Saint Martin de Belleville combines the character of a traditional French Alpine village with direct access to the vast Three Valleys ski area. It has an understated elegance that sets it apart from the larger resorts, with an historic village centre, excellent restaurants and a relaxed pace that appeals as much to keen skiers as to those who simply enjoy spending time in the mountains.
St Martin offers direct access to the enormous variety of skiing in the Three Valleys, while its local slopes are particularly good for beginners and intermediates. Pistes such as Jerusalem are among my favourites, with beautiful skiing, wonderful views and often fewer people than you’ll find on some of the busier parts of the Three Valleys. The runs back into St Martin are particularly lovely towards the end of the day as the sun drops behind the surrounding mountains.
Only two lifts take you from St Martin up to Tougnète at 2,437 m, from where you can ski straight into Méribel on some lovely red runs. From there, continue towards Courchevel or head down through the trees to La Tania. In the other direction, Les Menuires, Reberty and Val Thorens are all easily accessible through the Belleville Valley. And then there’s the fourth valley: Orelle, reached from Val Thorens, with long cruising runs and some superb off-piste skiing. For a fun but exhausting day, try the Three Valley Challenge and ski each valley on a predetermined route in a day!
Why You Will Love It: After more than 20 years living and working in the French Alps, St Martin de Belleville is the place I now call home, which probably says more than I could about how special it is. I love its traditional village character, excellent skiing and restaurants and the fact that it has retained an authentic French Alpine feel while offering direct access to the Three Valleys.
St Martin has retained much of its traditional village character, with old stone and wood buildings, narrow streets and its distinctive Baroque church at the centre of the village. You can learn more about its history at the local museum or on guided village tours. Away from skiing, activities include husky sledding, snowshoeing and winter walks along the beautiful woodland path beside the River Doron. For something rather more relaxing, the recently opened La Belle Vie wellness centre is absolute bliss.
St Martin hosts events throughout the winter, including traditional torchlight descents and fireworks during the busier weeks, while its Baroque church is also used for concerts and musical performances. Food is a real highlight of the village, ranging from Michelin-starred La Bouitte to La Ferme de la Choumette, where you can look through the glass panels into the farm below. Other favourites include Au Toré and the wonderfully traditional Le Montagnard, housed in a former stable and serving local Savoyard dishes.
St Martin may be one of the quieter Three Valleys resorts, but there’s still plenty going on after skiing. Le Lodji often has DJs and music on its slopeside terrace, while the Pourquoi Pas – or ‘P Bar’ as it’s known locally – has live music and its popular Tuesday quiz night. L’Art B, usually known simply as the French Bar, also hosts live music and is known for its extensive selection of shots, including the notorious Onion Shot!
