living the dream

Stockli Stormrider xl skis for sale

2010-03-30T19:18:00.004+02:00

These Stockli skis are waiting for someone to love them, they are too long and fat for me. They are 2005 skis with hardly a blemish. They have been drilled once for Fritschl medium bindings and used about twice. 184's

These are a bargain for a chunky monkey with attitude. 150€ and they are yours.

I am in the Haute Savoie, 74130

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Galileo, will you do the fandango

2010-02-08T19:57:00.003+01:00

He certainly is defying the laws of gravity.

We caught this St Gervais local up on his roof, sweeping the snow off.

We couldn't work out why as there isn't much, maybe he is a Queen fan?

Timing was out too as we had about 40cm the next day.

Nice broom though.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

skiing - it could be a car crash

2010-01-19T09:21:00.002+01:00

This could be you!

Do you ski better or worse the morning after?

This morning's public service announcement brought to you by

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Do I ski on this or use it to make a cake?

2010-01-13T20:06:00.003+01:00

The snow has transformed quite nicely due to the low temperatures, I took this at 850m yesterday on a short ski tour.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

How to park your 4 x 4

2010-01-06T19:17:00.004+01:00

Clamp this.

Parked by Australians.

The Poseidon Pajero.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Robbie Williams

2009-11-27T08:41:00.003+01:00

It seems that Robbie Williams isn't the only Brit looking for lazier days somewhere other than the UK.

News that the ex Take that star has tried America and now may go off to Australia, well, You win some you lose some. Hmm... Burger King in exchange for the Barby.

None of that for me, but maybe some fromage and some vin blanc .

Robbie, come to France - my local warbling hole is looking for a new lead man to front their recently formed boy band, they are thinking of calling it.

Prend ça.

You'll have No regrets if you come to France!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Rainbow but no bungle

2009-11-04T09:55:00.004+01:00

It just gets better and better,

this is what I woke up to this morning.

Couldn't find my camera so all three of my last shots have been shot on my 2meg iphone.

Don't think they are too bad

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Snow - gets you thinking about ski passes

2009-11-03T08:48:00.005+01:00

Forget meerkats compare my Moles!

I took this one this morning.

I took this one on the 31/10

While we are on the subject of price comparisons here is a useful little guide to ski areas around here.

Based on daily passes and comparing €/km it might help you decide where to head this winter - if price is your driver of course!

Chamonix 0.36
Les Houches 0.60
Domaine Evasion 0.08
Les Contamines 0.26
Grand Massif 0.15

So that makes Les Houches the most expensive and Domaine Evasion the best value!

But the trouble with meerkats is they only look at the numbers, the only way to compare it really is on skis!!

For linked kilometres it has to be the Grand Massif.

Simplesssh

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Mer de nouage and a bit of autumn colour

2009-10-31T08:55:00.004+01:00

See more images like this one above at http://www.chaletdoctors.com/detailedwebcam.php?id=2

Not bad to wake up to this morning.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

The colours of autumn in the French alps

2009-10-29T18:36:00.004+01:00

Every year I ask myself why go to New England or for that matter Canada to see this, not that I a humble and hardworking estate agent would or could have the time to do so.

I am not talking about a junket or even a conference but of course to take in the stunning leaf colours of autumn.

Every hyperbole known to man could be used to describe the different hues now apparent, but my descriptive abilities would never do justice to the nuances of reds, yellows, mauves and purples here in the French alps.

Something to do with the exceptionally dry summer? Don't know, don't mind.

A feast for the eyes - this a part of the Criou, Samoens.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Knee trembler

2009-10-22T11:21:00.003+02:00

My colleague Danielle rang me last night to say that the earth had moved for her. My riposte was that I wasn't sure that I should be privy to that sort of information, her husband, being as he is in blighty working away at whatever he does.

All made clear, the earth really had moved.

One of those regular tremors typical of the French alps and the Haute Savoie. A 2.8 or 3.5 richter earthquake depending on who you believe. See map.

The Haute Savoie is a seismic zone as you will know if you have bought property here, it always comes up in one of the sales pack surveys (obligatory under French law) the beautifully named etat des risques naturelle et technologique.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Alpine farm for renovation

2009-10-15T15:45:00.011+02:00

As far as half alpine farms goes this one ticks the following boxes.

Week end retreat

Great views

Cheap

Good so far?

Looks OK from this angle too.

Even has air conditioning!

OK so you can't have everything.

But 25,000€ gets you this property plus 10,000m² of land in various parcels.

Estimate 50,000€ of work to make a basic alpine property.

One of those posh japanese style wooden outdoor baths from Megeve for a bit alfresco ho ho ho.

A bottle of bubbly or three.

Lovely.

OK you don't have to do the middle bit, but the renovation is achievable at that price and you get a great bit of mountain for under 100,000€.

Beat that.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

First frost of the year in Mont Saxonnex

2009-10-15T12:48:00.003+02:00

I had to break the ice for the animals this morning.

-1 °c according to the temperature thingy.

Stove and central heating system fully stocked up with wood and burning away merrily.

I am off to see a chalet d'alpage in Solaison in a mo'.

Thermals on!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Twitter and Facebook

2009-10-15T12:39:00.003+02:00

www.chaletdoctors.blogspot is now feeding Twitter and Facebook.

Yippee.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Geneva - an easy commute

2009-10-03T08:53:00.005+02:00

Well if you work in Geneva but want to LIVE in the French alps then you couldn't go too far wrong with this beautiful farm dating from 1850. I think it is the biggest farm I have seen so far. 600m² possible sitting on over - 6,000m² of constructible land. A small amount of work is needed to finish off this renovation - but already tastefully completed is a lovely 150m² property with a new heating and electrical system, lovely kitchen with Lacanche range, large sitting room with open fire. Lots of old beams, exposed stone and original features. There are 3 existing bedrooms but plans for two more plus en suite and a there is still a ruin to be converted plus the 450m² left in the house.

