price of £1529. Yes, that is nearly a whopping 60% off the original price. Yes, we really are that good to you...

If you are looking for some last minute summer sun by the sea before school starts again, this offer is ideal! Sainte-Maxime nestles cozily into the Bay of Saint-Tropez, which means fabulous weather awaits those looking to enjoy the south of France but hoping to avoid the crowds of tourists who swarm to Nice and Cannes every summer. This accommodation offers the perfect compromise between isolated R and R and the hustle and bustle of being in the heart of the resort - a dip in the private pool with soothe even the most frayed of nerves, whilst anyone hoping to indulge in some Rivera chic can head to Sainte-Maxime's vibrant centre, which is just a kilometre away from Le Carre Beauchene. And, if you really can't resist its bright lights and glamorous allure, Saint-Tropez is just a twenty minute drive south from Sainte-Maxime. For a real Rivera experience, Lagrange recommends trying out your sea legs with a boat trip to Saint Tropez. Brigette Bardot, eat your heart out...

So, if you still need a holiday and a week in the sunny south of France sounds right up your rue then why not give us a call or check out our website if you fancy a virtual poke around these fabulous villas....

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/holidays-rental-sea-mountain,accommodation-cote-d'azur,sainte-maxime-MAXIME-L-HAUT-residence.html#residence

Vive les holiday bargains!

So, the summer holidays are well and truly upon us. In the words of Bill and Ted, excellent! Sun, sea, and endless carefree evenings stretch out ahead of us for two glorious months, until September sneaks up on us and forces us to put down our buckets and spades and head back to the drudgery of real life.

However, with summer come dilemmas. Where to go? What to do? And, perhaps most importantly in these uncertain financial times, how much to spend? After all, a holiday should be relaxing, not a one way ticket to bankruptcy-ville. With this in mind, Lagrange is always on the look-out for a bargain and a saving, so imagine our surprise when a survey by Skyscanner showed France to be the most expensive holiday destination for British tourists. Sacré bleu and zut alors, indeed! But, fear not fellow Francophiles, because Lagrange has some handy hints to help you enjoy a séjour on the Continent without breaking the bank...

Food and drink...

Eating out is probably the ultimate 'holiday' indulgence, but it should be deliciously affordable, not repulsively expensive. It may sound simple, but a quick trip to the local supermarche (or indeed bakery, delicatessen and greengorcer - vivez les commerces locales after all) to stock up on picnic items for lunch will make indulging in the evening seem far more financially viable. Plus, Lagrange was always brought up to believe that a holiday just isn't a holiday until you have found a sunny spot, flopped onto the grass and tucked in to a generous hunk of brie.

Look out for set menu deals when dining in local restaurants, as these as always far cheaper than other options. Of course, the lack of choice does plunge those with only basic French skills into the culinary unknown, but how do you know you don't like it if you have never tried it? A word of warning, from experience, Lagrange has found that almost without fail, most items on a French set menu will involve a clandestine boiled egg at some point, usually tucked quietly under a lettuce leaf. Bon appetit!

As for alcohol...Lagrange just has one word and two syllables for you all: supermarket. If you have ever wanted a good quality bottle of vin rouge for under £2.00, then now is your chance to realise those dreams! Yes, head to any good French supermarket of any size and we promise you will not be disappointed by the range of choice available for those keeping one eye on the pennies as well as the good times. "A Euro!", we hear you cry in awe and disbelief! As Brucie himself would say, the price is indeed right. Heck, get two bottles. You are on holiday, after all...

(Lagrange would like to take this opportunity to say have good clean fun, and always drink responsibly).

Transport...

Flights, as we all know, are a financial drain and a stressful nightmare. Hidden charges? Airport delays? Baggage drama? No. Not this year, Stellios. This summer, experiment with a ferry crossing instead. With crossings from Dover to Calais only lasting an hour and a half, you can be in France quicker than you can say 'baggage allowance?!'. Think of the freedom that comes hand in hand with taking a car on holiday. No car hire charges and the chance to take your time and meander through France's impressive rural, mountainous and coastal landscape? Why not? Why not indeed. If a jaunty ride across the Channel doesn't float your boat (sorry), then why not let the train take the strain? Glide effortlessly from London or Ashford to Paris or Lille, then onwards to wherever your holiday may be, via Eurostar and TGV. It really is that simple. After all, who doesn't wouldn't rather have a leisurely stroll to the buffet car over being bumped on the elbows by the air stewardess's trolley...?

Location, location, location...

Anyone who has ever been caught out by the soaring prices in any tourist hotspot will know that popularity comes at a (ridiculously high) price. Unless you are happy to stay in accommodation of questionable quality, staying slap bang in the heart and centre of big name resorts does not come cheap. Luckily, France is the third largest country in Europe and has hundreds of hidden gems waiting to be discovered by all you lovely adventurous holidaymakers out there.

