Men in large plastic sumo suits battled valiantly, other men tried to launch a custard pie while being held back by a large elastic band. Women tried to stay on a mechanical bucking bronco and usually fell off, shrieking, after a couple of minutes. As the night increased the cheers became longer and louder.

In the interests of proper reporting I should have stayed to see who won, but the effects of tartiflette - the rich potato and goats cheese dish that this area excels in - and the excellent Haut Savoie wine meant that I was tucked up in bed well before the end.

We rounded the week off with another burst of fresh air. The alpine ski lifts are used in the summer to take you into hiking country. We took the Rosay cabin lift from Le Grand-Bornand and got off at the top to admire the view down the valley.Cows mooed and rang their bells, le Grand-Bornand looked perfect in its impossibly green setting and a distant echo of Heidi hung in the air.

NEED TO KNOW

Gascony for lazy people

Wouldn’t ever consider a walking holiday? Even if the walking came second to fine food, copious wine and lie-ins?

• Rick Stein barges through French food

BACKGROUND

• Walking coast to coast across Corsica

• Gascony for lazy people

• To southern France, by train

• Pyrenees: walkers' paradise

• A gastro river cruise in France

BACKGROUND

• The perfect French Riviera retreat

• Bopping babies in St Emilion

• A smooth family holiday in Corsica

• Having a boule in Provence

• The best new French holiday ideas

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John Clarke and his family were guests of Syndicat Intercommunal du Massif des Aravis and Les Fermes de Pierre et Anna . with car suppied by Europcar

Top Ten Summer Activities in the Massif de Aravis

1. Hiking: Guided route maps are available for everything from two-hour stroll around Le Grand-Bornand to a seven-hour “difficult” hikes around Sommet de l’Etale in Manigod.

2. Mountain biking: You can hire a mountain bikes and tackle up to 25 cross country or downhill routes.

3. Climbing: From Le Grand-Bornand, it’s a short drive to Ècole de la Culaz au Chinaillon, one of the many prepared climbing area in the region. This one is ideal for children and beginners.

4. Woodland activity course: La Fôret des Dodes at le Grand-Bornand features monkey bridges, cable crossings, tree-top walks and more in a 2hr 30min adventure (1hr 30min for the childen’s course).

5. Summer ski-lift: The Télécabine de Rosay service from Le Grand-Bornand is open from 9.30 to 12.15, and 2pm to 5.15pm from June 17 to September 9.

6. Summer sledging: The luge d’été at La Clusaz is open from June 23 to September 3.

7. Para-gliding: Two-person “baptism” flights, initiation and pilot-training courses are all available in schools around the area www.aravis-concept.com and www.lespassagersduvent.com

8. Sightseeing and shopping: The historic town of Annecy with its incomparable setting by the lake is only a short drive away. For those who don’t relish the drive there’s also a egular bus service from Le Grand-Bornand www.lac-annecy.com

9. Fishing: Permits are available for fishing in the Borne at Le Grand-Bornan - 25kms of mountain stream.

10. Golf: Le Rocher Blanc at Le Grand-Bornand is a compact 10-hole course open from May to the end of October.

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