Brid-les-Bains is not only a ski resort in France , it is also famous for its thermal springs. A health center is open in the town, which offers treatment with waters from healing springs, mud, hydromassage, various types of massage, swimming in a pool with mineral water.
Due to its advantageous location, Brid-les-Bains became a resort in the middle of the 18th century, starting in 1848. Various diseases, starting with skin diseases, ending with diseases of the heart, lungs, and obesity, have been treated here for a long time. Among skiers, the resort became popular about 50-60 years ago.
Features of geographical location
The thermal resort is located in the Alps (Savoie region, Auvergne region), at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, in the area of 3 valleys. A characteristic feature of the geographical position of Brid-les-Bains is its ideal location in relation to the Three Valleys. The most famous ski resorts of Courchevel , Meribel , Val Thorens can be reached in 15-20 minutes on the “Olimp” cable car .
The area is known for its healing springs, which were known as early as the 16th century. And today they are quite popular among the French, who regularly come to this resort to improve their health.
Nearest cities
Getting to Brides les Bains is relatively easy. The nearest airport is in the city of Chambery (90 km), Grenoble 160 km, Lyon and Geneva 170 km. The nearest settlements are Bozel and Moutier, which are 7 and 10 km, respectively. Moutiers has a train station (the closest), from which you can get to Paris (630 km) without transfers.
The best time for rest
Currently, Brides les Bains is better known as a ski resort. The best time for recreation here is the period from mid-December to the second half of April.
Many tourists note that the service and level of service here is no worse than in other more famous and promoted cities, but the prices are an order of magnitude lower.
Many French people come here at other times of the year to drink mineral water and get treatment in the thermal baths.
Infrastructure
The town has an excellent infrastructure, which was specially improved in 1992 before the start of the Winter Olympic Games, which were held in Albertville.
Currently, Brides les Bains is a modern resort with a well-developed infrastructure. For the Olympics, hotels were built that meet all standards and requirements, as well as the Olimp high-speed lift, on which tourists today can easily and relatively quickly reach Val Thorens, Courchevel and Meribel.
Hotels
There are enough hotels in the city that can meet the needs of every visitor. There are hotels with a beautiful view of the Vanoise glaciers, there are hotels with excellent cuisine and service – GOLF OTEL and many others – Altis Val Vert, Savoy, Des Sources, Les Chalets, etc. Some impress with their modern equipment, others with the spirit of years gone by. For example, the Golf hotel is decorated in the style of the 20s of the last century, but has everything for a comfortable rest, with places for the disabled.
Golf Hotel 4-star hotel
The picturesque village of Brid-les-Bains is ideally located in the Alps in the 3 Valleys ski region. It is directly connected to Meribel by the Olympe gondola lift.
Charm and authenticity are harmoniously combined in this magnificent 1920s-style residence. The rooms offer comfort, quality services and modern individual amenities.
The hotel is located in a quiet location with a stunning view of the Vanoise glaciers. And also views of the snow-covered Grand Bec and the village of Bride-les-Bains.
Savoy Hotel 3-star hotel
The Savoy Hotel is located on the territory of the largest ski area in the world, in the heart of the town of Bride-les-Bains, from which you can reach the city of Méribel by the Olympe gondola lift, located 300 meters away.
The comfortable and practical rooms have their own shower, LCD TV with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi.
The Savoy Hotel is a 3-minute walk from the Grand Thermal Spa. An outdoor heated pool and a sauna are at guests’ disposal. The hydromassage bath can be used in the summer.
The Savoy Hotel’s charming restaurant serves traditional regional cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition, guests can visit the bar with a terrace open all year round.
The Savoy Hotel has free private parking, which is very convenient for those who want to travel around the Rhône-Alpes region by car.
Hotel Les Chalets 3-star hotel
This hotel is located in the center of Bride-les-Bains, just 200 meters from the main gondola lift. It features an outdoor heated pool and an on-site restaurant.
At the disposal of guests of the Les Chalets hotel are rooms in a strict style, equipped with an LCD TV. Free Wi-Fi is available in the rooms.
Breakfast is served daily in the restaurant or delivered to the rooms. In the evening, you can taste traditional cuisine and relax on the terrace with a drink from the bar. From May to October, dishes from the special diet menu are prepared upon request.
The hotel has a spa center with a sauna, a hammam, a hydromassage bath and a massage room. From May to October, the spa is free. From October to May, the spa center can be visited by prior arrangement and for an additional fee.
Ski storage facilities, free private parking and a laundry are at guests’ disposal. Guests can book a massage session. Chambery Airport is 90 km away.
Hotel Amélie 3-star hotel
Hotel Amélie is located in the Olympic ski resort of Bride-les-Bains, next to the lift to the Three Valleys ski area.
