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Les Allues
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In AD 428, the valley of Les Allues was part of the 5 valleys bestowed
upon St. James of Assyria, by the Burgundy King Gondicaire, to make
him first Archbishop of Tarentaise in thanks to him for spreading
the Christian religion. This jurisdiction allowed the inhabitants
of Les Allues to evade the direct authority of the Dukes of Savoie
and the Kings of Piedmont Sardinia. In 1282, the people of
the valley were exempted from paying local taxes by the then Archbishop.
They became known as the "Allodis" (freeholders) or "Les
Alleux", meaning 'those who are exempt', and hence how the
village derived its name.
Les Allues is the capital (chef lieu) of the valley. Since the installation
of the Olympe bubble, the village now offers many benefits, including
direct access to the main lift system.
To return home there is a gentle run through the trees, pisted for
much of the winter. There is also an off-piste run which should
only be attempted with a qualified guide and a free bus from
Méribel centre.
The re-development of the Vieille Scierie means that Les Allues
now boasts its own thriving commerce, including a Ski shop, a supermarket,
and even a souvenir/tabac shop. There is also plenty to do at night,
with four bar/restaurants: the Chemina, the Croix Jean Claude, the
Tsaretta (British owned), and the Chaumière. Les Allues now
offers a real alternative to the main resort, for those seeking
a less frenetic holiday location.
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Other Districts
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La Chaudanne
Starting point for most of the lifts from Méribel. Nearby
you will also find the Olympic ice rink complex, 1 of the 3 ESF
offices (the others are in the Tourist Office and at Rond Point),
the main lift pass office and the Tremplin shopping gallery.
Morel and 1600
The highest original village in the valley, serviced by its own
chairlift leading up to the Altiport. Altitude 1600 is home to two
ski shops, the Pas du Lac hotel and its authentic Savoyarde restaurant,
Le Matafan, El Ponchos tex mex bar and restaurant, and the excellent
wine bar & brassserie, Les Enfants Terribles.
Le Rond Point
Des Pistes Important facilities located here are one of the
Jardins des P'tits Loups, a secondary lift pass office, and a third
ESF office where you can book ski lessons without having to go into
town.
Belvédère
Follow the road through the tunnel from the Rond Point to come to
the resort's newest and plushest district. This is not the area
for those on a tight budget. A new district, Le Domain du Burgin,
is now completed.
Altiport
Although the first runway was opened in 1961, it was not until 1976
that this area was developed. A relatively isolated, but peaceful
district of Méribel. Its gentle slopes are ideal for beginners.
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Méribel Mottaret
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Since it opened in 1972, Méribel Mottaret has developed far
beyond the confines of its original concept into a thriving resort
of its own. 350 metres higher than its parent resort, Mottaret extends
up both sides of the valley. To the left, the Saulire side, the
Châtelet area of Mottaret, with its own commercial centre
with a variety of shops and restaurants. To the right, the Tougnette
side of the valley, lies the larger Laitelet area, leading up to
the Hammeau district, the highest inhabited part of the valley.
Mottaret offers great access to all the wonderful skiing that the
3 Valleys has to offer, but with one added benefit over Méribel,
you can ski to and from your door with ease.
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Day
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