Looking to spend a winter weekend in the French Alps? Look no further than the charming town of Megeve, France! In this guide, I share all the top things to do in Megeve, plus where to dine and stay, as well as what to pack for the winter.
I absolutely adore visiting Europe and usually spend at least a month there every year! Typically, I like to go in the summer because Europe knows how to summer like no where else — beautiful beach clubs, sparkling turquoise waters, epic boat days, and bottomless rose is pretty hard to beat!
But, growing up in the south of France, we would often ski in the French Alps so I was yearning to go back for a winter visit as an adult! While in France on a wedding planning trip last February, we decided to tack on a few days to spend in the charming mountain town of Megeve, France. And, it turns out winter in France can be just as magical as the summertime.
Here is the ultimate winter weekend guide to Megeve, France!
About Megeve
Megeve is a quaint and picturesque ski resort town located in the world-renowned French Alps, in southeastern France. It’s known for its stunning Alpine scenery, historic village center, and world-class skiing facilities.
Home to luxury hotels, high-end boutiques, and Michelin rated restaurants, Megeve is an upscale resort town with a authentically charming vibe. It’s a popular getaway for couples and groups of friends, as well as families.
How to Get to Megeve
Megeve is easily accessible by car and Geneva International Airport is the nearest major airport — about an hour’s drive. From Lyon, the drive is about 2.5 hours, and from Paris, it’s a 6 hour drive.
We drove from the coast in the south of France, and the drive was a pretty easy 4.5 hours from Marseille.
It’s also possible to take the train, and the closest station is Sallanches—Combloux—Megève train station, which is about 20 minutes from Megeve.
There are direct trains from Paris to Sallanches at weekends, while a change in Annecy is required during the week. There are also direct trains to Sallanches from Geneva, where you have to change if you are coming from Milan
The Best Time to Visit Megeve
Megeve is truly a year-round destination that combines the beauty of the French Alps with the charm of an alpine village. Whether you visit in the winter for skiing or in the summer for outdoor adventures and relaxation, Megeve offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and recreational opportunities for travelers seeking an Alpine getaway.
Megeve is a popular winter getaway and the ski season in Megeve usually starts in early December and runs through mid-April. The mountains are generally known for their reliable snowfall in the winter months with the heaviest snowfall in January and February.
The summer season offers a wide range of outdoor activities, like hiking, mountain biking, golfing, and horseback riding. The Alpine scenery is equally stunning in the summer months!
How to Get Around Megeve
Megeve is a small town and is very walkable so the best way to get around the downtown area is on foot! There isn’t much parking around town though so I would recommend walking from your hotel or taking a shuttle — many of the hotels offer these to town due to the limited parking situation.
When you’re ready to hit the slopes, you can either drive to one of the base stations and park at the lot there (the earlier the better to find a spot!) or take your hotel’s shuttle bus if they offer one.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Megeve?
Of course, this really depends on what activities you’d like to do, but I would say between 2 – 5 days is ideal as there are so many things to do in Megeve!
We stayed for the weekend and felt like we were able to get a good taste of the town, take in the views, enjoy some of the incredible restaurants, and relax at the spa… But we didn’t do any skiing! If we had, I would have definitely preferred any extra day or two to fit this in and really experience the town and surrounding area.
Best Things to do in Megeve
As a world-class winter destination, Megeve has a wide range of activities for both ski lovers and non-skiers making it the ideal place for a winter getaway in the French Alps!
Hit the Slopes
Of course, skiing is one of the best things to do in Megeve! The town is a renowned winter sports destination, attracting skiers and snowboarders from around the globe. The town offers access to a vast ski area known as the Evasion Mont-Blanc, which includes a network of ski slopes suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. The resort also offers opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating
Explore the Charming Village
The town of Megeve itself is a delight to explore! The pedestrian-friendly village center is made up of narrow cobblestone streets with traditional Alpine architecture, and picturesque wooden chalets. The village exudes a cozy and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for a winter escape with an authentic charm. They even have horse-drawn carriages that will take you for a ride around the village!
Bowling at Cosa Papa
One of the best indoor things to do in Megeve is to go bowling! Cosa Papa is an Italian trattoria with incredible Neapolitan pizzas. And, they have two bowling lanes where you can enjoy cocktails while you bowl!
Fly with Aérocime from the Megève Altiport
For the absolute best views of the Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains, you need to take a flight with Aérocime!
They offer three different flight tours: Chamonix Valley (20 minutes) for €100 / adult, La Vallee Blanche (30 minutes) for €150 / adult, and Mont Blanc Massif (40 minutes) for €200 / adult.
I was absolutely blown away by the spectacular mountain views from the plane and our skilled pilot gave us a very informative and fun tour of the region!
Dog Sledding
One of my favorite winter activities as I just adore dogs! Dog sledding is available through Evolution 2 Megeve and the sleds fit 1 – 2 people for a 30 minute scenic ride. Make sure to book in advance via their website as winter slots can fill quickly!
Relax at a Spa
Megeve is home to several high-end spas and wellness centers where visitors can unwind and rejuvenate with massages, hot tubs, and other relaxation treatments.
We loved the spa at our hotel, Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois — especially the heated outdoor and indoor pool with mountain views. So dreamy!