With land values at 130€/m² grab yourself a bargain.

Price is 795,000€ but that is the value of the land! Worth every penny.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Camping cars

2009-09-29T21:48:00.003+02:00

For most motorists only slightly less annoying than a slow moving tractor or an even more slowly moving caravan, more and more people are turning to them as an alternative to hotels and the French are opening their arms wider to the phenomena.

The latest ski resort to throw down the welcome mat is Praz des Lys, in the Haute Savoie - they have just announced a new revamped camping car aire. It comes complete with a slight camber, not too many puddles, a poubelle and a man in a yellow jacket.

If you would like to know the truth about places to park your bus in the Haute Savoie or the rest of France then have a look at this site, you might even let the grey landrover passed next time you are crawling up the hill.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Chalet d'alpage

2009-09-16T06:41:00.005+02:00

Originally used as a base in the summer for families looking after their cattle in the verdant pastures of the high alps, these alpage properties are set high in the mountains all over the French alps. They exemplify what is known as transhumance i.e. the mass movement of people and animals in earlier times toing and froing to summer pastures and back to lower climes before winter sets in.

Nowadays they serve as weekend retreats, a bit of a 'get away from it all' type property. They can be remote and are often quite basic with an outside toilet, solar panels for electricity if you are lucky, a wood burning cooker and spring water. 4X4 access in summer and snow shoe/touring ski access in winter.

No nipping off to the shops every 5 minutes when you have forgotten your teabags.

This one is bonzer, at 1200m, with views of Mont Blanc. 115,000€ will buy you this small piece of your own mountain.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Hotel de Ville

2009-08-24T20:16:00.002+02:00

UK tourist trapped in French hall

Dannemarie's hotel de ville is one of the town's most impressive buildings

A British tourist has spent a night trapped in a French town hall after mistakenly thinking she could book a room at the "hotel de ville".

The hapless female visitor arrived in the Alsace town of Dannemarie on Friday and tried to find a bed for the night.

Spotting the impressive-looking "hotel de ville", the tourist popped in to use the toilet before trying to check in.

But as she was in the convenience, officials finished a meeting, left the town hall and locked its door.

The solitary traveller, said to be in her 30s, ended up with the inconvenience of spending the night on chairs in the building's lobby.

'Je suis fermer ici'

The woman tried calling for help and switching the town hall lights on and off to attract attention, Dannemarie's mayor, Paul Mumbach, told the BBC.

But her plight went unnoticed until Saturday morning when a passer-by noticed a message she posted on the inside of one of the building's glass doors.

"The note said 'Je suis fermer ici. Est ce possible moi la porte ouvrir?' (I am to close here. Is it possible me the door to open?)" said Mr Mumbach.

"The woman did not speak very much French, but she did make it clear that the next night she would find a proper hotel to sleep in," he said.

Dannemarie is a small town of some 2,500 people near the Swiss and German borders, but the nearest open hotel is in the neighbouring town, said the mayor.

Thanks to the BBC for this one it doesn't need me to add anything at all, except to question how she could have spent so long in the convenience!!

Miles Jefferson

www.chaletdoctors.com

For all your property needs in the French alps

Le Chinaillon

2009-08-14T15:16:00.005+02:00

If you are looking for another nice place to eat then you can't go too wrong with the Restaurant La Bouillotte. Taking the wrong way round from Mont Saxonnexe to Annecy we went via the Col de la Colombiere and emerging from the clouds we stopped in Le Chinaillon and were made very welcome.

I had the Diots a local sausage done with pine needles (ecorce de sapin) which although unusual was really good. Nice fresh carrots and mash too.

A splash of red and we were back on our way to Annecy.

5 adults and two kids (adult appetites) with soft drinks and a pichet came to 90€ which I don't think is too bad.

Try it!

Restaurant La Bouillotte
Immeuble l'Aguille Verte
74450
Le Chinaillon
04 50 27 04 22

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Views of the Aguille de Midi and down to Chamonix

2009-08-07T18:05:00.006+02:00

We drove up to Bionnassay today along apparently an old route into Italy. The steep and winding road (as the warning signs say) brings you into this delightful hamlet which nestles within spitting distance of the Bionnassay glacier and Mont Blanc itself.

However we were here to have a bit of exercise and, wanting to avoid the extortionate fares on the tramway du mont blanc, were en route to the col de voza. Just above bionnassay there is a carpark, where you can leave your car and a donkey rental station (more on that later). The route is clearly signposted and you won't get lost, but you need strong legs and lungs as it is a steep pull of 25 minutes.

On the way you may pass several people attached to donkeys (or was it the other way around?) as you can apparently hire them for the afternoon or even longer. my observation was though that they all seemed very good at not wanting to move.

This one especially seemed to be one to steer well clear of. Roxanne she is called and we heard her name being called increasingly loudly.

A great example of French donkey mime here at the air courant a nice little drinkery at the col.

See pic below.

The altitude here is 1653 metres but the sun is strong so bring plenty of water. You could even hire a donkey to carry it for you.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Tour de France

2009-07-22T07:45:00.003+02:00

The valley has been abuzz with excitement as the Tour de france is here today, the col de la Colombiére is the piece de resistance, the icing on the cake. Of the 5 mountain climbs today it is perhaps the best known.

Half the day is given over to the Tour, you may think that within an hour its gone through but all the sponsors rush by throwing trinkets to the kids, all the back up vehicles hare through at breakneck speed, then hospitality vehicles, police, then more police and then, like the calm before the storm, a period of expectation is observed and finally the Tour is heralded by the whop whop of helicopter blades and soon the riders appear.

