OUR TRAVEL: 4 days from 9 to 12 January 2022
WHERE ? In Megève in Haute-Savoie
HOW TO GET THERE? The train is the best way to reach Megève. It takes about 5 hours from Paris (1 or 2 connections depending on the timetable) to Sallanches. All you have to do is hop on a shuttle bus and you're in the heart of the village in 25 minutes!
GETTINGAROUND: Almost everything can be done on foot. The Meg-Buses make it easy to get to the slopes if you are equipped to go skiing!
WHEN TO GO? In winter, the village is beautiful under the snow and the fires on the terraces call for cosy moments. In the summer, nature and calmness take over. The tourist activity is lower and allows everyone to recharge their batteries.
WHY GO THERE? To discover the many accessible ski slopes and to enjoy some cosy moments by the fire!
ACCESSIBILITY: Find all our addresses on our map Mapstr !
The village of Megève has existed for several hundred years but its expansion began at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1933, the arrival of the Rochebrune cable car transformed the resort and the number of skiers increased during the inter-war period with the arrival of the Baroness of Rothschild and her ambition to compete with the Swiss resort of Saint-Moritz.
If we know Megève by its luxurious side with its boutiques of great designers and its unusual chalets on the Mont d'Arbois, we discovered a family resort close to its roots where sport and cocooning are not incompatible!
We spent a few days in the resort and we tell you all about our experience! Do you want a ride?
A lot of snow sports!
Ski courses
For many years, Megève has been committed to giving everyone access to winter sports. During our stay, we had the opportunity to test several of them with each time the surprise of a very good care.
Theski school works hand in hand with the association Loisirs Assis Évasion, based in Combloux, to offer the best equipment according to each person's disability. Jean-Claude, an outstanding instructor, accompanies me on the Rochebrune slopes with one objective in mind: to rediscover the feeling of skiing independently! For her part, Myriam, back on skis for the fourth time, will be supported by Gaspard.
I will be able to test two machines created by Tessier, a local company specialising in board sports equipment, which allow people with disabilities to ski. For a smooth start, Jean-Claude suggested I try out the dual-ski, which consists of a shell on two skis. This model provides more stability but the turns are more difficult to negotiate. The objective of the session: to find the right position so that I can turn and keep my balance without falling. I am totally confident when Jean-Claude lets me go for the first time, the technique is not yet there but I take a lot of pleasure to go down the slope!
The next day, I test theuni-ski which, as its name indicates, has only one ski. The sensations are totally different: I only have to lean a few centimetres to turn and take speed!
Skiing is exhilarating, you are much closer to the snow than when you are standing and the snow whips your face!
4S Sled
On the other side of the village, on the slopes of Jaillet, the 4S sled is waiting for us. Comfortably installed, it only takes a few minutes to reach the top of the circuit. From there, you have your hand on the brake, so all you have to do is decide how fast you are going to reach the finish! You quickly get used to the tight turns, leaning sideways as if you were in a speeding car going almost 35 km/h! Once at the bottom, you only want to do it again!
The Palais ice rink
We end our discovery of board sports at the Olympic ice rink on the Megève Hockey Club grounds. Every afternoon, skating fans, amateurs and more experienced, meet to do laps around the rink.
Don't worry, I don't go on the ice on its wheels... A specific equipment is provided: a platform, adjustable in width, mounted on two skates. Once ready, I climb on it and we secure the chair with a strap. Myriam, not very comfortable on the ice, clings to the chair and off we go! For the first time, we manage to move forward on a terrain that we never thought we would find again, we are completely crazy!
BONUS: An outing to the Livraz
At the beginning of our stay, the snow was falling heavily and, as usual, we didn't want to stay in the hotel to enjoy it. So we set out to find an outing in the countryside. On the advice of the tourist office, we headed for the Livraz. It is the spot of Megève for cross-country skiers! As soon as I got out of the car and settled into my wheelchair, I plunged into the snow. We haven't brought our favourite equipment, the polar expedition harness, so we make a stop at the first aid post to borrow a large rope to replace it. The ground sinks with every step we take. Each push is a huge effort to advance a few centimetres. After 200 metres and an interminable climb, we decide to turn back.
