Megève, by a local

The unmissable sights

The neighbourhoods and hamlets to know

Megève isn't just a village centre: the resort stretches across several hamlets at different altitudes, each with its own atmosphere and crowd.

• Centre / Place du Village

  The pedestrian epicentre. Restaurants, boutiques, palace hotels, Friday market. Very lively in season, magical under the snow and lights. Practical but expensive.

• Mont d'Arbois (1,250 - 1,450 m)

  The chic neighbourhood up high, shaped by the Rothschilds. Prestige chalets, Four Seasons, Chalet du Mont d'Arbois, 18-hole golf (summer). Direct gondola access. Our favourite for a luxury stay.

• Rochebrune

  On the west side, at the foot of the historic cable car. Quieter and more residential, ski-in / ski-out access. A good price / comfort compromise.

• Demi-Quartier (1,100 m)

  Adjacent commune, more residential and affordable. Rural setting, riding stables, traditional chalets. 5 min by shuttle from the centre, ideal for families.

• Le Maz

  Small hamlet south-east of the village, quiet and wooded. A few altitude tables (Auberge du Maz), perfect for escaping the buzz while staying close.

• Hameau du Mont d'Arbois

  The most exclusive neighbourhood, around the Rothschild estate and Les Fermes de Marie. Hushed atmosphere, 5-star chalets, ski-in / ski-out access.

• Combloux (5 km)

  Neighbouring village, more authentic and family-friendly. Connected to Le Jaillet (Megève's 3rd ski area). Spectacular Mont Blanc view from the belvedere. Excellent price / setting compromise.

The best things to do

• Go up Mont d'Arbois at sunset

  Gondola from the same-name neighbourhood. 15-min ride, pink Mont Blanc panorama at day's end. L'Idéal 1850 restaurant at the top to extend the experience.

• Hot-air balloon flight over Mont Blanc

  Aerocime, departing from Praz-sur-Arly (10 min from Megève). Take-off at dawn, 1h flight facing the massif. €350. The region's most memorable experience.

• Horse-drawn carriage ride through the village

  Carriages in season from Place du Village. 30 min under snowy firs. Romantic in winter, with that 1920s resort vibe. €50-80.

• Walk the Calvaire at dawn

  30 min climb from the centre, 15 oratories, panoramic view. Free, crowd-free, contemplative. Our favourite morning ritual.

• A day of skiing on Évasion Mont-Blanc

  445 km of pistes linking Megève, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce and Les Contamines. Single pass, vast domain, continuous Mont Blanc view.

• Husky sledding at Mont d'Arbois

  Several providers (Evasion Nordique). 1h or half-day initiation with driving. An authentic Nordic experience.

• 18-hole golf at Mont d'Arbois (summer)

  Iconic course laid out by the Rothschilds in the 1960s. Mont Blanc view from every hole. Elegant clubhouse, quality restaurant. Green fee €130-180.

• Tandem paragliding from Cote 2000

  Take-off from the Rochebrune summit, landing at Praz-sur-Arly. 20-min flight facing Mont Blanc. €130-160. Several local schools.

• Palace spa for a half-day

  Les Fermes de Marie, Four Seasons or Le Mont-Blanc. Day access €100-180 depending on palace. Our pick: Pure Altitude at Les Fermes de Marie.

Our favourite walks

• Mont d'Arbois plateau

  Easy stroll from the gondola top, flat marked trails, continuous Mont Blanc view. 1-2h depending on loop. Ideal for families, in summer and winter (snowshoe trails).

• Le Calvaire

  Stations-of-the-cross from the centre, 30 min shaded ascent, 15 oratories + 3 chapels. 1h round-trip loop. Our signature morning walk.

• Lac de Javen from Le Jaillet

  From the Le Jaillet gondola top, 1h30 walk to the small alpine lake. Peaceful setting, refuge nearby.

• Croix des Salles (1,705 m)

  From Le Jaillet or on foot from Combloux. 2h up, exceptional Mont Blanc panorama. Marked trail, accessible summer and in snowshoes in winter.

• Le Christomet (1,853 m)

  Fine ascent from Le Jaillet or Combloux. 2h30 climb, panoramic summit over Megève and the range. For regular hikers.

• Mont Joly (2,525 m)

  The local summit par excellence. Ascent from Mont d'Arbois (4h round trip) or Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce. Unique 360° view onto Mont Blanc. For experienced hikers.

• Pettoreaux loop

  Small family walk from the centre, 1h through woods, stream and footbridges. Ideal with young children.

