Megève is a charming ski resort village nestled amongst the well-known mountains of Mont d´Arbois, Rochebrune, Cote 2000 Mont Joly and Le Jaillet. Although a relatively low resort, sitting at 1,027–2,485 m, it still presents a great ski and snow sports experience; with tree-lined downhill runs, a snow park and cross-country trails whilst in summer guests can enjoy hiking. biking and golfing. The resort is known for its chic chalets, luxury hotels, designer boutiques and exquisite mountain-style gastronomy. The pedestrianised cobbled medieval streets, 12th-century buildings and horse-drawn carriages add to its picture-perfect charm.
Eat
Flocons de Sel
Awarded 3 Michelin stars in 2020, this homely 5-star Relais & Châteaux property offers imaginative cooking in its charming Alpine hamlet setting. Chef Emmanuel Renaut is at the helm and believes in creating an emotive, immersive experience – even inviting diners to join him for forest walks foraging for mushrooms, herbs and medicinal plants. Everything is locally sourced, with bespoke dishes inspired by the seasons. With an emphasis on privacy and refinement, it’s ideal for a long-sophisticated lunch with friends or an intimate dinner. And the wine list is as exquisite as the a la carte and set menus.
La Ferme de Mon Pere
For sharing dishes, fine wines and delectable cocktails, La Ferme de Mon Pere is the place to be. It’s cosy and relaxed, with its farm theme creating a wholesome and earthy, yet gourmet ambience. The product-driven menu is divided into charmingly named sections: The Vegetable Patch, Farm Classics, The Table, The Pond and Classic Desserts. Xavier Pouzin works under the leadership of chef Julien Burlat to create modern cuisine with French specialities such as liquorice-scented frog legs and Foie gras pâté. Don’t miss the range of unique house wines and if you’re seeking something lighter mid-afternoon – pop in for one of La Ferme’s delectable fresh pastries.
Le 1920 at the Four Seasons Hotel
Dine with a remarkable view at this internationally renowned hotel group, the Four Seasons. Its traditional French restaurant in Megeve, Le 1920, boasts a stunning vaulted ceiling and the option to take meals outside on the terrace. Chef Julien Gatillon received his first Michelin star in 2014 and brings his expertise in modern haute cuisine to this elegant venue. Dishes feature high-end ingredients such as caviar and truffles, with beautiful garnishes and attention to detail. The decor is warming and contemporary, with modern Alpine accents and picture windows revealing the epic mountains on the hotel’s doorstep.
Le Refuge
Pay a visit to La Refuge and you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in the middle of nowhere. Yet it’s conveniently accessible even in the depths of winter. This cosy spot offers hearty Savoy cuisine that’s both rustic and refined, served on heavy wooden boards and in black skillet pans. The mountain specialities are a real highlight, particularly the black truffle Swiss fondue, and the rotisserie lamb (for two or more hungry diners). La Refuge’s chalet home is reminiscent of a Heidi novel, with wood panelling, dairy pitchers, authentic bric-a-brac decoration and a wooden terrace for sun-drenched lunches. Child-friendly choices and a relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for families.
www.refuge-megeve.com/fr/home/
Le Vieux
More Savoyard cuisine and decadent cheesy delights can be found at Le Vieux, a popular and centrally located eatery, renowned for its fantastic raclette. Here you can feast on everything from rich hot stone meat fondues to mountain farm salads – and there’s a special menu for younger palates. Stone walls, wood panelling, a roaring fire, trestle tables and red tablecloths provide a traditional and authentic feel to this 45-year-old family-run establishment. In summer, enjoy alfresco dining and watch the world go by from the terrace, flanked with colourful blooms and hanging baskets. Book in advance, especially in high season, as Le Vieux gets very busy.
Do
Ski / Snow sports (Winter)
Of course, the biggest draw to this area is the slopes. Offering world-leading ski and snowboarding opportunities, Megeve has been a hotspot for well-heeled skiers since the 1920s and is increasingly popular for snowboarders. The highest lift in the resort goes up to 2,350m with a total piste length of 445km. There’s a place for every level of expertise and all ages, although it tends to attract intermediate skiers seeking carefully-tended, recreational pistes and those who like to combine activity with some high-quality après. Choose Evasion ski pass for local access, or Unlimited for access to more challenging slopes further afield as far as Verbier and Chamonix.
Mountain Bike or Hike (Summer)
Megeve isn’t just for winter. Travel here in summer and you’ll discover an entirely different vibe, but with equally plentiful activities. The terrain is a dream for hikers and mountain bikers and as the village is car-free it’s one of the safest and most enjoyable places to explore cycling, or on foot. There are over 300km of trails, with the option to take a lift (buy a mountain bike pass for special access to the Mont d’Arbois and Jaillet cable cars) and enjoy some leisurely lunches with stunning views.