Again, it wasn't the distance that mattered to us, but simply the fact that we challenged ourselves to go as far as possible against wind and snow! We'll do it again with pleasure!
Megève, a cocooning resort
The heart of the village has retained all its charm. It's the perfect place to stroll through the snow-covered streets on foot or in one of the horse-drawn carriages waiting for you in the main square in front of the church. When the sun goes behind the mountain, take the time to stop in one of the cafés in the town centre to warm up by the fire.
During our wanderings, we particularly appreciated Le River, which has just opened and offers succulent à la carte brunches... If there's any room left, go for their pancakes, they are to die for!
On the heights of the village, the Calvary path awaits you. The slope is steep, almost slippery in winter, but the effort is worth it. Pass the restaurant of the Refuge du Calvaire and come face to face with a splendid view over the valley! This is one of our favourite spots in Megève!
The Palace
In the centre of the village, the Palais de Megève is the perfect place for indoor sports lovers! A climbing gym, a curling rink, an Olympic ice rink and a balneotherapy centre make this place a little paradise. This aquatic space is gigantic and offers you the possibility to swim in 38° water while being outside... It's like being in an Icelandic natural spring! The little extra: the massaging jets spread throughout the pool.
If you can't warm up, don't leave without a stop in one of the saunas!
Les Loges Blanches
Just a few minutes' walk from the city centre, the hotel des Loges Blanches is the perfect place to stay in Megève. The rooms, each more comfortable than the last, are spread over four buildings with evocative names: Jaillet, Rochebrune, Mont d'Arbois... To get the day off to a good start, open the shutters and get back under the duvet quickly to see the snow falling outside your window! Follow up with a great breakfast in the restaurant La Table des Cochers. To complete the experience, rent your skis directly in the hotel and a shuttle will drop you off at the ski area of your choice!
When you return from the slopes, you have two options that are not necessarily incompatible:
- Enjoy a moment of relaxation at the Cinq Mondes Spa with one of their many treatments to be done alone or in duo
- Have a drink in one of the sofas in the bar. The menu is extensive and you should be able to find what you want!
Les Loges Blanches : A very nice hotel offering many services. The rooms are spread over 4 buildings, each named after one of the Megève domains. Rates: from 300€ per night for two people. Breakfast is €23 per person and parking costs €25 per day. Accessibility: there are 5 wheelchair accessible rooms. Accessibility is not optimal in the bathrooms for access to the shower or toilet but the hotel may be able to answer your questions before you book. If the snow is an inconvenience to reach the reception, the car park allows to connect all the buildings without putting the nose outside! Unfortunately the outdoor swimming pool and sauna are not accessible.
The River: A new address in the heart of the village that offers great brunches with dishes that are all as good as each other! The eggs Benedict are to die for and we can't resist their huge pancakes! Prices: from 13€ for nice brunch portions. Drinks start from 3€. Accessibility: access is easy. Walk over the small pavement before the terrace and then the whole restaurant is flat. There are accessible toilets but no grab rails.
Le Refuge du Calvaire : A restaurant on the heights of Megève with a delicious menu and a lovely team. We advise you to book! Price: the daily menu is between 19 and 24€ and count on 18€ for an à la carte dish. Accessibility: the restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible (accessible and equipped toilets). If you are driving, you can take the path to the restaurant, there is a disabled parking space in front of it.
Spaggiari: Just above the stream that runs through the village, Spaggiari's pizzas are generous and the cocktails very good! Prices: pizzas are between 9€ and 14€, cocktails between 8€ and 12€. Accessibility: the room is only accessible through the covered terrace (open in summer). You have to go around the building to find it. The toilets are not wheelchair accessible.
Le Dahu : At the foot of the Rochebrune slopes, a great address with a nice daily menu to enjoy on the terrace. Price: from 12€ for a dish. Accessibility: access is through the snow to the snow-free terrace. The interior is accessible but the toilets are not. You can use the Rochebrune cable car toilet a few metres away.
