← Guides & Blog · Article · Le Grand-Bornand
Le Grand Bornand – Chinaillon
🏔️ History & heritage
- Founded in the 13th century, Le Grand-Bornand preserves the charm of a traditional mountain village with its centuries-old wooden chalets and typical hay barns.
- The Bouchet valley, long dedicated to agro-pastoral life, is home to one of the finest examples of rural architecture in Haute-Savoie.
- The hamlet of Chinaillon, at 1,300 m altitude, is the birthplace of local skiing, where the first ski lifts appeared in the 1950s.
📍 Geography & natural environment
- Located between the Aravis massif and the Bornes mountain range, Le Grand-Bornand offers a spectacular panorama of the Pointe Percée.
- Altitude: 952 m in the village and up to 2,100 m at the top of the ski area.
- Chinaillon, directly connected to the slopes, charms visitors with its unobstructed views and generous sunshine.
🎿 Ski area
- Over 80 km of slopes across 46 runs (5 black, 13 red, 14 blue, 14 green).
- A varied ski area suitable for all levels, with snowpark, boardercross and beginner zones.
- Easy connection to La Clusaz with the Aravis ski pass.
- Reliable snow thanks to an extensive network of snow cannons and ideal altitude.
☀️ Summer activities
- Panoramic hikes to Lake Lessy, the Samance plateau or the Colombière pass.
- MTB, trail running, via ferrata, paragliding and a 9-hole golf course facing the mountains.
- Local producers’ markets and lively alpine pastures showcasing mountain life.
- Swimming pool, mini-golf, playgrounds and numerous family activities.
🍽️ Gastronomy & local specialties
- Birthplace of PDO Reblochon fermier, still produced today in high-mountain farms.
- Altitude restaurants and inns serving tartiflette, crozets, diots and potato fritters.
- Tastings available at local farms or at the Heritage House.
🛍️ Shops & local life
- Mountain shops, cheesemongers, artisanal bakeries and weekly markets in the village centre.
- Chinaillon gathers the essential shops: supermarket, ski rentals, restaurants and après-ski bars.
- In winter, a free shuttle easily connects the different neighbourhoods.
🚗 Access & transport
- 30 minutes from Annecy and 1 hour from Geneva; fast access via the Thônes valley.
- Daily bus connections from Annecy or Geneva SNCF stations.
- Free parking near the ski lifts.
- Regular buses between Le Grand-Bornand Village and Chinaillon.
🎭 Culture & events
- Festival Au Bonheur des Mômes: the largest children’s festival in Europe, every summer.
- Concerts, exhibitions and guided tours of farms and traditional chalets.
- In winter: torchlight descents, Christmas markets and biathlon competitions (home resort of several French champions).
🌿 Leisure & atmosphere
- The perfect blend of lively mountains and a gentle, peaceful way of life.
- Typical chalets, crystal-clear rivers, spruce forests and a welcoming village atmosphere.
- Ideal for families, athletes and lovers of authentic nature.