Many nationalities line the roads and verges, emotions run high, all bike nuts to a man or woman or kid.

Questions and chit chat flow
- Is Bradley Wiggins his real name?
- Will Contador maintain the lead in the mountain stages?
- Is it Lance's dad who made it to the moon?

The Tour is mayhem, madness and mountains today. Long may it continue, no controversy please and no pellets.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Le Lavancher

2009-06-19T20:40:00.003+02:00

Le Lavancher is a little hamlet in an elevated position which, if you head to Argentiere from Chamonix, you access by a turn off to the right just before the avalanche protection on the main road. 6 Km from Chamonix and 3 Km from Argentière it is situated at an altitude of 1250 m. Located in a sunny little valley at the foot of the Aiguilles of Chamonix and facing the Argentière valley, Le Lavancher is 60 or so houses packed into this typical hamlet of the Haute-Savoie region.

Being sandwiched between Chamonix and the definitive off piste resort of Argentiere (Grand Montets); it is pricey, but worth it; as it is a quiet location away from the hustle and bustle of those two places In effect situated in a cul de sac, the road peters out into mountain trails and it is an equally popular summer walking and mountaineering location with a core of year round inhabitants.

We have a semi - detached farm, in need of complete renovation for sale here. Although it currently has no planning permission, we know that it can be renovated; semi detached as lots of properties are in Le Lavancher . It is centrally located, huge, with consequent - enormous potential.

Note that parking is an issue in the hamlet but the mairie has created public parking spaces just opposite the farm on the road - and there is the possibility to create a garage on the farm property itself.

As a guide to prices in the area, the farm next door, is on the market for just under 2,000,000€, although it is detached it has only been partly renovated so that gives you an idea of the values there.

Grab yourself a bit of mountain structure!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Plateau de Solaison

2009-06-01T09:16:00.012+02:00

Between the Pointe d'Andey(1877m) and the Roschers des Leschaux (1986m)
lies the Plateau de Solaison. At around 1500 metres it is a popular spot with the French and Swiss judging by the number of cars parked outside the several Savoyarde restaurants located there.

Having said that it is still a peaceful and quiet spot, we picnicked there yesterday and we saw three plants of interest and heard not a thing.

Dactylorhiza Majalis or the Marsh Orchid (above) and Gentiana Verna or the Spring Gentian (right)

Also this plant taxidermy Chemise try as he might he couldn't take off and eventually gave up.

Just before lunch I hiked up to the Serreau to the west of the Pointe d'Andey, it is a precipitous cliff and not for the vertiginous but a relatively easy walk up. Great views of the Arve valley and down towards Geneva, you can see the Jura mountains and the Saléve from there.

Max enjoyed the day out too (you can see the Pointe d'Andey in the back ground)

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Chamonix farmhouse for sale

2009-05-29T07:04:00.006+02:00

Dating from 1828 and tastefully renovated, this beautiful savoyarde farmhouse has 5 bedrooms, 4 bath/shower rooms, wine cellar, sauna and 1,500m² of land.

Situated in the village of Servoz there is also an annexe of 160m² to renovate.

Price €1.8million and worth every penny.

For more details contact
Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French

Cascade de l'Arpenaz

2009-05-27T16:54:00.005+02:00

This spectacular waterfall in the French alps will have been seen by many of you from the A40 just after Cluses or Sallanches depending on your direction.

Close to the proposed new lift* from the bottom of the Arve valley to Flaine in the Grand Massif, it is worth a close up. There are picnic tables and many a barbecue has been had there, the water has a cooling effect and on a hot day it is a fab spot to escape the heat of the sun.

* This new link if it happens will be helped if Annecy gets the 2018 winter olympics, so we at chaletdoctors say go Annecy.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Kenton Cool makes it to the summit of Everest for the Seventh time

2009-05-22T12:27:00.005+02:00

Kenton Cool our neighbour and friend has made it seven summits, having made it to the top of the world for the seventh time.

Oh and he dragged some old geezer called Sir Ranuph Fiennes up there too.

Awesome Kenton, well done - safe return.

By the way your grass needs cutting!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Cluses, Haute Savoie

2009-05-18T14:53:00.005+02:00

Cluses has changed somewhat from the description given by Thomas Cook in his Traveller's handbook of Switzerland and Savoy dated 1922 which I acquired recently.

Describing it then as being on the right bank of the Arve river and chiefly inhabited by watchmakers and overshadowed by the Brezon precipices. Cluses is characterised by the booming of cannon "to awaken the echoes".

I am not sure if you could hear the echoes let alone wake them these days as the autoroute takes no prisoners, but the watch making history is still evident in the watchmakers museum still open to the public.

Certainly the expertise in watchmaking, albeit translated into light engineering now is testament to what Cook saw back at the turn of the century.

Now, Cluses is one of the main towns in the Arve Valley, situated at the foot of the northern French Alps and beneftiting from its great location less than 45mins from Geneva, Italy, Chamonix and Annecy. It is also the centre of the Faucigny region which is renowned for its fantastic ski resorts many just a short drive from the centre of Cluses.

Some people might recognise the name if they had taken note of the odd road sign on their way up to Chamonix or Megeve and particularly if they were heading off to the Grand Massif or Portes du Soleil ski resorts as you would have to turn off the A40 autoroute at Cluses to get to the latter two.

A bit of a thoroughfare as a consequenceof this proximity to one of the main arterial routes in France, it is characterised the Arve river rushing through it and by a decent enough square. But it is a sad fact that you can never really get away from the traffic, however if you are on the way through and do feel peckish then there are two reasons to stop.