• Crête trail (Mont d'Arbois → Rochebrune)

  Traverse between the two ski areas, 3h balcony walk with continuous view. Possible on snowshoes in winter. A proper day out.

Savoyard specialities to taste

• Tartiflette

  Potatoes, lardons, onions and a whole reblochon melted on top. The Savoyard staple, to taste in a real traditional inn.

• Fondue savoyarde

  Beaufort + Comté + Emmental, Apremont white wine. A sociable dish to share after a day on the slopes.

• Raclette

  Half wheel of cheese, scraped onto steamed potatoes and charcuterie. The ultimate winter ritual.

• Diots de Savoie

  Savoyard sausages simmered in white wine and onions. Often served with creamy polenta or crozets.

• Croziflette

  Tartiflette variant made with crozets (small buckwheat squares) instead of potatoes. A lesser-known regional speciality.

• Farçon savoyard

  Grated potatoes, lardons, prunes and eggs slow-baked for hours. An ancient peasant dish, rich and hearty.

• Croûte aux morilles

  Toasted country bread with morel and vin jaune cream sauce. The smart Savoyard bistro special.

• Farmhouse Reblochon AOP

  Iconic cheese from the nearby Aravis. Best at room temperature, never chilled.

• Beaufort AOP

  The « prince of gruyères ». Aged 12-18 months, perfect to round off a meal with a light red.

• Savoyard bugnes

  Small fritters traditionally enjoyed in winter, especially at Carnival. Dusted with icing sugar.

• Savoie wines

  Roussette, Apremont, Mondeuse. Crisp and mineral, perfect with melted cheese and local charcuterie.

Restaurants by mood and budget

Cafés, chocolatiers and tea rooms

Great bars

• Le Cocon (Mont-Blanc bar)

  Historic, hushed bar in the Mont-Blanc palace. Classic cocktails, jazz-lounge atmosphere, pianist on some evenings. For an elegant night out.

• J's Bar (at Les Fermes de Marie)

  Modern, creative cocktail bar, sharp mixology, chic and relaxed atmosphere. One of the village's best cocktail addresses.

• Le Big Rock Café

  Megève's cult après-ski. Live concerts, beers, international crowd. Packed from 5pm in season.

• Palo Alto

  The resort's legendary disco-bar, DJ programming, festive atmosphere. The reference for late nights.

• Le Cinq (Four Seasons)

  Upscale cocktail bar inside the palace, hushed atmosphere, sophisticated menu. For an exceptional evening.

• Le Caribou Club

  Festive bar and lifestyle venue, themed nights and brunches. A buzzy address for several seasons running.

• Le Boudoir (Cœur de Megève)

  Intimate lounge bar at the Cœur de Megève hotel. Cocktails, hushed atmosphere, ideal as a couple.

Panoramic terraces

Megève doesn't have urban rooftops — chalet architecture forbids it. Instead, several altitude terraces offer exceptional panoramas onto Mont Blanc.

• L'Idéal 1850 (Mont d'Arbois)

  Altitude terrace at 1,850 m, direct view onto Mont Blanc. Sunny lunches, deck chairs in summer, magical in snowy winter.

• La Sauvageonne (Côte 2000)

  Sibuet's altitude terrace, full south, open view. Luxury brasserie, chic ski atmosphere. Lunch is the best time.

• La Taverne du Mont d'Arbois

  More authentic terrace on the plateau, panoramic Mont Blanc view, generous food. Very popular at midday.

• Terrace at Cœur de Megève (centre)

  On Place du Village, flowered terrace facing the church. For an early-evening coffee or cocktail.

• La Côte 2000 restaurant (Rochebrune)

  At the cable car top, full-south terrace, seasonal cuisine. Exceptional view onto the range.

• Four Seasons terrace

  More discreet, palace atmosphere, partial view of the massif. For afternoon tea or a hushed aperitif.

Nightlife

• Palo Alto

  Megève's iconic disco for decades. DJ nights, festive atmosphere, international crowd. Open until 4-5am in season.

• Le Big Rock Café

  Live concerts every evening in season, après-ski that goes on for hours. A classic way to start the night.

• Le Caribou Club

  Festive bar and venue, themed nights and DJs. One to watch for events.

• Le Cinq (Four Seasons)

  Palace bar for an elegant late evening with signature cocktails.

• J's Bar (Les Fermes de Marie)

  For lovers of sharp mixology, polished and hushed atmosphere.

Good to know: Megève remains a family-friendly and chic resort — nightlife is more hushed than at Val Thorens or Tignes. For full-on club nights, head to Annecy (1h) or Geneva (1h).

