The French Alps are the highest mountains in Western Europe, so the local ski resorts are very popular with both professional and beginner skiers. Here are the famous resorts of Chamonix , Megeve, Le Arc , La Plan and Courchevel , which France is rightly proud of, and where skiing holidays are possible all year round. And although the snow on the alpine slopes lasts from November to May, there are tracks near the glaciers on which you can ski even in summer.

Megeve is one of the most visited French ski resorts. Thanks to the wonderful nature and unique climate, the resort became famous in the 20s of the last century, becoming an excellent alternative to the famous Sant Moritz , since everything here is aimed at preserving the unique atmosphere of the Savoy village. The center of Mezhev is a pedestrian zone where vehicles are not allowed to enter. You can move here only on horse-drawn carriages, which rush along the cobblestones past old houses, cozy restaurants and numerous shops, of which there are more than two hundred in Mezhev.

Megeve is one of the most popular ski resorts in France . There is unparalleled skiing on well-maintained trails that run along picturesque, spruce-covered slopes, and gastronomic surprises from famous chefs, and luxurious shopping. In addition, the resort can offer its guests hospitable chalets and a rich après-ski program – everything you need for a full-fledged winter vacation.

Megeve is located in the south-east of France, in the Haute-Savoie department. It is part of the community The Best of Apls (“The best in the Alps”) – along with Zermatt , St. Moritz , Chamonix , Davos and other ski resorts in Europe.

From the history of Mezhev

In 1976, Baroness Noemi de Rothschild decided to look for a ski resort in her homeland that could compete with the then favorite of the aristocracy – St. by Moritz Her Norwegian instructor recommended that she visit Megeve. Impressed by what she saw, the baroness built the Palace Mont d’Arbois hotel here five years later, which helped the frontiersmen turn from a remote village into a super resort that welcomes not only fashionable bohemians of all levels and stripes, but also crowned persons. But the popularity of Mezhev later dimmed: having learned to stand on skis, bohemians and elites gradually moved to more fashionable resorts with more intensive skiing. But Mezhev still remains the most stylish and elegant alpine resort, which attracts more and more fans with its spectacular atmosphere.

The history of skiing is closely connected with this resort. In 2012, Mezhev celebrated the 100th anniversary of one of its most famous and respected citizens, Emil Alli, who, even at such a respectable age, still skied with enviable regularity.

After the First World War, Megeve became a very popular place, where the French bohemians regularly came. One of the branches of the Rothschild dynasty and currently permanently resides in Mezhev.

Mezhev is an incomparable atmosphere of a real old town, with a pedestrian zone, medieval houses and a square with a beautiful church and bell tower.

Roger Vadim, Gerard Philippe, Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Amadeo Modigliani, Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Brigitte Bordeaux – the heroes and ghosts of the past seem to have never left Megeve, except that the logos of fashion brands in the shop windows remind us of the XXI century. It was called the “21st arrondissement of Paris”, an icon of style, the film “Dangerous Liaisons” was born here and the legendary Jean Cocteau restaurant Les Enfants Terribles still exists in the Hotel Mont Blanc. Over time, this resort only got better. Megève is the embodiment of the famous French l’arte de vivre, not newly made, but a real aristocratic town with narrow streets, a cozy center and cute wooden chalets built in the style of an old Savoy farm.

What to see, where to visit

Megeve in France is a pretty Savoy village with cobbled streets and cozy houses. An important role in its formation was played by the architect Henri-Jacques Le Memme, the author of chalet-style houses. He came here in 1925 at the invitation of Baroness Rothschild, who decided to turn Megeve into the “French St. Moritz.” Le Meme designed more than 200 Mezhevan chalets, thanks to which the resort acquired a complete architectural appearance.

However, the architect built his own house-workshop in the spirit of Le Corbusier, and today this building is a local landmark. Among other interesting places, we can mention Mezhevansbka Calvary – an ensemble of 14 chapels with wooden sculptures and frescoes depicting the suffering of Jesus. They are installed along a winding path that starts in the eastern part of the village and goes uphill, copying the Jerusalem Stations of the Cross. At the end of the 19th century thousands of pilgrims flocked to Mezhev to climb his Calvary.

On the central square of Mezhev, you can see a church built in the 13th century, not far from which there is a monastery and a medieval tower. In addition to ancient buildings in Mezhev, you can also see modern buildings in the style of a chalet, from which a beautiful view of the surrounding fir-spruce forests opens up. All this magnificence can be seen, including from the air, by flying over the mountain slopes in a hot air balloon, helicopter or private airplane.

Not far from Megeve is the thermal park “Saint-Gervais-le-Blanc”, famous for its springs of mineral water, which is not inferior in its healing power to the famous waters of Karlovy Vary.

