As the February holidays approach, we’re serving up one of our favorite destinations for skiing (but that’s not all, we promise!) on a silver platter. Here, you can spend the day on the slopes and feast on one of the best cheeses ever in theevening. And since skiing and good food usually go hand in hand, all you have to do is read these few lines to whet your appetite!
Abondance, the perfect destination for “after the effort, the comfort”
© Les Portes du Soleil / Fromage Paccard
The village of Abondance is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, which includes no fewer than 12 resorts on the French and Swiss sides of the Chablais massif. When it comes to slopes, get ready for some serious action: 650 km to hurtle down with no fewer than 195 ski lifts reaching an altitude of 2,460 meters. From Abondance, you can access the legendary resorts of Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz with a single ski pass. Quite simply, the area is considered one of the most beautiful and largest in the world, and much less crowded than its big brother, Les 3 Vallées (Val Thorens, Les Ménuires, Courchevel, Méribel, etc.).
©Ternelia
Although Abondance is popular with skiers and snowboarders in winter, the small alpine village is no less popular for its peaceful, authentic atmosphere and, of course, its cheese! Often cited as one of the best in the world, Abondance cheese is protected by an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC)and continues to be produced using traditional methods. It’s clearly the best thing to eat after a good day in the fresh air. Don’t forget that it is also used in fondue savoyarde alongside Swiss Gruyère and a good piece of Beaufort. If you can’t resist, don’t hesitate to rush to one of the best cheese shops in Lyon to continue making your mouth water!
Abondance, one of the most beautiful abbeys in the region
©Actu Montagne
And to complete the picture with a cultural touch, Abondance is also synonymous with a thousand-year-old abbey. Founded in the 12th century, the architectural complex includes a Gothic cloister with 15th-century murals, as well as the abbey church and its 19th-century trompe-l’oeil decorations. The site also has an exhibition space to help you better understand the history of the place. In April, the town organizes a treasure hunt around the abbey that will delight young and old alike. Finally, don’t miss the bulb that crowns the church, visible for miles around like a real lighthouse at sea!