This summer, Lagrange strongly recommends beating the crowds and going somewhere a little bit different. If you think Nice might be nice (again, sorry, we just couldn't resist) but don't fancy the price hike, why not try Six-Fours-Les-Plages instead? This seaside resort offers the ideal South of France experience for anyone with champagne tastes on a lemonade budget, with several miles of sandy beaches and rocky coves waiting to be explored by anyone willing to venture off the beaten track. And why stop there? Venture slightly off the beaten track and away from the crowds, and we guarantee you won't be disappointed. While all the world rushes towards the Cote d' Azur, why not head inland and explore the Loire Valley, the Dordogne or Provence? Rural France offers that true Jean de Florette experience - crumbling chateaux, picturesque villages and the chance to test out your French on the locals sitting outside cafés and tabacs. Seriously, what more could a person want in a holiday?! Plus, during July and August, the weather in the Loire, Dordogne and Provence more than rivals that on the Riviera...

So there you have it, Lagrange's light-hearted guide to keeping an eye on your pocket money this summer whilst still being able to enjoy all the delights France has to offer. Perhaps we're just a tiny bit biased (only a tiny bit, though) but, for us, being on a shoestring budget should not mean giving the Euro zone a wide berth or missing out on the chance to have a glass or two of kir royale whilst watching some dignified French gentlemen play a game or several of pétanque...

• Transport: Lagrange offers self-drive packages, including Eurotunnel and ferry crossings between Dover and Calais, as well as longer crossings. We've said it before and we'll say it again - we are just too good to you! If self-drive doesn't appeal, we can also book train tickets, which means a swift Eurostar and TGV journey to your desired location. Marvellous.
• Location: Lagrange still has great availability on Prestige-standard accommodation in various resorts throughout the Loire Valley, the Dordogne and Provence, ideal for escaping the crowds on the coast without missing out on the warm weather. We've been tweaking our website recently and now you can read and download a copy of our France 2010 summer brochure in the comfort of your own home. Just don't forget to ring us to get that holiday booked, we get lonely otherwise...

Follow the virtual breadcrumbs for more images and ideas on-line...!

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/

Summer in the Alps.

For all of you who thought the Alps were an exclusively winter destination, think again! The mountains make the ideal location for a summer holiday, as Nadia found when she visited Morzine and Les Gets...

When I think of mountains and more specifically the Alps the first image that comes to mind is that of a tanned Italian ski instructor safely carrying me down from the slopes at the end of a treacherous fall… maybe not the first image that comes to your mind but it certainly does in mine and tends to linger for a while…

For the purposes of this exercise however one must steer away from exciting Italians and consider that in truth the word association most likely to conjure up the word “snow” is either “mountains” or “Alps”. Does anyone immediately think of verdant and lush alpine meadows blossoming with summer wild flowers? Of course not. We are creatures of habit and our brain works fastest along those well travelled connections in complete defiance of the laws of reason. Arriving in June in Morzine and then Les Gets (which is a resort town in the Portes du Soleil) under a baking hot sun derailed all previous trains of thought with the effectiveness of a cow chewing the cud in the middle of a busy rail crossing.

My preconceived ideas about what a winter resort in the summer month would be were rerouted in an entirely new way. Surely all the inhabitants would have retired for some much earned rest after the frantic pace of having to serve, please and entertain thousands of winter visitors. There must be, I thought, such a thing as “summernation” in July and August when those popular alpine resorts close the shutters and recover from this year’s madness to prepare for the coming onslaught.

Not one bit of it. The winter months, albeit very exciting especially for those of us who can’t get enough of the white stuff and have not lost the childish excitement and sense of wonder that snow brings about, are almost bland compared to the extraordinary explosion of greenery, flowers, sun and activity which are the true mark of summer in an alpine resort. It quickly became apparent from the smiles and excited chatter of everyone around me, the delighted shouts and waves from children taking a ride in the mini-train around the town centre, the sounds of splashing from nearby pools, the murmur of conversations from the tables outside local cafes that what was to me a revelation was a much enjoyed everyday reality to everyone who had sampled the resort’s summer delights. Just as the mountains all around us had awaked so had the town, its visitors and its inhabitants.

Winter is a rather serious affair which cannot be undertaken without some preparation, it is full of equipment to buy or rent, clothes to be chosen carefully, slopes which need to be followed etc. Summer by contrast is a liberating experience with the license to do as one pleases whether it be a gentle walk through gently slopping trails alongside cool mountain rivers or a breathtaking mountain bike ride at top speed amidst clouds of dust. Anything seems possible and the bewildering array of summer activities available do nothing to disabuse you of that first impression.

A list of what is possible certainly far outweighs a list of what is not. As well as all the activities you can easily imagine being available such as walking and hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, mountain biking, horse riding etc. there are a lot of activities which you would not immediately think of but which are, in retrospect, rather logical to find in such a rich and diverse environment. Fishing and angling in mountain lakes, adventure parks set in the middle of fragrant pine forests, paragliding from mountain tops even golf, of all sports, all find themselves at home in those majestic surroundings. Rather cunningly all the infrastructure which is essential to any skiing endeavour converts very easily to its new summer task. Bikes are attached to ski lifts which take you up to various trails and paths as they did with your skis in winter. Horse-drawn sleights turn into carriages for nostalgic tours of the old bourgs. Old activities are given new twists such as Afghan walking, hydrospeeding (not for the faint hearted and something you really will have to look up), summer sledging, grass scooters etc.