It offers fully equipped and comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a marble bathroom. Private parking is available for guests.
Hotel Amelie’s Les Cerisiers restaurant serves fine traditional cuisine and specialties from the Savoie region, served in the dining room or on the terrace.
Guests can visit the lounge bar with comfortable sofas and a pool table, and in the summer season take a dip in the large outdoor heated pool.
Hotel Amélie is located in a quiet mountain area just 20 km from the ski resort of Courchevel and 12 km from the ski resort of Meribel.
Restaurants
Most restaurants in Brid-les-Bains offer traditional French and European cuisine, but there are places where you can enjoy seafood. Japanese sushi and so on.
As for the price, it is quite acceptable (by French and European standards) and almost a quarter less than in nearby resorts.
Le “Bis” trop Savoyard
Price range
102 ₴ – 768 ₴
Type of kitchenI
French, European, Wine Bar, Brew Pub
Specialized menu
Suitable for vegetarians
Meal time
Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
Services
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Table Service .
La Table du Golf
Price range
870 ₴ – 870 ₴
Type of kitchen
French, European
Specialized menu
Suitable for vegetarians, vegans
Meal time
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Services
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Wheelchair Accessible to Registered Users, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Table Service, Seating, Highchairs Available
Attractions
The city has its own attractions, which are loved not only by local residents, but also by numerous tourists. First of all, it is a beautiful park, numerous boutiques and shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and festivals and concerts are regularly held here. Therefore, everyone will be able to find entertainment to their liking at Brides les Bains.
Tracks
The city is called the gate or the entrance to the 3 valleys for a reason. Thanks to its location, every tourist will be able to find the tracks at his discretion. Imagine, only inside the city there are 77 km of well-equipped trails, and in total there are more than 600 km (48 green, 135 blue, 119 red and 33 black) and 220 lifts, plus almost 300 km of flat trails, if you take the entire region as a whole. In this case, the height difference is 1.1 km – 3.23 km. The number of lifts in the resort is 58 (25 rope lifts, 16 gondola lifts, 17 chairlifts), 2 fan parks.
For beginners, Brid-les-Bains offers some excellent blue-green pistes, including three isolated slopes near the Plattieres station and the uncrowded, wide Blanchot piste. In the Altiport area, there is a long gentle descent, quite wide and beautiful, passing through the forest from the middle station of the Solyr gondola lift. Short, simple tracks in the Rond-Poix area will also help you improve your skating technique.
More confident skiers can ski on the red and blue slopes of Courchevel, in the Méribel snow park and higher up in Val Thorens. There are excellent opportunities for ski safaris, wide and easy trails.
Professionals will be interested in the tracks on the top of Mont Valon (2925 m). Particularly attractive are the descent of Combe-Valon, the Fas Olympic track, the simpler tracks of Georges-Modui and Combe-de-Tunet. Connoisseurs of unspoilt slopes will find excellent opportunities for freeriding on Mont de la Chambre and in the Col du Fruy area.
Entertainment and active recreation
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, other sports activities are also provided for tourists at the resort – sledding, rock climbing, bobsledding, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and hiking.
Brid-les-Bains is not only a ski resort, it is also famous for its thermal springs. Grand Spa Thermal . One of the largest thermal resorts in France and the largest in the Alps. The Grand Spa Thermal is located next to the Olympe cable car in the heart of Brid-les-Bains. Reopened after renovation in 2018, it boasts 2,700 m 2 of treatment and wellness areas, including a new 600 m 2 water area . There is also a hammam, sauna, jacuzzi inside and outside. Grand Spa Thermal is the perfect place to recuperate after an active day on the snow. It has an open health center that offers treatment with waters from healing springs, mud, hydromassage, various types of massage, swimming in a pool with mineral water.
The resort specializes in the treatment of such diseases as rheumatism, diabetes, and hypertension. Gymnastics, sauna, air bath, jacuzzi, physiotherapy sessions and other health treatments are also available to resort visitors.
The resort life of Brid Le Benue rages until late at night in restaurants, bars, discos and cafes. Casinos, shops, cinemas, exhibitions and concerts provide vacationers with gambling and fun.
Every Sunday and Wednesday, guests of the resort have the opportunity to take part in folk festivities with hot juice, wine and potatoes with cheese, baked on a griddle.
Conclusions
Brid-les-Bains is one of the most accessible ski resorts in the very “heart” of Europe. Affordable prices, high level of service, and availability of the most fashionable European resorts make the city very attractive for tourists.
Here you can not only ski comfortably and have a good time, but also improve your health, taste delicious food, enjoy picturesque landscapes, drink healing water, visit spa procedures, swim in a pool with mineral water and go shopping.