After the golden glow of Megève in autumn fades and the first snowflakes settle on the rooftops, the village transforms once again. Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc, Megève embodies the rare balance between heritage and modern refinement.
More than a ski resort, it’s a living village with a soul — where cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and medieval steeples coexist with Michelin-starred cuisine, art galleries, and boutique chalets.
Each winter, Megève becomes a glittering alpine stage, where tradition, gastronomy, and adventure come together in perfect harmony.
Where is Megève
Megève is located in France, in the Haute-Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, close to the border with Switzerland and Italy. The village sits at an altitude of 1,113 metres, just over an hour’s drive from Geneva, and about two hours from Chambéry or Lyon.
Set within the Mont Blanc massif, Megève offers spectacular mountain scenery and easy access to the Evasion Mont-Blanc ski area, one of the largest interconnected ski domains in the French Alps.
Its location makes it a perfect base for exploring both the French and Swiss Alps — ideal for travellers who love mountain photography or scenic drives. For more inspiration, don’t miss our story on photo hunting in the Swiss Alps, capturing the light, landscapes, and hidden villages just across the border.
A Village with a Heartbeat
Founded in the 1920s by the Rothschild family as France’s answer to St. Moritz, Megève has never lost its elegance — but unlike its glitzier counterparts, it remains profoundly human. The village is alive all year round, its pedestrianised centre filled with cafés, artisan boutiques, and families enjoying the mountain air.
With over 37,000 tourist beds and 125 restaurants and bars, Megève feels both vibrant and intimate. Its altitude (1,113 m) ensures a gentle climate and snow-sure conditions, while the Evasion Mont-Blanc ski area offers 400 km of slopes — an extensive playground for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Skiing with Soul
Skiing in Megève is less about chasing records and more about enjoying the journey: the Evasion Mont-Blanc pass connects to Saint-Gervais, Combloux, Les Contamines and even the legendary slopes of Chamonix — offering breathtaking views of Mont Blanc from every turn. For those who’d like to explore the Italian side of the mountain, Entrèves and Courmayeur make an easy day trip through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, where you can discover another perspective of this iconic massif.
Families are particularly well catered for. Children can take their first turns in ski schools run by multi-generational instructors, such as the Viallet family, whose love for the sport has been passed down for decades. Skiing here is not just a sport — it’s part of local life, a shared heritage that unites generations.
Mountain Cuisine: Between Heritage and Innovation
Megève’s culinary scene is one of the richest in the Alps: from cosy mountain bistros to world-renowned dining rooms, gastronomy here celebrates the region’s terroir with flair and creativity.
At Flocons de Sel, perched above the village, Emmanuel and Kristine Renaut have created a refuge of refined simplicity. Their three-Michelin-starred restaurant offers dishes inspired by the rhythm of the seasons — lake fish, wild herbs, and vegetables from the chef’s own garden — a true dialogue between nature and cuisine.
In the heart of the village, Julien Gatillon has recently earned his first Michelin star for VOUS, a 14-seat bar-style restaurant where contemporary French gastronomy meets Alpine roots. Meanwhile, the Héritage restaurant at the Chalets du Mont d’Arbois offers convivial mountain cuisine by Marc-Henri Mazure, blending tradition and creativity with warmth and generosity.
Whether you dine by candlelight in a Michelin-starred venue or enjoy fondue in a rustic chalet, every meal in Megève feels like a celebration of authenticity and sharing.
Art, Style, and Alpine Culture
Art has always been part of Megève’s DNA. The village’s 17 art galleries and exhibitions give voice to both classical and contemporary creators. The Edith Allard Modern & Contemporary Arts Centre currently pays tribute to sculptor Pierre Margara, whose works capture the spirit of the mountains in marble and bronze.
Elsewhere, galleries such as Daltra and Harmattan bring colour and imagination to the streets, while local artists like Manuela Rossi reinterpret the forms and materials of Haute-Savoie architecture through sculpture and design.
Fashion, too, has deep roots here. Maison AAllard, founded in 1926, still produces made-to-measure garments in Megève — including the original ski trousers created for champion Émile Allais. A century later, the house remains a symbol of craftsmanship, independence, and timeless style.
Stay in Style
Megève’s accommodation is as diverse as its visitors — from five-star retreats to charming chalets filled with Alpine soul.
The Lodge Park Hotel, by the Sibuet family, has recently completed a full renovation, combining trapper chic with private-club elegance.
Nearby, the Saint-Georges Hotel has been entirely redesigned by British artist Luke Edward Hall, bringing a playful touch of English eccentricity to the Alps — think tartan, vintage wallpaper, and mountain-inspired murals.
For a more intimate stay, the La Ferme du Golf, owned by the Rothschild family, offers 18 rooms where each tells a story — from the vineyards of New Zealand to the honey farms of Savoie.
Experiences Beyond the Slopes
Winter in Megève isn’t just about skiing: the village pulses with creativity and conviviality. Families can visit Bécassine, a toy shop that’s delighted generations of children, or explore Scarlett, a concept bookstore blending literature, design, and vintage finds.
Adventurers can take on the snow-covered treetop adventure park at Cote 2000 — an exhilarating course high among the pines, open even in winter. And for evening entertainment, new venues like Maison Mercredi and The Rabbit Hole offer stylish spaces to meet locals and enjoy the après-ski spirit.
You can also glide across the two Megève ice rinks — one indoor and one outdoor — where locals and visitors gather beneath the lights to skate, laugh, and soak up the festive mountain atmosphere.
Events that Sparkle
Megève’s calendar glows as brightly as its Christmas lights — quite literally. Every December, the lighting of the 20-metre Christmas tree, created in partnership with jeweller Messika, turns the village square into a glittering alpine fairy tale.
Other highlights include the L’Élégance a du Cœur event, blending fine automobiles and charity for children, the Back to Back freestyle festival celebrating ski culture and urban art, and the Classiquicime music festival, which brings classical and hip-hop interpretations of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to the mountains.
Getting There
Megève is easily accessible by road, rail, or air. The nearest international gateway is Geneva Airport (1 hour drive), with frequent transfers available year-round. Chambéry and Lyon airports are also within three hours.
From Paris, high-speed TGV trains reach Sallanches station in just over five hours, with direct shuttles to the village.
If you’re planning a road trip through the Alps, Megève can be combined with nearby mountain regions across the border — such as a weekend in the Alps in Piedmont or the Italian side of Mont Blanc in Courmayeur — for a scenic multi-country adventure.
Plan Your Trip
- Ski Area: Evasion Mont-Blanc – 400 km of slopes across 6 resorts
- Lift Pass: 6-day adult €480 / child or senior €408
- Altitude: Village 1,113 m | Top of ski area 2,487 m
- Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, wellness spas, cultural events
- Website: megeve-tourisme.fr
The Spirit of Megève
Megève’s magic lies in its balance — between heritage and innovation, simplicity and sophistication, adventure and serenity. It’s a place where every snowflake seems to carry a story, where family traditions meet avant-garde design, and where visitors are invited not just to ski, but to live the mountains.
Under the gaze of Mont Blanc, Megève continues to embody the art of living well in winter — with elegance, authenticity, and heart.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