There seems to be a determined effort to ensure that every single possibility has been explored and that no one feels left out as almost all activities are available for all ages apart from the very young (think newborn). Families feel especially welcome with a charter and a label “Famille Plus Montagne” which aims at providing appropriate services specifically for families everywhere. Discovering those resorts in summer was a truly exhilarating experience. I thought I knew the Alps, I now realise that I had only seen a small proportion of what those amazing mountains can offer.

Next time, I am taking the troops with me!

Paris, Je t'aime!

Here at Lagrange, we enjoy nothing more than passing on our personal recommendations, top tips and general snippets of information we think you might like. Aren't we good to you? So, without further ado, here are a few choice highlights to consider if you find yourself planning a weekend trip to Paris...

We all know that Paris is bursting with beautiful architecture, spectacular museums and has an endless array of restaurants, bars and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets. However, occasionally it pays to venture off the beaten path and spend your time seeing or doing something a little different. I am a Paris lover and proud of it, so to make life that little bit easier, here is a selection of my favourite places plus trips for getting around, to help inspire the perfect weekend get away…
The Musee d’Orsay, located on the left bank of the river Seine in the 7th arrondissement, is a definite must-see for art lovers and culture vultures. Built in a former train station, the museum boasts an impressive collection of art, most notably impressionist and post-impressionist works by Cezanne, Renoir and Manet to name but a few. Even if you are not a budding Brian Sewell, the combination of world famous artworks and inspiring setting makes this museum a real ‘must see’ for any visitors to Paris.
Getting there: Solferino (Metro line 12) or Musee d’Orsay (RER Line C)

Those who prefer their culture to be a little livelier should head away from Paris’s center to the district of Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement. The area is renowned for it’s cozy cafes and thriving arts scene, formally home to Salvador Dali and Toulouse-Lautrec amongst others. This link between art and Montmartre has continued to the present day, and artists still dominate the Place du Tertre in the heart of the district when the weather allows for them to take their work outdoors.
There is one landmark that dominates Montmartre – the basilica of the Sacre Coeur, on the top of Montmartre hill. Visitors who climb the 234 steps from its foot to its summit (walking from Abbesses or Anvers metro stations) will be rewarded with spectacular views over Paris that rival those from the Eiffel Tower.If you prefer not to arrive at cultural landmarks sweating and wheezing, there is a regular cable car, which accepts metro tickets, and travel passes and is a short, well-signposted walk from Anvers metro station.
Getting there: Abbesses (Metro line 12), Anvers (Metro line 2) for Montmartre hill/Sacre Coeur. Montmartre can also be accessed from Pigalle (Metro line 12), but visitors should be aware that the walk is a little further than from other stations.

After the inevitable uphill trudge encountered in any trip to Montmartre, visitors should relax by heading to Le Marais district, which spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in the centre of the city. One of Paris’s oldest districts, the area is dominated by impressive Hausseman buildings and filled with hidden gems tucked down side streets. Visitors looking to relax and refresh with a coffee or light lunch should head to Rue des Rosiers in the 4th, where the large Jewish community is clearly evident in the many delis and bakeries offering delicious goodies to help keep tourists' energy levels from flagging.
For a real teatime treat, look out for Le Loir dans la Thiere cafe just off rue des Rosiers, which serves delicious puddings and light meals in a cozy, Mad Hatter’s tea party-style environment. Everything about this café is ideal for a leisurely brunch, but be prepared for a possible wait for a table, as it is very popular.
For those who prefer to eat and walk, the falafel stands throughout the Jewish quarter are highly recommended. Each stand offers a wide variety of mouth-watering filled pitas and salads, the perfect solution for those visitors looking for a reasonably priced and filling lunch that won’t eat into valuable culture, sightseeing and shopping time.
If you can’t resist a bargain, Le Marais has some the best vintage shops I have ever stumbled across. Scattered throughout the district, these shops are full of fantastic finds (look out for leather bags and belts in particular) in good condition and far cheaper than most over-priced vintage shops in the UK.
Getting there: Saint-Paul (Metro line 1), Bastille (Metro line 1), Filles du Calvaire (Metro line 8) and Saint-Sebastien Frossiart (Metro line 8) are all within easy walking distance from Le Marais district.

After a long, hard day of eating and soaking up Paris’s cultural highlights comfy accommodation is a must. Lagrange offers self-catering apartments in Boulogne-Billancourt, located at the end of metro line 9. These apartments are the ideal base for exploring Paris, as they are only 15 minutes from the centre of the city. http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/location-vacances-boulogne_les_rives_de_seine-L_CITY_BOULOG_FRA_V_E_2_IF-rcre-6.html

So, grab your passport and hop on the Eurostar! Allez à Paris!