The Chiangmai, 8 Rue Joseph-Nicollet, 0450891200 is a decent Thai restaurant with a friendly owner and he also does his food more to the British not French taste (i.e.spicier). I had the Tom Yam soup 8.50€ and the Nouille Sauté (Pad Thai) at 6€. It is just along from the square.

The 8th May in the road of the same name is also run by a friendly husband and wife team and its decent simple food and rapid friendly service is worth noting. With daily specials and its steak and chips it is a good excuse like the Chiangmai to break your journey. But don't go there on the 8th May- it is closed!

What's more you can nip off the A40 at junction 18 and back on at 19.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Spring animal fair in Arenthon

2009-05-10T16:59:00.007+02:00

Arenthon is a sleepy little village between Bonneville and Geneva in the French alps. But each year it comes out of its skin, a bit like this whole cow which had volunteered itself for roasting.

Each year it has a fair and today was the day when Savoyardes celebrated being Savoyarde, but also invited the rest of France to the party too.

Beasts, beer and bonhomie with Savoyardes doing what they do naturally.

Here making eau de vie, in this case from plum wine.

From winning a piglet by guessing its weight to admiring the Massey Ferguson tractors; to sampling Corsican sausage and ham, Breton oysters, Champagne and locally produced feuillete d'escargot. Something for all.

130 stalls of French produce await you plus the lines of working horses and beef cattle made the village of Arenthon a far from sleepy place on this spring sunday.

Animals galore - goslings, ducklings or rabbit for the smallholding, poney rides. Plenty for kids big or small.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Spring - a new take on coq au vin

2009-04-27T09:18:00.007+02:00

A few weeks ago it was the primroses and cowslips lower down the mountains, now the turn of the crocus. White, purple and violet carpets stretch across great swathes of newly uncovered mountain pasture.
The first swatch of colour to appear just after the snow has gone, even before the vivid greens of new grass, these flowers signal the end of winter and appear as the last dirty avalanches tumble off the mountains.

New life is everywhere and spring is in the air!

And this is the time for chicks too, this one is a day old and one of ten I hatched over the weekend.

A cross between a Sussex and a French Blanche (meat bird) soon it will be swimming in the wine!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

www.chaletdoctors.com

2009-04-08T20:39:00.004+02:00

Well we did it, our new site is live. Not the murmuring heartbeat that was the old chaletdoctors but the tub thumping be all and end all Brian Blessed deep basso profundo version - we hope.

If you see differently please, please let us know.

Hopefully you'll like it, if you don't you'll tell us about it!

Thanks to Jill in particular for all her efforts in pointing out all the silly errors we made.

If you spot any more - I am hiding the wine!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

A plethora of primroses 'partout'

2009-04-06T21:23:00.004+02:00

Alitteration I know but this is littering of a natural kind, the French alps are awash with primroses this year. I don't know if the severe season has had anything to do with it but I have never seen so many before.

Like a gradual creep of herbivorial custard they are rising up the mountains and so we get to enjoy them in degrees of altitude.

Now in the valley they will soon be with us in plenty.

One can't have too many ps and you can't have too many primroses either.

Miles Jefferson
http://www.chaletdoctors.com/
For all your property needs in the French alps

Husky Bar/Restaurant Les Contamines

2009-04-02T19:43:00.001+02:00

Les Contamines, is a sleepy ski town at the end of the season, although the resort is still open until the 24th it is beginning to slow down.

Still has great skiing though as it has stayed cold.

When you're in town and if you need something good and simple for lunch then try the Husky bar and restaurant. Don't be put off by the workers in there it's a good sign. We had the daily special of Roast pork in a rich mushroom sauce with a paté to start and a creme caramel to finish. 13.50€ pp

Not bad and nice views too.

Give it a go.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

And a little bit later..........

2009-03-21T21:44:00.007+01:00

must be the vin rouge!!!

Kate Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Before and after

2009-03-21T19:42:00.007+01:00

Blue skies in Brevent

Shut eyes in Mont Saxonnex

A warm, but great day in the valley of chamonix is clearly too much for Grant.

Or was it the Vin rouge?

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Le Ty Mad

2009-03-04T12:55:00.004+01:00

Haute cuisine it isn't but it is in the Haute Savoie.

Saint Gervais les Bains to be precise.

If you want a quick bite, something non Savoyarde on your French ski break or holiday in the French alps then try a Ty Mad cheese burger.

They are tasty, filling, reasonably priced and come with optional home made chips.

€6 for the burger and €2.50 for the chips. I think that is pretty good.
Simple fare, served simply; quick, unpretentious food.

And, if you can get a smile out of the proprietor then you are a better man than me.

Don't let that put you off though, he doesn't bite.

The Ty Mad is 200 metres from the Bettex cable car in Saint Gervais at 873 Avenue Mont d'Arbois.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Water, water everywhere...

2009-03-02T13:41:00.004+01:00

To steal a few lines from the ancient mariner....

Had the old salt avoided albatrosses and stuck to water when he was knocking around on his boat he might have been struck, had he been a linguist, by the similarities in Europe of the names of certain types of strong drink.

Apart from Britain which distilled a strong flavoured alchohol (Gin) because the water was poisonous, drinking it as a preference to the H²O variety, to stay alive . The Irish, Scots, French, Scandinavians and Slavic nations all brewed up something called water but which in fact was alchohol.

Did you know that whisky in old Irish means water of life as does the French "eau de vie." Aquavit to the Danes is the very same thing and the peoples of Poland, Russia etc. when they knock back too much Vodka, might be forgiven for being unable to recall where the K came from and why they are getting so blathered on the clear stuff, as Voda means water in Slav.

