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France

St Martin de Belleville

Traditional, pretty chalet-style resort. Easy access to 3 Valleys skiing. 3 star Michelin dining

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St Martin de Belleville resort guide - a general overview

St Martin de Belleville is a totally traditional Savoyard village with an old church, small square, pleasant buildings and very easy links into the entire Three Valleys ski domain. St Martin de Belleville has been voted a 'Top 10 Picture Postcard Resort' by Peter Hardy (travel journalist).

The resort is known for its traditional restaurants (4 of which are listed in the Michelin guide) which serve local Savoyarde dishes with a smile. One of these is the famous La Bouitte Restaurant (3 Michelin stars!) which is located in the neighbouring hamlet of St Marcel - perfect for the chalet staff night off! The village nightlife is not rocking of course but there are enough bars to satisfy.

Being a small resort the local ESF ski school is really very good. The Piou Piou creche takes children from 2.5 to 6 years old and can look after children all day (9am - 5pm) with lunch included. As the creche is located right next to the main lift station it makes this resort very easy for families with younger children. If you prefer children can take half day lessons or care.

There are two spa centres in or near resort. One is part of the famous La Bouitte restaurant/hotel which is located in Marcel, a little hamlet just a couple of km from St Martin de Belleville. This has a Jacuzzi and sauna as well as treatment rooms. The other spa is in St Martin de Belleville resort. Relax in one of the outdoor hot tubs or at the 'chill-out' area whilst appreciating the magical mountain setting. There is also a herbal tea room and changing facilities. The Lys outdoor spa is open during the winter between 3pm - 8pm except Saturdays when it is closed.

There are some fantastic chalets in St Martin de Belleville which we recommend very highly for comfort, service and food. As the operators who run them are small owner run concerns you are always assured of the best standards.

Photos courtesy of: C. Cousin, G. Lansard, P. Royer, R. Thibaut, V. Lottenberg and D. Andre.

Resort stats

600km

1,400m - 3,195m

Level of skiing

Beginners
Intermediates
Experts
Snow sure
Off-piste
Ski area

Qualities

Charm factor
Non-skiers
Nightlife
Resort layout
Fine dining
Short transfer
Resort value
6 Day Pass
235 euros

Airports

Chambery
2hrs
Lyon
2hrs 30mins
Geneva
2hrs 30mins
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Pros and Cons

Pros

  • A very attractive little village and some good modern developments too
  • Easy access to the enormous Three Valleys ski area
  • Long easy intermediate slopes lead down to the village centre
  • Extensive snow making keeps the home pistes going late to the season's end
  • New spa centre (opened Dec 2024) with indoor/outdoor pool, wellness facilities and relax area

Cons

  • The home pistes are West facing and therefore get slushy at the end of the season
  • There are no easy green runs for total beginners to progress to
  • The village is quiet and offers little in the way of off-slope entertainment

Restaurants

St Martin de Belleville Resort Restaurants

For its size St Martin de Belleville punches well above its weight when it comes to good restaurants. Three are mentioned in the Michelin Guide and a fourth, La Bouitte, is a legend. This father and son owner/managed establishment has gained national acclaim and also 2 Michelin Stars. A lunch here, as in all the Worlds best eateries, is something of an experience and should be savoured. Memories of their delicious pan-fried foie gras will linger with you for years afterwards. The Eterlous and the Dahlia are both great spots for lunch or dinner. With easy access from the slopes it's very possible to make St Martin a viable lunchtime venue. For something a little more special we recommend Le Montagnard - very atmospheric converted hayloft.

St Martin de Belleville Mountain Restaurants

For a small resort the choice of on-slope eateries is actually pretty good so if you're going to have a long, lazy and filling lunch, best warn your hosts you want a small dinner at your chalet! Val Thorens' Bar de la Marine on the Dalles piste is good with a large terrace area playing music after 3pm. The Moutiere in the same area is more reasonably priced. The Chalet Plan Bouchet refuge in the Maurienne Valley is very popular. The Chalet (Val Thorens enthusiasts report it as one of the best!) des 2 Lacs gets rave reviews, the potato pie in particular!! For food and value and also the Deux Ours (half way down the Blanchot run) gets good reports - large portions and reasonably priced.

St Martin de Belleville Apres Ski

Limited to the local bars. However, some of these are located slope side so actually get quite buzzy at the end of the ski day. The Piano bar, which is tucked behind the church in the centre of the village, has live music on two evenings each week and is a popular spot.

St Martin de Belleville Nightlife

Very quiet with just a handlful of late closing bars to choose from.

St Martin de Belleville Resort Map

Key
  • Funicular Funicular
  • Cable car Cable Car
  • Gondola Gondola
  • Chair lift Chair lift
  • Drag lift Drag lift
  • Map marker Property
Tourist info