Vacation Rentals by Owner

Overview of Alpes - Pays-de-Savoie Vacation Rentals

Savoie Vacation Rentals Are Perfect at Any Time of Year

The Savoie region of France has perfect hiking and biking weather during the summer and ideal skiing conditions in winter. With great weather, wonderful scenery and a beautiful region to explore, Savoie accommodations are a perfect destination at any time of year. Rental properties here provide visitors with all the comforts of home, such as space and the freedom to come and go as you please. Many properties in this area offer easy access to the famous ski resorts of the Alps.

The Attractions near Savoie Accommodations

Savoie villas are situated in a region with many historic sites. The town of Annecy is home to many, such as its famous island jail, the Palais de I’Isle. This 12th-century prison is one of the most photographed buildings in France. There is also the Chateau d’Annacy, or Annecy Castle, the 16th-century Cathedral of Saint-Pierre with its artworks and antiquities, and the romantic arches and architecture of the rue Sainte-Claire. Of particular interest is the Pont des Amours (the Lovers’ Bridge) which is a charming modern iron bridge.

Ideal for Winter Sports Enthusiasts and Those Seeking Relaxation

This mountainous region boasts over 60 ski resorts, Savoie vacation rentals are ideal bases for winter sports enthusiasts. The most famous of the ski areas is Charmonix-Mont-Blanc, the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924. Mont Blanc is over 4,800 meters high and one of the most visited natural sites in the world. Winter and summer visitors alike will enjoy the incredible views from the cable car as it makes its way to Aiguille du Midi. The world renowned 3 Vallees is the largest ski resort in the world with over 1,400 square kilometers of slopes. The unique area of Espace Killy offers year-round skiing and is one of the biggest of its type in Europe.

During summer, the slopes are ideal for hiking and mountain bikers, with hundreds of kilometers of great trails, some of which can only be found with guides. It is also ideal for anglers and those who enjoy water-based activities such as boating and fishing, thanks to the area's large lakes and fresh water rivers. Lake Bourget is the largest and deepest lake in France and Lake Aiguebelette is known as the cleanest and quietest of the lakes due to a ban on motorboats.

For centuries, visitors have come to Savoie to "take the waters" and the region continues to attract visitors to the four hydrotherapy centers. These four locations are Aix-les-Bains, Brides-les-Bains, Challes-les-Eaux and La Lechere.

For additional helpful Savoie tourist information visit Savoie travel guide on iGuide.

Savoie Villas Are Ideal for Exploring French Cuisine

Generally, France is famous for its cuisine, and the Savoie region has its own specialty dishes and products. Pork is one of the staple meats and used in many ways. It is often cured, used in dishes such as doits, promoniers de Tarentaise, and saucisses de Magland. Other meats, such as donkey, goat and mutton are also common. The many rivers and lakes guarantee a plentiful supply of fresh fish and visitors will find wonderful dishes with trout, salmon, pike and perch on most menus.

Another delight of France is its wine and this region produces some spectacular white wines from grapes such as Altesse, Chasselas, Gringet, Jacquere and Roussanne. The grapes grown for red wines here are Garmay, Mondeuse and the wonderful Pinot.

A local custom in Savoie is La Grolle, the cup of friendship. According to local legend, the drink was created by local shepherds mixing alcohol and coffee in a wooden shoe, a grolle. These days, it is a wooden bowl with several spouts that is passed around. Each person takes a turn to drink until the bowl is empty.