chalet restaurant le bois prin on snow
Bois Prin kézaco ? it is a pretty Savoyard dialect name which means "little wood", the one we pick up in the forest to light fires in the fireplace. Enough to maintain a flame of joyous atmosphere with family or friends, for unforgettable moments by the fire in an Alpine chalet perched up there in the mountain !
Welcome to Nathalie
A family tradition at the summit
Perched at an altitude of 1,650 meters, Le Bois Prin is a classic mountain chalet with a faithfully preserved heritage. Once a shepherd’s hut, this historic spot has become the ultimate base camp for a gourmet pit stop, whether you are on your own, with family, or among friends. We enjoy a prime location right on the Plaine Dranse ski slopes, at the heart of the Châtel-Avoriaz link within the Portes du Soleil domain.
Nathalie and her friendly team look forward to welcoming you for lunch in an authentic decor of exposed wood and stone. This is where the passion of our chef, Frédérik Gaire, truly shines. He invites you to discover a menu that is both inventive and deeply rooted in local tradition, showcasing carefully selected seasonal and regional products.
As soon as the sun comes out, our terrace facing the majestic peak of the Mont de Grange invites you to soak up the sun and the stunning scenery for a moment of pure bliss and incomparable relaxation.
Easy access for everyone :
- For skiers and winter walkers : The restaurant is easily accessible from parking of Pré-de-la-Joux via the Pierre-Longue 6-seater chairlift, making it perfect for beginners, advanced skiers, and mindful pedestrians alike.
- For ski explorers : We are ideally located right at the base of the Rochassons 6-seater express chairlift—the perfect launching pad to connect with Avoriaz and the wider Portes du Soleil area.
Practical Information :
Open from Christmas to Easter, for lunch only.
On the menu : daily specials, local alpine favorites, the chef's recommendations... and our traditional mulled wine !
We look forward to welcoming you this winter !
2022...a new challenge for Le Bois Prin
Metamorphosis of a little gem on the snow
From spring 2021 to the first snows of December, major renovation work transformed Le Bois Prin.
Under Nathalie's guidance, the chalet was raised and expanded, now featuring a stunning four-sided roof.
Dressed in wood and stone, the authentic spirit of Le Bois Prin has been carefully preserved and enhanced.
The result ? A truly warm atmosphere to welcome you.
Le Bois Prin : What’s in a name ?
Behind this lovely name from the Savoyard dialect lies a cozy meaning : "little wood" — The very kind you gather in the forest to light a fire in the hearth.
It is a beautiful invitation to keep the flame of a joyful atmosphere alive with family or friends. Expect unforgettable memories shared by the fireside in our mountain hideaway perched high above !
plaine dranse : an alpine pasture in the heart of les portes du soleil
A complete change of scenery facing a unique panorama, open to the sky, the sun, and the Alpine peaks
Blanketed under a thick layer of snow in winter and sheltered by the foothills of the imposing Massif of Pointe de Chésery , the alpine village of Plaine Dranse reveals a picturesque charm unlike any other. It is a unique site in the Alps, where shepherds' huts huddle closely together around the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges , chapel, the benevolent guardian of these pastures. Built in 1970 on the site of an ancient oratory, this iconic chapel with its bold architecture is built against a rock once known as "the Wolves' Stone" or "the Accursed Stone."
Most of these family chalets, beautifully renovated today, are well over a century old. When Savoy was annexed to France in 1860, this alpine pasture in the Haut-Chablais valley, bordering the Swiss Valais, was already a major and highly vibrant summer grazing site, brought to life by our great-great-grandparents.
The soul of Le Bois Prin : Marie's chalet
The wooden chalet of our ancestor, Marie Grillet-Aubert, has stood the test of time to reach us today. In 1983, Clément undertook its meticulous restoration: to preserve the property rights, the timber walls were dismantled while the original roof remained suspended by solid scaffolding. The walls were then rebuilt using natural Plaine Dranse stone, before being covered once again with traditional tavaillons (wooden roof shingles). In 1998, a new spark of energy allowed this piece of history to be transformed into a warm mountain restaurant. This is how Le Bois Prin was born. Despite its grand transformation in 2021, it remains, forever in our hearts, the alpine chalet of Marie.
We look forward to welcoming you to this privileged setting at the heart of Les Portes du Soleil !
in may 1983
