Where the heck is Marcellaz

Our little village is home to approximately 650 inhabitants and is located in the department of Haute-Savoie (France), a mere 20km (23 miles) from Geneva (Switzerland), the largest and closest city. In spite of a rapidly increasing number of non-locals who, like us, have chosen to settle in this little haven for its proximity to "the big city", Marcellaz still holds on to its rural farming tradition. Cows, tractors, balers, milk trucks are all ubiquitous sights. Walk over to the village bakery / newsstand to buy your daily bread and newspaper then stroll down to the butcher's, the best place for miles around to buy the choicest pieces of meat AND learn the latest gossip .

At an altitude of 648m (2,126 ft.) in the heart of the Alps, we are at the crossroads of France, Switzerland and Italy. Extraordinary mountain ranges surround us, rife with ski resorts, hiking and snowshoeing trails, all within minutes of our home while the Mont-Blanc (or Monty as we affectionally call him) stands gracefully in the distance. The great outdoors beckon!

Not the adventurous moutain type? Hop on over to Burgundy for some serious wine tasting - Pommard, Meursault, Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin. Not into wines? How about a little jaunt down to Provence for some sun, antique shopping and relaxation?

Being French, we tend to focus on France but Switzerland and Italy have lots to offer. The shopping in Milan is infamous and there's nothing like gorging on unctuous cream in Gruyère or strolling along Switzerland's many lakes.