Markets

• Friday morning market (Place du Village)

  The week's unmissable event. Local producers: cheeses, charcuterie, honey, breads, Savoie wines. 8am to 1pm. The Megevans' weekly ritual.

• Christmas market

  December. Wooden chalets around the village, mulled wine, crafts, illuminations. Magical with Mont Blanc as backdrop.

• Combloux market

  Wednesday morning. Smaller, more authentic, village vibe. Ideal for quieter chalet shopping.

• Megève agricultural fair (autumn)

  Annual event showcasing local livestock and alpage cheeses. Demonstrations, tastings, rural atmosphere.

Unique activities

• Hot-air balloon flight (Aerocime)

  Dawn take-off from Praz-sur-Arly, 1h flight facing Mont Blanc, champagne brunch on landing. €350. Unforgettable.

• Husky sledding

  Several providers at Mont d'Arbois. Driving initiation, ride through snowy forest. 1h or half-day. Magical in winter.

• Horse-drawn carriage in the village (winter)

  30-min tour under snowy firs. Romantic as a couple, magical with the family. Departure from Place du Village. €50-80.

• Snowscoot and snowkite

  Alternative disciplines on the ski area, specialist schools. For original-glide enthusiasts.

• Biathlon (Nordic centre)

  Shooting and cross-country ski initiation at La Livraz. Feel the Olympic experience. Professional instruction.

• Tandem paragliding from Cote 2000

  Take-off from Rochebrune, landing at Praz-sur-Arly. 20-min flight facing Mont Blanc. €130-160.

• 18-hole golf at Mont d'Arbois (summer)

  Iconic Rothschild course set in alpine pastures. Green fee €130-180. Exceptional setting, elegant clubhouse.

• Palace spa half-day

  Pure Altitude at Les Fermes de Marie, Four Seasons spa, or Le Mont-Blanc. €100-180 a day depending on address.

• Mont d'Arbois tennis (summer)

  Altitude courts, Mont Blanc view, club atmosphere. Booking recommended.

• Cross-country skiing on the La Livraz plateau

  Marked trails for all levels, on-site rental. A gentle, accessible activity.

Outings by profile

Where to buy real souvenirs (not magnets)

• Chocolaterie Lac (rue Charles Feige)

  The institution since 1957. Chocolates, truffles, génépi ganaches. Megève's gourmet souvenir par excellence.

• Trésom (Place du Village)

  Truffles, chocolates, local génépi, artisan confectionery. Small reference boutique for gifts.

• Maison du Bonnet

  Hats, scarves and wool accessories made in Savoie. The warm, authentic souvenir.

• Local cheesemonger

  Several good addresses in the village. Reblochon AOP, Beaufort, tomme de Savoie, vacuum packing available.

• Maison Brun (wines and spirits)

  Reference wine shop, sharp selection of Savoie wines and artisan génépis.

• Art gallery (Place du Village)

  Several galleries show paintings, etchings and mountain photography. For an exceptional souvenir.

• Antique dealers on rue Charles Feige

  Old Savoyard furniture, mountain objects, etchings. For lovers of alpine heritage.

• Local bookshop

  Aravis and Mont Blanc hiking topo-guides, art books on Megève, historic photographs of the resort.

Local products to take home

• Farmhouse Reblochon AOP

  Iconic cheese from the nearby Aravis. Keep cold, vacuum-pack available at any cheesemonger.

• Alpage Beaufort AOP

  Hard cheese, travels very well for weeks. Aged 12-18 months for the connoisseurs.

• Alpine génépi

  Iconic Alps liqueur. Trésom, Distillerie des Alpes or Maison Brun. Hold luggage only.

• Chocolats Lac

  Ganaches, truffles and tablets. Smart gift box, alcohol-free options possible for carry-on.

• Mountain honey

  Floral, rhododendron or fir. Local producers at the Friday market. Hold luggage (liquids).

• Mountain dry sausage

  Valley charcutiers. Perfect in carry-on.

• Bottle of Mondeuse or Apremont

  Savoie wine. Hold luggage only.

• Tomme de Savoie or Beauges

  Uncooked pressed cheese, travels well. Take out 30 min before tasting.

• Aravis or Mont Blanc hiking topo-guide

  To plan your next visit. From the local bookshop.

Getting around — practical tips

• Le Magic Bus (free shuttle)

  Free shuttles serving the centre, the lift bases (Mont d'Arbois, Rochebrune, Le Jaillet) and the main hamlets. Every 10-20 min in season.