And does this explain why the Brits all get pissed so much as we were brought up on Gin?

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Knee deep powder to knee deep poo

2009-02-08T16:17:00.005+01:00

It started so well. This is Chris with lots of powder to burn.

This is me knee deep in the white stuff, little did I know that my sunday afternoon would be spent unblocking my fosse septique.
Still, musn't grumble - much.

Sorry about the twig, I don't have any video editing software.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Does this say it all?

2009-01-21T11:24:00.001+01:00

a picture is worth a thousand words

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

France Uselesscom

2009-01-16T19:12:00.007+01:00

It had to happen, France Telecom. Step forward you have risen above EDF in inefficiency.

Anyone would think this chap was in charge.

French utilities................ Couldn't care less monopolies.

How often do you have a coronary when dealing with them - answer - everytime.

How many times do you need to make an appointment to get a phone line - 3

How many hours do you waste getting the appointment - 9

How satisfied do you feel - 0

Would you do it again if you could avoid it - 0

3900 give it a try - your path to frustration, raised blood pressure and a very quick way to waste your time.

Try it, you may even speak to someone before they cut you off.

Given a choice I would rather not but we do this so you don't have to.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Snowing in the Alps

2009-01-14T18:46:00.003+01:00

at least it is near me, 850metres in altitude and we are blessed by the isotherm.

I think I will do an early tour in the morning and grab first tracks.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Bear spotted in the mountains

2009-01-07T20:17:00.006+01:00

Or was it a bare?
It is a real shame that this wasn't a boarder
or bare der - OK that's enough Miles.

Ooh the indignity. Bet his crotch was around the knees when he was the right way up. Serves him right for going for the rubbish, too baggy look.

Sympathitically, never happened to me - yet.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Le Chantier

2009-01-04T15:16:00.005+01:00

Or in English the building site, but I reckon it sounds better in French.

Le Chantier is a small bistro bar in Mont Saxonnex in the Haute Savoie at the foot of the pistes on the route du front de niege. Recently taken over by the Periers from the south of France, it has good wholesome food, quick efficient service and a warm welcome.

We are fortunate that Le Chantier has been taken over by Max and his wife.

Good luck and thanks to you both.

Give it a try - you know it makes sense.

Le Chantier, route du front de neige, 74130, Mont Saxonnex

+33 450 965 779

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Square Mile Magazine

2008-12-26T17:05:00.003+01:00

We made it here too.

Square Mile Magazine - December 2008 issue

Check it out.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Living France magazine

2008-12-26T08:49:00.005+01:00

This is an extract from some editorial in Living France magazine December issue 2008.

"I classify property by where it is , how easy it is to get to and its year round appeal, rather than by the number of bedrooms or en suite bathrooms. At one end of the range are purpose built , ski in ski out, high altitude homes; at the other, there are authentic towns , which are active all year, with French residents and overseas visitors. The former is typically more expensive and will appeal to keen skiers looking for thrills and spills; the latter has a more francophile following".

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Man's best friend

2008-12-13T08:37:00.008+01:00

Most of the time he is a wicked hound, but sometimes redeems himself.

Max is a cross between a Bruno de Jura and a Beagle as such he is doubly bred for hunting (although I don't hunt animals, just the odd mushroom)

Anyway we had our first ski tour yesterday up to Lac Benit in Mont Saxonnex and it was cold but clear and we got there just at twilight, around 5pm, just in time to to ski down without a head torch.

Quite a few others had the same idea as I met two of my neighbours on their way back down, a couple of boarders who had hiked up with snow shoes and some super fit bugger going like a train. Which is a shame because I am usually the one doing the train impressions; huffing and puffing, not going fast I might add.

Mont Saxonnex opens next weekend but if you have skins it is already open, we'll ski it several times before then.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Is this a sign for the new season?

2008-12-09T07:52:00.002+01:00

Well it has stayed cold and snow is forecast down to 700m - 20/30cm apparently and this is what greeted me this morning.

Red sky in the morning etc.

Is it a sign?

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Mont Saxonnex - 40 minutes from everywhere

2008-12-01T19:07:00.007+01:00

Well from Chamonix, Megeve, Samoens, Flaine, Morzine, Annecy and Geneva. Centre of it all, great views and a jolly nice place. It's an ideal mountain base but above all a friendly Savoyarde village to live in all year round.

It's great if you work in Geneva - or the ski resorts.

Also a great weekend retreat after all - those Swiss can't be wrong.

Weekender or second homer - Ideal location even if you are from further afield, it's really convenient to get to.

Small family ski resort, great ski tour and cross country location.

I've got a farm for sale here as well.

Less than 350,000€ for 170m² habitable plus 140m² in the barn to be converted.

Lovely pizza oven and mazot in the large garden.

Period interiors too.

Call now it'll go quick.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Metro

2008-11-26T20:15:00.002+01:00

Our first Metro ad - brilliant

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Still from webcam

2008-11-16T14:31:00.003+01:00

Not a bad first shot.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Webcam

2008-11-15T11:15:00.004+01:00

After much faffing about I have sorted out the webcam and you can see the results at

www.chaletdoctors.com/webcam.html

soon to be pointed at the Mole mountain and the valley de l'Arve

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Sorry, I just like farms

2008-11-10T19:23:00.003+01:00

Here is another one. It is south facing, 25 minutes to Chamonix and recently renovated. With new electrics and a recent boiler

There are 3 bedrooms, a large open plan living area, garage, terrace and balcony and the most amazing bread oven which would lend itself perfectly for use as a wood fired pizza oven. Ideal for those apres ski sessions and a real talking point.

A vine of over 150 years of age climbs up the front of the façade, testament to the sunny aspect.