Tracks, slopes, lifts

Megeve together with neighboring resorts form the ski area Evasion Mont Blanc with a total length of tracks of about 445 km, there are also tracks for cross-country skiing. Most of them are accessible directly from the village.

For beginner skiers and snowboarders, the slopes are equipped with simple tracks, fenced off from the main stream. There are about 80 of them in total; the most spacious and long are located in the Mont d’Arbois area. 60 red pistes: they include descents from Le Jaillet, Combloux and other slopes. The most difficult pistes (29 of them), as well as extreme off-piste descents, can be found in the area of ​​Mont Joly, Mont Joux, Cote-2000, Rochebrune – for example, the pistes named after the famous skier Emile Alli, or the 220-meter Les Mont Blanc d’ or for giant slalom. They are not very long, but steep and hilly: only real professionals will be able to conquer them.

 

Skiing areas are also suitable for snowboarders, but the most interesting in this regard are Mont Joux, Le Jaillet and Combloux, where snow parks operate, and Cote-2000, where the border cross course runs.

The resort is surrounded by three mountain ranges, where the height of the skiing area varies from 1113 to 2350 meters.

The resort has a developed system of lifts, of which there are more than 50, which greatly simplifies the ascent to the start of the tracks. The biggest skiing area in Mezhev is Evasion.

Professional skiers ski on the slopes of Mont-Joli, where there are difficult tracks. The massif of Mont Dorbois is connected by a pendulum road with the mountain massif of Rochebrune-Côte-2000, from which a cable car runs to the center of Megeve. Another region of Le Jais is located away from the rest of the skiing areas and is not connected to them by lifts.

 

The tracks of Mezhev seem to have been specially created for calm and comfortable skiing: they are beautiful, surrounded by snow-covered Christmas trees, smooth and mostly not very difficult. Ideal for family skating before lunch, does not make you stress or think about the technique of skating. However, there are also interesting places for those who want to raise the level of adrenaline in the blood: the famous unprepared descent of Emile Allais from Arpette with an impressive slope or the calmer and rather long black tracks of the resort, for example, in Cote 2000 (Cote 2000).

In Kot 2000, experts will be able to enjoy the exciting sensations of freeride. Mont d’Arbois is famous for its wide tracks and stretches for many kilometers to the southwest. This station extends to Mont-Jou and ends on the steep slopes of Mont Joly, which require good preparation. Here, at an altitude of 2350 m, is the highest point of the station. The longest track “Princess” stretched for 3.8 km with a height difference of 770 m.

If the virgin land above Megève is already developed, you can go to the nearby always snowy Le Contamine or Chamonix (30 minutes by car).

Ski schools

Several prestigious ski schools operate in Megeve: Ecole du Ski Français, Ecole de Ski Internationale, Ecole de Freeride. They accept both adults and children from the age of 4 to study.

Entertainment and active recreation

Megeve has a lot of options for those who like to spend their time actively: cross-country ski trails starting directly from the hotels, snowshoe trails, a sports palace with an indoor ice rink, a swimming pool, a climbing wall, ping-pong and a fitness center , outdoor skating rink, horseback riding, balloon flights, air club and much more.

There are also more peaceful entertainments: 3 cinemas, a theater, 2 museums, art galleries, a beauty salon, a bridge club, a thermal park in the village of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, located 10 km from Megeve . A separate section can tell about the variety of shops in Mezhev. All Parisian brands can be purchased in the town’s boutiques. There are about 200 of them. Arman Allyar, the famous founder of the brand, decided to sell his products only here, in his homeland. In addition to designer shops, shoppers will find antique shops, art and jewelry galleries here.

In the evening, you can relax in one of the restaurants, jazz clubs (by the way, the local Jazz Club des Cing Rues is considered one of the best jazz clubs in France), piano bars, discos or casinos.

And for those who want to celebrate Christmas in an unusual way, Mezhev offers exciting Christmas tours to famous ski resorts, because at this time you can enjoy not only skiing, but also an excellent cultural program.

Don’t forget to come to Megeve’s small airfield to fly in four-seater planes over Megeve, Mont Blanc and the White Valley – thrills are guaranteed, especially if the pilot decides to entertain the passengers a little. All the winter months in Megeve are filled with social events: a snow polo tournament, dog sled races, the Snow Golf Cup and all kinds of skiing competitions of various levels.

The night life of the resort is not very hectic: young people gather at Palo Alto Up & Down, a more solid crowd – at 5 Rues and hotel bars.

Local cuisine and restaurants

About 90 restaurants operate in the Megeve resort in France, 30 of which are located in the mountains, and more than a dozen are awarded Michelin stars – this ensures Megeve the title of the gastronomic capital of the French Alps. Most establishments specialize in national Savoyard cuisine, offering their guests Savoyard-style barbecue, tartiflette – a potato casserole with bacon and cheese, raclette made from Reblochon cheese baked with vegetables, fondue made from local cheeses, etc. All this, in particular, can be tried at the restaurants Les Flocons de Sel (2 Michelin stars), Le Carousel, LAlpage, Enfants Terribles, etc.

