In summer

Hiking and mountain biking trails lead from the house in all directions. If, like me, you enjoy electric mountain biking, you'll love the forest trails. Located in the Combe de Savoie, we're at a mountain crossroads. Nestled against the Bauges mountains, the house faces the Beaufortain and Vanoise mountains: an incredible playground for hiking enthusiasts and summit seekers.

For cyclists, the greatest passes of the Tour de France await you: Madeleine, Croix de Fer, Galibier, Isran...

Besides the small nearby lakes, perfect for swimming or barbecues, you can reach the two great lakes of the Savoie region: Lake of Bourget and Lake of Annecy, less than an hour's drive away. For adrenaline sports enthusiasts, we recommend canyoning and rafting.

Lovers of history and old stones can explore the fortified heritage of Savoie, from the remains of the Middle Ages to the Maginot Line and the Duchy of Savoie. Don't miss:

• the medieval town of Conflans above Albertville
• the fort of Tamié on the top of Mercury

Whether you're looking for a shopping trip or a city tour, the capitals of the two Savoie await you:

• Annecy in Haute Savoie, the Venice of the Alps with its old town and canals
• Chambéry in Savoie, with its narrow streets, museums, and the cCastle of the Dukes of Savoy

In winter

There's skiing, but not only that. Mercury isn't a ski resort. No need to look for a ski lift or group lessons for children... However, if you're looking to diversify your activities, Hery's is the place to be. Winter activities come in several forms: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, sledding... It's still possible to go sledding a few times during the winter around the house but to find snow all winter long, you'll have to take the car. Within an hour's drive, you'll find more than 15 resorts:

• Diamond Area: Les Saisies/Crest Voland Cohennoz/Notre Dame de Bellecombe/Praz sur Arly/Flumet
• Beautortain: Hauteluce/Les Contamines, Arêches
• Grand Domaine: Valmorel/Saint François Longchamp
• 3 Vallées: Courchevel/Méribel/Val Thorens/Les Ménuires
• Sybelles: Toussuire/Corbier/Saint Sorlain

I love skiing and I love a change of scenery: high-altitude skiing, forest skiing, easy skiing for bad weather days, cheap skiing... Hery's can be a base camp for ski safari enthusiasts, and those who don't ski every day will be looking for alternative activities.