Megève Moments

Megève is a charming village, and although winter sports are an integral part of its history, culture and existence, the town’s exceptional location, and its rich local heritage, has created an all-year-round destination with altitude.

Megève enjoys a privileged location perched among geologically divergent ranges: the Mont-Blanc massif, Les Aravis, Les Fiz, and Les Aiguilles Rouges. In the space of a few kilometres, the region’s geology transforms from the impressive cliff faces of the Fiz to the meeker facades of the Aiguilles Rouges, from the dramatic Mont-Blanc glaciers to the limestone gullies of the Aravis chain. The skiing is good here, and although the altitude doesn’t help when snow is scarce, good skiing can almost always be found by going higher up a mountain.

The planning of Megève began in the late 19th century when town fathers decided to pattern themselves after the upscale Swiss resort of St Moritz. Baroness Maurice de Rothschild helped matters, when, in 1915, realising that France lacked an exclusive ski resort, she decided to help create a destination that would rival Europe’s choicest. On first seeing the Mount Arbois plateau overlooking the peaceful Savoyard village, the Baroness instantly fell in love with it. Her hotel, the Mont d’Arbois Palace has pulled in innumerable aristocrats, financiers and businesspeople since it opened in 1921, and, just over a decade later, the Baroness
pioneered modern alpine holidaymaking by introducing a cable-car which whisked skiers high up Mount Arbois to Les Mandarines.

The advantage of being located in such close proximity to Geneva made Megève famous among European travellers. A trip to the grand Swiss city can easily be followed up with a several-day retreat to Megève; and the car journey only takes an hour. Along the way, small villages line the twisty-turney mountain passes. Nearing the resort, gorgeous hotels in chalet style swing into view. All lodgings get rather busy in winter, when the tiny, population-of-5000 town doubles in numbers.Downtown Megève remains the epitome of what a charming ‘olde-worlde’ village should be; a church tower dates back to 1085, the old buildings and houses have roofs that complement the town’s castle, and windows are painted in a colourful tone that contrasts vividly with the
rest of the exteriors. Jingling horse-drawn sleighs roam the town as a boon for visitors.

Boasting a number of first rate restaurants both in town and on the slopes, quaint cafes are also easy to find. Dreamy, locally-made yoghurts, breads, chocolates and goats cheese can be consumed in either. After dark, Megève is civilised but never dull; and one of the town’s many advantages is that it is relatively untouched by laddish Brits or coach-loads of package tourists.

The shopping in Megeve is rated amongst the best in the Alps, with a number of high fashion boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries. A very well-equipped casino entices gamblers, and the Palais des Sport leisure complex allows a healthy set of après-ski options, with swimming pools, indoor tennis courts, and an international ice hockey arena.
 
By Jeerawan Duangnam

Courtesy of lifestyleandtravel.com