About us
Let us introduce ourselves…
We are Kristina & Tim. We have a mixed Irish, Finnish and British background and bring elements of this heritage and culture to mix with the beautiful Savoyard architecture and scenery in our farmhouse renovation in the quiet hamlet of Le Lavanchy.
As a keen cyclist Tim was a regular visitor to the area for many years, using the region as an alpine training ground. It also proved to be a great place for Kristina when training for triathlons and to indulge her passion for both open water swimming and skiing. We fell in love with the area for these reasons as well as somewhere to hike and climb in tranquility and fresh air. Somehow Tim still does not ski or board……
Tim continues to work full time with professional sound systems,
while Kristina has left her corporate career behind to run her
sports massage business and manage the property.
Falling for Le Lavanchy
As such keen lovers of the outdoors & nature, the Portes du Soleil seemed the perfect place for us to indulge our passions as well as a refuge from the unrelenting pace of modern life & work.
After deciding to move from our base in London, we looked for a property in the area until we found the run-down old farmstead that was to become Au Pied d’Hauto. Something about the building, its history, its location, its soul spoke to us and then the journey really began…
Au Pied d’Hauto & Le Refuge
Moving in Summer of 2019, the renovation was delayed by Covid, then complicated by supply issues but finally finished in summer 2023, with the old farmhouse slightly extended to create two semi-detached, independent apartments – one for us and the other, Le Refuge, for our guests.
Living next door and with our love of the area, our aim is to provide a personal touch both in terms of service but also insight, recommendations, and information for you to make the most of your stay
the property
Au Pied d’Hauto
Au Pied d’Hauto
A beautifully renovated semi-detached farmhouse in the tranquil
hamlet of Le Lavanchy between Montriond and Lac de Montriond.
The apartment consists of a generous 110m2 spread over two
floors, with three double-bedrooms. Le Refuge will comfortably accommodate 6 people with all three double bedrooms having ensuite facilities, whilst the whole top floor is dedicated to a spacious open plan living area with dining area adjacent to the fully equipped kitchen.
Le Refuge is classed as 4 star accommodation by I&D Tourism Haute Savoie on behalf of AToutFrance.
The Building
One of the original farm buildings in Le Lavanchy our aim was to keep the feel of the original property, using traditional style of building and materials but to bring the property up to date in terms of comfort and modern living – essentially preserving the past whilst making the space current. The picture shows the house when we first bought it and moved in.
the renovation
Preserving the past whilst making the space current
