Father Christmas in Les Gets

FATHER CHRISTMAS LIVES IN LES GETS - 17TH TO 30TH DECEMBER 2011

14th Nov update: Father Christmas visits bookable online >>

It’s true, Father Christmas actually lives in Les Gets, but shhh – don’t tell anyone. He and his faithful elves live together in their grotto, a log cabin in the middle of the enchanted forest high above the village. Here, in this magical world, they work all year making toys and presents in preparation for Christmas.

Over the years, Father Christmas has developed his Christmas routines. From time to time he pops down into the village with his elves for a bit of last minute shopping and to soak up the atmosphere. If you are very lucky, you might catch a glimpse of him as you stroll through the village over the Christmas holiday period.

All sorts of wonderful, festive activities are planned for the Christmas holidays in Les Gets. The village bubbles with excitement as Christmas Day draws nearer, with stunning decorations, choirs and Christmas songs ringing in your ears, a wonderful warm and welcoming atmosphere – you can’t help but share the excitement.

DON’T MISS!

Santa’s Grotto
From the 17th to the 30th December (except the 24th), old and young are invited through the doors of Santas’ magic kingdom on a guided tour. Follow a magic trail dotted with Christmas stories and sprinkled with surprises. The elves will let you into all sorts of secrets about their life with Father Christmas in the enchanted forest. Meet at Father Christmas’ station in the village centre and take the little train to the grotto in the enchanted forest.
On-line reservation possible from mid-December 2011 via lesgets.com

Santa Certified Shops!!
When Father Christmas goes shopping, he only uses his favorite shops. These special boutiques are easy to recognise by their ‘Certifie Pere Noel’ (approved by Father Christmas) sticker on the shop front. Inside you can hear music specially chosen by Father Christmas and discover his secrets, because as a very important inhabitant of Les Gets, he has his privileges; his specially reserved table in restaurants, his favourite baguette in the bakers, his personal tankard in the bars and even his favourite newspaper in the newsagent.
Join the ‘window game’, and win a small Christmas present. Simply discover something that belongs to Father Christmas hidden in a shop window….

Father Christmas Gazette
Every day the adventures of Father Christmas are reported in the free newspaper that you can pick up throughout the village. Stories, adventures, surprises and secrets will all feature together with details on where you might encounter Father Christmas; collecting his post, on the roof tops or maybe on the ski slopes……

Chance Encounters in the Village
On the 10th December and then from the 17th to the 30th December you may be lucky enough to meet Father Christmas and his elves on the streets of Les Gets as they go about their Christmas business. Father Christmas’ communication centre springs to life for a while, the sweet garden is especially well tended and the Mechanical Music Museum becomes his base – So….. keep your eyes open, you never know where he will appear.

Workshops with the Elves.
The elves are particularly hard at work as the end of the year approaches, so that everyone can really enjoy their holiday in the mountains. On certain days they organise creative workshops for children or make delicious local specialities for you to sample in the village square. Don’t miss these special events which are great fun for friends and family.

Local Christmas Parties
Join residents across the Les Gets area to celebrate Christmas, Savoyard style!
On the 19th December, the residents of Perrières invite you to sample local specialities and join them in a glass of mulled wine, while you admire their traditional local skills. On the 21st December join residents of La Turche for a vibrant local evening. A warm welcome and great atmosphere are guaranteed.

HOW TO GET TO SANTA’S GROTTO

To minimise the impact on the environment, we strongly encourage walking and the use of public transport (the little train or minibus) where possible.

Father Christmas Little Train – 60 places – Free of charge
Depart for the Grotto from Father Christmas’ station in the village centre, 20 minutes before the start of each guided visit. Be aware that following heavy snowfall, the little train may be out of service!!

Free Resort Minibus
Line B leaves every half-hour at 17mins and 47mins past each hour. Stop N16 Le Léry (square F4 on the village map). Last bus to the grotto leaves at 6.47pm and last bus from the grotto leaves at 7.25pm
Journey time: 15 minutes

On foot
From the village centre take the road along the snowline to the bottom of the Chavannes Express chairlift, then take the path (piste bashed) up towards the luge (sledge run). Stay on this path, head towards the schools and then go round the left hand side of the lake following the fairy lights.
Estimated time: 20 minutes.

By Car
Park in the school car park, go round the left hand side of the lake and follow the fairy lights.
Estimated time: 5 minutes.