Chalet Sisar, La Clusaz OVO Network review
Fancy waking up to nothing but the tinkling of cow bells and the pink of sunrise over mountains? Makew your way along a mountain track edged by wildflowers and you’ll reach Chalet Sisar. Perched alone high on the Plateau de Beauregard above the villages of Manigod and La Clusaz in the French Alps, this beautifully secluded wooden chalet is a true retreat from everyday life.
The OVO Network lists more than 250 handpicked chalets across the French Alps, with cabins perfect for families, chalets that will suit cyclists and even posh pads complete with pools. It’s hard to choose a holiday home-from-home, but Chalet Sisar stands out for its peaceful location – and the wild nature right on your doorstep.
Inside, the chalet has everything you’d hope for from an Alpine hideaway: warm timber beams, an open-plan living area, a well-equipped kitchen, a big dining table for sociable suppers, and five comfortable bedrooms tucked beneath the eaves. Even in the height of summer, the thick wooden walls keep everything cool, creating the perfect place to retreat after a day on the trails.
But the real magic happens outside, where a wooden deck comes complete with a Nordic bath perfectly positioned to soak up uninterrupted mountain views. From here you can watch clouds drift across the twin ridges of the Aravis, while the distant snow-capped peaks of the Mont Blanc massif shimmer beyond. Early summer brings swathes of wildflowers, with pink and purple lupins carpeting the meadows around the chalet, while the soundtrack is provided by birdsong and the gentle clanging of the cowbells of the Abondance cattle grazing nearby.
For anyone who likes to stay active, Chalet Sisar couldn’t be better placed. Hiking trails begin directly outside the front door, weaving across flower-filled alpine pastures and up onto the surrounding peaks. Gentle walks lead to mountain farms where cheese is still made using traditional methods, while longer routes connect to the wider network of trails around La Clusaz and the Aravis, perfect for trail running and cycling.
If you’d rather mix walking with a little lift assistance, you can also stroll across the plateau to the nearby gondola and descend into La Clusaz for a leisurely lunch.
You don’t need to go far, through – mountain magic can come to you. We stretched out our limbs with a yoga session with Marie of Studio Celeste took us through a calming vinyasa as the sun rose over the mountains. Local chef Damien of Le Bois Clair offers seasonal cooking workshops inspired by ingredients gathered from the surrounding hillsides, introducing guests to wild herbs such as mountain thyme and meadowsweet before transforming them into beautiful dishes. Guided foraging walks with Nicolas, aka Botanico, reveal another side of the landscape, while in-chalet massages with the wonderful Valerie Germain use soothing arnica oil to provide welcome relief for tired hiking legs.
Chalet Sisar is equally suited to doing very little indeed: reading on the terrace, strolling dusty paths or just lingering in the Nordic bath as the sun sets slowly and wisps of cloud roll across the peaks.
Stay here: Chalet Sisar sleeps 12 in five bedrooms and is available in the summer months, from £2223 per week. OVO Network look after a network of 250 chalets across the French Alps, with collections tailored to different styles of holiday, from family-friendly chalets to properties with hot tubs, hammams, swimming pools and pet-friendly stays.
