The review of the Aux quatre vents b & b, a very special accommodation in Haute-Savoie, but also very beautiful. The accurate description of the place and our opinion: the most interesting aspect is certainly the dinner all together in the structure!
Many years ago I had been on French Alps, in Haute-Savoie, in winter: time has passed and I remembered a few details. This summer, having to choose a mountain destination, I decided to return to that area and my choice fell on La Clusaz, a well-known ski resort in these parts.
La Clusaz
To Italian ears the name says little (very differently from the nearby Megéve, Chamonix or Les deux Alpes). La Clusaz attracts mainly French tourism - Annecy is a stone's throw away, Lyon not even two hours by car. The Alps are impressive and the presence of the neighbor Mont Blanc it returns every time you climb these mountains, giving hikers exciting glimpses.
I have to say that La Clusaz in the summer version it is very lively, in addition to the walks there are Moutain Biking (mountain biking in the French version) and all the activities you can think of to use the ski lifts even in summer: from the bobsleigh track to ice skating, to launching with mega-donuts on grass tracks.
Where sleeping in La Clusaz
The best experience, however, was the accommodation I found, from the name Aux quatre vents.
It's about a "gite”Or rather an accommodation similar to a B&B in a private house. The hostess is called Danielle and she is a lively and very fair lady. In his large house a few kilometers from the village there are 8 rooms (from two to five beds) with the possibility of hosting up to 30 people. Danielle is a great walker, who knows her mountains well and gives excellent suggestions for the most beautiful walks throughout the area.
She is also a bicycle enthusiast, she herself takes cycling holidays and therefore welcomes with particular warmth groups of cyclists - emulators of the Tour de France - who venture on these passes, especially the Col des Aravis that overlooks the house.
Priceless welcome
Danielle has a passion for hospitality, a priceless feature that makes the difference when you are lucky enough to meet. You spend the night there, you consume the breakfast and price. The most beautiful experience is precisely that of the meals, which are served in the room on the ground floor, a large room with a fireplace and a long table, at which all guests sit together.
After the first moments of embarrassment the atmosphere warms up, you talk to everyone about the day just passed or the details of your city life.
Since we were the only Italian guests, there knowledge of French it is quite indispensable: honestly, it had never happened to me before that the atmosphere between guests was so warm, familiar and truly unusual, thanks also to Danielle who every evening takes care to distribute her guests at the table in the best way.
The menu
The menu is unique, you cannot choose, and generally consists of a salad, a main course, a dessert. All cooked by Danielle with garden products or in any case organic. Drinks are included (wine at dinner, spring water and herbal tea after dinner). Another important thing to know: cheese-based dishes are king among these mountains, in particular the local specialty, the reblochon, is an important ingredient of many recipes.
The breakfast is also nice consistent.
The rooms are simple, covered in wood, with bathroom, comfortable; bathroom cleaning is done by yourself, like at home.
The price in summer with half board is really affordable. The house is in a panoramic position and has a beautiful outdoor area with many flowers. It is open all year round, in winter the price is a little bit higher (a few euros more).
