A CHALET IN MEGEVE FOR A TASTE OF
FRENCH CULTURE AND ART OF LIVING

The charm of Megève is due in no small part to its centuries-old streets lined with horse-drawn carriages, traditional working farms, pedestrianised town centre and striking buildings. This historic Alpine resort has a reputation for giving pride of place to all kinds of culture. Exhibitions, festivals and events of all sorts mark the calendar. In many cases, your Megève chalet rental is even home to a wealth of art, culture and design treasures. Megève has always celebrated the French art of living, from gourmet dining to a sense of festivity, cultural activities in all their forms and an exquisite sense of elegance. So, it is hardly surprising that this village at the foot of the Mont-Blanc massif has been attracting an international clientele looking for authentic French luxury for over a century now.

Megève Chalets: a Guarantee of Excellence

The ski resort has left its mark on the history of Alpine architecture. Whether through its rich architectural heritage (churches, chapels and fortified houses) or through its chalets, past and present. The architect Henri-Jacques Le Même, who arrived in Megève at a very young age and adopted the village as his home, drew inspiration from the mountain architecture to design a ‘skier’s chalet.’ This former pupil of Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann is now regarded as the inventor of the contemporary chalet, which, inspired by the surrounding farms, was adapted to the demands of a wealthy clientele looking for comfort on their mountain holidays. In 1926 he built his first chalet for Baroness Noémie de Rothschild and by the end of a long career, that helped shape Megève’s architectural identity, he had built dozens of chalets, residences and buildings, including the Mont d’Arbois sanatorium, Maison du Calvaire (the architect’s private residence) and Chalet Grizzly. A hundred years after the invention of the ‘skier’s chalet,’ the Haute-Savoie resort is still at the forefront: the extensive range of Megève chalet rentals bears witness to this. Although inspired by old buildings, it boasts state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure: some of the biggest names in architecture and interior design regularly work in and around the village. In fact, the village now boasts some of the most exclusive private chalets for rent in the Alps (Chalet Mont-Blanc, Chalet Aspen, Chalet Crazy, Chalet Magic Megève, Chalet Sun Arbois, Chalet Ultima, and Chalet Snow Cat).

Art and Design in your Megève Chalet Rental

While the shopping streets are full of art galleries and interior design boutiques, the private residences are not to be outdone. At the height of luxury and sophistication, some of the Megève chalet rentals are home to authentic masterpieces of art and design. Designed by a couple of art collectors, the Magic Megève Bois and Magic Megève chalets are home to many contemporary works and iconic pieces of furniture. Chalet Magic Megève was developed in collaboration with a number of world-renowned artists, who were commissioned to design the bedrooms and many of the structural elements of this renovated old farmhouse. There is art on every floor, from floor to ceiling, providing guests with an opportunity to experience the unbridled creativity of the owners, combined with the high standards of five-star service. Rental of this Megève chalet includes a masseur, chef, butler, sommelier, bartender and private chauffeur. The 1,100m² property also boasts an impressive pool and spa area, as well as a wine cellar with hundreds of prestigious wines. Elsewhere in Megève, at Mont d’Arbois, Chalet Jaguar has a distinctive décor featuring some of the great names in art and design from the 1950s-1970s. Lighting and furniture by Joe Colombo, Gae Aulenti, Charlotte Perriand and De Sède are displayed alongside sculptures and works of art. A taste for vintage that goes hand in hand with the latest technology, including a swimming pool with retractable floor and a cinema room.

Photographs and picture-postcard setting

Whether in your Megève chalet rental or in the village itself, image has pride of place. The panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the picture-postcard setting have attracted talented photographers to Megève, including Willy Ronis and Robert Doisneau: both have taken magnificent photographs of the village, which have been the subject of major retrospectives at the Edith Allard cultural centre. In the centre’s galleries, the spotlight is on photographers, both contemporary and non-contemporary, while numerous temporary exhibitions brighten up the streets of the village and the area around the Palais des Sports. A number of private chalets are not to be outdone, whether offering breathtaking views of the Aravis mountains, Mont Blanc or the impressive Côte 2000 cirque, or boasting some outstanding photographic prints of their own. This is particularly true of Chalet Dana, where the walls are hung with works by great wildlife photographers such as Nick Brandt.

Gastronomy and festive spirit

The French art of living also includes gastronomy, a sense of festivity and hospitality. From the Blues Festival to Tocquicimes mountain food festival, from the village fête to the lighting of the Christmas tree, there is no shortage of events to choose from. They all provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. This culture also permeates the sense of welcome and the range of services offered by our concierge service in your Megève chalet rental. Our professional house staff will ensure you have an unforgettable stay. A tailor-made holiday that will allow you to discover local specialities and French gastronomy, whether through your in-house chef or by visiting the many restaurants in the village. The festive spirit that has contributed so much to Megève’s reputation is everywhere: in the village’s lively restaurants as well as in the rental chalets, some of which have a disco and bar area (Chalet Dana, Chalet Jaguar, Chalet Ultima, etc.). For those seeking to understand the essence of French culture, Megève promises an unforgettable experience. The village not only offers the pleasures of skiing and a wide range of après-ski activities, it also embraces a lifestyle of warmth and sophistication.