Take the Rocheburn Cable Car
Even if you don’t ski, you can still take the cable car to the top of Rocheburn for about €20. It’s a great way for non-skiers to take in the mountain views from above and experience some of the mountain chalets!
Après-Ski
After a day on the slopes, one of the most popular things to do in Megeve is enjoy the vibrant après-ski scene in the town’s bars and restaurants. One of the most popular spots for après-ski is La Folie Douce!
Best Restaurants in Megeve
Megeve isn’t just a ski destination… One of the top things to do in Megeve is experience their incredible dining scene! Of course, you’ll find lots of alpine cuisine in the area which features meats, cheeses, freshwater fish, berries, root vegetables, wild mushrooms and even truffles. Think: fondue, raclette, stews, grilled meats, berry tarts, and creamy potato dishes. Basically, lots of hearty food to fill you up after a chilly day in the mountains!
- La Table de Noémie: Located in Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois hotel, this fine-dining restaurant serves incredible Alpine dishes like fondue, corzets, and spatzle. We dined here on our first night — as we were staying at the hotel — and were so happy with the meal and friendly, attentive service. I was especially fond of the fondue… Sorry, that was cheesy!
- Le Hibou Blanc: Right in the heart of the village, Le Hobo Blanc has an outdoor patio and buzzy atmosphere. It’s a nice spot for lunch or an afternoon meal as they don’t close at 2pm like many other places! Just make sure to make a reservation during the winter season as they can get quite busy.
- Flocons de Sel: Perhaps the most famous restaurant in Megeve, Flocons de Sel boasts 3 Michelin stars. The ever-changing tasting menu highlights Alpine cuisine using locally sourced ingredients from the Alps. The prix-fixe lunch menu runs around $190, and around $280 for dinner.
- Le Saint Nicolas: If you’re a foodie, you won’t want to miss dining at this Michelin featured gastronomic restaurant. Located in a charming chalet just outside of town, Le Saint Nicholas is open only on Friday and Saturday evenings with reservations recommended. Diners can choose from an a la carte menu or 2 tasting menus… One of which features 7 courses! Also, don’t miss they
- Kinugawa Megève: Craving sushi in the mountains?! Well, you’re in luck! Kinugawa is an upscale Japanese restaurant serving sushi, robata, and other dishes like gyoza and tempura. It has a fun, lively atmosphere for dinner and we loved the service — everyone was so friendly! Some of our meal highlights were the new style carpaccio, salmon tataki, and toro tartare. Note: if you love sushi like me, there is another highly rated spot in town — that I didn’t get to try! — called Kaito. It’s located at the Four Seasons and featured in the Michelin guide.
- La Table du Trappeur: This long-time local favorite features a cozy dining room with hearty mountain favorites like grilled meats, tartiflette, and apple tart. They typically have a set menu price of 35€ for a starter and main course, or 42€ for a starter, main course, and dessert.
- La Ferme Saint-Amour Megève: Looking for a lively party atmosphere in Megeve? La Ferme Saint-Amour has mountain chic decor and upscale alpine cuisine… but the whole place turns into a party after dinner! We stopped by after our dinner for a drink at the bar and were amazed at the live performances, DJ, and diners hopping on their tables to dance. It’s the perfect place for a fun night out with friends!
Where to Stay in Megeve
- Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois: With just 41 rooms across three Alpine chalets, this Four Seasons property feels very intimate and cozy. We stayed here several nights and absolutely loved our room — from the cloud-like bed to the stunning mountain views to the large and luxe bathroom, we were in heaven!
- Au Coin Du Feu: This charming hotel is just a few minutes walk to the center of Megeve. Set in a traditional chalet with spacious rooms, a wonderful restaurant (the highly rated Le Saint-Nicolas!), a sauna and hammam.
- Coeur de Megève: Located in the heart of town, this hotel has lovely modern rooms with a mountain feel. Guests also love the friendly staff, sauna (is there anything better after a chilly day on the slopes?), and delicious buffet breakfast.
- Hôtel La Grange d’Arly: A charming and affordable hotel that is a nice option for families as they have rooms that can sleep up to 4 people. They have a daily breakfast buffet, cozy fireplace, friendly staff, and excellent location in Megeve.
- Zannier Hotels Le Chalet: One of the top luxury hotels in Megeve, Zannier has a chic-modern mountain design with a stunning interior, well-appointed rooms, panoramic mountain views, and five-star service. Plus, it’s only a 10 minute walk into town.
- M de Megève: Another fantastic hotel option right in the city center within walking distance to the ski lift. M de Megève has an upscale alpine feel with modern rooms and a luxe spa featuring an indoor pool, jacuzzi, and sauna!
What to Pack for Megeve in the Winter
As with any mountain town, you’ll want to pack layers, a warm jacket, and snow shoes as it can get quite chilly! Don’t forget your essentials for any mountain activities you plan to do — gloves, hats, ear muffs, snow boots, ski apparel, etc. Also, if you plan to do any fine dining while in Megeve, make sure to bring a dressy (but warm!) outfit as well.
Now you know all the best things to do in Megeve, it’s time to plan your winter escape to the French Alps!
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