Studio Chez Mary (22.4m2) is a small, light-filled, comfortable room located on the ground floor of a house which was once a sheep farm. We are situated in a small hamlet just 4kms from the thriving market town of Chorges (restaurants, bakeries, butcher, pharmacy, hair salons, estate agents, souvenir shops, tourist office, supermarket, etc.). We are an easy two hour drive from Marseille and Grenoble airports. For other transport options see below.
The hamlet is located on the edge of the Ecrins National Park (Parc National des Ecrins), and it is possible to start hiking from the front door; there are plenty of walks for all abilities (and young and old alike). By car, you are just 10 minutes from Lake Serre Ponçon (water sports, beaches, etc) and 20/25 minutes from the family-friendly ski resort of Réallon, 30 minutes from Ancelle, 45 mins from Les Orres and 60 mins from Briançon (from where you can take the Télésiège du Prorel to reach the Serre Chevalier ski domain).
The studio is equipped with everything you will need during your holiday. The integrated kitchen area has an electric oven, extractor fan, two-ring induction hob, microwave, refrigerator with freezer compartment, coffee machine, kettle, toaster, liquidiser, etc.
In the bedroom area you will find a chest of drawers and a hanging rail for clothing.. From the king size bed you have lovely views of the landscape and mountains (The Needles Chabrières - Les Aiguilles de Chabrières). On each side of the bed you will find a table and a bedside lamp.
The sofa converts into a sofa bed (mattress dimensions are 135cm wide and 185cm long), which is suitable for one adult or two small children. We also have a travel cot and high chairs available on request.
The bathroom area consists of a walk-in shower and a wash basin with storage space underneath. There is a separate toilet. A baby bath is available on request. If necessary, you are welcome to use our washing machine.
Animals welcome! There is a small additional charge of 15€ per animal per stay (payable on arrival).
Towels, tea towels and quality bed linen are included.
Heating is by means of an electric radiator.
Your private outdoor space consists of a shaded terrace - perfect for eating outdoors. From the south-facing terrace you will catch glimpses of the lake, through the trees.
We have plenty of space for storing bicycles, skis and nautical equipment.
The summer months offer markets, live music in the streets and swimming and water sports at the Lac de Serre Ponçon (10 mins). In winter you have a choice of ski resorts in close proximity. Our personal favourite is the family-friendly resort of Réallon (20 mins) though if you are looking for something more extensive then we recommend Les Orres at 40 mins away, Vars/Risoul at 55 mins or Serre Chevalier at 60 mins. There is also good cross-country skiing nearby.
Throughout the year there are villages to explore, good food to eat and great walking/cycling/mountain biking, with trails direct from the front door. For the more adventurous there is white water rafting and kayaking on the Durance river, as well as paragliding and climbing.
A three-course supper with wine can be provided on the day of arrival at a cost of 20€ per person. We can also do a shop for you before your arrival - we will charge you the cost of the provisions plus a 5€ service fee.
The accommodation is strictly non-smoking.
We are happy to accept guests with animals - please note that for this there is a small additional charge of 15 € per animal (payable in cash on arrival).
A deposit of 150 € in cash is payable on arrival.
Getting here:
By Car
If you are driving out from the UK you can take the AutoRoute all the way to Grenoble from most of the coastal ports. From Grenoble you have two choices; the N85, Route de Napoléon, which winds across the mountains to Gap, or take the A51 and then the N75 south from Grenoble (along the edge of the Vercours in the direction of Sisteron) to Aspres-sur-Buech, then the D994 east to Gap.
By Plane
Marseille is the closest airport. When hiring a car, take the A51 motorway north towards Gap. After the end of the motorway, just south of Gap, follow directions to Tallard and after Tallard take the D942 north to join the N94. Turn east, direction Briançon to Chorges.
Other airport options are Avignon (2h 16m), Grenoble (2h 20m), Nimes (2h 37m), Chambery (2h 37m), Turin (2h 45m), Toulon-Hyeres (2h 51m), Lyon-Saint Exupery (2h 52m), Nice (3h) and Geneva (3h 30m).
It is also possible to fly into Grenoble with Easy Jet or Ryan Air, or Lyon with scheduled or budget airlines. If you fly into Nice it is faster to drive along the coastal motorway then north up the A 51 rather than taking the ‘short cut’ across the mountains.
By Train
For overnight travel, take the London to Paris Eurostar train, arriving at the Gare du Nord station. Transfer by Metro to the Gare Austerlitz station (about 20 min.)
Take the night train to Gap or Chorges (marked as the Briançon train) departing approx 22:00 and arriving at about 07:00 next morning.
Eurostar also now offer a service from London to Aix en Provence or Marseille, you will need to hire a car from either of these destinations.
Alternatively for daytime travel take the TGV from Paris or Lille to Valence and then a local train to Gap or Chorges. In Gap, you can hire a car from several agents located 100 metres from the train station.