La Plagne - eat, drink, party

La Plagne isn’t a party-‘til-dawn resort, although you’ll find bars and pubs in most villages. The Spitting Feathers pub in Plagne Bellecôte opens every night until 1-15am for Happy Hours, sports and events throughout the week. It’s also notable for providing a free shuttle service to pick up and return customers to their accommodation (+33 6 79 52 49 59).

Plagne Centre is the busiest village for après-ski, with the lively British-run Scotty’s Pub (+33 6 84 37 55 59) and Le Luna Bar (+33 4 79 09 01 50) being popular for early evening drinks – and with the action hotting up later in the evening, for theme parties and disco. The Mouth is a new bar in Plagne Centre with live music, Happy Hours until 10pm and big-screen sports. It’s open from 4pm - 2am. There’s also the Igloo bar which serves cocktails and has live music and DJ nights. The faux-ice interior is evidently warmer than it looks...

Plagne 1800 has the popular Le Mine (+33 4 79 09 24 89) bar which hosts live music. Alternatively, for a bar with a more traditional feel try la Tête Inn (+33 4 79 55 10 85) in Belle Plagne.
There’s also Bowling La Plagne (+33 4 79 09 00 78), a ten-pin bowling alley in Plagne Centre which also screens sports events, and has other games plus a bar.
 

In the town

All the villages have a selection of decent restaurants and you won’t have much trouble finding somewhere for dinner. In Plagne Bellecôte’s shopping centre, the traditional-style La Ferme (+33 (0)4 79 09 29 32) is popular for its convivial atmosphere and hearty Savoyard meals and for a bit of relief from fondue, tartiflette, etc they also serve a selection of fish dishes. It’s not very big, so booking in advance is recommended.

In Belle-Plagne, the centrally located La Cloche (+33 4 79 09 28 24) has a recently-renovated sunny terrace for lunchtime diners, and its interior is warm and friendly, with a central fireplace. It specialises in Savoyard dishes, with croziflette, fondues and raclette, but also offers pastas and pizzas, steaks and fish dishes.

The family-friendly Le Loup Blanc (+33 4 79 09 13 61) in Plagne 1800 serves food all day in a traditional-style dining area with a warming fire. On the menu you’ll find local specialities and steaks, plus Asian-influenced dishes.

For a gastronomic experience, the 4-star Hotel Le Carlina (+33 4 79 09 78 46) in Belle-Plagne serves an à la carte menu, the chef preparing a beautifully-presented selection of original dishes.
In one of the oldest farms in Montchavin, la ferme de César (+33 4 79 07 85 31) serves generous portions of traditional mountain dishes including raclettes, fondues and reblochonades, as well as pizzas.

 

Mountain restaurants

At high altitude you should have no problem finding hearty food, though be prepared to spend a little more on your lunch than in the villages lower down the mountain. In Aime La Plagne the family-friendly Au Bon Vieux Temps restaurant (+33 4 79 09 20 57 ) has a snug, rustic interior and a large terrace for sunny days. It serves local Savoyard dishes and if you want, you can take a shuttle-bus and dine there in the evening, too. 

At Belle Plagne, the Restaurant Le Hors-Piste (+33 4 79 55 16 33) is situated right beside the slopes and serves pizzas, soups and salads to eat there or take away. Le Chalet de la Roche (+33 4 79 09 55 99), at the foot of the La Roche chairlift and next to a car park, (making it handy for non-skiing friends and with access for disabled diners) has a cosy Savoyard interior and a large sunny terrace where you can enjoy a plat du jour for around 13 euros. The menu includes French standards like steak and chips plus fresh pasta and some tempting desserts.

For cheaper alternatives to restaurants, try the McCotes takeaway in Bellecôte for a burger meal at around 10 euros, or the Chalet des Glaciers (outside seating only), serving hot soups.
Lovers of contemporary Alpine-chic interiors will love the Restaurant La Poya in Les Coches (+33 4 79 41 20 27). There are great views of Mont Blanc from the sunny terrace, or find a cosy corner inside, with prices for the plat du jour starting at around 10 euros.  

Down in Champagny, Le Chalet des Verdons Sud (+33 6 21 54 39 24), at the foot of the pistes, is full of charm inside and offers mountain views from the terrace. Look out for delicious local specialities on the menu such as Tarte au Beaufort or Croustade aux Morilles (something for vegetarians), and don’t forget a small glass of Génépi before you leave - if you can tear yourself away.