Chatel has a huge array of shops. In addition to specialist shops catering to winter sports and outdoor activity gear you'll find all the usual suspects, bakers, butchers, hairdressers, gift shops, tobacconists, shoes, clothes etc. There are two supermarkets in the town centre Casino on the main road up towards the Tunnel Bar and Sherpa which you will find opposite Hotel Machi just off the road leading down to Linga and Pre la Joux ski stations. There is also a massive Intermarche store on the lower road between La Chapelle and Linga. It is served by a regular free bus service which leaves from the town square and opens most sunday mornings - but obviously not national holidays and feast days like Easter Sunday!
Like most things the opening hours of shops can be un-predictable. Most things open at around 08.00 and shut at one second before 12.00! When the whole valley goes to a two hour lunch break - apart from bars and restaurants that is. Most shops choose to open sometime after 14.00 but many won't be open til 15.00 and then stay open til 18.00 when the place shuts down until morning. Most shops are closed on Sundays.
Wednesday is Market day. Its basically the same market stalls which set up in Abondance and La Chappelle earlier in the week. You'll find loads of clothes, foodstuffs and general souvenirs/bric a brack - you don't always have to pay their ticket price - heavily shrugged shoulders and a grimace will often see them offering a special price just for you...
Once you're all shopped out, take time to test out some of the local bars/restaurants.
During most of the season its worth pre-booking a table if you don't want a long wait especially on WEDNESDAYS when most catered chalets have their "day-off" so everyone in town is out looking for somewhere to eat - so book the day before you have been warned!
Here are just a few of the ones we really like, that are within stumbling distance of Les Armoises:
"Hors Piste" - run by Eddie & Sophie they make great pizzas, pannini and other hot meals to eat in or take away.
"Chez Francis" another excellent restaurant offering a full range of local dishes and excellent pizzas. The house wine is really good. If you visit say hello to Francis - the Chef, he knows us well.
"Les Fiacre" superb food, classic french cuisine and local Savoyard specialities with a huge wine cellar. Leave room for the ice cream - the Coupe Portes du Soleil is enormous!
"The Chesery" is owned/run by Alan so you can have an English menu if you prefer! The Chef - Dom is very enthusiastic and his menu of the day is usually a winner and good value. They also do a full english breakfast most mornings if you are really missing a fry up.
There are loads of other restaurants in Chatel and neighbouring villages of La Chapelle and Morgins to try out if your waist-line can handle it! Enjoy...