Megeve is a resort which offers so much more than just skiing in the winter months. The resort became popular when the Rothschild family decided to try somewhere different to their annual ski holiday in St Moritz. Since then, the sleepy little farming town has grown significantly and is now being recognised as a year round luxury Alps holiday destination.
So, what draws people to Megeve in the summer? During summer in Megeve, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities, but which are most likely to get the adrenaline pumping through your body? You could choose from paragliding, via ferrata or rock climbing to name but a few activities.
Having just got back from this beautiful resort myself, here is my list of the top 5 things to experience in Megeve in summer…
Enjoy an adrenaline fuelled activity
My trip to Megeve was with Alps in Luxury Director, Andy. As part of our stay, we had been invited by Megeve Tourism to participate in an electric mountain biking tour. I have been to the Alps in the summer before and have seen people going up the mountain using the ski lifts so I quite liked the idea of getting a ski lift up and then mountain biking back down. It was only once we set off that I quickly realised that our guide Bernard (who was in his late 60’s I might add) had no intention of taking the ski lifts…instead, we would be cycling up the ski slopes. Cue the big gulp from me. I do a lot of cycling in the UK but I usually go out of my way to avoid going uphill. I prefer flat terrain and downhill sections. The electric mountain bikes were amazing, they release a small amount of power when you turn the crank, you still have to do the work, it just makes it easier for you.
By the time we arrived near the top I was exhausted. With a 4am start to catch our flight out to Megeve and a lack of lunch playing heavy on my mind, we finally came to the point that I had been looking forward to all afternoon, the downhill section. This is where I came into my own. Climbing up the mountain I had been left in Andy’s wake. On the way down however I let momentum kick in and blasted my way down the hill. My excuse for lagging behind on the way up was that I am unfit. Andy’s excuse for not being as fast on the way down was, “A pebble came up in the air and slightly brushed my shin which made me panic and flustered”. OK, so that is what I heard but I think it was more along the lines of “I had to stop because a mini boulder flew up and smashed into my shin!”.
One thing is for sure, an Electric Mountain bike tour is an amazing experience. We went up the Jaillet side of the resort towards Combloux and then explored the tracks around this area but there are many other great routes to explore. We recommend getting a guide as we did. Bernard knew the trails like the back of his hand and advised us how to use the bikes to their full potential. The bikes were rented from Pelloux Sports in the centre of Megeve. The team in there were super friendly and helpful and their bikes looked brand new.
See the Mountains of Megeve from the Sky
The beautiful rolling hills of Megeve blend seamlessly into the more rugged terrain of the neighbouring Aravis and Mont Blanc mountain ranges. This stunning scenery is best experienced from the sky.
There are a number of choices of how you can experience the area from above such as a helicopter tour or by paragliding. When Andy went to Megeve a couple of years ago though, his aerial explorer of choice was a small plane. The plane took off from the Altiport which is found just above the popular Mont d’Arbois area of Megeve in Cote 2000.
On the flight he explored the full Mont Blanc mountain range including Megeve, Saint Gervais, Les Houches, Chamonix, La Vallee Blanche and much more. This tour took in beautiful peaks but the most stunning part was flying over Les Glaciers des Bossons so low that you could practically touch the ice beneath. Be sure to take your camera with you so that you can treasure the images for years to come. The experience is run by a great company called Aérocime tour. Check them out!!
Enjoy the facilities at Le Palais Sports Centre
Although most of the time, the weather in Megeve in the summer is fantastic but if, like Andy and I did, you turn up and the clouds are low and there is a bit of rain in the sky, don’t worry as in the centre of Megeve is a new multi-million Euro development called Le Palais.
Le Palais is an enormous entertainment complex. The facilities include but are not limited to a climbing wall, a heated outdoor thermal pool, an Olympic sized outdoor pool, an ice hockey rink, a curling rink, an indoor kids pool, saunas, hammam’s, tennis courts, table tennis tables and even a parkour street running course. There are loads of great activities to keep the whole family entertained on your summer holiday in Megeve.
Explore the charms of Megeve Village
The centre of Megeve is beautiful. Picture narrow car free cobbled streets with horse drawn carriages breaking the crowds. The main focal point in Megeve is the main square which can be seen in the image above. The Eglise Saint Jean-Baptiste church stands elegantly over the rest of the town centre. You can visit the church free of charge and once inside you can marvel at the beautiful paintings by Italian artist Mucengo that line the vaulted ceilings.
Also in Megeve, you have a choice of designer clothes shops, boutiques, tourist shops and also great deli’s. During our stay, Andy and I were sure to pick up the smelliest of French cheeses. Fortunately for everyone else on our flight on the way home, they vacuum packed them for us. Also in the streets of Megeve you have a number of bars with terraces leading out on the streets where you can sit in the afternoon sun and watch as people go about their daily routines.
Megeve has a number of amazing restaurants and bars. One evening we enjoyed some French Tapas at Comme Chez Soi. The meats, cheese and breads were all delicious but the Escargot (snails) cooked in a garlic butter went down particularly well. Yummy!!
Stay in one of Megeve’s Luxury Summer Chalets
When going to Megeve on a summer holiday, you are going to want to stay somewhere luxurious but homely. A luxury chalet in Megeve offers you exactly that opportunity. Here are a couple of options perfect for your luxury summer holiday in Megeve.
Chalet Racing
Chalet Racing is a modern chalet, not far from the centre of Megeve. The chalet combines quirky artwork, handpicked by the Artist owner, with great facilities. The chalet has a wellness area which includes a gym, sauna, hammam and hot tub. The main feature of the summer chalet in Megeve though has to be the outdoor swimming pool which backs on to fields. It is the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring Megeve. The chalet can sleep up to 12 people in 3 twin/double bedrooms and 2 bunk bedrooms each of which sleep 3 people.
Chalet Blackstone
If you’re looking for a large chalet in the centre of Megeve for your next summer holiday then you should definitely consider Chalet Blackstone. This large, modern chalet can sleep up to 16 people in 7 bedrooms and comes with all the facilities you would expect of a luxury summer chalet in Megeve. In Chalet Blackstone you are spoilt in terms of wellness facilities. You have an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room and an outdoor hot tub. The main draw of this property though has to be its position. The chalet is found in the heart of the old town of Megeve, practically within touching distance of the resorts many shops, bars and restaurants.
So there we have it, 5 of the best things to experience during your summer holiday in Megeve. This is just a small snippet of the activities and experiences that you can enjoy. Andy and I had a great time in the resort, we got to see lots of great luxury chalets in Megeve and we indulged in lots of amazing food….some of it gourmet and some of it not so gourmet. Check out the enormous cheesy burger below from the incorrectly named OK Burger. They were definitely far better than just “OK”!
If reading this has given you the urge to experience this beautiful mountain region and resort then get in touch. We would love to share more of our experiences with you. We’d love to offer you personal tips and of course help you find the perfect luxury chalet. You can give us a call on +44 (0) 1202 203 659 or you can send us an email.
