Megève History
Famed for its winter sunshine and developed by the Rothschild family from the 1920s onwards, Megève is a pioneering resort. The Rochebrune cable car, built in 1933, was the first ski lift in France to be entirely dedicated to skiing. Today, over 249 miles (400km) of pistes offer fun family skiing. From the 1930s onwards, the hotel portfolio expanded rapidly, and a renowned architect, Henri-Jacques Le Même, designed the first chalets for the great families of France and beyond, known as the “skier’s chalets”. Megève soon attracted royalty, captains of industry and personalities of all kinds. Today, Megève is regarded as one of France’s leading luxury resorts.
Megève: an Authentic Village and Exceptional Chalets
Family-friendly, the pedestrianised streets of Megève wind around the Place de l’Eglise. The old buildings and unique ancestral heritage that give the village its unmistakeable cachet are sure to win you over. In summer and winter alike, Megève’s farmers take an international clientele around the centre and surrounding area in their horse-drawn carriages: a great way to discover the hidden corners of the old market town. Higher up, on the gentle slopes of the surrounding mountains, the hamlets and neighbourhoods of Megève can be found: Mont d’Arbois, Rochebrune, Jaillet, Princesse and more. All of which promise an exciting stay. The variety of chalet rentals in Megève is impressive. Whether ski-in/ski-out, with a Mont Blanc view, right in the centre of the village, in the heart of the Mont d’Arbois hamlet, on the way to Combloux or Princesse, there’s a magnificent chalet to suit every need and every taste.
Ski Area and Activities
In France, Megève, along with its close neighbour Chamonix, is the archetypal “four seasons” mountain resort. In summer and winter alike, there is no shortage of outdoor activities, sporting, cultural, gastronomic and festive events, and entertainment of all kinds.
In winter, the Evasion Mont-Blanc ski area has 249 miles (400km) of runs in four different massifs: Le Jaillet, Mont d’Arbois, Rochebrune and Les Contamines. The diversity of these slopes makes for an exciting day out, whether you opt for family skiing on the slopes of Mont Joux or go for some fantastic off-piste skiing in the Giettaz, Côte 2000 and Mont Joly areas. All in all, it’s a fun and varied way to ski, with plenty of time to admire the Mont Blanc chain and the jagged silhouette of the Aravis massif.
However, non-skiers looking for a winter holiday are particularly fond of the village, as it offers an incredible range of activities, from well-being to the great outdoors. Aquatic centres, spas of all kinds, dog sled rides, 4-season sledging, snowshoeing and paragliding are just some of the opportunities Megève has to offer. From June onwards, the village comes alive with colour: the mountain pastures turn a sparkling green, dotted with wildflowers. Higher up, the eternal snow and blue skies sparkle. Megeve is a summer paradise for the art of mountain living, offering countless walks, a host of high-altitude restaurants and a variety of facilities (Palais des Sports, play areas, ski lifts, etc.) to make your stay unforgettable.
Shopping
The village centre is pedestrianised and very pleasant to walk around, with dozens of shops alternating with bars and restaurants. Located in the main square, in a large building that is equally historic and iconic, AAllard has been at the forefront for almost a century. A family-run shop founded in 1926 by Armand Allard, this ready-to-wear boutique has been upholding a tradition of excellence for three generations now. The inventor of fuseau ski pants offers exclusive collections made from the finest materials spanning two floors: the chic yet relaxed Megève lifestyle is firmly in the spotlight.
The very heart of the village, rue Charles Feige and the surrounding area are home to a number of top brands: Hermès, Dior, Loro Piana, Yves Salomon, Kujten, Eric Bompard, Moncler, Fusalp, Colmar and Bogner all have their own stores here. A host of other luxury brands can also be found at Blu&Berry (Alaïa, Céline, Loewe, Maison Michel), Events (Brunello Cucinelli, Jacob Cohën, Santoni, PJS, Calvin Klein, etc.) and Big Boss (Saint Laurent, Balmain, Jacquemus, Tod’s, Golden Goose, Stella McCartney, etc.). Art galleries, furniture and interior design brands, wine merchants, delicatessens and concept stores complete a broad range of cutting-edge products.
Accomodation and Restaurants
Some of the chalet rentals available in Megève are among the most exclusive in the Alps: state-of-the-art equipment, exclusive spas, meticulous interior design and impressive dimensions are just some of their assets. What’s more, they offer access to tailor-made services provided by top-quality household staff (chefs, butlers, chauffeurs). These stunning properties include Chalet Mont Blanc and Chalet Ultima, on the slopes of Le Jaillet, Chalet Magic Megève and Chalet Crazy, in the Princesse sector, and the many luxury chalets in the Mont d’Arbois area (Chalet Aspen, Chalet Sun Arbois, Chalet des Sens, Chalet Jaguar, etc.).
There are also many four-and five-star hotels. The Sibuet group, originally from Megève, made its mark with the opening of Les Fermes de Marie in the early 1990s, before expanding with the opening of Lodge Park and Hôtel Mont Blanc. Also in the immediate vicinity of the centre are the M de Megève and the Fer à Cheval. On the heights of the village, there is the Alpaga and, the Four Seasons, overlooking Mont d’Arbois. As for gastronomy, dozens of establishments offer an eclectic menu, from traditional restaurants to Asian fare, from mountain brasseries to Michelin-starred restaurants (Emmanuel Renault’s Flocons de Sel***, Anne-Sophie Pic’s La Dame de Pic – 1920*, La Table de l’Alpaga*) and from high-altitude restaurants to trendy party venues. Find out more about gastronomy in Megève.
Main Events
• Lighting of the Christmas tree
• La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont-Blanc (annual sled dog race)
• Ski World Cup: moguls
• MB Race
• Jumping International de Megève
• Megève Blues Festival
• Toquicimes