Savoyard food in Les Carroz d'Arâches: a gourmet guide

The mountains are just as good at the table. After a day of hiking or mountain biking in the Grand Massif, nothing beats a generous plate of Savoyard specialities. In Les Carroz d'Arâches, the cheese-making tradition and local producers turn every meal into a real part of the holiday.

The Friday market on Place de l'Ambiance

Every Friday, the market sets up on Place de l'Ambiance, in the heart of the village. You'll find farmhouse cheeses, local charcuterie, filled waffles, honeys, pastries and small-batch products from producers chosen for the quality of their work. It's the perfect chance to fill your basket and cook back at the apartment, or simply to wander on a holiday morning. The market is a few minutes' walk from the Lodge — as is the Carroz cable car, just 3 minutes away.

Savoie cheeses, the stars of the table

Haute-Savoie is a true land of cheese. Around Les Carroz you'll meet several protected-origin varieties: AOP Reblochon de Savoie, AOP Abondance, AOP Beaufort — often called the "prince of gruyères" — as well as IGP Tomme de Savoie, Chevrotin and Tome des Bauges. These cheeses are the foundation of most regional dishes, and are also delicious on their own, with a country loaf and a Savoie white wine such as Apremont or Roussette.

Fondue, raclette, tartiflette: make them yourself at the Lodge

One of the joys of a rental like ours is cooking these classics at home, with no booking and no set time. The apartment's fully equipped kitchen lets you prepare a fondue savoyarde, a raclette with friends or a reblochon tartiflette after a day in the mountains. The must-tries: fondue savoyarde, raclette, tartiflette, croziflette (with Savoie crozets pasta), pela and diots sausages in white wine.

In fine weather, the 45 m² south-facing terrace and its barbecue take over: grilling in front of the fir trees, an aperitif in the sun, and why not an evening in the wooden Nordic bath. Enough to turn a simple dinner into a holiday memory.

A local-produce picnic up high

Before a hike, stop by the market or a village cheese shop: a Tomme de Savoie, some local saucisson, a handful of dried fruit and good bread are all you need for a summit picnic. Facing the Grand Massif panorama, which climbs from 720 to 2,500 m of altitude, these simple products taste like something else entirely. Think too of crozets and artisan jams to slip into your suitcase — a little piece of Savoie to enjoy long after you're home.

Where to eat in Les Carroz d'Arâches

If you'd rather be served, the village has several good tables — from Savoyard-speciality restaurants to more creative kitchens and sunny terraces in the centre. In high season it's best to book ahead, especially for the finer restaurants and for raclette or fondue evenings. Camille and Alexandre are on hand to answer guests' questions and to help them book the best addresses of the moment to suit their taste.