A weekend in the mountains in the Alps: Megève or Annecy?

The festivities are over but winter, for its part, is still present, and this is the opportunity to go to the mountains to enjoy it fully! If you haven’t had the chance to go on holiday at the end of the year, now is the time to go and spend a weekend in the mountains. Get out your ski suits, your woolly hats and your mittens and head to the Alps. But then are you more Megève or Annecy?

These two beautiful towns in the Alps are located in the same region but are not alike. So which will be your favourite?

Megève

Megève, located in Haute-Savoie and in the heart of Mont Blanc, is a village and exceptional ski resort. If you are a fan of winter sports, you will be won over by its 445km of alpine skiing and cross-country skiing runs, reaching up to 2,350m in altitude, its snowparks… What makes Megève especially successful is its luxurious environment, with its palaces, its luxury hotels, its designer boutiques and its chic rustic chalets. But don’t be afraid, it’s not a village reserved for a certain type of clientele. You will also appreciate its authenticity and typical character, by walking through the medieval streets of old Megève to discover farms and chalets with traditional architecture, fir trees, the river, and above all its magnificent view of the mountains.

Although Megève’s ski area is immense, winter sports are not the only thing to do. The town is full of places you must see, and you will find many guided tours organised. And there is nothing better than discovering a magnificent place by flying over it. You can, by going to the altiport at Côte 2000 located 7km from Megève, discover the Mont Blanc massif and its glaciers by helicopter or light aircraft.

Why not try ice climbing? Accompanied by a guide, come and break the ice, in magnificent places selected according to your wishes and your level. Craving adventure? Try the husky ride, by directing your own. You can follow an initiation to driving and then let yourself be piloted by sled dogs. A way to discover the mountain and the landscapes differently.

Take care of yourself! Megève is full of spas, beauty and wellbeing centres, perfect for treating yourself to a little moment of relaxation.

Finally, there is no weekend in the mountains in Haute-Savoie without Savoyard fondue! So if you are a bit peckish, you know which types of restaurants to head to…

Annecy

If you love nature, Annecy is made for you! This pretty town in Haute-Savoie offers a paradise location: Lake Annecy, whose view you will appreciate, as well as pretty cobbled streets, canals and pastel-coloured houses.

Nothing better than starting your weekend with a walk by the lake, whose mountains are reflected in the clear water. But be careful, you must not just take any walk and risk missing some very beautiful places. The best is to set off from the Paquier, the lawn bordering the lake, to walk along the right side to the Jardins de l’Europe. You will therefore go via the bridge of lovers and its padlocks. If you are on the left side, you can continue to the gardens of the Imperial Palace, a grand hotel in Annecy. You can also take a little boat trip on the lake, thanks to the many boats available.

But Lake Annecy is not the only place that makes the town beautiful. Its old town and its canal also contribute to its beauty. With its cobbled lanes and arcades, old Annecy is utterly charming. You will find very good restaurants there, small souvenir shops or regional products, which you can also find at the old town market. You can admire the flower-covered sluice gate or the palace of the Isle. You will enjoy walking through the small lanes and along the Louis-Lachenal promenade which will take you through pretty tree-lined passages.

To discover the town differently, you can opt for paragliding, to enjoy a absolutely magnificent view. On the history side, you can visit the medieval castle of Annecy, housing a museum of regional objects such as Alpine furniture, and an exhibition on natural history.

For eating, like in Megève, you will need to discover the products of the region: tartiflette, fondue, Savoie wines… There is something for all tastes!

But you are no doubt wondering where the winter sports are in all of this? Annecy is not a ski area, but several ski resorts are located less than an hour from the town: Le Grand Bornand, the ski resort of La Clusaz, the ski resort of the Aillons Margeriaz, the ski resorts of Flumet… So no panic, you can still enjoy a few descents!