Travel & Leisure


Chic cocooning in Megève

A bell tower emerging from the snow covered rooftops, sleighs gliding along to the sound of bells and horse hooves: in the winter, Megève seems like something straight out of an Austrian operetta. Nestled in between the curves of the Mont d’Arbois and the Jaillet, the village looks out on the Mont-Blanc imposing its immaculate grandeur. In the heart of the MontBlanc country, Megève has chosen to play on comfort and a kind of cosy art de vivre. From Rothschild resort, a touch stuffy, asserted competitor to Saint Moritz, Megève has become a refined village in the mountains. A place where luxury brands are discreet in their cute little boutiques near the church and where TV reality stars are replaced by true jet setters.

On piste


While a chic and charming resort, Megève is also a hotspot for skiing. Although its terrain does not reach exceptionally high altitudes, it offers a nice diversity and assures enjoyment for skiers of all levels. The 137 pistes totalling 320 km are set in beautiful scenery. Here, you will often find yourself skiing among pine trees, a real treat. Olympic medallist and many times World champion, Emile Allais brought Megève into the limelight over 70 years ago. In fact it is on a piste named after him, “la Emile Allais” that two members of the famous Duvillard family, Adrien and Henri, distinguished themselves 9 years apart. Today, two talented skiers, both a part of Team Megève, have taken over; Stéphane Tissot, 6th world slalom skier in 2006 and Valentine Scuotto who won the World Cup of Ski cross in 2003.

Horseback


For 15 years, the Megève Polo Masters on snow organised by Jean-Yves Delfosse has been one of the highlights of polo season. A truly spectacular moment.

Restaurants


Flocons de Sel. Emmanuel Renaut, ex sous-chef to Marc Veyrat, has proven time and again that he deserves the two stars awarded to him by the Michelin guide. Before tasting his cuisine, discover it through photos and 52 recipes is his new book “Mountain and the Chef”, an Aurabel publication.
The Crystobald. New restaurant of Thierry Negron.
Babotch. Korean cuisine (!) on the slopes of the Rochebrune terrain.

Top hotels


Les Fermes de Marie


Authentic wooden Savoy farms, dismantled and reassembled in duplicate by Jean-Louis Sibuet on the Riante Collinte terrain at the foot of the village. A concept that has multiplied… When Savoy looks out on Austria and the Gemütlichkeit.

The Hotel Mont-Blanc


Light wood on the walls, harmonious blend of English, Austrian and Savoy influences in the décor, furniture that puts Catherine Navarro’s “Désio” armchairs next to local antique rustic tables. The Bar and two suites are named after Jean Cocteau who decorated the walls of “Les Enfants Terribles”.

The Chalet du Mont d’Arbois


Built by the baroness Noémie de Rothschild in 1922 on the Mont d’Arbois, this Relais & Châteaux displays a certain air of respectability that appeals to the clientele. Excellent “classic” restaurants. For a luminous atmosphere, we make our way to the Chalet Alice and its nice suites.

Mars 2010
By Christian-Luc PARISON

www.megeve.com


Les Fermes de Marie
04 50 93 03 10
www.fermesdemarie.com 

Hotel Mont Blanc
01 78 94 90 40
www.hotelmontblanc.com 

The Chalet du Mont d’Arbois
04 50 21 25 03
www.domainedumontdarbois.com