10/10 Excellent
Aimee M.
14 August 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Alpine cottage with amazing outdoor space and mountain views near La Bérarde
A wonderful mountain paradise!! We are a family with two children aged 13 and 10 who spent a week here in August 2022. We knew from a previous visit just how dramatic the mountain scenery and walking/hiking options are near La Bérarde.
The cottage is in the hamlet of Les Étages, an easy 3km drive from La Bérarde. It is the ground floor of a converted mountaineering hotel bursting with character (the first floor can also be rented). It has lovely grassy outdoor space which stays sunny well into the evening and has fantastic mountain views. We saw marmots at the back of the garden and in the next door field. A van selling bread and pastries stops outside at around 8:15 every morning.
The immediate area is a paradise for walkers/hikers. A large number of walks start either in Les Étages or La Bérarde (including two which start right outside the cottage). The spectacular views include glaciers, rock needles and the high peaks of the Écrins national park. Many of the walks are to remote mountain refuges, where you can stop for a meal before heading down (bring plenty of cash - the refuges don't take cards and there is no ATM in the valley!). We spent most days doing mountain walks and only wish we could have stayed longer!!
The hosts, Suzanne and Pascal, are very friendly and can offer advice on the local area. Would highly recommend!!
Aimee M.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022