Alpes du Grand Serre - Alpe d'Huez - Les Deux Alpes

Winter activities: ski slopes 30 mins drive, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledging, night skiing, races down the ski runs on giant rubber rings.

Maison Dubois is close to some of the best ski-ing in the world.

Museums: art, archaeology, automates, history, hydroelectric, mining, natural history, the Resistance, science, sports/culture.

Visits: famous caves, chateau, Chartreuse Liqueur making/tasting.

The wood-burning stove, central heating and triple-glazing make this an ideal winter retreat