The 5 streets: An institution in the heart of the village. Live music and boards to share, everything you need for a good evening. Prices: from 20€ for the boards and 14€ for the cocktails. Accessibility: the space is rather narrow and it is not necessarily easy to move between the tables. The toilets are in the basement.
Téléphérique Café : Attached to the cable car building, you come here to enjoy the south-facing terrace! Good food is served here every lunchtime so that you can go back to the slopes with a full stomach! Price: from 19€ for one dish. Click here to see the full menu. Accessibility: the restaurant is accessed by a lift from the street. It takes you directly to the restaurant level. On the same level you can access the accessible toilets.
Les Grands Crus de Fondue : The restaurant of the hotel "Le M" has the particularity to propose fondues that you make yourself! Choose your cheeses and your maturation and let's go! The most : you choose your accompaniments in addition to the bread like fruits and mushrooms, a treat ! Price: from 45€ per person for a fondue. Find here the complete menu. Accessibility: the restaurant is fully accessible. We did not have the opportunity to test the toilets to check their accessibility.
ESF ski lessons: The instructors are there to take care of you. They listen to you and are fully available. Each session is intense and they adapt to your level. Prices: from 122,50€ for a 2h30 private lesson. Accessibility: Jean-Claude will call you beforehand to ask you all the necessary questions so that the session can run smoothly. This is also an opportunity to reassure you by talking to him. At the time of our visit, we had an appointment at the foot of the Rochebrune slopes. There is a car park under the cable car (there is at least one accessible place) and a lift allows you to reach the slopes.
La Livraz : Spaces as far as the eye can see for cross-country skiing or just walking. Prices: Free for walkers and for cross-country skiers: 7€ per person for half a day and 9€ for a full day. Accessibility: The slopes are groomed in the morning and are quite passable. There is a PRM place just in front of the main office and accessible toilets.
Ice rink : In the heart of the palace, the Olympic ice rink is open to all. Opening times vary according to the period of use. Prices: €9.90 per adult (skate hire included) and €4.80 per person with reduced mobility. Accessibility: Go to the reception desk and a security person will accompany you to the most convenient route. At the rental area, you will be lent a stand on which you can place your wheelchair. All you have to do is get a friend or relative to carry it for you! There are accessible toilets throughout the Palais. There are wheelchair spaces right in front of the building.
Balneoform : This huge space is conducive to relaxation and pleasure. Prices: 32€ per adult, 25,60€ per PRM and 15,50€ per child. Accessibility: Access is totally possible with a wheelchair. The cabins are wide and there is a grab bar to facilitate transfers. The team lends you a chair to avoid damaging your own with chlorine but it only has small wheels so you are unable to move around on your own. There is no seat to access the pool but the lifeguards will help you without any problem. The sauna and hammam are easily accessible with large access doors. There are accessible toilets throughout the Palais. There are disabled access spaces right in front of the building.
Cinq Mondes Spa: Les Loges Blanches have inaugurated their new Spa this year. Enjoy a moment of relaxation after skiing. Prices: from 65€ for a 30 minutes massage. Click here to see the treatment menu. Accessibility: Access is via the basement of the main building. The cabins are spacious and the massage tables are electric, which makes transfers easier.
4S Sled : Speed down a hill in a sled on rails! You control the speed! Price: 7.5€ for a descent (1 to 2 people in the sledge). Accessibility: In winter access is not easy. You have to go through the end of the slope arriving at the foot of the Jaillet cable car. The team members can help you and also slow down potential skiers. Transferring to the sled is made easier by their help. The seat is hard but they can lend you a foam pad to cushion the shocks. At the end of the tour, they bring your chair and help you transfer. In summer, access is easier with a tarmac road coming up to the start of the sledge.
These few days in Megève allowed us to discover a village full of history(s) which has been modernised over time. There is no shortage of activities and knowing that they are accessible to all allowed us to make the most of our stay!
This trip was part of the #JeRedécouvreLaFrance communication and relaunch campaign in partnership with Atout France. Find all the information about this campaign here. Book your accommodation in Megève directly here.