Villard Reculas (Villard-Reculas) is an unspoilt tiny picturesque old village with many original buildings made from local stone and wood scattered on a high shoulder above Bourge. It is a one hour drive from Grenoble, the last few kilometres up a steep hair-pinned alpine road. The setting is beautiful and the view of the mountains and down the ]valley is quite stunning.
The ambiance is local and French with few foreign visitors. Accommodation is mostly in private houses and apartments although there is a small hotel and one catered Chalet run by an enthusiastic English ex pat. There are a couple of bars and restaurants serving simple meals in the village centre as well as the hotel. However there is no 'nightlife' to speak of.
The slopes are Just 150 metres from the village centre which provide a high speed quad chairlift into the main Alpe D'Huez Ski circus as well a number of button lifts serving the beginners area. The village slopes themselves are all above the tree line offering a range of red blue and a few green runs. The run back down into the village from the top of the chairlift is a delightful and normally quiet end to a heavy day in the rest of Alpe D'Huez.. These slopes also offer wonderful off piste skiing in new snow.
The local ski school is run by a young English speaking Frenchman called Alex and only operates in peak season offering private lessons out side these dates.
Much of the accommodation is over 500 metres from the slopes but a free bus service is now available in peak season and the Chalet La Source provides transport for its guests.
Overall Villard is a charming and quiet alternative to the noise and bustle of Alpe D'Huez whilst retaining quick access to one the Alps major ski areas. It must have something as we have returned every year with a mixed assortment of expert intermediates children and even walkers for the last 12 years staying in the La Source chalet.