Megève

World-renowned Megève has a reputation as the most exclusive winter sports resort in Savoy and one of the most expensive and prestigious in the whole of France. The resort lies at the foot of the Jaillet (1,580 m), Rochebrune (1,754 m) and Mont d’Arbois (1,840 m) massifs, close to villages such as Combloux, St-Gervais and Les Contamines, which together form the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area with 460 km of pistes. The town is surrounded by four ski areas: Rochebrune-Cote 2000, Le Mont d'Arbois, Le Jaillet and St-Nicolas-de-Veroce/Mont Joly. The variety of slopes around Megève means that skiers of different abilities and tastes feel at home here. Most of the pistes, however, are of intermediate difficulty. Although Megève was once a farming village, it is hard to guess that today. The town's architecture is dominated by restored period villas from the interwar years, and the buildings were modelled on St. Moritz in Switzerland. Megève has "always" drawn the famous and the wealthy like a magnet. Aristocrats, artists and film stars have all stayed here, and the town has kept its slightly snobbish atmosphere to this day. Megève is famous for its hotels. Some of the residences and guesthouses built after the First World War do have a unique charm, which is fully reflected in their prices. Elegant shops, expensive restaurants and clubs line the main street. You can also sample Savoyard specialities in the restaurants along the pistes, although they are no cheaper than those in town.