Helicopter Ride over Mountain Ranges
There’s no shortage of stunning vistas to enjoy in this region, but why not explore from an alternative perspective? See the mountains from an entirely different viewpoint with a helicopter ride, either in the form of a super speedy airport transfer service or as a sightseeing trip. Fly over Annecy, Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc and the area’s huge inaccessible glaciers, as far as the Italian border. Or take a day trip to Milan or Lyon with transfer times of under an hour. Flights can be combined with champagne, afternoon tea or full dining experiences and are offered by a range of providers in Megeve.
Spa Experience at Pure Altitude Spa Les Fermes de Marie
No trip to the Alps is complete without a spa visit. The region boasts some of the most innovative and restorative in the world, such as this one at Les Fermes de Marie. Multisensory treatments take inspiration from nature’s elements: wood, fire, stone, plants and water, while Pure Altitude’s unique cosmetic range uses mountain plant extracts and minerals with rare active anti-oxidants and balancing ingredients. Take an indoor or outdoor Jacuzzi and sauna, detox in the steam room and Ofuro baths, work out in the gym and bliss out in the relaxation room. There’s also a hair and make-up studio and indoor pool with stunning bay window views. With a peaceful and imaginative interior design reflecting its Alpine surroundings, it’s the perfect place to escape and recharge.
Horse and Carriage Ride
The medieval cobbled streets of Megeve create a wonderful old-worldly sense which is perfectly complimented by the traditional horse-drawn carriages stationed in the centre of the pedestrianised village. A gentle ride, snuggled under the heavy alpine-style blankets is one of the most romantic ways to explore Megeve.
Aper Igloo
For a truly magical experience don your snowshoes and let local mountain guides take you to an evening of great food and drink hosted in a secret igloo. These guides were born in the mountains and live and breathe its every changing moment so built the igloo so that visitors can also enjoy nature at its best and feel a special connection with the mountain. An entirely unique experience!
Sleep
5* M de Megève
Enjoy all the cosiness of an Alpine chalet in full contemporary style at M de Megève. The design here is deeply sophisticated, befitting a sleek boutique establishment. A new wing was added in 2019, housing some of the hotel’s 42 bedrooms, and there’s a spa (with a counter-current pool) beneath the ground floor. Nothing says romance quite like a horse-drawn carriage rides around a snow-covered French chocolate box town – and this is something the hotel offers completely free of charge (although it must be pre-booked). It’s a perfect setting for a proposal or a memorable anniversary, followed by an exquisite French meal at Le M Restaurant.
Les Fermes de Marie
Guests here are housed in one of 70 bedrooms, some in chalets and ‘mazots’ (a kind of Savoyard mountain hut). Les Fermes de Marie came into being in the 1980s but now has a classic chalet feel (think Game of Thrones-style; wood panelling, fur throws, sheepskin cushions and rustic four-poster beds). Its new-look Pure Altitude Spa was launched in 2019, with 17 treatment cabins, hot and cold ceder ofuro soaking tubs, a child-friendly indoor-outdoor swimming pool and an adults-only indoor pool. There’s also a hot tub on the terrace, the Traditionnel restaurant and two further eateries that open during high season.
Four Seasons Hotel Megève
Positioned a little away from the centre of the village, the hotel is now the only one in Megève with ski-in, ski-out access and the 55 bedroom Four Seasons property, provides a secluded base surrounded by nature. However, there’s plenty going on within the resort. A great choice for families, it has a programme of activities and a club room for younger kids, a Teen Zone furnished with games and a screening room, plus an in-house ski teacher. The brand new 3,864sq.ft Mont Blanc suite has three connected bedrooms and two smaller suites so is ideal for families. Adults can enjoy wine tastings in the hotel’s 15,000 bottle-strong cellar, dinners at ‘’La Dame de Pic – Le 1920’ which will welcome Anne-Sophie Pic as she takes up her first winter residence this season and enjoy some down time in the tranquillity of the pure white spa.
Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois, Megève, A Four Seasons Hotel
The hotel is made up of three large Savoyard‑style chalets, each with its own personality. They’re named Ève, Noémie and Alice in homage to the Rothschild family, who collaborated with Four Seasons on both this property and Hotel Megève. Many of the Rothschild’s own antiquities have been included in the design and buildings, which encompass a total of 41 rooms. The hotel runs a shuttle to the slopes and village, there’s a dog walking service for those visiting with pets and in the winter holidays, Chalet des Enfants provides activities for younger guests. Guests can enjoy a super dining service at the recently opened restaurant, called ‘La table de Noémie’, either on the terrace, or as room service with dishes crafted from locally sourced mountain‑grown ingredients.
L’Alpaga, a Beaumier Hotel
If you’re travelling with a larger group, take a look at Alpaga. Its three-storey chalets can sleep up to 20, with apartments catering for 6, as well as rooms for singles, couples and families. The restaurant, La Table de l’Alpaga, has been recognised with two Michelin stars and specialises in fine plant-based cuisine and there’s a bistro, L’Onyx, as well as lighter food served in the lobby-side bar. Spa de l’Alpaga offers a little hydro adventure, with an in-pool bubble couch and massage jets, all moodily lit and clad in dark grey stone for atmosphere. Alpaga may be a high-end hotel, but it suits those who prefer a relaxed approach to finery.