The owner who is moving next door could be persuaded to part with some of his wine collection if the right offer is made!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Mer de Nuage

2008-11-06T07:25:00.008+01:00

The Mer de Nuage or the sea of cloud is a natural phenomena which occurs here in the French Alps, when warm moist air is trapped by colder air, forming and compressing cloud into the valleys. Result- mountain tops peaking out of what looks like a white sea. Bright sunshine for you, sub zero temperatures for the valley dwellers.

Another reason to come to the mountains - but stay high.

'Mind the gap' as the platform announcers say; in this case between the r and the d above otherwise you might be in the sh*t at least with your French friends.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Le Tour

2008-11-03T21:23:00.003+01:00

It's a while since I have been up to Le Tour in the Chamonix valley; still the village which has the most snow and sun in the French alps according to Dan whose catered chalet business I was viewing.

I would add to that fact that it can also be the coldest, or at least it can feel that way as the wind here can rip through supposedly windproof clothing with consumate ease. You quickly learn to sit next to one of your more corpulent friends as they make a handy wind break on the chairlift.

But as places go, cold aside its a top location. At the head of the Chamonix valley, the exposed bowls make for great skiing and when there is powder you can pretty much go anywhere (H&S note - only if you know what you are doing!!!!)

Anyway the chalet business is run in a 9 bedroom chalet at the bottom of the car park, so couldn't be closer or better placed. Mostly ensuite bedrooms are complemented by balconies looking straight down the valley towards Mont Blanc. A great sitting room has enough seating for all your guests and the view from the owners accomadation will blow you away. Sauna, games room and hot tub, plus a local mayor next door to ensure you get snow ploughed first.

A snip and a bargain and a ready to run business.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Deep and crisp and even

2008-10-30T07:56:00.005+01:00

No not a pizza and it's too early for christmas - at least in my book.

I am talking about the snow which has arrived in the Haute Savoie, we live at 850m and there 4cm has fallen at our level.

Don't get too excited just yet, lifts won't be open for a while.

But it bodes well.

This is the Mole Mountain which lies between Geneva and Mont Blanc, it dominates the Arve valley and is a great winter ski tour and summer walk.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Faux Pas

2008-10-27T18:48:00.003+01:00

Well, we're coming up to Toussaint or All Saints day for us Brits and it reminded me of a slight foot in mouth experience I had when I first moved to France. Beware!

Invited out by some French friends in the village and being slightly unsure of the form, we hit upon the old standby of some flowers, as a gift.

And as it was the same sort of time of year and French shops, you may have noticed are at the moment rife with chrysanthemums, so our choice was easily made.

The colours are fabulous and the choice extensive, all in their own pots too.

I do recall a slight wistfulness on our host's face as I handed the flowers over, I wasn't sure whether it was because I had only gone for the single bisou on the cheek, not two as it should be here in the Haute Savoie (3 in the south of france - must be the heat) or for some other unknown reason.

Anyway passing a graveyard a year later, I realised what we had perpetrated, for there festooning every grave in the place was a myriad of the self same blooms.

It's obvious now, designed to commemorate the dead they don't go down too well with the not

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

You've heard of the X Factor.......

2008-10-25T19:35:00.006+02:00

Well we have the egg factor here in France.

Here I am on a saturday family evening, in the minority, and reminded of the impact of reality tv shows on our lives, but for the first time I think I have found a positive aspect of this genre of tv.

Not being able to elect parental control over the remote control I found myself being forcibly made to endure Strictly Come Dancing. IT; is on and there is nothing I can do about it.

Like all reality tv shows for 4O something grumpy blokes, I suppose.

But this evening I was heartened by the glimmering signs of my 9 year old daughter Amelia's complete immersion into this Country's country way of life, that not only has she become completely bilingual (but also cheeky with it - laughing at my French accent) but she has also learnt that her meat comes from animals and notprepackaged from supermarkets, but also that her tv has to be taken in context.

The other day she was helping me sort our flock of chickens into eaters and layers, we, being as we are self sufficient both in eggs and chicken meat thanks to our flock of Sussex and Rhode Island Red breeds, one being a multi purpose bird and the latter a pure egg layer.

Dependent on whether it is one or the other, certain birds can be awarded a given name and more importantly, for them at least, a lease of life. Others are just chickens for obvious reasons, with a one way to the pot.

Amelia, an avid X Factor fan suggested that we should give the chickens a chance at prolonging their own lives and reality reality was born in Mont Saxonnex, France, forget reality tv, or at least put it in perspective.

So we now have the egg factor.

You've guessed it, the ones that pass muster, laying the most and tastiest eggs before a panel of 3 judges get to survive - my daughter's idea entirely, I assure you.

Being at the same time quite aghast at her encyclopaedic knowledge of drivel like tv shows and fantastically proud of her humour and earthiness I am at a loss to decide whether to rip the sky dish off the wall of our farmhouse or tune it into the next episode of "who gives a **** as long as I have my Malcolm Mclaren 15 minutes show"

But she hasn't stopped either. She has also come up with, for our Gingers at least (yes named after Chicken run), a new competition "I would lay anything" dedicated to the tedious, in my mind, reality tv show to find the next Nancy.

Where will her mind take her next? Bloody brilliant.

I would like to point out that I am not Simon Cowell, we don't have the sister of a famous antipodean songstress on call, but my wife is a bit like Sharon and she says I am a bit like Ozzy too. Especially on saturday night.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Editors note

No chickens were hurt in the making of this blog, unless they were designated an eater.

The weather

2008-10-23T19:25:00.007+02:00

OK I know we Brits talk about the weather but let's face it it really is worth talking about here in the French Alps and just to prove that it wouldn't be the first thing I held a discourse on, I left it until item 10 on my blog.

