FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is Résidence L'Ancolie located?
The residence is on 49 rue de Combarami, in the heart of the village of Bessans, at 1,750 m altitude in Haute-Maurienne (Savoie, France), between Val Cenis and the Col de l'Iseran. The cross-country ski trails are accessible ski-in/ski-out and the biathlon stadium is a few minutes away.
Can you ski in Bessans as early as November?
Yes. Thanks to snowfarming, Bessans is the first resort in France to open its Nordic ski trails, from early November. The French national cross-country and biathlon teams train here every autumn. The residence is open during this period.
Can the residence be booked exclusively for a group or a club?
Yes. The 5 apartments and the guest room can be rented together, sleeping 23 in total — ideal for cross-country ski and biathlon clubs, training camps, family gatherings and holidays with friends. Contact us for a group quote.
Is there a ski waxing room?
Yes, a waxing bench and iron are available for cross-country skiers and biathletes, along with space to store equipment.
Have the apartments been renovated?
Two apartments have been fully renovated, in 2025 and 2026: brand-new fitted kitchen, redesigned living room, bathroom with walk-in shower. The renovation of the remaining apartments is ongoing.
What services are included?
Bed linen is provided, wifi is free, and a washing machine and tumble dryer are available. Sledges are lent to children, there is parking in front of the residence and a garage can be rented. A fondue set and raclette machine are available on request. The owners live on site and are happy to advise you on activities.
How do I get to Bessans?
By car: A43 motorway to Modane, then D1006 and D902 (Bessans is 40 km from Modane). By train: TGV Paris-Modane in 4 hours, then a bus connection to Bessans.
How do I book an apartment?
You book directly, with no commission: check availability on the apartment pages, or contact us on WhatsApp at +33 6 89 13 43 19 (the fastest), by phone on the same number, or by e-mail at info@ancolie.com.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, pets are welcome upon prior request: please let us know when booking so we can confirm. The only exception: we cannot accommodate sled dogs.
What is there to do in Bessans in summer?
In summer, Bessans is an ideal base camp on a vast sunny plateau at 1,750 m. Hikes for everyone from the village — gentle walks to the hamlets of Avérole, routes to the mountain huts, marked trail runs; the Iseran and Mont-Cenis passes by bike, mountain biking on the plateau; the Bessans lakes (Ludilac) at the entrance to the village with supervised swimming all summer, paddle and canoe, fishing in the Arc; via ferrata, mountaineering and guides in this "UNESCO Land of Mountaineering"; roller-ski biathlon initiation at the stadium; baroque heritage of churches and chapels. Every apartment has a south-west-facing balcony or garden for summer evenings.
Is the residence suitable for cyclists?
Yes — the residence holds the Gîtes de France "Bienvenue aux Cyclistes" (Cyclists Welcome) label. Bessans is a dream base camp for mythical climbs: the Col de l'Iseran (2,764 m, the highest paved pass in France) starts from the residence, with the Mont-Cenis nearby. Secure bike storage, washing machine and tumble dryer for your kit, and the owners are happy to advise on routes. → All about cycling in Bessans
Can I stay at l'Ancolie for mountaineering or ski touring?
Yes. The Bessans – Bonneval-sur-Arc area, holder of the "UNESCO Land of Mountaineering" label, offers alpine routes, mountain huts (Avérole, Évettes, Carro) and high-mountain guides; in spring, ski touring takes over from the Nordic season. The residence makes an ideal base camp: equipment room, washing machine and tumble dryer, exclusive hire available for guided groups.
We are 5, 7 or 8: which apartment should we choose?
Every apartment can host 2 more people thanks to our independent guest room (160 cm bed, TV, private shower room with WC), added to your booking subject to availability. Apartment 1 thus sleeps up to 5, apartments 3, 4 and 5 up to 6, and apartment 2 up to 8. It is not rented on its own; price on request.
Can I work remotely from l'Ancolie?
Yes, and comfortably: the residence has a 2 Gb/s fibre connection (8 Gb/s soon), with wifi in every apartment. Video calls in the morning, trails in the afternoon — every apartment has a table to work at, and the village is quiet. Ideal for extending a stay without taking leave.
And in winter, apart from cross-country skiing?
Bessans also means snowshoeing on marked routes from the village, the natural ice rink, the sledging area for children (sledges lent by the residence), ice climbing, fat biking on snow, a small family-friendly alpine ski area, ski touring, and meeting the athletes training at the biathlon stadium. Christmas holidays have a flavour of mountain traditions, and the market, shops and restaurants are a short walk from the residence.