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Getting there
Les Contamines is easily accessible by air, rail (Le Fayet) or road. The nearest international airport is at Geneva which is only one hour drive by car. British Airways and budget airlines fly from many of the major UK airports direct to Geneva. Try, Easyjet (www.easyjet.com), Bmibaby (bmibaby.com) or Jet2 (www.jet2.com).
A selection of coaches / mini busses are available and we can recommend; Ski-Lifts (http://www.ski-lifts.com) which offer shared and private transfers to and from Geneva Airport. Alternatively try Mountaindropoffs (www.mountaindropoffs.com), SAT (www.sat-montblanc.com) or skihoppa (www.skihoppa.com); all operating between Geneva and Les Contamines.
Two taxi services, ATS (www.a-t-s.net) and Alpibus (www.alpibus,com) can meet your flight and transport you directly to Les Contamines.
Driving from Calais takes about 8- 10 hours and the route is all motorway except for the last 10 miles on the D902.
From Paris: Autoroute A6 puis A40 jusqu'à Mâcon Nord, direction Genève, puis Autoroute Blanche jusqu'à la sortie Passy
(12 km de la station).
From Geneva Airport:
1. Exit car park and follow signs towards FRANCE and Central Geneva (Do not go to Lausanne). The route takes you along the airport terminal. Go straight at the first set of lights.
2. After a couple of minutes you get to a bridge and the sign for FRANCE and central Geneva tells you to go left. It does not look like an entry to a motorway but it is. Stay in left lane and turn left onto the entry road at the base of the bridge. As you get up the entry way, turn immediately right onto the motorway. (there is a small traffic light)
3. Follow A40 (E25 n E62) signs for Tunnel Mont Blanc, Chamonix etc. You will pass the French and Swiss Border control plus there will be two times you have to pay motorway toll (total of 5EUR). You can use credit card. (Rent your car on Swiss side to avoid Swiss highway toll).
4. At Exit 21. Get off the motorway. It is clearly sign posted. St Gervais, Contamines.
5. At roundabout turn left towards Le Fayet, St Gervais, Contamines. If you want to do some shopping for Food, there is a InterMarche (Big Supermarket) at that round about. It might be a good idea to ship in basic supplies such as cerial, milk, wine, toilet paper etc.
6. Continue to follow the signs. You will pass through Le Fayet and St Gervais on the way up to Contamines. The key collection is also St Gervais. As you exit St Gervais follow the road and sign left. After about 10km you will get to Contamines. Follow the road until you get to town.
7. Upon arrival to Les Contamines follow the road to the center - at the main square is the Office de Tourisme, followed by the local groceries, bakery, butcher and the historic church - Notre Dame de la Gorge. Le Petit Chamois is just a few doors down from the church, above the town's pharmacy (green X).
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