In addition, the village has restaurants of Italian cuisine (for example, Di Vino) and oriental cuisine (L’Indochine Aux Caves). Chalet Du Mont D’arbois, Fer A Cheval, Alpette, etc. are famous for their wine cellars.

Family vacation

5 children’s mini-clubs, a children’s ski school, and 2 kindergartens are open in Mezhev. With children, you can go to the town of Santa Claus, Santa Village, the swimming pool, where there is a children’s area, or the amusement park Cote 2000 Aventure.

Where to stay

The choice of accommodation options in the French resort of Megeve is very diverse. There are several 5 * luxury hotels (Alpaga, Chalet Du Mont d’Arbois – owned by the Rothschild family, traditional Savoy Ferme de Maria, etc.), comfortable 4-star hotels (Arboisie HMC or Mont Blanc), more affordable hotels 2 -3 *, as well as chalets, residences, apartments that can be rented both for a few days and for the whole season.

Hôtel L’Arboisie 4-star hotel

The chalet-style Hotel L’Arboisie is located in the historic Rhône-Alpes region. The windows offer a view of the Rhone valley – the Alps and the alpine village of Megeve.

A fully restored wooden chalet built in the midst of picturesque alpine nature, located on the Route du Mont d’Arbois, in the town of Megève, 1 hour from Genève International Airport. The hotel offers comfortable and spacious rooms, professional service and a hospitable atmosphere. Number of rooms: 69 rooms. Room types: standard single, double and triple rooms; Suites rooms.

In the rooms: a balcony with a view of the mountains; TV with satellite channels; CD player; high-speed Internet; mini-bar. Infrastructure: restaurant (French cuisine); bar; terrace; conference room; round-the-clock service.

Sports and leisure: excursion service; sauna; Turkish bath; fitness center; outdoor swimming pool; umbrellas and sunbeds by the pool; indoor swimming pool; golf; bowling; skiing.

Lodge Park 4 star hotel

The Lodge Park Hotel, built in the style of a traditional wooden cottage, is located a few steps from the ski lifts of the Megeve resort. Very comfortable. Delicious breakfast. The staff is very kind. The rooms have a bath or shower, telephone, TV, minibar.

Exercise and massage rooms, parking and garage, sauna, jacuzzi, seminar room.

Alpaga 5 star hotel

Overlooking the Val d’Arly Valley and Mont Blanc, Hotel Alpaga is located in the ski resort of Megeve in the French Alps. An excellent hotel in every sense.

Centrally located, the Alpaga Hotel is close to most of Megeve’s tourist attractions and business establishments. Alpaga Hotel prides itself on its convenient location, modern amenities in every room, and excellent service.

The rooms have high-speed Internet, pets are allowed, cable/satellite TV, kitchen, microwave oven, hair dryer, TV, direct dial telephone.

Facilities: Business Center, Parking, Airport Shuttle, Facilities for Disabled, Concierge, Babysitting/Child Care Services, Non-Smoking Rooms, Restaurants, Conference Center(s), Heated Bath/Bathroom.

Sports and Leisure: Fitness Center, Swimming Pool, Tour Desk, Massage / Beauty Salon, Tennis Courts, Golf Course, Sauna, Bicycle Rental, Casino, Jacuzzi, Health Spa, Indoor Pool, Outdoor Pool, Games, Cafe / Cafeteria.

Fer à Cheval 5 star hotel

Hotel Fer à Cheval is located in the heart of the Megeve ski resort, just a few minutes’ drive from the ski slopes.

Au Coin Du Feu 3 star hotel

Hotel Au Coin Du Feu, designed in a traditional Savoy style, is located 500 meters from the center of Megeve commune and the Chamois ski lift. Excellent quality-price ratio. Cozy, fireplace in the living room, good breakfast. The room has a lot of space for things, wardrobes, chests of drawers, everything is thought out. New plumbing. Sauna. The atmosphere of an old chalet.

What to bring

The resort has more than 200 boutiques and shops where you can buy clothes and shoes of famous brands (Hermes, Escada, Sonia Rykiel, Dior, etc.), sports equipment, Swarovski jewelry, French delicacies, antiques, designer interior items, paintings and etc.

How to get there

The nearest major international airport is located in Geneva (80 km from Megeve). From the airport, the resort can be reached by bus (for example, AeroSki routes connecting Geneva to various ski resorts) or by train to Sallanches station (12 km from Megeve) and further by bus or taxi. By car from Geneva, you should drive along the A40 highway.