Savoie on a Plate: Discovering the Authentic Raclette de Savoie IGP at Chalet Du Crey

Winter in the French Alps calls for comfort, conviviality, and a table that brings everyone together. Few dishes deliver that spirit better than Raclette de Savoie IGP. At Chalet Du Crey in Valmorel, this mountain classic shines as a centerpiece of festive evenings—scraped hot and gooey, paired with charcuterie, potatoes, salad, and the warmth of a shared moment. In this guide, you’ll learn what makes Raclette de Savoie IGP truly authentic, how this tradition took root in the Alps, and how you can savor it at Chalet Du Crey.

What is Raclette de Savoie IGP?

Raclette de Savoie IGP is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from the Savoie region that earned Protected Geographical Indication status in 2017. That recognition safeguards its origin and traditional methods.

Quick definition for the curious:

• Raclette de Savoie IGP: A protected cheese from Savoie, France, recognized since 2017 for its regional origin and specific production standards.

Key attributes of authenticity:

• Origin: Produced across the Pays de Savoie (Savoie and Haute-Savoie).
• Milk: Made exclusively from local cow’s milk.
• Method: Rigorous steps yield wheels (meules) with defined dimensions, thickness, appearance, and weight.

France’s cheese heritage counts over a thousand varieties, and there are many styles of raclette. Raclette de Savoie stands among the region’s protected greats—alongside emblematic names like Reblochon and Emmental—within the country’s portfolio of AOP and IGP cheeses.

A brief raclette history you can taste

• 1975 marked a turning point for home dining: the first domestic raclette machine, developed by RichesMonts with Tefal, brought restaurant-style scraping to family tables. A half-wheel sat under a heated ramp, and each person took a turn scraping the molten layer.
• In restaurants, the "maître racleur" once did the honors for diners, scraping with theatrical flourish.
• As winter sports surged in the 1970s, traditional raclette quickly became a culinary symbol of mountain stays—an Alpine ritual as beloved as the snow itself.

Raclette at Chalet Du Crey: A festive centerpiece in Valmorel

Chalet Du Crey honors the Alpine tradition by spotlighting authentic raclette in its festive dining.

On December 24 and December 31, 2025, the hotel hosts warm, convivial Réveillon evenings featuring the true traditional raclette—scraped generously and served with fresh salad, Savoyard charcuterie, and potatoes.

Savoyard Menu for Réveillon (49 € per person; drinks not included)

• Soupe de Champagne and petits fours
• Foie Gras with Blueberry Chutney from Savoie
• Raclette Royale:
  • Raclette de Savoie
  • Beechwood-smoked raclette
  • Served with charcuteries, potatoes, salads, and condiments
• Lemon sorbet with a splash of vodka
• Coffee with a parade of sweet treats

Child rate up to 14 years: 35 €. Reservation required: info@chaletducrey.com. Phone: +33 (0) 457 55 11 34.

Planning your table? Explore more about the tradition on the hotel’s dedicated page: Raclette savoyard au menu, check the Réveillon details, or browse the Restaurant hub.

What makes Raclette de Savoie IGP special?

For a quick, snippet-friendly answer:

• It’s a protected Alpine cheese from Savoie (IGP since 2017), produced to strict regional standards using local cow’s milk, and formed into precisely defined wheels—ensuring a consistent, authentic melt every time.

That authenticity translates into the raclette experience at the table: a smooth, even melt, an aroma that hints at mountain pastures, and a flavor that’s rich yet balanced—perfect for scraping over potatoes and pairing with Savoyard charcuterie and crisp salad.

How to enjoy raclette like a local

Raclette is as much about the ritual as the recipe. A few practical tips to make the most of your meal at Chalet Du Crey:

1. Start with balance
   • Alternate rich bites with freshness. Follow a scrape of cheese with salad to reset your palate.
2. Master the scrape
   • Let the top layer bubble and blister slightly, then scrape in a smooth motion over warm potatoes and charcuterie.
3. Build your plate in layers
   • Potato base → scrape of raclette → charcuterie → a bite of salad → repeat. Simple, satisfying, and paced.
4. Explore the two expressions
   • Compare the classic Raclette de Savoie with the beechwood-smoked version. Notice how smoke adds depth without overpowering the cheese.
5. Go slow, savor often
   • Raclette is communal by design. Take your time and enjoy the conversation as much as the cheese.

A simple guide to Raclette de Savoie IGP (at a glance)

• Status: IGP (since 2017)
• Region: Pays de Savoie (Savoie and Haute-Savoie)
• Milk: Cow’s milk from local herds
• Format: Wheels (meules) with defined dimensions, thickness, appearance, and weight
• Serving tradition: Scraped melted cheese over potatoes, with charcuterie, salad, and condiments

When and how to reserve at Chalet Du Crey

• Festive raclette nights: December 24 and 31, 2025
• Savoyard Menu: 49 € per person (drinks not included)
• Child rate (up to 14 years): 35 €
• Reservation required: info@chaletducrey.com
• Phone: +33 (0) 457 55 11 34

For a deeper dive into the culinary experience and seasonal atmosphere, see:

• Raclette savoyard au menu
• Réveillon
• Restaurant

Make it a full Alpine day in Valmorel

Raclette tastes even better after a day in the mountains. Plan your winter activities, then return to the warmth of Chalet Du Crey for an evening around the raclette.

• Explore the resort: Discover Valmorel in winter
• Gear up easily: Ski rental

Practical takeaways

• Raclette de Savoie IGP guarantees origin and traditional methods, recognized since 2017.
• Chalet Du Crey celebrates authentic raclette with a festive Savoyard Menu on December 24 and 31, 2025.
• Expect Raclette de Savoie plus a beechwood-smoked variant, served with potatoes, Savoyard charcuterie, salads, and condiments.
• Reserve in advance at info@chaletducrey.com or call +33 (0) 457 55 11 34.

Conclusion

Raclette de Savoie IGP is more than comfort food—it’s a living Alpine tradition protected by origin and shaped by generations. At Chalet Du Crey, that tradition becomes a shared celebration, scraped onto your plate amid the glow of a festive evening in Valmorel.

Ready to experience it? Reserve your Réveillon table now at info@chaletducrey.com or call +33 (0) 457 55 11 34. To plan your stay and explore the full experience, visit the Restaurant, Réveillon, and Raclette savoyard au menu pages.