An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From approx £3,240 for whole chalet,
plus food & drink
Knock-out designer chalet
in exclusive ski-in enclave
usp
You have to see La Folie Douce to believe it. It is one of the most fabulously styled chalets we have visited, and we’ve visited a few. Oh, plus it is the only chalet we know of that has its very own squash court.
location
La Folie Douce is located in an exclusive enclave of other beautiful chalets in Le Praz, below Courchevel 1650. When snow conditions are good, it is possible to ski right in to the chalet, but its driver service is needed to take skiers up to the lift five minutes away at the beginning of the day.
style
The pages of Elle Deco. It is an interior designer’s dream, with fabulous giant feather lamp shades, white plastic chandeliers, mighty, sink-into white leather sofas, curious big hedgehoggy things on the floor, designer ethanol fireplaces and superb pieces everywhere. It is a visual spectacle. ^
rooms
Each room is, once again, beautifully styled, with an open plan bathroom including designer baths and sinks. Each is also generously proportioned, with fabulous art on the walls and unusual pieces of furniture. ^
food & drink
Food and drink at La Folie Douce is wonderfully flexible. The chalet is run on a Freedom to Choose basis, meaning that guests are interviewed in detail prior to their stay, asked whether they will be wanting five course gourmet feasts every night or just simple but delicious two course suppers, and then charged at cost at the end of the week on everything they have.
The chalet also has a wine list with about seven each of red and white wines ranging from local Gamay and Apremont at around €8 up to fine wines at around €28 and four different Champagnes. Guests help themselves during the week and just pay for what they've used. Alternatively the chalet can order specific wines for guests in advance or they can bring their own - quite a few guests ship wine in advance. ^
service
This is an exquisite chalet, with impeccable, professional, service to match. ^
spa facilities
Just dreamy. There is a huge swimming pool, a sauna/hammam, an indoor Jacuzzi and a squash court, no less. The owner is mad about squash and decided he wanted his own chalet squash court, for days when the snow is bad or for during the summer. Fair enough. ^
children
There is the fantastic pool area, plus a Wii and Sky TV. ^
extras
Gorgeous spa treatments can be booked, private nannies and childcare can be arranged, plus airport transfers in luxury 4x4s. Daily newspapers are included, plus there is wifi throughout, iPod docking stations and a DVD player. ^
for skiers
There are two telecabines from Le Praz - Praz takes you up to 1850 and Foret takes you up to above La Tania, which is ideal for getting over to Meribel (with just one more chairlift you're on the ridge). Courchevel is a really varied resort – there is lots of lovely tree skiing down to La Tania and the lower resorts, some great black runs, plenty of hidden off piste and easy-to-find fresh snow after powder, plus some great couloirs and itinerary runs such as Vallée des Avals. Bellcote is also a perfect area for beginners, while Courchevel is also brilliant for cross country skiing. ^
for non skiers
There is designer shopping up at Courchevel 1850, with everything from top fashion and eyewear to gifts, home decorations and luxury jewellers on offer. 1850 also has excellent art galleries, fantastic delicatessens, wine cellars and also local markets with regional foods and local specialities. Alternatively, active non-skiers can go on a horse-drawn sleigh ride, try some snowmobiling or ice skating or skidooing, go bowling, indoor climbing or even try the floodlit sledging track which is great and harmless fun for all the family. ^
corporate groups
The Chalet is well set up for corporate groups and business clients.
Read more on organising a corporate trip to the Alps. ^
best thing
The interiors, and the giant feather lampshade. ^
worst thing
Oh please, there isn’t one. If we were being really picky, the lack of a dedicated cinema room, but the movie-viewing facilities in the stunning main living space are perfectly adequate. ^
getting there
Geneva or Lyon are the biggest hubs for Courchevel, and the transfer takes around two hours from both. Alternatively, Chambéry is just 1hr 15 minutes away if you can get flights. The chalet price does not include airport transfers although it has its own luxury transport service called First Class, complete with snacks and films and leather interiors, which offers guests a discount. ^
bottom line
The starting price is €3700 for the chalet, with food at cost on top of that. On average this comes in at around €160 per person per week for fantastic cuisine, with wine on top. ^
bookings & enquiries
If you would like to make an enquiry or a booking, please email enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk. Remember, we have visited all the chalets we feature so can give you totally unbiased, independent advice on all of them. The prices we quote are also the list prices quoted by the chalets themselves, so there is no advantage in going to the chalets direct.
Chalet - 10
Service - 9
Room - 10
Food & Drink - 9
Luxury - 10
Bring squash kit. It is surprising how popular the squash court is!
Quickfinder
• USP
• Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
• Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Corporate Groups
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Bookings & Enquiries
• Summer
• Other chalets in Courchevel
• Weekends and short breaks
• Chalet Shares
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
"Le Folie Douce was a beautiful chalet. Heather and James were superb hosts, warm and welcoming! James' cooking was fantastic, creative and of a very high standard!"
"We found the whole team contributed to the superb service we received. It's nice to meet such friendly, amenable yet professional people."
"Did not disappoint! Looked and felt as described: very spacious; spectacular views and facilities. The pool area was used a lot as I expected but I was also surprised how much use was made of the squash court."
summer
Open by arrangement, either catered or self-catered.
Other chalets that open during the summer.
weekends and short breaks
Only last minute, a couple of weeks before the date, if not sold as a full week.
See which other chalets offer long weekends and short breaks
CHALET SHARES
Only last minute, a couple of weeks before the date, if the chalet has not been sold in its entirety.
Other chalets that offer shared chalet accommodation or boutique weeks
St Anton | Les Cerniers | Chamonix | Courchevel 1650 | St Gervais | Les Gets | Laax | Lech | Megève | Méribel | St Martin de Belleville | St Moritz | Nendaz
Portes du Soleil | Sainte Foy | Sierre-Anniviers | Tignes les Brévières | La Tzoumaz | Val d'Entremont | Val d'Isère | Verbier | Veysonnaz | Zermatt