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7 good reasons to spend Christmas with your family in Megève

For more than 100 years, Megève has delighted lovers of skiing, pleasure, art of living... and magic. Because what could be more beautiful, more magical, than spending the end of the year celebrations, and especially Christmas, with your family in the mountains? The streets are adorned with their most beautiful decorations, the white carpet covers the roofs of the village and the peaks, the chimneys crackle while everyone around tells their feats of the day. Amazed, the children live their best life, making their parents' eyes shine with happiness. In Megève, everything has been thought of so that you will have moments that you will remember for a long time.

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Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas in the mountains

It's a ritual absolutely unavoidable for 13 years now: every December 4th, at the opening of the resort, Megeve lights up its sumptuous tree in the heart of the village. Residents, vacationers...they are all there to attend the show on the central square. This year, the theme is "golden and sparkling" and even if you are not there on December 4th, you will be able to admire this beauty when you come to Christmas. Even more so if you have decided to stay in the Coeur de Megève boutique-hotel, nestled in the streets right next to the tree...

In Megève, it is impossible to talk about Christmas traditions without mentioning the emblematic horse-drawn carriages. There are 25 of them, sitting all year round around the village square. A folkloric but also historical way to discover the streets (the horses are from a very special breed called "the horse of Megève"), a timeless walk, which children and adults will enjoy.

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A horse-drawn carriage on the church square

Enjoy unforgettable moments with your family

Spending Christmas with your family in Megève is the promise of unforgettable moments to share together.  

From December 20 to 24, on the Place du Village, you should not miss the Christmas Village: a yurt camp in a magical universe and a program that is just as magical with :

  • Santa's office" for a souvenir photo with Santa Claus to whom you can give your wish list directly (3:00 pm to 6:45 pm).
  • The Elves' workshop to make a decorated leather bracelet or a painting of a small horse for 6-9 year olds, a leather belt or a pyrography for 9-12 year olds (10am-12:15pm then 1:30pm-2:30pm).
  • The "elf kitchen" workshop where you can prepare elf bread for 7-12 year olds, or cookies and pastries for 3-7 year olds (10am-2:30pm then 3pm-7pm).
  • Finally, Santa Claus' parade, who arrives in his sleigh on December 24th, at 10:30 am and 5:30 pm.

In the resort, the magic is also through games. That's why the Village des Lutins has been installed at the top of Rochebrune! An outdoor playground with giant slides, snowtubbing, sledging, swings, wooden huts...all facing the Mont-Blanc, something to delight parents who are happy to take a little break for a snack, or after ski lessons.

At the entrance of the village, the Palais des Sports is a vast space of 30,000m2 that will satisfy the desires of the whole family. An aquatic area, an indoor skating rink, a climbing wall with 100 routes, a balneoform area for relaxation and well-being, a sports and fitness room...which activity will you choose to spend the best time with your family? The little extras at the Palais: Ciné Balnéo evenings in water at 34°; the new "Billy Bosteu" day care center for 3-9 year olds who will have a blast in the huts, connected games and creative activities.  

Be at one with nature

In the heart of the Alps, Megève reveals its incomparable natural environment. Large pine forests, wilderness, open spaces offering breathtaking views, peaks that dominate and watch over... it's a real call to put your nose outside whatever the weather conditions, in order to enjoy the fresh air!  

With this in mind, the Megève guide bureau offers the "Little Lapps" outing: a snowshoeing trip for children aged 8 and upwards, in search of the tracks of animals in the forest and the mountain pastures. They even learn how to build an igloo! Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 pm, 27€/person, equipment provided.

There are many walking and snowshoeing circuits in the resort, for all tastes and all levels. All information on megeve.com. And if you want a little advice, it would be to go for a walk on the Jaillet side, to enjoy the sun and the splendid view on the Mont-Blanc !  

Experience all forms of snowboarding

With 400 kilometers of slopes spread over 5 massifs (Rochebrune, Côte2000, Mont d'Arbois, Princesse-Saint-Gervais, Jaillet-Combloux-La Giettaz), skiing is practically a religion here! During the Christmas period, to make the most of the sunshine, it is highly recommended to ski on the Rochebrune side in the morning, before spending the afternoon at Mont d'Arbois. The other option is to opt for a full day at Le Jaillet: skiing in a "stroll" spirit, on a very sunny area from morning to evening.