But the pressure of 2,000 years meteorogical history and ingrained awkwardness in front of canapés can be resisted no more.

You can't keep a Brit off the subject I guess.

But there is a difference, the subject here not only merits discourse, but more often than not, it evokes silence and inspiration.

Speaking for itself rather than being the tame release from awkward social situations. You can be inspired by actual events; snow in August, sunburn in January, golf ball size hail to rival anything them across the pond can produce, better fog than SanFrancisco, albeit not as mobile and glory upon glory and what prompted me to write this piece, colours to rival New England and Canada manifested in the trees.

Where else than the Haute Savoie.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Thanks to Adrian Frearson film maker and photographer of Mont Saxonnex, Haute Savoie for this pic of Mont Blanc

Eating out!

2008-10-22T10:39:00.005+02:00

As pretty much a local these days having been here since 2004, I get fairly blasé about Savoyarde food, whilst hearty and filling if you over indulge you can quickly go off off it... for a time.

I remember gorging on paté, reblochon, tomme de savoie and comté when we first arrived in the region and then couldn't eat anything like it for 6 months. The maxim less is more definitely applies here.

But over time and little by little you eat more moderately and get schooled by the locals; my neighbour Charles introduced me to all sorts of combinations that I regret never having known about. For example the first time I tried a chilled Gerwuztraminer from Alsace with his home made sausage and cured ham, I was sold.

That combination of slight sweetness marries wonderfully with the salt and fat taste of the meat, it cannot be beaten. Yum. This is my own ham and sausage.

So here I was having lunch in the 4 épices in St Gervais the other day and I found myself ordering tartiflette, another freely available Savoyarde food item that normally I wouldn't have looked twice at, having been way too friendly with it in the past. But absence, heart and fonder my mouth was actually watering at the idea of this staple of wintry days and the thought of taking the chill off the air with this harbinger of winter actually left me relishing the carbohydrate boost that all that reblochon cheese, potato and lardon gives.

So I sat down to the restaurant's slight twist of the tartiflette and a crisp green salad with delicious oil and mustard dressing.

I don't know where the 4 épices got the idea from but instead of the usual oven proof dish presentation it looked as if it had been done like a tortilla - Crispy on both sides and not at all gloopy.

Not only did the 4 épices reinvigorate my liking for this dish but its not a bad restaurant either.

Try it next time you are in St Gervais.

138, avenue Mont Arbois 74190 Saint Gervais Les Bains
Téléphone : 04 50 47 75 75

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall take note! Tartiflette is made with Reblochon not Tomme!

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Les Contamines

2008-10-21T10:39:00.006+02:00

Les Contamines is a less well known ski area in the French alps and I just don't know why that is. Just over an hour from Geneva, soon to be linked to the Mont Blanc area and less busy than Chamonix and Megeve which are nearby, it is a real gem. Long the home from home of Parisians and Lyonnais it has now been discovered by us Brits as it has enough piste skiing for most and some great off piste too. Savoyarde style restaurants and bars serving local cuisine make this an ideal and safe family environment.

I was there yesterday looking at a renovated 68m² apartment in an old hotel. Near to the centre of Les Contamines, but in a quiet location, this 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment will be finished in chablis and smoked wood. The easterly facing balcony is ideal for those morning coffees and the full width balcony is enough to avoid the cramped feeling you sometimes get from some apartments. It comes with all the guarantees of a new build apartment and you have a big say in how it will be finished, if you get in quick.

It comes with the usual cave and parking and the ski bus stop is 100m away and the asking price is 339,000€ which at under 5,000€/m² is very well priced for the French alps.

For more information please contact

miles@chaletdoctors.com

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Farm in St Gervais

2008-10-20T13:26:00.004+02:00

Let the picture do the talking, this is what it is all about.

A lovely half farm in St Gervais dating from 1840 views of Mont Blanc for less than 400,000€ impossible - no - think again.

A steal at 355,000€

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

EDF

2008-10-20T07:18:00.005+02:00

It should be error delay and frustration and that is the most fun you can have with EDF (or Electricity de France)

If life was a monopoly board this is one utility company whose card you would leave well alone, but at times you may also be driven to rip it to pieces and burn the bits left and then scatter the ashes to the four winds.

If you have ever tried to get a new electricity connection then you might know how I feel. This is one of the less pleasurable aspects of what I do.

Client J bought a renovated property in St Gervais through us at chaletdoctors and part of the service we offer is to do everything that needs doing for the client. In this case as it was a renovation EDF oblige you to get a certificate of conformity, which is brilliant and a jolly good idea.

Except try getting one. You phone EDF with the reference numbers of the meters that they put in and try a few that you have invented for good measure and they have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I think I would have been better off calling my mate Dave in London, at least I could have had a pleasant chat.

I am convinced that EDF's "customer services" compete with France Telecom's to do the most disservice to that department's appelation. But I think EDF edge the competition because they don't even talk to their own people, let alone us punters. Certainly not their technical department, whose simple task it was to meet me at the address in St Gervais between 1330 hrs and 1500hrs a few days ago.

Having given my contact details when I took the slot allocated by EDF and made sure that they had recorded my mobile number correctly, I dutifully hung around St Gervais, which is a pleasant little ski town, so normally no great task.

Eternal pessimist that I am, when it it comes to monolithic utility companies, anyway. I rang EDF just to make sure that I had not been forgotten, amazingly the pleasant lady at the other end even recited my mobile number and confirmed that it was all go and said that I would be contacted if there was any problem. I almost tipped my noisette down my front in shock.

