French Rune Alps Chateau 7939 is an all-year round family holiday home located in the heart of the French Alps.

In the summer, it offers a whole range of exciting activities while in the winter, it is within easy driving distance of the best French ski resorts.

In 2001 the Chateau underwent a total renovation having been left vacant for the previous 28 years.

The renovation was managed by a specialist architect using highly skilled local artisans who have brought the house to its former glory, as well as equipping it with all modern conveniences.

The estate itself is 25 acres in size, which surround the chateau in all directions. The chateau and most of its surrounding gardens sit atop a hill, with 360 degree uninterrupted views of the Chartreuse Mountains to the West, the Bramefarine and Belledonne range to the East, Montmelian to the North and the Gresivaudan and Chambery valleys to the South and Northwest respectively.

The Chateau's remarkable position explains why the original chateau was built on this land 1,000 years ago.

As well as a large walled garden to the East, there are two formal gardens of box hedges.

To the South is the pool garden, which has a fountain and leads one down to a sitting area above the pool, and then steps down on either side to the pool.

Looking beyond the pool, one looks directly towards Grenoble and can clearly see the famous Tour d'Avallon.

Looking the other way, one gets an excellent view of the chateau's tower.

On the West side of the house is another formal garden with the imposing Mt Grenier in the background, and further afield the Chambery valley.

There are a large number of remarkable trees on the property, including a 30+ metre-high cedar which is over 300 years old, and four lines of trees lining the 200 metre driveway (more than 100 trees). There are 15 or so outside lights that illuminate the trees close to the house.

There is a soccer goal and a children’s basketball hoop, also a children's swing and slide.

Accomodations include: 8 bedrooms in the Main Chateau, 3 bedrooms in the Guest Cottage, as well as additional lodging available in the Grange.

The Master bedroom suite includes a main bedroom of 42m2 plus a 32m2 sunroom/office with 6 arched windows.

7 of the 8 bedrooms have their own bathrooms, plus there are 2 toilets on the ground floor.

The other bedrooms (not including bathrooms) on the first floor are 31m2 and 33m2 and on the second floor, 28m2, 31m2, 15m2, and 12m2 , as well as a suite of 48m2 with a 31m2 south-facing terrasse.

On the ground floor, there is a kitchen of 36m2 with 2 fridges plus drink fridge, 2 dishwashers, kitchen table, large LaCanche gas/electric oven, microwave, etc. A boot room. A children's games and television room of 31m2. A dining room of 28m2. A billiard room of 32m2 and the grand salon of 60m2.

There are 3 satellite TV's in the house (one of which is a mega-screen) and 1 in the cottage.

The floors on the ground floor and second floor are polished wood with oriental carpets throughout. There are 3 working fireplaces.

Next to the house is the cottage which has 3 smaller bedrooms with seperate access above the guardian's apartment, a kitchen/dining room, living room, and bathroom/toilet.

There is another building, called the Grange, which houses the garage, the gym, and a reception room which we recently used for a church service (baptism) with more than 200 guests.

There is one other major building that has not yet been renovated, but which includes the old stables, a huge wine press (the Chateau used to be a vineyard), old wine caves and other accommodation.

The Chateau is restricted to a maximum sleeping capacity of 17adults and 8 (of which 4 must be children) in the cottage. Extra fold-up beds and a cot can be provided on request to suit individual family needs.

The swimming pool is 11 x 4.5 mtrs with semicircular steps (including a wide kiddies step) taking the width in the middle to 6 mtrs. It has a grass and tiled area around it. There is a poolhouse with a toilet, shower, sink, barbeque and all the filtering equipment.

Amenities include: 2 digital phone lines (numeris) plus fax line. Intercom connecting all rooms and cottage. 5 satellite TV's including mega-screen plus VCR's. Colour fax machine and photocopier. Phones in all main rooms including 3 cordless, with internal dialing/transfer/intercom to cottage as well. 2 stereo hifi systems. Electric gates with video phone. New fuel heating system with radiators throughout in the chateau. Electric heating in the cottage.

The Gym is equipped with: Step machine. Running machine. Multigym. Ab Cruncher.

Reservation includes Maid Service. Services that can be provided include: Cook. Full Catering Service. Extra cleaning. Wedding receptions. 24 hour Concierge assistance. Helicopter transports.

Summer Activities: Because of its Southerly position (about the same latitude as Cognac or Bordeaux), the summer is hot and one can happily spend one's days lying by the pool. On the other hand, there is much of interest to do nearby, including: Mountain Walking: this area is famous for its mountain walking, with impressive walking throughout the Belledonne, Bauges and Charetreuse mountain ranges, as well as easier walking closer to the chateau.

Lakes: France's three largest lakes are located 20, 25 and 40 minutes from the chateau. There are sailing and windsurfing schools on Lac du Bourget (25 minutes away), as well as the famous Aix les Bains spa town, which has a funfair for smaller children throughout the summer.

Annecy: The old town of Annecy, with canals running through it, has earned it the appelation "Venice of the North"

Other historical points of interest: Chateau de Miolans (where Marquis de Sade was imprisoned), Chateau de Touvet (gardens and magnificent views of the Belledonne), Tour D'Avallon (dominating the Gresivaudan), Chambery (ancient capital of the Savoie with a fairytale castle and old town).

Paragliding - the region is famous for it, with the European championships held at le Touvet each year. Gliding - at Challes les Eaux about 15 minutes away. The area around the chateau has a number of signposted cycling tours. There is a Tennis Court at 1km away. Golf is nearby at Aix-les-Bains 25 minutes away and a stunning course over the lake at Annecy 45 minutes away. Also one can visit local farms and having lunch/buying the local produce.

Proximity to Grenoble (25 minutes), Chambery (20mins) and Albertville (25 minutes). Lyon - known as the capital of French cuisine, one can be in the centre of the old town in just over an hour.

Summer skiing at about 90 minutes away on the Tignes glacier, there is a vertical descent of over 1,000 mtrs even in August. Other summer skiing stations are Val Throens and Les Deux Alpes, 75 and 90 minutes away respectively.

Wine tasting - the nearby vineyards of Chignin, Apremont, and Montmelian are famous for their light fruity wines.

Visit the Retreat Karma Ling, the largest Buddhist retreat of its kind in Europe (the Dalai Lama has visited several times). This is a converted ancient monastery in a secluded mountain valley 15 minutes away.

Winter Skiing: The closest ski resort is Collet d'Allevard which is a 25 minute drive. 35 minutes away is Les Sept Laux. More serious skiers will be interested in Courchevel and Meribel (50 - 60mins by car), Tignes/Val d'Isere (75 - 90mins) and Chamonix (90 minutes). If using a helicopter, Courchevel is 10 - 12 minutes away and there is heliskiing just over the Italian boarder. One can ski at Tignes more than 300 days a year, including summer skiing with a vertical descent of over 1,000 meters in August.

LOCATION: The Chateau is 1 hour from Lyon Exupery International Airport (several daily flights from London) and 75 minutes from Geneva airport. It is about 3 kms from the A41 motorway and very close to the intersection of the A41 and the A43 motorways. Using the A43 motorway and the Frejus tunnel, one can be in the centre of Turin, Italy in less than 2 hours.

For more information or reservations, click here