Haute Savoie village resort
Population: 2,202 (Bornandins, Bornandines)
Specialities: farmhouse reblochon, white tomme, mountain charcuterie, cheese-based specialities (fondue, tartiflette, péla), matafan (potato fritters), farcement (sweet and sour potato stuffing), rissoles (pan-fried apple turnover), bescoins (aniseed and saffron bread traditionally given by the godfather to his godson on 15 August).
Personalities: Tessa Worley (alpine skiing, giant slalom world champion in 2013 and 2017, Super G crystal globe), Sylvie Becaert (biathlon, Olympic medallist in Turin 2012), Roddy Darragon (Nordic skiing, Olympic medallist in Turin 2012), Steve Missillier (alpine skiing, Olympic medallist in the giant event in Sochi 2014), Jonathan Midol (skicross, Olympic medallist in Sochi 2014), Ivan Perrillat-Boiteux (cross-country skiing, Olympic medallist in the relay event in Sochi 2014), Benjamin Daviet (cross-country skiing, Paralympic medallist in the relay event in Sochi 2014).
Sport: Biathlon World Cup (2013, 2017, 2019), La Bornandine (Nordic skiing half marathon and marathon), Glisse en Coeur (charity event, sporting challenge, solidarity and music), La Grand Bo cyclosportive (June), Le Bouquetin cycle climb (15 August). Cycling club: Vélo club du Grand-Bornand FFC (45 members).
Culture: Au Bonheur des Mômes festival (August, shows for young audiences).
Economy: tourism (one million overnight stays per year for 25,000 tourist beds), agropastoralism, building crafts (carpentry, etc.). Winter: downhill ski resort (42 runs, 90 km over 360 ha, 29 ski lifts, 146 snow guns), a Snowpark with half-pipe, boardercross and four jump lines. Summer: hiking (150 km of trails), climbing, high mountain, hot-air ballooning, Via Ferrata, adventure course (accro branches), paragliding site, mountain bike course (50 km), golf (10 holes), swimming pool. Farming: Abondance cows bred to produce Reblochon cheese.
Signature: The School of Champions
Labels: Famille Plus / Qualité Tourisme / Accueil Vélo / Ville fleuries 2 fleurs / Grande Traversée des Alpes / Annecy Mountains
Websites / FB / Twitter / Insta: www.legrandbornand.com / www.savoie-mont-blanc.com / www.annecymountains.com / https://www.facebook.com/legrandbornand / https://twitter.com/mongrandbo / www.youtube.com/user/legrandbornandTV / https://www.instagram.com/legrandbornand/ / www.flickr.com/photos/legrandbornand/albums / #legrandbornand / @legrandbornand / @mongrandbo / #annecymountains / #ifeelin
LE GRAND BORNAND TODAY
- In epicurean, adventurer or bohemian mode
Le Grand-Bornand, a major ski village in winter and a must-see mountain destination in summer, combines the charm of its two-hundred-year-old chalets with the modernity of a resort with an enviable events dynamic and at the forefront of a new arty chic. Both an authentic year-round village and a renowned resort with facilities and services to meet the expectations of an international clientele, Le Grand-Bornand can be discovered in epicurean, adventurous or bohemian mode. With its lively traditions, resolutely sporting spirit and well-tempered character, the "pearl" of the Aravis mountains, at the heart of the Annecy Mountains region, plays a unique and distinctive role, where everything remains to be experienced and shared...
LE GRAND BORNAND AND CYCLING
On 17 July 2018, it was in Le Grand-Bornand that Julian Alaphilippe, out to win the polka-dot jersey, soloed to the first of his five stage victories in the Tour. Marion Rousse's husband repeated the feat in Bagnères-de-Luchon to finish as the Tour de France's best climber.
The Savoy resort was also on the programme for the 100th edition. Rui Costa won the third stage of his career there. He succeeded Fränk Schleck, who won in 2009 ahead of Alberto Contador under the watchful eye of his brother Andy.
In 1995, Alex Zuelle drew on his energy from the start in Le Grand Bornand to win at the end of the day in La Plagne.
In 2007, victory went to the young German Linus Gerdemann, who took the Yellow Jersey for a day at the same time.
The last time the men's Tour passed through the resort, Dylan Teuns won solo, while Tadej Pogacar broke away from the other favourites in the final to consolidate his overall lead.
The day before the stage, the resort's muse, double world giant champion Tessa Worley, cycled the stage with members of the association Donnons des Elles au vélo, who were campaigning for the return of the Tour de France for women. The message was heard!
TO EAT
- Reblochon cheese
If there's one place in the world where you can eat Reblochon, it's undoubtedly Le Grand-Bornand, the capital of this cheese which has had its own designation of origin since 1858, but which also owes its success to the popularity of winter sports from the 1950s onwards. Made exclusively from whole raw cow's milk, it comes in two varieties. A green casein stamp indicates farmhouse Reblochon de Savoie from a single herd. The red casein stamp indicates a Savoy Reblochon made from the milk of several herds. Its rind should be dry, orange-pink in colour (never red or orange) and covered with a fine white "mousse". It conceals a smooth, supple, ivory-coloured paste that is firm and creamy throughout. Every Wednesday morning in Le Grand-Bornand, there's a reblochon market in front of the church. An institution since 1795. The tourist office organises farm visits all year round, giving visitors an insight into all the stages involved in making Reblochon cheese.