Stunning Val Thorens Ski ApartmentN°001
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France
From $11,627 per night
Saint Martin de Belleville is a traditional Savoyard village in the Belleville valley, gateway to the vast Three Valleys ski area. Renting a luxury chalet here pairs authentic alpine character and Michelin-level dining with direct slope access, making it a refined yet unpretentious base for skiers and families.
- Direct lift access into the Three Valleys, the world's largest linked ski domain
- An unspoilt Savoyard village centred on a baroque church and old stone hamlets
- Renowned gourmet dining, including Michelin-starred tables nearby
- Authentic chalet architecture in stone, larch and exposed timber
- Quieter, more traditional alternative to Courchevel and Val Thorens
Known forTraditional Savoyard village in the Three Valleys with stone-and-wood chalets, gourmet dining and ski links to Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel
Best time to visitDecember to April for skiing, with February peak season; July and August for summer hiking
Nearest airportChambery and Geneva airports, with Lyon and Grenoble also serving the resort
Ideal forFamilies, groups and couples wanting authentic charm with world-class skiing
Alpine Escape With Private JacuzziN°002
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France
Hot Tub
From $11,627 per night
Sleek and Sophisticated Alpine EscapeN°003
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France
From $11,627 per night
Premium Apartment With Ski AccessN°004
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France
From $11,627 per night
Val Thorens Alpine Dream GetawayN°005
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France
From $11,627 per night
Merry Chalet In Ideal SpotN°006
French Alps Ski Resorts, France
From $10,465 per night
74homes available
1–8bedrooms
up to 18guests
15with a pool
Events not to miss in Saint Martin de Belleville
- January
La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc
One of the world's toughest sled-dog stage races crosses the Savoie mountains each January, with stages hosted by resorts across the region's valleys.
- April
3 Vallées Enduro
Teams of three tackle fun-format challenges across the world's largest ski area in this end-of-season celebration, open to amateurs and pros alike.
- Mid-August
Fête à Fanfoué
Saint-Martin's summer festival of Savoyard tradition brings folk costume, mountain crafts, local food and music to the old village.
Saint Martin de Belleville through the seasons
- Winter (December – April)
Gateway to the 3 Vallées
Authentic village charm with direct lift access to 600 kilometres of linked skiing across Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Méribel and Courchevel. A ski-in chalet here trades crowds for character.
- Spring (May – June)
Alpine meadows awakening
Snowmelt streams, wildflowers and quiet trails through the Belleville valley, with village restaurants serving Savoyard cooking at its most relaxed.
- Summer (July – August)
Hiking, biking and high pastures
Marked trails climb to alpage pastures and mountain lakes, lifts open for mountain biking and the village hosts its traditional summer festivities.
- Autumn (September – November)
Golden larches and quiet trails
The valley empties and turns amber, ideal for walkers and photographers before the first snows dust the peaks and the chalet season begins again.
The Area
Saint Martin de Belleville sits at around 1450 metres in the Belleville valley of the French Savoie, midway between Les Menuires and the valley floor. Unlike the purpose-built resorts above it, the village has kept its medieval heart, with narrow lanes, old farmhouses and the landmark baroque church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. It forms part of the Three Valleys, the largest interconnected ski area in the world, linking it directly to Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel. The result is a destination that combines genuine alpine heritage with effortless access to hundreds of kilometres of pistes. Luxury chalets here range from restored hamlets to contemporary residences with private wellness.
Where to Stay in Luxury Chalets
The most sought-after luxury chalets cluster around the village centre and the surrounding hamlets such as Le Chatelard, Saint Marcel and Villarabout, where stone-and-larch architecture is protected and views open across the valley. Ski-in, ski-out positions near the gondola put the Three Valleys lift system on your doorstep, while quieter outlying chalets offer privacy and panoramas. Smiling House features a curated collection of luxury chalets here, many with spa suites, indoor pools, cinema rooms and dedicated staff. Concierge support arranges private chefs, in-chalet massage, ski instructors and transfers, so your time is spent on the mountain rather than on logistics.
Things to Do
Skiing and snowboarding define winter, with the gondola linking straight into the Three Valleys network and its full spread of beginner to expert terrain. Beyond the pistes, the village offers snowshoeing, ski touring, tobogganing and cleared winter walking trails. The heritage of the valley is showcased at the Musee de Saint Martin and the restored chapels dotted across the hamlets. In summer, the Belleville valley becomes a hiking and mountain-biking base, with high alpine lakes, the Vanoise National Park nearby and flower-filled pastures. Wellness, spa time and unhurried village life round out a stay for those not chasing vertical metres every day.
Dining
Saint Martin de Belleville punches far above its size for food. The village and its surroundings are home to celebrated tables, including Michelin-starred dining associated with the legendary local chef tradition of La Bouitte, set in the hamlet of Saint Marcel. Mountain restaurants on the slopes serve refined Savoyard classics, from fondue and tartiflette to genepi-infused dishes, while the village itself offers intimate bistros and bakeries. Compared with the buzzier resorts higher up, evenings here are calmer and more convivial, centred on long dinners and good wine. A private chef in your chalet remains a favourite option for groups seeking discretion.
Getting There
Saint Martin de Belleville is reached via the Tarentaise valley, turning up the Belleville valley road through Moutiers. The nearest international gateways are Geneva and Chambery, with Lyon and Grenoble also within practical reach for private transfer. By rail, the TGV and Eurostar serve Moutiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains, around half an hour from the village, with onward road transfer. Smiling House concierge can coordinate door-to-door private transfers, helicopter options and chauffeured arrivals so the final mountain leg is seamless. Once in the village, the resort is compact and walkable, with the lift system providing onward access throughout the Three Valleys.