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1803: Construction of the farmhouse

Built in 1803 by Michel Cachat, Le Solerey was originally a farm. The central room on the ground floor (the barn) housed the livestock. Only 1/3 of the firm was habitable, around the kitchen and its large fireplace. There is also the living room with its stove (used as a living room and bedroom). The upper floor was reserved for storing hay. At that time, the main activities of the five farms in Lavancher were breeding and growing potatoes as a staple food. All grouped around the bread oven, they saw little by little the enthusiasm for the mountain grow, Le Lavancher was the essential path to reach the Vallée Blanche via the Chapeau and the Mauvais Pas. This is how Le Solerey sheltered the climbers' shoemaker.

View on le Mont-Blanc

After 1900

At that time, tourism was expanding, although the traditional activities of Le Lavancher, focused on cultivating the fields, remained unchanged. Hotels, such as the Hôtel Beau-Séjour, appeared to welcome skiers returning from the Vallée Blanche. In 1905, Chamonix Mont Blanc experienced a record cold with temperatures dropping to -31 degrees. In 1908, a first section of the Montenvers railway was inaugurated, providing access to the Mer de Glace. The Winter Olympic Games marked the year of 1924.

The beau-séjour hotel
Previous owners of the farmhouse

En famille devant Le Solerey

Le Lavancher at that time
Le Lavancher at the time

Why is Le Lavancher so unique?

At an altitude of 1200m, sunny and dominating the valley, Le Lavancher offers a breathtaking view of the mountains: an ideal place to escape the bustle of Chamonix. Central point of the three ski areas, crossed by the cross-country ski trail, Le Lavancher is also the starting point for many hikes.

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Le Lavancher carries a great history and it is easy to feel at home there.

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