The History of Megève
Known for its winter sunshine and developed in the 1920s by the Rothschild family, Megève is a pioneering resort. In 1933, it welcomed France’s first ski lift entirely dedicated to skiing, the Rochebrune cable car. Today, over 400 km of slopes offer fun, family-friendly skiing. The hotel sector quickly expanded in the 1930s, while a renowned architect, Henri-Jacques Le Même, designed the first chalets for the wealthy families of France and beyond—”skier’s chalets.” Megève quickly began to attract royalty, captains of industry, and celebrities of all kinds. Today, it is considered a luxury resort par excellence in France.
Megève: an authentic village and exceptional chalets
Family-oriented by definition, Megève unfolds its pedestrian streets around the Place de l’Eglise. One cannot help but be captivated by these old buildings and exceptional ancestral heritage, which give the village its incomparable character. In both summer and winter, Megève’s farmers take international visitors aboard their horse-drawn carriages through the center and surrounding areas: a wonderful way to discover the hidden corners of the old town.
Higher up, on the gentle slopes of the surrounding massifs, Megève unfolds its districts and hamlets: Mont d’Arbois, Rochebrune, Jaillet, Princesse, etc. So many places that promise enchanting stays. The diversity of chalets available for rent in Megève is impressive. Ski-in ski-out, with a view of Mont-Blanc, in the very center of the village, in the heart of the hamlet of Mont d’Arbois, towards Combloux or Demi-Quartier/la Princesse: there is an exceptional residence for every requirement and every desire.
Ski Area and Activities
In France, Megève, along with its close neighbor Chamonix, is the epitome of the “Four Seasons” mountain resort. Summer and winter alike, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities, sporting, cultural, gastronomic, and festive events, and entertainment of all kinds. In winter, the “Evasion Mont-Blanc” ski area unfolds its 400km of slopes across four different massifs: Jaillet, Mont d’Arbois, Rochebrune, and Les Contamines. This delightful diversity promises varied days, whether you opt for family skiing on the slopes of Mont Joux or embark on epic off-piste adventures in the Giettaz, Côte 2000, and Mont Joly sectors. This fun and diverse skiing offers ample opportunity to admire the Mont Blanc range and the jagged silhouette of the Aravis massif.
However, non-skiers looking for a winter vacation are particularly fond of the village, as it offers an incredible range of activities, whether in the field of well-being or the outdoors. Aquatic center, spas of all kinds, dog sledding, four-season tobogganing, snowshoeing, paragliding are all opportunities offered by Megève. From June, the village regains color: the mountain pastures are adorned with a sparkling green dotted with wildflowers. Higher up, the eternal snows and blue skies sparkle. A summer paradise for the art of mountain living, Megève offers countless walks, a host of mountain restaurants and numerous infrastructures (Palais des Sports, play areas, ski lifts, etc.) capable of making your stay unforgettable.
Shopping
Very pleasant to stroll around since it’s pedestrianized, the village center is home to dozens of shops, interspersed with bars and restaurants. On the main square, in a large, historic and iconic building, the A. Allard fashion house has held the upper hand for nearly a century. A family business founded in 1926 by Armand Allard, this ready-to-wear boutique has perpetuated a tradition of excellence for three generations now. The inventor of the spindle weave offers exclusive collections crafted from fine materials on two levels. The chic and casual “Megève lifestyle” continues to be a hot topic.
The beating heart of the village, Rue Charles Feige and its surroundings are home to many major brands: Hermès, Dior, Loro Piana, Yves Salomon, Kujten, Eric Bompard, Moncler, Fusalp, Colmar, and Bogner, which all have their own stores here. You will also find a plethora of other luxury brands 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 decidedly varied and cutting-edge offering.
Accommodation and Gastronomy
Some of the chalets available for rent are among the most exclusive in the Alps: state-of-the-art amenities, exceptional spas, meticulous interior design, and impressive volumes are just a few of their assets. They also offer access to tailor-made services provided by a quality staff (chefs, butlers, and chauffeurs). These exceptional properties include, for example, Chalet Mont-Blanc and Chalet Ultima, on the slopes of Jaillet, Chalet Magic Megève and Chalet Crazy in the Princesse sector, or the many luxury chalets of Mont d’Arbois (Chalet Aspen, Chalet Sun Arbois, Chalet des Sens, Chalet Jaguar, etc.).
The hotel sector includes numerous four- and five-star establishments. 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 the Hôtel Mont Blanc. Also close to the center are the M de Megève and the Fer à Cheval. On the heights of the village, there is L’Alpaga and, of course, the Four Seasons, which overlooks Mont d’Arbois. As for gastronomy, dozens of establishments offer a highly eclectic menu, from traditional restaurants to Asian cuisine, 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 mountain restaurants to festive addresses. Learn more about gastronomy in Megève.
Main Events
- Illumination du sapin de Noël
- La Grande Odyssée Savoie-Mont-Blanc
- Coupe du monde de ski de bosses
- Megève Blues Festival
- Jumping International de Megève
- MB Race
- Toquicimes