• On foot in the centre

  The village is pedestrian and compact. Most restaurants, shops and hotels are within a 5-10 min walk.

• Mont-Blanc Express train from Saint-Gervais

  Panoramic railway from Saint-Gervais to Vallorcine (Chamonix). 35 min to Chamonix. A lovely day excursion.

• From Geneva airport (1h)

  The nearest airport. Direct shuttles (Mountain Drop-Offs, Alpybus) or private taxi. €70-100 for a shared shuttle, €200-250 for private.

• From Annecy (1h15)

  By car via the A40, Sallanches exit. No direct train link, seasonal shuttles possible.

• Car on the spot

  Useful for Combloux, Praz-sur-Arly, Saint-Gervais. Paid underground car parks in the village (€10-15 a day). Prefer the free shuttle.

• Horse-drawn carriages

  Romantic transport between Place du Village and the central hotels. 30 min, €50-80. More experience than utility.

• Évasion Mont-Blanc lift pass

  Single pass for the 445 km of pistes (Megève, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Nicolas, Les Contamines). Better value than Megève alone if you ski 3+ days.

Mistakes to avoid

• Confusing Megève and Saint-Gervais

  Saint-Gervais is downhill, better known for its thermal spa and the Mont-Blanc Express line. Megève sits up on the plateau at 1,100 m, a chic village-resort. Two completely different vibes.

• Booking Flocons de Sel at the last minute

  Emmanuel Renaut's 3-star is fully booked 2-3 months ahead in season. If it's on your bucket list, book as soon as your trip is confirmed.

• Coming between Christmas and New Year unprepared

  The most expensive and crowded period: accommodation +50-100%, restaurants saturated, packed slopes. Prefer January off-school-holidays or March.

• Wearing only town shoes

  Even in the village, cobbled streets can be slippery and snowy in winter. Bring boots or shoes with soft cleats.

• Underestimating mountain weather

  Altitude fog, sudden snowfalls even in April. Always carry windbreaker + fleece in your bag.

• Eating « savoyard » every night

  Daily melted cheese = heavy digestion. Alternate with brasseries, Italian (Itaco), Beef Lodge or lighter altitude cuisine.

• Parking in the centre

  Paid underground car parks €10-15/day. Better to leave the car at your district car park and take the free Magic Bus.

• Confusing Le Cocon (bar) and Le Cocon (tea room)

  Two distinct venues. The bar is in the Mont-Blanc hotel (hushed cocktails), the tea room is more casual. Be specific when asking.

• Skiing only Megève when you have the Évasion pass

  Évasion Mont-Blanc connects 4 resorts over 445 km. Explore Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce and its Baroque church, or quieter Les Contamines.

Insider tips from Megevans

• Free guest card

  Ask your host. Grants free Magic Bus access, discounts on certain activities and discounted Mont-Blanc Express train fares.

• Mont d'Arbois at sunset

  Last gondola at day's end, pink Mont Blanc panorama. Far less crowded than at midday. Magical in snowy winter.

• Friday market at 9am, not 11am

  Before the crowd. The best producers sell their finest pieces early — alpage cheeses, fresh charcuterie, warm bread.

• Shoulder seasons = May-June and September-October

  Often magnificent weather, accommodation -30 to -50%, no crowds. Ideal for hiking and enjoying the village at peace.

• Combloux to escape Megève

  5 km by shuttle or car, more authentic neighbouring village, spectacular Mont Blanc view, cheaper restaurants.

• Lunch at L'Idéal 1850 rather than dinner

  More accessible, exceptional light on Mont Blanc, full-sun terrace. Dinner stays reserved for major occasions.

• Palace spa day access

  Several palaces (Les Fermes de Marie, Mont-Blanc, Four Seasons) sell spa access without staying: €100-180. Far cheaper than a night.

• Praz-sur-Arly to stay

  10 min from Megève, neighbouring resort more affordable (-30 to -40% on accommodation), seasonal shuttle, more family vibe.

• Calvaire trail at dawn

  Free, no crowds, magnificent view of the village in the rising sun. Our favourite morning ritual, all seasons.

Suggested itineraries

Megève is best savoured: the resort sets its own elegant pace, its seasons, its rituals. Take time to stroll across Place du Village, look up at Mont Blanc, taste the very best of mountain cuisine. And if you need advice during your stay — a last-minute restaurant, an altitude activity, ski conditions — our SmartStay team is reachable seven days a week.

Enjoy Megève — and don't forget to take time for a hot chocolate at Lac at least once during your stay.