Flaine Town Centre
The resort of Flaine tends to divide opinion; set in the heart of the Grand Massif in a stunning snowy bowl the scenery is extremely beautiful but the resort itself receives more mixed reviews!
The village was purpose built in the late 1960’s but it is not just your average purpose built ski resort. In an attempt to do something a bit different the famous German architect Marcel Breuer was brought in to design the resort in the Bauhaus style. The design was intended to reflect its landscape exhibiting ‘the principle of shadow and light’ like the shadows of the surrounding crags, even the colour of the concrete was chosen to match the surrounding limestone. The design does not stop with the buildings, modern art sculptures have been brought in to adorn the town and the bottom of the pistes, including a piece by Picasso. The resort has its admirers but probably more detractors. It’s generally agreed it looks better from the pistes.
Whatever your opinion of the architecture Flaine still has a lot going for it. Split over three levels it is a very well organised and efficient resort with excellent accessibility and a very relaxed atmosphere.
The resort is car free which gives it a nice feel and getting around the three levels by foot and lift is easy. The neighbouring villages of the Grand Massif are also very easy to get to and offer much more traditional and picturesque mountain villages. Everything about Flaine is convenient if not beautiful, even getting here is easier than most resorts being just 70km from Geneva. If you can ignore the look of the resort and are after some excellent skiing in a well organised the resort Flaine could well be the place for you.
Flaine Nightlife
The nightlife in Flaine is definitely quieter then in other resorts, there are a few bars and restaurants, but they are better suited to a quiet glass of wine or beer in the evening rather than a full night of partying.