The town of Megève in Haute-Savoie is world famous for its ski area. It is also a popular destination all year round thanks to its many tourist activities.
An eclectic and multi-faceted destination
This small town in the Mont Blanc region, close to Chamonix, is highly appreciated for the quality of its cultural events. Important sporting events punctuate the year and the quality of the gastronomic restaurants on its soil is widely recognised. Its proximity to the town of Chamonix makes it possible to discover Italy through the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Geographically, this town is located at the intersection of three Alpine massifs: the Aravis chain, the Giffre massif and the Beaufortin massif. It is therefore natural that in winter, the winter sports resort of Megève offers more than 300 km of slopes with 88 ski lifts in total. The town has a special elegance all year round thanks to its luxury hotels, designer boutiques and the quality of its public facilities.
Several prestigious cultural and sporting events attract large audiences: the Snow Golf Cup, snow polo competitions, the Megève equestrian jumping and a renowned jazz and blues festival.
Discover the village’s heritage
The centre of Megève is made up of narrow streets dating back to the Middle Ages which allow you to wander around and discover the magnificent Tour du Prieuré, the Tour Magdelain and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church. These monuments bear witness to the rich history of this Alpine town, as does the beautiful sundial in the main square. Away from the town centre, you can follow several signposted paths to discover the Calvary and its fourteen oratory chapels. The Roman milestone at the Col de Jaillet is a witness to the ancient period.
The Haut Val d’Arly museum
This place presents an authentic farm of the 19th century by plunging you into the simple and rough life of the mountain dwellers of this time. The different rooms of a traditional house and everyday objects are evidence of human agricultural activity. It is located at 88 rue du Dr Charles Socquet. Price: 3.50 € for adults and 2.80 € for children.
Sporting ideas
There are many activities to choose from when choosing this holiday destination.
L’Espace Aquatique
For year-round swimming, the aquatic centre includes an Olympic swimming pool, two paddling pools, an aqua playground, large slides with an outdoor pool.
The Martinet climbing site
The Martinet climbing site offers a complete range of equipment for young and old alike. Moreover, it is located in the city centre. We recommend it for an introduction to climbing.
Play the game “The sources of the forgotten goddess
This adventure game takes place in the Calvary area and lasts for 1.5 hours. It requires a free download of the application. The game starts in front of the tourist office.
Via ferrata
Climb the Via Ferrata of Megève, this course allows you to move on a rock thanks to the equipment installed: monkey bridge and footbridges. This service is offered by the Megève guide bureau.
Megève Nature Trail
For running enthusiasts, the Megève Nature Trail is a demanding race held at the end of each July. The organisers offer 8km, 16km, 30km and 44km races as well as races for children. The events are held at the end of July over two days.
Fishing in Megève
Fishing enthusiasts can take advantage of the many nearby rivers such as the Foron, the Raut, and the Glapet. Lake Javen is also popular with holiday anglers. The Megève Guide Bureau can point out interesting little-known places.
Cycling races
Finally, Megève organises two major cycle races each year: the Megève Mont-Blanc-Cycling and the MB race. The Megève Mont-Blanc-Cycling takes place in mid-June each year. The MB race is a particularly demanding mountain bike race. It takes place at the beginning of July.
The panoramic playground
If you want to keep your children happy during your holidays, the panoramic playground of Megève is a must. Access is via the Jaillet cable car. The area is free, but you need a pass to take the cable car. Many games are available: bouncy castle, trampoline, climbing structure, big air bag and swings. There is also a picnic area for sunbathing. Open from 8/4 to 31/08. Address: 821, route de la Télécabine du Jaillet, 74120 Megève
Megève market
This market, which gives pride of place to local producers, allows you to taste the cheese specialities of Haute-Savoie, the local charcuterie, but also the market garden production according to the seasons. It is located at the Palais des Sports and is open every Friday from 8 am to 1 pm.
Public transport and access
The town of Megève offers a variety of public transport options:
- The Meg Bus shuttles which link the main tourist sites of the town with two lines in summer and double in winter.
- To visit the Mont Blanc region, the Montenbus shuttle serves the 10 neighbouring communes.
- For a magical family experience, we recommend a tour of the town in a horse-drawn carriage. You can choose between different itineraries. This service is open all year round from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm.
- You can also rent a bicycle to discover the surrounding area using the many signposted paths.
To reach Megève, different solutions exist:
- By TGV to Sallanches then by bus.
- By car from the north on the A40 motorway to Sallanches and then by road. From the south, take the A43 motorway to Albertville and then by road.
- By plane, the two nearest airports are Lyon-Saint-Exupéry and Geneva-Cointrin.
Town hall and tourist office
For your holidays, these two administrative services will give you many ideas for activities:
Megève Town Hall: 185 route du Jaillet open from 8am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm, except at weekends. Official website.
Megève Tourist Office: 70 rue Mgr Conseil open from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm, except at weekends. Official website.
