The Discrete Happy Valley

It isn’t going down the ski slopes of Le Grand Bornand where we can take any measure. And yet, there’s something happening in the Aravis Range. A positive movement that goes against the ambient pessimism, which we talk too little about.Between Mont Blanc and Annecy nestles what is called the “Happy Valley”, home to the two stations of La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand. First, it’s the capital of Reblochon cheese. The pride of the region. You should know that more than 15,000 tons of cheese are produced annually in the region, 15 percent which are from farmers.
From the 16th century, Reblochon was a quality product, also called “cheese of devotion” when it was offered to Chartreux Valley de Thônes in thanking for their blessings of chalets. Other products like honey, produced by European dark bees of the valley, participating in its renown.
This valley is happy because its known how to cultivate over the years, even centuries, a particular lifestyle. Today, this country doesn’t know the exodus of other regions. We pass on the know-how from father to son in businesses related to working with wood (carpenters, joiners…). The traditional vernacular architecture is a perfect illustration, we value the work of men and women, whether in the field of agriculture or artisan. In short: this land, proud of its traditions, knows how to conserve its identity and carry it on.