Get Clarines

The ski resort of les Menuires, long time the poor relation of the Trois Vallees ski domain, is continuing its move upmarket. In 2004 the massive Solaret complex, dubbed Butlins-sur-neiges, was dynamited. Now it is the turn of the concrete “Hotel Les Clarines”.

Built at the end of the 1960s, this six story building with 300 rooms was designed in the brutalist concrete style of the time and has drawn comparisons with Gatehead’s multi-storey car-park that featured in cult Brit crime movie “Get Carter”. Later converted to apartments and finally bought by MGM in 2005, demolition work is expected to last two weeks. It will be replaced by a luxury four star hotel with an open air heated swimming pool (sounds good for environment), sauna, sports facilities and 53 rooms reserved for well heeled guests. There will also be two 16 apartment chalet blocks.

Purists have criticised the destruction of much of the Trois Vallees post war architectural heritage and its replacement with “faux Tyrolean buildings that are completely out of keeping with local styles”.

Further Information

A lifting for Alphaville

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