Megève and Courchevel, France

Megève and Courchevel, France

Megève

Megève is a well-known winter sports resort in Savoy. The village with its districts Comblux and Còte 2000 is located at heights of 1027 m and 2485 m in the Mont Blanc region in eastern France. The French aristocrat Maurice de Rothschild discovered the charming mountain village for winter tourism at the beginning of the 20th century and had the first luxury hotel built there. To this day Megève has lost none of its charming fascination and belongs to the small group of “Best of the Alps” holiday resorts, which are visited by holidaymakers from all over the world.

Megève as a holiday destination for connoisseurs

In contrast to the Mont Blanc hotspot Chamonix, Megève has remained largely authentic. The village with around 3400 inhabitants impresses with beautiful hotels that fit well into the alleys of traditional stone houses. Winter sports enthusiasts and summer vacationers like to come to this place, which offers “pleasure holidays”. The ski areas on the local mountains have mostly easy and medium-difficulty slopes, the sports and wellness offer is adapted to a rather quiet clientele. Easy hiking trails for families and beginners, river tours and a “bit of adventure” with canyoning, balloon rides, climbing or paragliding are all part of an active summer holiday in Megève.

The focus of the hoteliers and inn owners is the well-being of all visitors and in the pedestrian zones around the small main square there are inns with star kitchens, elegant bars, boutiques and good party locations where celebrations take place all year round. The so-called “night marathon”, which leads the party people through the local bars and discos, is particularly popular.

Courchevel

Courchevel is one of the best ski resorts in the French Alps. It is located in Savoy in eastern France and is part of the 1400 km² ski area Le 3 Vallettas. International ski races and summer competitions have been held in the winter sports facilities around Courchevel for many years. Holidaymakers from all over the world travel to the snow-sure ski area to enjoy winter sports and après ski.

The municipality of Courchevel is divided into four districts at different altitudes. Le Praz is at around 1300 m, Village at 1550 m and Moriond at 1650 m. Courchevel as the main town is very high at 1850 m and located close to the slopes. The spectacular Altiport Courchevel, which offers spectacular views on the approach and was the setting for the famous Bond films, is even higher.

Courchevel: playground for the super-rich

The ski area around Courchevel has around 150 km of slopes and 17 km of hiking trails. The district of Moriond offers the best conditions for beginners and families with children. The famous off-piste “Saulire Couloirs” is internationally known. In the Courchevel area, vacationers will find beautiful mountain huts, several star restaurants and many high-priced hotels and chalets that are rented by celebrities from all over the world.

Village and Mondiol are jokingly called “oligarchs’ playgrounds”. The stations have adapted to this special clientele with après ski events, expensive boutiques and nightclubs. Leisure activities include helicopter flights, balloon rides or night skiing.

Le Praz is a bit more relaxed. The village shows typical Savoyard architecture with many residential buildings and several family-friendly facilities.

La maison Troisgros

One of the most famous restaurants in France is located in Roanne, a town in the Loire department. “La Maison Troisgros” has been run by the Troisgros family for three generations and has an excellent name beyond the borders of the country. The Gault-Millau has named it the best restaurant in the world. Attached to the restaurant is a five-star hotel that has been run by the family for just as long.

The highest gourmet tradition

The first generation of the Troisgros family settled in Roanne as early as 1930 and bought a hotel-restaurant opposite the train station. Jean-Baptiste and Marie Troisgros were purely self-taught, but their local, simple and “honest” cuisine soon found a lot of followers and made them known in the area. The wines from the area, Burgundy, completed the culinary offer. The two sons, Jean et Pierre, grew up in the tradition of this kitchen and both trained with all the great chefs of the time. At the same time, the family received guests in their hotel, which they also gave a familiar character.

The next generation

In 1957, the two brothers took over their parents’ restaurant and the “Hotel Moderne” became “Les Frères Troisgros”. Jean and Pierre kept the simple basics of their parents’ kitchen, enriching it with the finesse of the great French cuisine they had learned in their training. The Michelin Guide gradually recognized their stars, up to the third in 1968, which they kept permanently. In 1980 the restaurant was enlarged by the neighboring building.

La Maison Troisgros today

After the death of his brother Jean in 1983, Pierre Troisgros offered his son Michel, born in 1958, the successor in the tradition of the family restaurant. He is now the only owner and person in charge of the restaurant and the hotel, both of which he runs together with his wife Marie-Pierre. “Les Frères Troisgros” is still one of the outstanding examples of French cuisine.

Courchevel, France