It's decided, Pierre & Vacances is preparing to open 47 tourist residences out of the 70 in its French mountain park as of February 13.
And this until March 7, in other words the last three weeks of the school holidays which begin next Saturday for zone A (Lyon, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Limoges ...).
Why did you skip the first week?
“We were waiting for government announcements on a possible confinement
, answers Grégory Sion, the group's general manager.
However, they arrived late and we wanted to open calmly, the time to heat up.
In addition, zone A, the first during holidays, is the one where there is the least demand ”.
The residences were chosen in conjunction with the on-site teams, based on three criteria: proximity to convenience stores and bakeries, take-out dining options and the range of activities offered in the resorts.
There are about twenty of all styles, large, small, with or without a steeple and more or less high perched.
They are found in Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère, in the Hautes-Alpes, the Hautes-Pyrénées and the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Read also: What to do in the mountains without ski lifts?
All our ideas
How to surf the site
In Megève (Haute-Savoie), the residence of the very chic Mont d'Arbois Imagera
This offer is much larger than for the end of year holidays when only 9 residences were accessible.
“In December, we were careful because we weren't sure whether we would deliver a positive experience.
But, in the end, we had an excellent rate of satisfaction,
explains Grégory Sion.
In February, conditions are better because the days are getting longer and it is less cold.
And after all these restrictions, people want to leave ”.
Read also: Without ski lifts, Les Gets re-enchants winter sports
Except that the specter of a third confinement still looms ... As recalled Monday evening during a press conference Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, the Secretary of State for Tourism,
"today, it is possible to leave on vacation but if the contamination figures were to get carried away, we would be forced to draw the consequences.
Holidaymakers would however be able to return to their homes ”.
30% tariff reduction
In Avoriaz (Haute-Savoie), the Premium residence L'Amara Imagera
In order to boost attendance, Pierre & Vacances has lowered its prices by 30% compared to the high season last year.
This promotion also applies to those who had already booked and are deprived of downhill skiing.
In any case, with the special Covid “flexible rate” formula, there is little risk in making an option for a stay: € 1 down payment and the balance three days before departure.
On D-3, you can also modify or cancel without charge or justification.
Even up to the last minute in the event of force majeure linked to the pandemic, geographical limitation of travel, containment, contamination, contact cases.
Read also: Cross-country skiing: our 10 favorite resorts in France
On January 3, the few open residences had closed their doors.
It will be the same on March 7 for the 47 sites currently in “heating”.
What if, let's be crazy, the ski lifts were back in service in the spring?
“I don't believe in it very much,
tempers Grégory Sion,
but if that happened, we would reopen in the resorts where you can ski.
And I'm sure we would be sold out!
"
.