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A quick lift up the slope

In any case, for beginners, it is at Jaillet and Mont d'Arbois that it is best to ski. Moreover, so that children can learn to ski in complete safety, supervised by professionals, there are children's villages in all the mountain ranges. The two largest are those of the Mont d'Arbois and the Caboche.

But skiing in Megève is much more than just skiing! It is also :

  • Tobogganing on a dedicated and secure 3km track, which winds from the top of the Mont d'Arbois to the intermediate gondola of the Princesse. Thrills and spills await you!
  • Ski joëring (or pony sledding for the little ones) : an equestrian discipline coming straight from Scandinavia, which consists in being pulled on skis (or sled) by a horse (or a pony). Huuu dada!  
  • Ice skating in the indoor rink of the Palais, or outside in the heart of the village, at the foot of the Calvaire hill. A guaranteed return to childhood for all members of the family!
  • For even more thrills, come and see the demonstrations of the young field hockey players of the Club des Sports de Megève. Tuesday December 21st and 28th from 6:15pm to 7:30pm.

Make your taste buds tingle

The mountain without mountain gastronomy is not really the mountain! And because it is necessary to know how to treat oneself and because Megeve is generous, it offers its visitors numerous recipes as rich as tasty...

A must-try:

Les Glaçons de Megève : A 110 year old recipe, considered as the gourmet signature of the village. If the secret of its making is well kept, nothing prevents you from enjoying it!

A Savoyard fondue: Mountain dish par excellence (with the raclette. And the crozets. And farçon. And tartiflette. Yes, there are many!), the fondue is tasted in the center of a big family and joyful table. Moreover, it is in Megève that this dish was for the first time put on the menu of a restaurant.

Le Coeur restaurant: In the heart of Megève, this restaurant, which is frequented by tourists as well as locals, gives pride of place to local, seasonal products from short circuits. The vegetables come from the Ferme duRenard a few kilometers away, the organic and artisanal beers are made above Annecy, the jams are from Megève... Yes, it is important to mention the jams because here the unmissable is the Sunday brunch that you will tell us about!  

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A table at restaurant Le Coeur

Discover the culture at the top

Skiing, sports, outdoor activities...ok, but what if during this family Christmas stay in Megève, we also let culture take its place? The alpine resort has planned everything to feed its guests' thirst for learning...

Start with "Lignes de crête - La BD au sommet". At the Palais, in the Edith Allard Modern and Contemporary Arts space, discover this exhibition on the theme of the Mountain in the world of comics. The works of 25 artists from France, Switzerland, China, Tibet and Afghanistan are presented, each bringing their own vision, their own style, their own relationship to the mountain.

Price: 8€, free for children under 16 years old.

Then take to the stars with "100 Years of Astrophotography". Nearly thirty works from private collections and renowned photographers are presented throughout the winter, and you will be surprised to dream of space travel and distant galaxies as you wander through the images in this outdoor exhibition!

Buy local gifts

Christmas time is almost here, and you realize that there are still some Christmas gifts you haven't thought of? Don't panic, the streets of Megeve are full of boutiques of great brands, small confidential addresses, trendy concept-stores...in which you are sure to find the gift you need.

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Tata Harper cosmetics at the Coeur de Megève Spa

Beauty: Do you know Tata Harper? Leader in green cosmetics, the organic brand Tata Harper offers products that are plant-based, handmade, not tested on animals and 100% non-toxic. Discover them at the Tata Harper Spa in the Coeur de Megève hotel.  

Gastronomy : The Cooperative Fruitière du Val d'Arly gathers 80 producers in direct management, in order to propose to the private individuals as well as to the professionals products resulting from the farm of great quality, manufactured on the territory. Fondant d'Arly ? Reblochon AOP ? Meule de Savoie ? Which cheese delicacy will you succumb to?

Fashion: As evening falls, stroll through the streets of the village and let yourself be drawn in by the beautifully decorated and illuminated store windows, from the emblematic Aallard boutique and its famous spindle, to the rock pieces signed by Zadig & Voltaire, to the mountain chic to be discovered at Moncler...you have an embarrassment of riches to choose from in order to find THE Christmas gift that will delight the person for whom it is intended.