Flaine Ski Resort

You might not realise it, but the centre of Flaine is a huge work of art, designed by architect Marcel Breuer, a master of the Bauhaus style.

The artistic theme goes beyond the architecture, with several large public art works at the base of the slopes, including a Picasso. But your eyes may be drawn away from this and up to the vast snowy bowl beyond, surrounding Flaine. Take one of the many lifts to the top and you'll have a great view of Mont Blanc in one direction, or perhaps down to one of the four traditional villages which share the huge Grand Massif area with Flaine. These are Morillon, Les Carroz, Samoëns and Sixt in the valleys below.

Flaine has undergone several development processes over the years. At one time a Scandinavian-themed village, Le Hameau de Flaine, was created a few kilometers from the main resort, and most recently the North American resort developer Intrawest (the company behind Whistler and a dozen other top Canadian and US resorts) moved in. They created Flaine Montsoleil, an all new, upmarket development now run by French company Pierre and Vacances and home to some of the newest and best accommodation at the resort.