Relishing the thought that at last they were actually going to fulfill a task at the first asking I allowed my thoughts to wander and briefly I thought of a brave new bureaucratic world where achievements were made and light switches could actually work.

Lost as I was in this fantasy. Before I knew it, we had arrived at and accelerated past the witching hour, but as this was France I allowed an extra 20 minutes for the j'arrive factor (this is what any French persons says when they are late, you expect that to mean 2 minutes they mean anytime in the next hour). My French colleague Laurence is a master at it, but us brits are pants. You say j'arrive and you do.

Anyway I digress, back to the debacle. So I ring EDF and point out J's lack of electricity and am stunned to be informed that the technician had been and gone. Cue apoplexy and steam contained within a shell of external calm (Miles - learn the lesson never shout at people in a public street in inadequate French - it just makes you look silly and achieves nothing and you know deep down the person to whom you are thinking vitriol but enouncing pleasantries is just gallicly shrugging their life away)

Having feebly accepted the new rendezvous sometime hence I was left to reflect on the waste of my life at that point and I concluded that there must be some new EDF think tank out there whose participants have come to the realisation that just as there is light and dark in the world - and that they have something to do with it, there is also late and early. They must have come up with the premise that they can't stop being late, after all they are French and a French utility company, so what to do? "I know, we can be early as well - that cancels all that late stuff out"

And I reckon that is what happened.

OK they are not all that bad - there are a few lights on in France.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

Whats your motivation?

2008-10-18T23:03:00.008+02:00

Why come to live in another country? change everything that you know, have a limited or no understanding of the language, have a total feeling of vulnerability. Is it just for the fantastic view, the opportunity of giving your children the gift of being bilingual, the outdoor life or the attraction of living in the French Alps?

I don't know what my original motivation was to move here, I know we talked about it for a long time, but the actual move away from everything I knew was hard, but what a revelation, meeting people with the same aspirations of the mountain life, being welcomed by the community, the school and the neighbours. Here really does feel like home.

The motivation to start chaletdoctors came from the problems we experienced when buying our property here in the Haute Savoie, Using local agents is great to get a look at the local properties but that is it. No answers to the hundred and one questions that you have, No help with the all the extras such as insurance, phone lines, builders, furnishing, managment, letting and just about anything else you can think of.

Being on the ground so to speak, also having gone through the process ourselves gives you a great insight. Hopefully that will help you avoid some of the pitfalls.

N says thanks

2008-10-18T17:20:00.003+02:00

Now we have spent a first few days in our new home we'd like to say a big thanks to you and all at Chalet Doctors for making the transaction as smooth and quick as possible. Right from the start it was clear that you had put a lot of thought into providing a range of property options to suit our budget along with some frank and honset advice on the pros and cons of each. Being our first purchase in France, we were a little concerned about negotiating our way through the French house buying market, but we needn't have been. The whole process was completed in 10 weeks from first viewing to accepting the keys, and in no small part this was because of the extra support that Chalet Doctors provided throughout the purchase - from arranging extra viewings at a moment's notice, to negotiating with vendors and government officials on our behalf. The level service provided from start to finish was second to none. Now we can look forward to spending many summer and winter holidays in our new beautiful new alpine residence, and hopefully make some extra pocket money along the way. We'll certainly be in touch to see if you can help

This is the unedited email and all I have changed is the font.

Miles Jefferson
www.chaletdoctors.com
For all your property needs in the French alps

How big can I afford?

2008-10-18T10:11:00.000+02:00

I am sure you have arrived at a budget, what you think you might want to spend on a place in the mountains, but do you know if you can borrow that amount? If you do great; read on.

If you don't ask our mortgage advisor. It helps define your search and keeps you realistic.

First things first, think about how much time you think you will spend using it, what is guaranteed is that friends and relatives will come out of the woodwork as soon as you have announced your intention to buy a ski chalet or apartment.

So think about this, after all the getaway is for you and doesn't work if some of the things that you are trying to get away from come with you.

Or just keep quiet!

This may help you focus on how many bedrooms you might want as well.

Then think about your budget, if you can stretch to owning a property outright then you avoid the copropriete charges, but are then responsible for all the upkeep. Don't forget to include, utility bills, insurance costs in your equation. Also ask yourself if you want to spend all your holiday time hacking at the metre high grass in summer or the same depth of ice in winter.

Maybe you can persuade some F****R's to help?

Of course I mean Friends and Relatives.

But if you can't get them to do it then we can find someone who can.

So if you need someone to cut the grass, someone to maintain your property, need wood to burn, or replacement bedlinen any of those things that take up holiday time. Then just ask us we are here to help.

info@chaletdoctors.com

Farmhouse

2008-10-17T21:32:00.000+02:00

It is the dream for a lot of people who move over here, buy a farmhouse for a song, quick lick of paint and there you go. Fabulous views of Mont Blanc and a short drive to Megeve or Chamonix all for less than a family day out to Wembley. Trouble is, the reality for most, the work involved in renovating a 200 year old building which needs a new roof, new electrics and a fosse septique is beyond most people.

But for those with the vision
You can turn this

Into this

If you have the cash you can achieve the caché.

For more information please contact miles@chaletdoctors.com

There are some hidden gems out there

2008-10-17T20:24:00.000+02:00

It's funny how things go. My first appointment blew out so I had an early lunch and got chatting to a French couple at the next table. Lo and behold they had some land for sale and not just a tiddly one chalet parcel of land either, but 1.5 hectares of land between St Gervais and Les Contamines in the the Haute Savoie.

Flat as well. Should please the flat earthers as well as prospective new builders!

I should explain that I am Miles and with Danielle we run www.chaletdoctors.com and I will be posting all things relevant to buying a home in France, I live and work the dream and will tell you about it over the coming months.